Samsung has announced a new Odyssey gaming monitor lineup at gamescom that uses eye-tracking technology to convert 2D visuals into glasses-free 3D.
The Odyssey 3D is set for a global release “within this year” according to Samsung, and will allow users to “seamlessly switch between 2D and 3D modes” based on preference — which may tempt folks who are curious about 3D gaming, but apprehensive to commit.
The Odyssey 3D is Samsung’s first 3D gaming monitor, having first teased a concept display at CES earlier this year.
It’ll be available in 27- or 37-inch sizes and features a 4K QLED panel with a 165Hz refresh rate, alongside a 1-millisecond response time and support for AMD FreeSync.
Both monitors also include a single DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 ports for connectivity, and a tilting, height-adjustable stand to ensure you can best position it to experience 3D content.
The glasses-free 3D is achieved by combining a lenticular lens — specialized hardware that can direct different images to each eye — with a built-in eye tracking camera, and view mapping to continuously adjust for depth perception.
Acer uses a similar system in its own SpatialLabs laptops and monitors.
We’ve reached out to Samsung to see if pricing information is available, but if Acer’s products (and the historical pricing on Samsung’s Odyssey lineup) are any indication, the Odyssey 3D offerings won’t come cheap.
At gamescom, Samsung unveiled their new Odyssey gaming monitor lineup, which combines eye-tracking technology to create 3D images that can be seen without glasses. The Odyssey 3D is scheduled for release globally “within this year,” per Samsung. It will enable users to “seamlessly switch between 2D and 3D modes” according to preference, which might entice people who are interested in 3D gaming but are hesitant to make the commitment.
Initially unveiled as a concept display at CES earlier this year, the Odyssey 3D is Samsung’s first 3D gaming monitor. The 4K QLED panel, which has a refresh rate of 165 Hz, a 1-millisecond response time, and support for AMD FreeSync, will come in two sizes: 27 and 37 inches. In addition, both monitors have two HDMI 2.1 and one DisplayPort 1.4 port for connectivity. A tilting, height-adjustable stand lets you position the monitor optimally for viewing 3D content.
A lenticular lens, which is specialized hardware that can project different images into each eye, along with an integrated eye tracking camera and view mapping to continuously adjust for depth perception, are combined to create glasses-free 3D. Similar technology is used by Acer in their own line of laptops and monitors called SpatialLabs. One person at a time viewing is the only drawback of the resulting Stereoscopic 3D, but gamers hardly mind as my personal experiences with the technology have been positive: it’s incredibly exciting to see objects jump out at you without the need for special glasses.
The cost is one item that’s not mentioned. We have gotten in touch with Samsung to inquire about pricing, but based on Acer’s offerings and past prices for Samsung’s Odyssey lineup, the Odyssey 3D options won’t be inexpensive.
