From the company that says “The best 3-D graphics EVER, or your money back!”, comes eDimensional’s E-D Glasses. We received a pair of eDimensional’s 3D glasses and decided to take them out for a spin.
I am always suspicious of claims promoting 3D anything so I didn’t have a lot of built-up expectations. I installed the software on an 800 MHz Pentium III-EB computer with a Creative Labs 32 MB 3D Blaster Annihilator Pro and 256 MB RAM running Windows 98se.
The included driver CD has Direct X v7a drivers but I had already installed Direct X v8.0. The installation docs mention the GeForce 256 generically instead of by manufacturer’s name. Since Creative Labs wasn’t on the list, I checked out eDimensional’s web site and found that they recommended NVidia Reference Drivers rather than the current Creative Labs drivers I had installed. The reference drivers are Version 12.41 and you also need the stereo drivers which are 12.40. I was able to install these drivers without too many problems. I had occasional problems with losing sync and having the screen go bananas.
When this happens, there are two ways to fix it depending on how accessible your system is. You can either disconnect/connect If you have problems, you are not far away from expert help. If you do need help, they
Once the drivers are installed, there is a setup program where you set the
resolution and refresh rates you want as well as tweak some of the stereo effects settings. This is where you get your first peak at 3D.
It is pretty awesome and makes you want to skip on and get flying. Objects definitely appear to be 3D! It almost makes you feel you can just reach through your monitor and touch them.
At this point, it was time to go flying! I started up Microsoft’s Flight Simulator 2002. The view was astounding. Everything seemed to be in 3D.
You could see the buildings, trees, and other objects very distinctly.
You are not just looking at your monitor, you are seeing through it. Very
interesting effect indeed. It also gives you a better idea of your height with relation to the ground and enhances the feeling of actually being in a cockpit. I didn’t notice any apparent loss of frame rate with the 3D effect on.
Everything seemed to appear smooth and fluid. There are hot keys to turn the effect on and off. This is handy when the menu pages weren’t written for 3D or when you are accessing help files. If you have 3D selected and you don’t have the glasses on, you get a fuzzy double vision sort of image. Your co-pilot and passengers will want to have these glasses also! I also tried out the new virtual cockpit mode and even that looks good in 3D.
I also tried these glasses with Microsoft’s Train Simulator, Crimson Skies, and
Combat Flight Simulator with excellent results.
The wireless version of these glasses are $99.95 direct and $69.95 for ones
with wires. Unfortunately they don’t work for LCD monitors so I couldn’t install it on my gaming laptop.
So, if you have ever hankered with the idea of trying 3D glasses, start with these and you won’t go back to the flat lands.
FSPLANET.COM’s Team RECOMMEND eDimensional 3-D Glasses
