Storyline

The storyline here is one that takes place some months after the prison madness of Batman: Arkham Asylum, the first game in this series. What’s gone on since then is the city government of Gotham City has created a walled-in miniature town in which all the criminals that would otherwise have been sent to the asylum for the criminally insane have been confined – this city is called Arkham City. This and the fact that a set of corrupt police officers under the orders of the fellow who’s been left in charge of the city have tossed Bruce Wayne in the city to fend for himself make this storyline appear rather familiar.

This is a re-written version of Escape from New York (or Escape from Los Angeles, if you prefer), and Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, is Snake Plissken. Once you’ve been pulled into the city by the sinister Hugo Strange, who is running the city in this storyline, your goal is to continue the investigation you started before you were captured – and with your endless arsenal of gadgets, abilities, and skills in both the combat and detective arenas, you’ll have more than an engaging time doing so. The story does aim at making this a quintessential Batman game as it does appear to try to contain each and every one of the main villains, but of course its unlikely nature is easily trumped by the vastness of the environment and your complete freedom in exploring all of your possibilities.

This is a Batman story, and because it takes on the story started in the first Arkham game and expands upon it by literally turning the asylum into an entire city, it’s great. And not only do you get to move through the main storyline, there are side-stories and tasks you can attain as well. And of course, what good game centered around a city would be complete without Grand Theft Auto free-play, your ability to explore nearly without limit!

Gameplay

When you play this game, you are Batman. You’ll want to put on your movie-quality Batman mask and put on the sharp gloves because you’ll feel like you’re the real deal. You play the part of the real detective Batman, the one with vast sets of maps, decoding tools, and your trusty pal Alfred Pennyworth (aka Bruce Wayne’s butler and Batman’s most valuable helper, for those of you unfamiliar). You also play the part of the fully equipped Batman, complete with every little Bat-tool you’ve ever heard of. Fly to the tops of buildings with your Line Launcher pulling you from the ground all the way up, glide around the town with your cape-cum-Bat-Glider, and traverse the landscape as you discover the ever-changing set of situations in the whole of Arkham City.

You’ve got levels on top of levels of ways to interact with your environment, from punching a bad guy in the face to attaching a line to a horizon scaffold to lower yourself down on top of the enemy head-first. You can attack a villain from above, flipping down to knock him out with your boot. You can make a glide-attack from a half-mile above a group of gangsters directly to a fellow’s face. Toss your Remote Controlled Batarang and make it flip and fly from your hand down the aisle, around the corner, and under a table to hit a notorious fellow in the kneecap. You will know the meaning of a diverse set of views and controls when you work here in the city.

You’ll want to choose your controls wisely. The folks who make the game have some special edition Batarang controllers you can use, but know this: there are many ways. When you see the demonstration video you’ll see your humble narrator using the keyboard on the laptop and a plain ol’ two-button and a scroll wheel mouse. You’ve got many choices, to say the least.

Graphics

Again I must say that this is far and away the most aesthetically voluptuous video game I’ve ever played, and with the setup I’ve got running here there’s no waiting for anything. Flowing cape, purple haze, and masses of bats haunt your vision as you move through a very real (yet virtual, believe it or not) world of Arkham City. You’ll walk across a collapsing set of poles over motel metal, gaze over the masses of buildings complete with weather, and move in and out of cinematics without even a moment’s delay.

When you fight a set of gangsters, you’ll know you’ve beaten them all because whichever ends up being your final punch or kick is swiftly zoomed in on shown in ultra slow-motion. It’s just lovely. Have a peek at the enhancements you’ll be working with should you play this game with the same GPU we’re having a look at here – lots more floaties!

Hands-on with Batman: Arkham City on an Alienware M17xR3

The 3rd Dimension

I played this game in 3D with the NVIDIA 3D Vision 2 wireless 3D glasses you see in the hands-on video. Notice in the video that you’re not seeing in 3D — that’s not because the 3D glasses don’t work, its because the camera can’t translate the effect. What you’re seeing instead is one of two frames that the glasses would otherwise send to your two eyes for the full 3D effect. And that effect is good. Where I’m by no means a fan of the 3D era we’re in right this moment, these glasses fit my face, the lenses cover my eyes adequately, and I don’t get a headache like I did with the ol’ blue and red glasses or these no-glasses 3D effects we’re seeing with some smartphones this past year.

Those are nasty, this is undeniably good.

Wrap-up

This game is the one rig giants will be using as their go-to for “look at how amazing this machine is” for quite some time, without a doubt. The folks at Rocksteady Studios have done a fantastic job of both developing and delivering the game, this including promoting the game with several offers on each different iteration of the game – like Gamestop where you’ll find the reviews sitting at 10 out of 10 almost without end. This game is out now for several platforms including Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, but as this PC version is without a doubt the most aesthetically powerful, this is the one you should get. Suit up now.

And know this – as with all of our reviews here on SlashGear of products like smartphones, tablets, computers of all types, and even the tiniest of remote control vehicles, you’re welcome to continue to ask questions throughout the future that your humble narrator (or whoever did each particular review) will do their best to answer. In other words – what else do you want to know?

$99 gets you the same active shutter lenses as on the more expensive wireless pair, but replaces the wireless sync connection and batteries with a USB cable. That 10-foot cord both powers and operates the wired glasses, meaning no downtime while you recharge.

It’s worth remembering that the regular wireless glasses only have a range of up to 15ft, so you’re not exactly sacrificing too much range opting for the wired pair. Whether the same can be said for the somewhat frustrated mobility depends to be seen; the new shutter specs will go on sale in late June.

Press Release:

NVIDIA Introduces New 3D Vision Wired Glasses for Only $99

New Wired Model Delivers Same Award-Wining 3D Vision Quality and Features with Sleek New Design, Making Full HD (1080p) 3D PC Gaming More Affordable

TAIPEI—May 30, 2011— COMPUTEX 2011—NVIDIA today announced a new addition to the NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ product family: NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses. The new glasses make the world’s best 3D PC experience more affordable at $99 (U.S. MSRP), and offer the same award-winning 3D quality and features of 3D Vision wireless glasses.

NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses, which feature NVIDIA’s advanced active-shutter technology, allow gamers and 3D enthusiasts to access the broadest selection of high-quality 3D content available today, including more than 525 full-HD 3D games, Blu-ray 3D movies, and streaming 3D video from YouTube and 3DVisionLive.com. NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses also support more than 65 different 3D Vision monitors, notebooks, and projectors, giving users complete flexibility in configuring their 3D Vision PCs.
NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses include a 10-foot USB 2.0 cable for direct, easy connection to a 3D Vision PC or notebook. This makes it ideal for LAN gaming events and iCafe gaming centers, as it does not require batteries and the cable can easily be secured to a PC with an optional computer lock to minimize theft.

“3D Vision provides gamers and enthusiasts with the world’s largest ecosystem of 3D products and features,” said Phil Eisler, general manager of 3D Vision at NVIDIA. “3D fans have been waiting for more affordable glasses, and we’re expecting our new 3D Vision wired glasses to hit the sweet spot for them.”

NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses are expected to be available beginning in late-June 2011 from the NVIDIA Store, as well as from leading retailers and e-tailers. For more information about 3D Vision visit www.nvidia.com/3dvision.

About NVIDIA 3D Vision
NVIDIA is the worldwide leader in 3D technology for personal computers. NVIDIA 3D Vision technology, which includes 3D Vision software and advanced active shutter glasses, delivers breathtaking stereoscopic 3D images for gamers, movie-lovers and photo enthusiasts when configured with NVIDIA GPUs and a 3D display or projector. NVIDIA 3D Vision technology supports the richest array of 3D content available, including more than 525 3D games, Blu-ray 3D movies, 3D photos and streaming Web video. It also enables users to upload, share and view full-resolution 3D photos, as well as enjoy 3D movies at NVIDIA 3DVisionLive.com, the world’s first 3D Vision online community. In addition, NVIDIA 3DTV Play™ software enables consumers to attach their PC or notebook to 3D HDTVs and HDMI 1.4-capable audio/video receivers and enjoy all the latest 3D content in the comfort of their living rooms in full HD 3D, and with HD surround sound audio.

NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro™ technology is a combination of wireless active shutter glasses and advanced software, which automatically transform business-oriented applications into full stereoscopic 3D to improve the usefulness of the applications and increase productivity. 3D Vision Pro technology is designed for multi-user, collaborative viewing and production environments, and features long-range, bi-directional 2.4GHz radio communication.

The move was made in part to support the numerous available 3D camcorders that are on the market today. To view the 3D video the user has to have a 3D Vision compatible computer and be running the latest version of Firefox. The YouTube website allows the users to choose the style of glasses they are using and what sort of 3D tech their screen supports.

“Firefox with 3D Vision creates a stunning and smooth 3D video experience using HTML5 video based on open standards,” said Jay Sullivan, VP of Products at Mozilla. “3D Vision from NVIDIA is a great example of the rich, innovative experiences that are being built on top of the speed and graphics power that Firefox delivers to the Web.” This is really good news and if you are using NVIDIA 3D vision, let us know how the video looks from YouTube.

That adds up to 1.25TB of storage, with the 500GB hybrid and a 750GB regular drive. There’s also a Blu-ray drive, 8GB of DDR3 1333MHz memory, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M 1.5GB graphics. Connectivity includes WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, gigabit ethernet, HDMI – with support for Toshiba Regza Link – VGA, a single USB 3.0 and three USB 2.0 ports, along with a multi-format memory card reader and audio in/out.

The 41 x 27 x 2.8-4.2 cm, 3.4kg monster runs Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. The 3D version – the Toshiba Qosmio X770 3D – will also have a 3D-capable webcam, while the standard model will be priced from around €1,300 ($1,847).

The GTX 560 supports OpenGL 4.1 and 3D Vision, of course, as well as DirectX 11, PhysX and 2-way SLI. It has two dual-link DVI-I ports and a Mini HDMI 1.4a as standard, and can drive a display at up to 2560 x 1600 resolution. NVIDIA reckons it’s ideal for running – with two cards – 5670 x 1080 resolution ultra-wide games using NVIDIA Surround.

The first third-party NVIDIA GeForce GRX 560 cards are available now, from partners including Gigabyte, ASUS, MSI and PNY. The new drivers, meanwhile, can be downloaded from http://www.geforce.com/ today.

Press Release:

NVIDIA Introduces New GeForce GTX 560 GPU and Faster GeForce R275 Drivers

GTX 560 Is Perfect Companion for Upcoming Summer Blockbuster PC Games Featuring Support for NVIDIA PhysX, Surround, and 3D Vision Technologies

Click here for a video sneak peek at Duke Nukem Forever, Alice: Madness Returns, and RIFT, all running on the new GeForce GTX 560 GPU!

The new GeForce GTX 560 brings awesome performance and functionality to this summer’s hottest PC games.

SANTA CLARA, CA — (Marketwire) — 05/17/2011 — NVIDIA today introduced the GeForce® GTX® 560 GPU, the latest addition to the company’s Fermi architecture-based product family, which brings amazing performance and enhanced features such as NVIDIA® PhysX®, 3D Vision™, SLI® and Surround™ technologies to this summer’s hottest PC games.

Starting at $199 USD, the GeForce GTX 560 joins its big brother, the previously launched GTX 560 Ti GPU, in delivering an awesome gaming experience in its price class for games running at 1080p, the world’s most popular gaming resolution, according to Valve’s Steam Hardware and Software Survey(1).

NVIDIA today also released beta GeForce R275 drivers. They bring increased performance and enhanced functionality to a broad spectrum of PC games, including 3D Vision support to Duke Nukem Forever, PhysX support to Alice: Madness Returns, and Surround support to Dungeon Siege III.

Highlights of GeForce R275 Drivers:

Performance boost across a variety of games, including Crysis 2 (6%), Bulletstorm (15%), and Portal 2 (8%)(2)
NVIDIA Update technology now includes SLI profiles
Improved desktop scaling experience with new user interface and features
Improved resizing experience for HDTVs
More than 525 3D Vision gaming profiles, including new additions for Portal 2, Duke Nukem Forever, Age of Empires Online, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and Dungeon Siege III, among others
New 3D Vision Photo Viewer with Windowed Mode Support
Support for more than 65 3D Vision Ready displays, including desktop monitors, notebooks and projectors.
The GeForce GTX 560 GPU is available starting today from the world’s leading add-in card partners, including ASL, Asus, Colorful, ECS, EVGA, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Innovision 3D, Jetway, Leadtek, MSI, Palit, Point of View, PNY, Sparkle, Zotac and others. GeForce R275 drivers are available directly from www.geforce.com or from the driver download page on nvidia.com.

For an in-depth look at the GTX 560, and to view a special video with footage from this summer’s hottest PC games of the year, please visit: http://www.geforce.com/#/News/articles/560-game-previews/.

There’s LED backlighting, a 2ms response rate and 120Hz refresh rate – though obviously that’ll be halved during 3D playback – together with the usual, overblown dynamic contrast figure: 100,000,000:1 in this case. Acer also throws in a number of digital picture tweaking modes, though we’ve a feeling most image-sensitive users will leave them turned off.

The Acer HD274H will go on sale in the UK in May, priced at £499 ($826). No word on US availability or pricing at this stage.

Press Release:

Acer unveils the world’s first 27-inch FHD 3D monitor – HN274H with NVIDIA 3D Glasses

London, 27 April 2011 – TV broadcasts, movies, gaming, photography and even new learning applications: 3D technology unlocks an entire world of experiences. Experiences that can be best appreciated on a bigger screen. Acer, always at the forefront in offering technologically advanced solutions, now presents the HN274H, the first 27-inch 3D monitor in the world to support the HDMI®(dual link) 3D solution, enabling users to fully appreciate the array of possibilities brought by the stereoscopic technology.

Offering powerful and exciting graphics as well as top-notch technology, the HN274H 3D monitor is particularly well suited for thrilling gaming and action movies: the perfect solution for tech-savvy users and gaming enthusiasts.

Together with 3D technology, the HN274H display is rich of high-end monitor’s features, to ensure the best viewing experience. First of all, a large 68.6 cm (27”) LED backlit panel, ideal not only for gamers or video enthusiasts, but also for users who want to enjoy a great entertainment.

Stunning picture quality is given by an exceptional 100,000,000:1 contrast ratio, while the Full HD resolution (1920×1080) is perfect for 1080p Full HD applications and the 16:9 aspect ratio, is ideal to watch a movie with the same splendour of a theatre screen. The 120Hz refresh rate, essential for creating the 3D effect and a response time of just 2ms, the utmost in reactivity for real-time gaming complete the picture of really outstanding features.

The Acer 3D monitors come with built-in IR emitter to offer greater convenience. An integrated IR emitter means you can connect the monitor to a set-top box or Blu-ray Disc™ via HDMI and enjoy 3D broadcasting or the latest 3D movies.

The Acer HN274H is ideal for enhanced home entertainment. With the included NVIDIA® 3D glasses, featuring advanced active shutter 3D technology, combined with the monitor’s built-in IR emitter, you can enjoy your favourite movies or games with your friends, as multiple pair of glasses can be used simultaneously.

The HN274H combines high-end specs with a highly sophisticated design that easily blends into any environment. The graceful base has a rim in a contrasting color for a richer visual impact, while the teardrop-shaped power-key adds a cool touch of class. Convenient to use touch-sensitive controls and an intricate vent design give the monitor an all-round sleek look and feel.

The HN274H monitor falls under Acer’s range of EcoDisplay. These displays are specifically designed with an energy saving design, are mercury free and are made of easily recyclable materials. To ensure lower power consumption white LED backlighting technology was adopted, replacing the four lamp design with two lamps, for up to 68% power saving. In addition, LED lamps are mercury-free and safer for the environment whilst delivering better performance. Acer 3D monitors meet stringent industry standards and are compliant with RoHS (the EU directive restricting the usage of hazardous substances) and ENERGY STAR® requirements.
Lower energy consumption not only helps reducing costs but also preserves resources and the environment for future generations.

To ensure the best viewing experience, no matter what are your doing, the Acer HN274H monitor features cutting-edge display technologies.

Acer eColor Management optimizes image performance in common usage scenarios, delivering an improved, more enjoyable viewing experience. This feature allows you to quickly tailor the performance characteristics (brightness, saturation, contrast, etc.) of your monitor to best suit the visual content. Acer eColor Management, which includes a set of convenient scenario modes, is the result of comprehensive research to reveal the high-end features sought most by users. Psychological and technological studies were also carried out to determine the best method of implementing those features.

Acer Adaptive Contrast Management (ACM) dynamically adjusts the contrast ratio to achieve ultra-sharp images. Each scene is analysed to fine-tune images frame by frame and enhance colour quality, obtaining a dramatic improvement of gradation and detail, especially in dimmer and brighter scenes.

The Acer HN274H display series comes with a 2-year collect & return warranty and will be available in May for a SRRP of £499 Inc VAT.

The updated glasses run for up to 60hrs on a single charge – the old set only managed 40hrs – but otherwise operate in the same way, and of course the new emitter can be used with either the first or second gen specs. NVIDIA has also cut the price of extra pairs of glasses, to $119.

There’s also the Lenovo IdeaCentre K330 PC, a 3D-capable desktop using NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX460 GPU. Lenovo is, unsurprisingly, hoping you buy them both together. No word on full specifications as yet, since NVIDIA is only gloating about the 3D Vision tech, but we’re guessing it’s a similar – albeit updated – version to the K330 Lenovo outed back in December.

Press Release:

NVIDIA Showcases New Lenovo 3D Gaming Monitor With NVIDIA 3D Vision Technology at CES

Lenovo IdeaCentre PCs and Monitors With Built-In Stereoscopic 3D Webcam Expand NVIDIA’s 3D Vision Ecosystem to More Than 1,000 Supported Products

LAS VEGAS, NV — (Marketwire) — 01/06/2011 — CES 2011 — NVIDIA today announced the expansion of its NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ ecosystem with the addition of new 3D-enabled PCs and monitors by Lenovo.

NVIDIA is demonstrating the new Lenovo 3D monitor, as well as a number of new 3D Vision systems and 3D content, at CES this week (Booth # 31431 — Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall 3).

Award-winning NVIDIA 3D Vision technology delivers a breathtaking stereoscopic 3D experience for gamers, movie-lovers and photo enthusiasts on their PCs and notebook computers. The 3D Vision ecosystem now exceeds 1,000 notebook and desktop PCs, displays, TVs, projectors, NVIDA GPUs, video applications, cameras, and games, with more devices and 3D content being steadily added.

The Lenovo IdeaCentre K330 PC, a high-performance 3D gaming PC tower that features the powerful NVIDIA GeForce® GTX460 GPU, now joins the extensive list of 3D Vision technology-supported PCs. In addition, the new Lenovo L2363d 23-inch 3D monitor, one of the first full-HD (1920 x 1080) monitors to feature dual webcam lenses, enables users to take 3D photos or participate in stereoscopic 3D web conferencing using NVIDIA 3D Vision glasses and technology.

“NVIDIA’s 3D Vision delivers superior quality, performance and compatibility required to our consumers to enjoy an immersive 3D entertainment experience,” said Wei Jin, director of Lenovo Idea product group. “The IdeaCentre K330 PC and L2363d monitor were designed with this in mind, providing new levels of power, performance and high-quality visuals to shift consumers’ 3D gaming and multimedia experiences into overdrive.”

NVIDIA 3D Vision technology supports the richest array of 3D content available, including 500 3D games, Blu-ray 3D movies, 3D photos and streaming Web video. It also enables users to upload, share and view full-resolution 3D photos, as well as enjoy 3D movies at NVIDIA’s 3DVisionLive.com, the world’s first 3D Vision online community. In addition, NVIDIA’s new 3DTV Play™ software enables consumers to attach their PC or notebook to 3D HDTVs and HDMI 1.4-capable audio/video receivers and enjoy all the latest 3D content in the comfort of their living rooms in full HD 3D, and with HD surround sound audio. 3DTV Play software is bundled free with 3D Vision notebooks and PCs, and is available now at NVIDIA’s online store for $39.99.

“By joining the growing list of OEMs selling 3D Vision PCs, Lenovo will enable more consumers throughout the world to experience high-quality 3D entertainment on their PCs,” said Phil Eisler, general manager of 3D Vision at NVIDIA. “And, with the new Lenovo monitor, consumers for the first time can experience high-quality stereoscopic 3D web conferencing on a desktop PC system.”

For more information on the Lenovo IdeaCentre K330 PC and 3D L2363d monitor, please visit: www.lenovo.com

The general idea for the 3DTV Play Software, is that you want to enjoy your 3D gaming whenever you can, but sometimes you’d love to get it on your 3DTV, too. If you don’t have a console that supports that feature, then NVIDIA’s new option is your best bet. You just need a NVIDIA 3D Vision-enabled PC or notebook, and then you connect that to your 3DTV. The software will then run the games, in full 3D, right from your larger TV.

Making sure that NVIDIA covered their bases, the software is compatible with any NVIDIA GeForce GPU-equipped system. That even means if you’re notebook’s display isn’t 3D ready, you can still make the magic happen on your 3DTV. To sweeten the deal, NVIDIA is also bundling the software with the brand new Dell XPS laptops, which feature Optimus technology and NVIDIA’s GeForce 400M GPUs. Check out the full press release for all the juicy details.

Press Release

NVIDIA 3DTV Play Software Now Available, Bringing

3D Games, 3D Photos and Blu-ray 3D Movies to 3D HDTVs

Available Now with New Dell XPS Laptops and as Free Upgrade for Existing 3D Vision

Customers; Soon to be Available for Purchase by Others at NVIDIA.com

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Oct. 21, 2010 — NVIDIA today announced the availability of its highly anticipated NVIDIA® 3DTV Play™ software, which allows users to connect NVIDIA 3D Vision™-enabled notebooks and desktops to 3D HDTVs for the ultimate high-definition, big-screen entertainment experience.

With NVIDIA 3DTV Play software, any compatible NVIDIA GeForce® GPU-powered system can be connected to a HDMI 1.4 3D HDTV. The combination enables users to view 3D photos and videos, and play nearly 500 games in breathtaking 3D environments, including StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, Mafia II, and Call of Duty: Black Ops. When using compatible video playback software1, NVIDIA 3DTV Play software users can watch Blu-ray 3D blockbusters on 3D HDTVs in full 1080p stereoscopic 3D, enjoying rich, HD digital surround sound through an HDMI connection to a compatible audio/video receiver2.

NVIDIA 3DTV Play software is bundled with a new family of Dell XPS laptops announced today, which also includes high-performance NVIDIA GeForce 400M GPUs and battery-friendly NVIDIA Optimus™ technology. The new systems, which come in 14-, 15- and 17-inch screen sizes, provide a powerful multimedia system for consumers to enjoy their 3D content on 3D HDTVs.

“The new family of XPS systems provides the best sound and video ever offered in Dell laptops,” said Sam Burd, vice president, Dell Consumer & SMB Product Group. “And now with the addition of NVIDIA’s 3DTV Play software, we can bring the thrilling 3D experience to an entirely new market by enabling consumers to enjoy life-like, 3D entertainment in the comfort of their living rooms.”

Starting today, NVIDIA 3DTV Play software is available to consumers in three convenient ways:

Free upgrade to NVIDIA 3D Vision PCs – NVIDIA 3DTV Play software is available as a free upgrade for all 3D Vision PCs via the latest Release 260 GeForce drivers for desktop GPUs, and Release 260 Verde Notebooks drivers for notebook GPUs. Download the latest drivers at http://www.nvidia.com/drivers.
Available on 3DTV Play PCs – NVIDIA 3DTV Play software is bundled on preconfigured PCs and notebooks. This includes select Dell XPS notebook models, and home theater PC (HTPCs) models from ASRock and Zotac. NVIDIA 3DTV Play software will also be bundled with a variety of new computer systems that will be announced in the coming months.
Available for Purchase in November 2010 – NVIDIA 3DTV Play software will be available for sale next month at NVIDIA.com as an upgrade for existing PCs that include an NVIDIA GeForce GPU and Microsoft Windows 7.
“3D Games, video and photos on a big screen 3D HDTV is an amazing experience,” said Phil Eisler, general manager of 3D Vision at NVIDIA. “GeForce PCs with 3DTV Play software enable users to play nearly 500 games on a 3D TV. That’s far more than any other platform.”

NVIDIA 3DTV Play software, a feature of NVIDIA’s award-winning 3D Vision technology, is designed and supported by NVIDIA to ensure the highest standards of quality, delivering industry-leading performance, capabilities and reliability. It supports industry-standard HDMI 1.4 3D HDTVs and compatible 3D glasses from all major TV manufacturers, and runs on Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows 7 PCs. With the addition of compatible playback software and A/V receivers, NVIDIA Fermi architecture-based GeForce GPUs users can experience HD 24-bit multi-channel audio at up to 192 KHz, or lossless DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD audio bit streaming.

A complete list of NVIDIA 3DTV Play software-supported 3D HDTVs and A/V receivers can be found at: http://www.nvidia.com/object/3dtv-play.html.

As you might expect from a notebook, you get to choose some of the specific details. For instance, if the Aspire 5745DG sounds like something you’d like to get your hands on, you’ll be able to choose from Intel’s Core i3, i5, or even the i7 processor, and you can choose to have upwards of 16GB of RAM available for your computing pleasure. What’s better, though, is that you’ll get NVIDIA’s GeForce 425M chip inside, and even an integrated IR emitter. And, in the box, you’ll even find NVIDIA’s 3D Vision active shutter glasses.

You’ll be able to convert 2D images to 3D ones whenever you want, all on a 15.6-inch LED backlit, full HD display, featuring a 120Hz refresh rate. You can opt-in for a Blu-ray player, too, making sure you get all the HD quality entertainment you can stand. The new Acer Aspire 5745DG is available right now in the UK, and you can pick it up for about £900.

[via Pocket-Lint]

When Black Ops launches on November 9th, 2010, it will feature the 3D option right out of the box. Players will be able to experience not only the campaign, but also the specific training missions, multiplayer (every mode), and even the extra game mode, Zombies. As with any other 3D-compatible title, you’ll need the appropriate hardware to make it happen. Both Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 now fully support 3D playback for games, so you’ll just need to get your hands on a 3D TV, too. And, if you plan on playing the First Person Shooter (FPS) on your PC, then you’ll need NVIDIA’s 3D Vision to take advantage of the fun.

According to Jay Puryear of Treyarch, the 3D technology was created by an Activision Research and Develpoment team, and not by Treyarch themselves. The development studio thought 3D was a good idea, but they wanted to make sure that it was perfect before they implemented it into their title. And, as Puryear puts it, there’s just enough 3D in the game “to make it pop, but not enough to where you are trying to figure out, ‘Where am I supposed to look’?”

While Sony is making a hard push for 3D, and even expected to include it in upcoming triple-A titles, this will be the first time publisher Activision has released a stereoscopic 3D title. According to Puryear, an FPS was a logical choice for the implementation of 3D, thanks to the gametype itself, as well as the environments. Treyarch points out that, while you progress through the title, players will now be able to see the depth of when their character is holding a weapon, or see that cover actually looks like cover, as it has depth of field within the playspace. Whether it’s just a box or a car, players will be able to tell that it’s present on the field, and has range.

There’s going to be an in-game option that lets you decide whether or not you want 3D activated. If you turn it off, you won’t be able to tell any difference. But, if you’ve got the hardware (and glasses) to enjoy the three-dimensional gaming goodness, then activating that option will bring a whole new level of gaming to your living room.

[via Game Hunters]

The Quadro 2000 has a single dual-link DVI-I port, two DisplayPort, and can output a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600.  It supports OpenGL 4.0, DirectX 11 and has a 128-bit memory interface.  As for the Quadro 600, it has a dual-link DVI-I port and a single DisplayPort – it’s a half-height card – but otherwise the same specs.

Both will be showing up in workstations from Dell, HP and Lenovo, together with going on sale individually.  The NVIDIA Quadro 2000 is priced at $599 while the NVIDIA Quadro 600 is $199.

Press Release:

New NVIDIA Quadro Graphics Solutions Bring the Power of the Fermi Architecture to All Engineers, Designers and Animators

Mid-Range and Entry-Level Professional Graphics Solutions Deliver Superior Price-Performance and Computational Visualization Capabilities to Next Generation Applications

SANTA CLARA, CA — (Marketwire) — 10/04/2010 — NVIDIA announced today the expansion of its award-winning line of NVIDIA® Quadro® professional graphics solutions based on the NVIDIA Fermi™ architecture. The mid-range Quadro 2000 with 192 NVIDIA CUDA™ processing cores and the entry-level Quadro 600 with 96 CUDA processor cores now bring the computational and visualization benefits of the breakthrough Fermi architecture to all segments of the market.

The Quadro 2000 delivers 1.5 times the geometry performance of the previous Quadro graphics processing unit (GPU) mid-range solution(1) and utilizes the new NVIDIA Scalable Geometry Engine technology to deliver dramatically higher performance across leading CAD and DCC applications such as SolidWorks and Autodesk 3ds Max.

“We believe the technology that NVIDIA has built into their new Quadro professional graphics, namely the new NVIDIA Fermi architecture, will provide an exceptional solution for SolidWorks users worldwide,” said Nick Iwaskow, manager, Alliances, Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. “With our expected certification of the Quadro 2000, SolidWorks anticipates the newest Quadro solutions will empower designers and engineers with the finely detailed geometry, real-time simulation and analysis, and high visual fidelity they demand.”

The new entry-level Quadro 600 is a flexible half height solution that features the industry’s best performance per watt(2) for applications such as Autodesk AutoCAD 2011, and empowers professional designers to interact with models that are twice the size and complexity compared to previous entry-level solutions.

“At last month’s GPU Technology Conference, the world learned all about the power of our Fermi architecture and how NVIDIA Quadro GPUs are being used to solve some of the world’s most complex problems,” said Jeff Brown, general manager, Professional Solutions Group, NVIDIA. “With these new Quadro solutions, we’re making this computational horsepower available for all users of professional CAD and content creation software applications.”

Both the Quadro 2000 and Quadro 600 feature 1GB of graphics memory and are compatible with the new NVIDIA 3D Vision™ Pro active shutter-glasses solution, providing powerful visualization and analysis in an immersive, high-quality stereoscopic 3D experience.

Designed, Built and Engineered by NVIDIA to the Highest Standards of Quality

Quadro professional graphics cards are designed and built by NVIDIA to provide industry-leading performance, reliability, compatibility and stability when running professional applications. Software companies such as Adobe, Autodesk, Dassault Systemes and SolidWorks consistently certify Quadro professional graphics solutions for their users whose livelihoods depend on them.

The NVIDIA Quadro 2000 and Quadro 600 are built on industry standards, including OpenGL 4.1, DirectX 11, Shader Model 5.0, DirectCompute and OpenCL. They also leverage the NVIDIA CUDA parallel computing architecture that enables dramatic increases in computing performance. Featuring 30-bit color fidelity (10-bits per color), these Quadro solutions enable the display of billions of color variations for rich, vivid image quality with the broadest dynamic range. Both the Quadro 2000 and Quadro 600 are PCI Express 2.0 compliant, and feature an ultra-quiet design, with tailored acoustics for an ultra-quiet desktop environment.

The newest line of Quadro GPUs leverages the CUDA parallel processing architecture and NVIDIA Application Acceleration Engines to enable the world’s fastest performance across a broad range of applications. Additionally, these new solutions feature NVIDIA Mosaic Technology(3), which will enable any application to utilize one or more Quadro professional graphics solutions to scale across up to eight high-resolution displays. Whether the application is CATIA, 3ds Max or PowerPoint or Google Earth, users just simply hit the Maximize button and the application will seamlessly span across all connected displays.

“As the world’s leading workstation brand, Dell Precision workstations are designed from the ground up specifically for professional users who demand the ultimate in performance of their systems, graphics and ISV application integration,” said Greg Weir, senior manager, Dell Precision Workstations Product and ISV Marketing. “NVIDIA Quadro GPUs, combined with our Dell Precision workstations, deliver on those expectations with exceptional value, superior performance, and broad application support for all segments of the market.”

Availability and Pricing
The Quadro 2000 ($599 MSRP, USD) and Quadro 600 ($199 MSRP, USD) are available from leading global workstation manufacturers, including Dell, HP and Lenovo, as well as authorized distribution partners including: PNY Technologies in North America and Europe, ELSA in Japan, and Leadtek in Asia Pacific.

To learn more, visit: www.nvidia.com/quadro. Follow NVIDIA Quadro on YouTube, and Twitter: @NVIDIAQuadro.

About NVIDIA
NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) awakened the world to the power of computer graphics when it invented the GPU in 1999. Since then, it has consistently set new standards in visual computing with breathtaking, interactive graphics available on devices ranging from tablets and portable media players to notebooks and workstations. NVIDIA’s expertise in programmable GPUs has led to breakthroughs in parallel processing which make supercomputing inexpensive and widely accessible. The company holds more than 1,100 U.S. patents, including ones covering designs and insights which are fundamental to modern computing. For more information, see www.nvidia.com.

(1)Based on millions of triangles drawn per second compared with the Quadro FX 1800.
(2)Based on 40W maximum power consumption of Quadro 600 vs. 69W maximum power consumption of AMD FirePro V4800.
(3)Mosaic Technology will be available with upcoming NVIDIA Quadro driver releases in late Q4 2010.

The machine has a 15.6-inch screen with HD resolution and LED backlighting offering a 120Hz refresh rate. The CPU inside the machine can be a Core i5-460M or a Core i7-740QM. The GPU that runs the 3D show is the GeForce GTS 350M and one NVIDIA 3D vision system ships with the computer.

The notebook has an integrated Blu-ray player and a harman/kardon stereo sound system. Toshiba will fit the notebook with up to 6GB of RAM and a 640GB HDD. The machine has a HDMI 1.4 port for sending content to a larger screen and has WiFi with WiMax option. Power comes from a 6-cell battery with a 12-cell option and Bluetooth is optional as well. The A665 3D series will ship in October for $1299.99.

The AS5745DG has a Core i5 CPU as standard, along with a 15.6-inch 1366 x 768 display capable of 120Hz refresh rate.  There’s also a pair of NVIDIA active shutter glasses in the box.  Acer also preloads software to convert 2D visuals to 3D, and there’ WiFi a/b/g/n, an HDMI port, 1.3-megapixel webcam, four USB 2.0 ports and a 9-cell battery.

The Acer Aspire AS5745DG will arrive in late October, priced at $999.99.  As for the updated machines, they kick off at $749.99 for the Aspire 5742G, $649.99 for the Aspire AS5745 and $799.99 for the AS7745.

Press Release:

ACER UNVEILS NEW ASPIRE NOTEBOOK PCs PACKED WITH ENTERTAINMENT FEATURES INCLUDING ADVANCED NVIDIA 3D CAPABILTIES AND OPTIMUS™ TECHNOLOGY

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 27, 2010 – Acer America today announced its new lineup of entertainment-driven notebooks, offering advanced performance features including the latest in 3D viewing technology, Blu-ray and branded discrete graphics. Geared for consumers who want to enjoy multimedia and mobility, the updated Aspire AS5742G, AS5745 and Aspire AS7745 notebooks series are available for U.S. customers at retail and e-tail outlets with prices beginning at MSRP $749.99 for the 15.6-inch Aspire 5742G, $649.99 for the Aspire AS5745 and $799.99 for the 17.3-inch AS7745.

“Consumers desire the best of both worlds when buying a new notebook PC, including advanced productivity and outstanding entertainment capabilities that may be enjoyed anywhere, anytime,” said Preeta Anil, senior manager of product marketing for Acer America. “The new Aspire AS5742G, AS5745 and AS7745 notebook series upholds Acer’s strong tradition of combining innovation with value by delivering leading-edge technology at a price that’s accessible to many consumers.”

Mobile Performance for Work and Advanced 3D for Play

Bringing entertainment to a new dimension, the Aspire AS5745DG offers the latest in 3D viewing and display technology, allowing images and games to literally pop from the screen. The AS5745DG brings 3D movies and games to life with stunning realism thanks to the superb combination of the most advanced 3D technology, fast Intel® Core™ i5 processors, and powerful NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 420M graphics, which accelerates applications to make visual effects more realistic.

Utilizing NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ technology, the AS5745DG notebook features true 120Hz LCD technology to deliver a full-resolution 3D experience. The notebook’s 15.6-inch Acer CineCrystal™ HD widescreen display (1366 x 768 resolution) paired with advanced active 3D shutter glasses with a built-in IR receiver, deliver left and right images on alternating frames to the user, while each eye continues to see a full 60Hz signal. This allows each eye to receive the full resolution of the display with wide viewing angles, rendering premium 3D optics with added depth to on-screen visuals, text and objects.

A complete 3D entertainment center, the AS5745DG features Acer Arcade™ Deluxe to convert 2D to 3D images with a single click. Customers can enjoy the latest 3D movies with Dolby® Home Theater® v3 surround sound or engage in action-packed gaming, with many PC games easily transformed into stereoscopic 3D right out of the box. Customers can also use the notebook’s HDMI port to connect to HD displays and TVs to create cinema-quality entertainment in the living room.

Beyond 3D enjoyment, the Aspire 5745DG provides multi-purpose computing performance along with plenty of ways to access, store, share and enjoy their digital files and applications. The spacious 500GB hard drive can store a vast library of music, video, photos, spreadsheets, documents and email. An integrated multi-in-one media reader enables a convenient connection to peripherals and electronic devices, while the four USB 2.0 ports provide ample connections to peripherals and consumer electronics.
The Aspire AS5745DG notebook’s integrated 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED wireless technology and Gigabit Ethernet facilitates smooth and trouble-free emailing and web browsing. The Acer Crystal Eye 1.3 megapixel HD webcam enables high-quality video chats and VoIP with friends, family and work associates. The notebook’s ample 9-cell battery also keeps users untethered to a power source for hours of mobile entertainment enjoyment.

The new Acer Aspire AS5745DG will be available at select online retailers beginning in late October with prices being at MSRP $999.99.

New HD Notebook Tech Features for Better Cinematic Playback and Productivity
In addition to the 3D model, the Aspire AS5742G, AS5745 and AS7745 lines offer an attractive range of features including NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology, Blu-ray drives and quad-core processing on select models.

For serious multitaskers, content creators or multimedia enthusiasts, the Aspire AS5742G features NVIDIA’s Optimus™ technology, a hybrid graphics engine which intelligently optimizes a notebook to provide outstanding graphics performance, all while extending battery life for longer enjoyment. Completely automatic and performed behind the scenes, NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology seamlessly selects either UMA or discrete graphics, based on the application. Users will not detect or have any interruption while continuing to enjoy applications and games.

The Aspire 5742G notebooks are housed in textured mesh black covers, while the Aspire AS5745 and AS7745 notebook lines come in a handsome, thin-and-light industrial design with a glossy black cover. With LED-backlit display options to suit entertainment needs and provide outstanding visual experiences, the AS5742G and AS5745 Series sports a 15.6-inch high-definition (HD) widescreen display (1366 x 768 resolution), while the AS7745 Series touts a 17.3-inch HD+ widescreen display (1600 x 900 resolution).

The Aspire AS5742G and AS5745 Series offer up to a 500GB(1) hard drive for storing a vast library of music, video, images, movies and games. The notebooks are powered by the latest Intel® Core™ i3, Core™ i5 and Core™ i7 processors, which enable even the most demanding users to multitask quickly and easily. Notebooks with Intel® Core™ i5 or Core™ i7 processors boast Intel® Turbo Boost Technology, which automatically speeds up the processor when the PC requires extra performance.

The Aspire AS7745 Series also touts discrete ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5650 graphics option, which infuses videos, movies and games with dramatic detail, vivid color and realism. Powered by Intel® Core™ i7 quad-core processors offer four instead of two memory slots, the AS7745 allows users to economically configure 8GB of system memory via four 2GB memory modules or maximum system memory with 16GB via four 4GB memory modules. The notebook also packs a giant 500GB(1,3) hard drive and support for a second hard drive, giving ample room for a huge library of movies, music and more with up to 1TB of storage capacity.

For PC gamers, spending money to get the best rig possible is all part of the game, and the adventure. Building your dream machine is the ultimate goal, and companies all over the world want to take part in your endeavor, by offering you the latest and greatest in technology. BenQ has just announced their latest effort in the display market, by unveiling their XL2410T 23-inch gaming monitor, with plenty of features packed in to make any PC gamer drool.

The 23.6-inch monitor is an LED gaming monitor. BenQ worked exhaustively with professional gaming gear manufacturer ZOWIE in just about every stage of development for the XL2410T, including the testing and development stages. Furthermore, the monitor features “gaming modes,” which include FPS (First Person Shooter) mode. This mode was created with the help of Counter-Strike legends Emil HeatON Christensen and Abdisamad SpawN Mohamed. You’ll find two hotkeys on the display, too, which work to change the display mode. You can switch from Full, Aspect, or Overscan. And 1:1 is included, with 17-, 19-inches; or 19-inches Widescreen to 22-inch Widescreen modes.

The BenQ XL2410T also features a refresh rate of 120Hz, and has a low input lag, to make sure that what you input correlates onto the screen and in-game faster. The display also features a quick 2ms GTG (OverDrive), which means you shouldn’t perceive any motion blur, as the edge of the enemies and surroundings should be more detailed. The display is also NVIDIA 3D Vision certified and ready to go. You’ll get access to Picture by Picture (PBP), as well as D-sub, DVI-D-DL, and HDMI connectivity ports. You can also alter the display’s height, just in case that wasn’t enough. There’s no word on pricing yet, but the display is set to land in Europe at the beginning of October, and in the rest of the world at some later date.

[via FarEastGizmos]

Along with the standard DirectX 11 graphics card goodness and features, you also get NVIDIA’s 3D Vision support, as well as PhysX and CUDA support. The graphics card also features advanced tessellation. You will also have to take advantage of the DirectCU thermal design, as well as the Voltage Tweaking ability. You also get GPU guard, Fuse Protection, Dust Proof fan, and EMI shielding. All of these working together means you get the best frame rate, advanced cooling, and reliability when you overclock your system. The ENGTS450 starts at $139.99, and it’s available right now. Go ahead and read the full press release below for all the details.

Press Release

ASUS ENGTS450 Graphic Cards Deliver Innovative Design, Value,
and Outstanding 3D Performance
– The ENGTS450 DirectCU series of cards fuse award winning thermal design
and Voltage Tweak technologies –
Fremont, CA (September 13, 2010) – ASUS today announces the latest addition in its Fermi-based high-performance DirectX 11 graphics cards — the ENGTS450 DIRECTCU Series.

ASUS is excited to launch their ENGT450 graphics cards featuring NVIDIA’s latest GeForce 400 GPU design that delivers impressive DX11 graphics plus support for exciting technologies like NVIDIA 3D Vision, PhysX and CUDA and enhanced tessellation. The ASUS ENGTS450 DirectCU TOP lineup goes further than reference solutions with a focus on quality, reliability and performance. These facets are driven through features like DirectCU thermal design, Voltage Tweak overvolting and reliability features like GPU Guard, EMI Shield, Fuse Protection and a Dust Proof Fan Design. These innovative features ensure enhanced cooling, frame rate, reliability and allow for superior overclocking, continuing to show ASUS’ focus at providing the best performance and value for the budget gamer who does not want to sacrifice quality or performance.

Better Cooling with Copper — DirectCU Technology
Continuing to set the bar in graphics cooling designs, ASUS continues its use of its award winning DirectCU thermal heatsink and fan assembly design.

The ENGTS450 DirectCU performs 20% cooler and 35% quieter with DirectCU thermal technology as well as ensuring quiet and cool operation even when overclocked. The use of top quality components ensures that the ENGTS450 DirectCU Series stays stable during overclocking and durable for long-term use.

Pushing Boundaries Further with TOP selected GPUs
ASUS ENGTS450 DirectCU TOP/DI/1GD5 graphics cards continue with the award winning TOP design with sorted GPUs featuring factory overclocks for improved gaming and benchmarking. The ASUS ENGTS450 DirectCU TOP series feature Voltage Tweak technology that allows adjustment of voltages to the GPU for superior overclocking and higher frame rates. Voltage Tweak in unison with the award winning fan controls offered in Smart Doctor graphics utility allow for flexibility and safety when overclocking. These features can boost the core and memory clocks significantly for faster overall performance* in your games, applications, or benchmarks.
Elevating Gaming and Multimedia To A New Level Of Immersion
Dedicated gamers and media enthusiasts need look no further than the power of NVIDIA’s new GTS450 chipset in the ASUS ENGTS450 series of graphics cards. These cards open up new horizons of visual fidelity with native DirectX11 capabilities and resolutions up to 2560 x 1600. Finally, true high definition gaming comes to life in vivid detail with the added advantage of NVIDIA 3D Vision technology allowing for the most immersive gaming and cinema experience.

Product highlights:
The ASUS ENGTS450 DIRECTCU TOP/DI/1GD5 is TOP-selected and overclocked to perform at 925MHz, performing over 15% faster than reference solutions.
ASUS DirectCU thermal technology: Precision mounted twin DirectCU 8mm copper heatpipes are in direct contact with the GPU — creating faster heat dissipation and achieving 20%* cooler performance and 35%* quieter operation at 21dB* (idle mode) — barely audible, even in a quiet room.
ASUS Voltage Tweak technology allows the ENGTS450 DIRECTCU Series to overclock to the GPUs limits, potentially allowing frequencies near 1GHz. More impressive and more covenient, the bundled ASUS Smart Doctor utility alters the GPU voltage without requiring adjusted BIOS settings, or even reboot the PC. Gamers can achieve higher frame rates on-demand and without interrupting the on-screen action.
ASUS ENGTS450 DirectCU levels up overclocking stability with the unique POSCAP (Capacitor) to reduce power noise. In addition ASUS ENGTS450 Series pushes forward in hardware design using a more advanced 4-phase power (compared to reference 3-phase) to provide higher current flow and more stable voltage during tweaking.
The exclusive PCB stiffener and GPU Guard provide extra strong hold to enhance shockproof performance and prevent bending and cracking. Plus, the Fuse Protection and EMI shield deliver risk-free graphics performance.
*Subject to system configuration and usage.
Specifications, graphics card appearance and bundled software subject to change without notice. Please visit usa.asus.com for more details.

Availability
The ASUS ENGTS450 DIRECTCU Series are available immediately from authorized ASUS resellers. With an MSRP starting at $139.99, ASUS’ 400 series extends the spectrum of features, performance, and true Windows 7 optimization to new audiences.

All of the new PCs feature the same internals, for the most part. They can be switched around based on your preferences, of course. But you get the idea. At the top of the list, though, is the ET2400XVT, which features a 1.73GHz quad core Intel Core i7 CPU. It also has a 120Hz 3D panel. The processors are where the main differences lie, though. They range from dual-core Pentium and AMD Athlon II X2 systems, all the way up to Intel Core i3 and i5 CPUs. Storage capacities come in 7,200RPM 320GB, 500GB, or 1TB models, while all models share 2GB of RAM.

Each model also has support for Bluetooth 3.0, USB 3.0, and have dual-layer DVD drives. We’re sure plenty of folks out there would have preferred Blu-ray, especially in the ET2400XVT, so you should be happy in knowing that you can add it, as an extra option. You can also choose TV Tuners, HDMI outputs, and on the ET2400XVT you can even get NVIDIA’s 3D Vision. Unfortunately, those couple of things we said were missing? Yeah, price and release date. We wouldn’t be surprised to hear that the majority of these systems went pretty cheap, but that XVT will probably cost a couple of dollars with all of the extra thrown in.

[via Electronista]

Digital Storm’s gaming PCs are no stranger around these parts. The BlackOPS lineage of hardware has been around for quite some time, and they’ve always utilized the best hardware to stay at the top of the pack when it comes to avid PC gamers. Now, with their announcement that they’ll be utilizing NVIDIA’s 3D Vision to bring in a new world of gaming, even more doors are opening up.

Utilizing NVIDIA’s GTX 400 Series GPUs, you’ll be able to experience 750M pixels/second, spread out over three displays, in breathtaking full 1080p HD 3D. That would put the resolution at 5760×1080, by their count. And, thanks to NVIDIA’s intelligent software, it will take care of automatically converting over 425 gaming titles into stereoscopic 3D, which means you won’t have to download any special patches or anything.

Digital Storm’s BlackOPS gaming PCs with NVIDIA’s 3D Vision Surround Technology are available right now, if you’re ready to drop the cash for them. You can order them via Digital Storm’s site, and the base price starts at $2,833. That’s without any other options you may want.

Press Release

Fremont, Calif. – (August 2, 2010) – Digital Storm, the predominant name in computer system integration and engineering, proudly ushers in the future of total immersion gaming with 3D Vision™ Surround Technology and the ultimate gaming PC – Black|OPS.

For the first time ever, NVIDIA’s 3D Vision™ Surround Technology expands gaming real estate across three monitors in full HD 3D for the most immersive gaming experience ever. With this breakthrough, gamers can expand their view of in-game action, allowing them to see enemies sooner, get a complete survey of strategy games, and race their cars even faster than before.

Those who have never played on a 3D gaming system across three 1080p displays should be prepared to have their breath taken away. NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 400 GPUs generate the graphics horsepower to drive 750M pixels/second for 3 screens in full HD 1080p 3D Vision gaming for an incredible 5760×1080 experience. In terms of compatibility, NVIDIA’s intelligent software automatically converts over 425 games to stereoscopic 3D without the need for special patches.

Setting up a Black|OPS machine with 3D Vision™ Surround Technology is simplified thanks to NVIDIA’s multi-display software. No adaptors are required as 3D Vision works with standard monitor cables and a setup wizard guides gamers through setup and allows bezel correction to enable a seamless display experience. Further, advanced GPU synchronization ensures seamless support and maximum frame rate.

“The total immersion one experiences when gaming on a multi-screen 3D system is the most remarkable gaming experience, words do it no justice,” commented Rajeev Kuruppu, Digital Storm’s Director of Product Development. “For first-person shooters and strategy games, multi-screen 3D gives gamers a Pentagon-grade gaming experience that is vastly superior to anything else on the market. 3D technology represents the future of gaming and Black|OPS systems are the perfect platform to experience it on.”

Digital Storm’s Black|OPS gaming PCs with 3D Vision™ Surround Technology are available for purchase at www.DigitalStormOnline.com/3dpc.asp with a base price of $2,833.

For images or additional information, please contact Digital Storm Media Representative Brian Metcalf at brianmetcalf@maxborgesagency.com or 305-576-1171 x11.

To learn more about Digital Storm’s complete product offerings, please visit www.DigitalStormOnline.com

Both the G51JX-3D and W860CU 3D have 15.6-inch HD displays and NVIDIA graphics cards – a GeForce GTS 360M 1GB on the ASUS and a GeForce GTX 285M 1GB on the Clevo – while the former gets up to 6GB of DDR3 memory and the latter up to 8GB.  The ASUS is outfitted with a Core i7-720QM processor as standard, but there’s more flexibility with the Clevo: that can have any of a range of Core i5 and i7 chips, together with optional SSDs.

Both systems come with a pair of 3D Vision glasses, and the Clevo can be custom painted (for a fee).  The ASUS G51JX-3D starts at around $1,600, while the Clevo W860CU 3D starts at around $1,800.

Press Release:

AVADirect Introduces Two New 3D Gaming Notebooks

AVADirect, a recognized leader in the computer industry, introduces two innovative 3D notebooks to its lineup of mobile platforms.

Just like the latest movies and televisions, notebooks are evolving from 2D to 3D. Powered by revolutionary NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ technology, hundreds of games, photos, movies, and websites can now be experienced in 3D today! Both the Clevo W860CU 3D and the ASUS G51JX-3D have all of the components necessary for 3D Vision™ integrated into a sleek, portable form factor. With the included pair of high-tech active shutter glasses, users can now experience crystal-clear 3D wherever and whenever they want.

The Clevo W860CU 3D 3D features a 15.6” HD display and blazing fast NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 285M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory. Users can choose from the latest Intel® core i5 and i7 mobile CPUs and customize nearly every other facet of their 3D notebook, including the addition solid state drives,custom paint, and up to 8GB’s of superfast 1333mhz DDR3 ram. Pricing for the new Clevo W860CU 3D starts around $1800.

The Asus G51JX-3D features a 15.6″ HD display and a super-capable GeForce® GTS 360M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory. This is coupled with an Intel® Core i7-720QM processor and a massive 6GB’s of DDR3 ram. Pricing for the Asus G51JX-3D starts around $1600.

Both notebooks come with all the components necessary for 3D Vision™, and are entirely compatible with 3D Vision™ Ready desktop monitors and projectors.

“Thanks to this impressive 3D technology, and our commitment to innovation, we are able to offer our customers the ultimate mobile 3D experience,” says Misha Troshin, CMO and Co-Owner of AVADirect.

3D Vision uses a pair of active shutter glasses and alternate-frame sequencing, and takes advantage of the ASUS monitor’s high refresh rate to avoid dropped frames or jerky images.  Connectivity includes dual-link DVI, HDMI and analog component video, and the 3D Vision kit is thrown in the box too.

As for the display itself, that has an anti-reflection coating, five preset color modes – gaming, theater, night view, scenery and standard – and both height and swivel adjustment.  No word on pricing at this stage.

Update: ASUS tell us the VG236H is retailing for £380.36 ($582) in the UK, complete with 3D Vision glasses

Press Release:

Delve into an Immersive 3-Dimensional World with the ASUS VG236H Monitor
A Full HD monitor with Trace Free II Technology for an Ultra-smooth 3D Experience

Today marks the launch of the ASUS VG236H—a new 23” Full HD 1080p display that boasts market-leading NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ and Trace Free II technologies. It features a 2ms (gray-to-gray) response time and a double-speed 120Hz refresh rate to deliver ultra-smooth 3D visuals in Full HD.

The VG236H lets users enjoy uncompromised, vibrant colors through Color Shine technology with 400 nits ultra-brightness. This ergonomically-designed monitor comes with swivel, tilt angle, and height adjustments to ensure viewing comfort even after prolonged periods of use. It is the ideal display to experience the internet, Blu-ray movies, and games in 3D.

An Immersive Stereoscopic 3D Experience with NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ Technology
The 23” VG236H Full HD 120Hz monitor takes users into a 3D movie and gaming world. Through the use of market-leading NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ technology*, the VG236H takes advantage of active shutter glasses, alternate-frame sequencing, and 120Hz refresh rate to deliver the action at 120fps.
There is no shortage of games either, there are currently hundreds of NVIDIA® 3D Vision™-compatible PC game titles** available on the market.

Driven to Perform in the Most Intense Action Scenes
The ASUS-exclusive Trace Free II Technology combines a 120Hz refresh rate with a 2ms (gray-to-gray) response time to yield smooth, clear visuals.

The double speed 120Hz refresh rate beats conventional 60Hz monitors hands down and is capable of delivering frame rates at 120fps. The ultra-fast 2ms response time effectively eliminates ghosting and tracers to ensure a smooth gaming and movie experience.

Optimized with Ultra-vivid Colors
ASUS Color Shine Technology and 400 nits ultra-brightness ensures users enjoy brilliant and vibrant colors in 3D. Color Shine Technology uses multiple color film coats instead of a single film layer to ensure an exceptionally smooth panel that reduces the diffusion of light. This improves image clarity while at the same time enriching color density and saturation.

ASUS Splendid™ Video Intelligence Technology optimizes color fidelity with five pre-set modes (gaming, theater, night view, scenery and standard). In gaming mode, it automatically lightens up dark, hard-to-see areas while leaving well-lit ones untouched to help gamers locate enemies lurking in dark corners without washing out the colors of the entire scene.

Ergonomically-designed for Viewing Comfort
To ensure user comfort even after prolonged periods of viewing, the VG236H is easily adjustable to cater to almost any viewing angle. It can swivel 150-degrees, height adjustments of 100mm, as well as tilt-angle adjustments.

The entertainment possibilities with the VG236H are endless, it features YPbPr and HDMI ports as well as Dual-link DVI ports for 3D playback. It comes with a built-in cable management feature that helps conceal wires for clutter-free desktops.

*For NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ system requirements, please visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/3d-vision-requirements.html
**For a list of supported games, please visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/3d-vision-3d-games.html

The NEC NP216J-3D is a brand new 3D-ready DLP projector from the company based in Japan. It has some pretty good features, including a 1,024×768 resolution, a contrast ratio of 2,000:1, and it produces upwards of 2,500 lumens of brightness. It’s also got a 180W lamp and a 7W mono speaker on the inside, so we imagine you’d want to plug this bad-boy into your home’s sound system before you start enjoying those 3D movies. However, NEC wants to point out that the DLP projector does support NVIDIA’s 3D Vision, but it won’t be playing your 3D Blu-ray titles.

The NP216J-3D will makes its way to retail shelves in Japan beginning some time around July 20th, and you’ll be able to buy the projector bundled with their non-stylish 3D glasses for about $1,100, or 100,239.48 JPY. Unfortunately, there’s no current plans for an international release, but there’s a chance that could change after the projector hits Japan’s retail sites. But, probably more likely that it won’t.

[via CrunchGear]

Thanks to the folks over at TweakTown, we’ve got a video that does a pretty good job of showing what this HTPC has in store for those who can wait a little while. It’s got an aluminum casing that’s probably way too glossy for its own good (not in a bad way at all), and inside there’s an Intel Core mobile processor, and a NVIDIA GeForce GPU for 3D Vision graphics.

On the outside of the HTPC –not that there’s not enough stuff on the inside to keep us enthralled–, you’ll be happy to find that there’s 4 USB 3.0 ports, dual-link DVI, 7.1 audio, a Blu-ray drive, and an HDMI 1.4 port. ASRock is aiming to have this HTPC out on the street by some time in July, but if you really want to experience the 3D goodness it proffers, you’ll have to pick up NIVIDIA’s 3D Vision kit, which has its own software along with the glasses. No pricing yet, either, unfortunately, but that will probably be taken care of here very soon.

[via TweakTown]

As well as full HD Blu-ray 3D playback, the system offers streaming 3D video support and the ability to convert over 400 games titles from 2D into 3D, in real-time, with no patches or extra software.

The graphics company has hooked up with Panasonic, who will be demonstrating the system on their upcoming “Panasonic Touch the Future Tour”, taking 50-inch 3D-capable HDTVs around the US in the hope of coercing a few sales out of wowed viewers.

NVIDIA 3DTV Play will go on sale later in the spring, priced at $39.99.  Meanwhile those already using NVIDIA 3D Vision will be offered a free copy.

Press Release:

NVIDIA Brings a New Dimension to PC Gaming With NVIDIA 3DTV Play for the Big Screen

NVIDIA Joins Panasonic Nationwide Road Trip to Showcase 3D Games, Video, and Photos Running on Next Generation Full HD 3D TVs

SANTA CLARA, CA–(Marketwire – March 15, 2010) – NVIDIA today announced NVIDIA® 3DTV Play™ software technology that allows consumers to connect their GeForce® GPU-powered desktop or notebook computer to new 3D TVs, for the ultimate in big screen 3D gaming action. For the launch of 3DTV Play, NVIDIA is teaming up with Panasonic on its coast-to-coast 2010 “Panasonic Touch the Future Tour,” where consumers can test drive 3DTV Play-based PCs running on the new Panasonic® VIERA® Full HD 3D TVs, that just launched this month.

3DTV Play software lets you connect any compatible NVIDIA GeForce GPU-powered PC or notebook to 3D TVs for the ultimate, high-definition, big-screen, 3D entertainment experience. By leveraging the processing power of NVIDIA GeForce GPUs, 3DTV Play software delivers the best the PC has to offer: play hundreds of standard PC games in stunning 3D environments such as World of Warcraft – Wrath of the Lich King, Battlefield Bad Company 2, and James Cameron’s Avatar™: The Game. You can also watch upcoming Blu-ray 3D™ Hollywood blockbusters, view digital 3D photographs, and even watch streaming 3D movies for the ultimate viewing party. The active-shutter glasses bundled with each VIERA full HD 3D TV sold work seamlessly with NVIDIA GPUs and off-the-shelf PC gaming titles and other 3D entertainment content.

Facts about NVIDIA 3DTV Play:

Can be run on GeForce GPU-based desktop or notebook PCs equipped with an HDMI or DVI connector

Full support for all HDMI 1.4-compatible 3D TVs, including Panasonic VIERA Plasma full HD 3D TVs

Enables 1080p24, 720p60, and 720p50 3D formats

Supports any type of 3D TV including active-shutter TV glasses or passive polarized glasses

Advanced NVIDIA software and graphics drivers automatically convert more than 400 games to stereoscopic 3D in real time, without the need for special patches.

Enjoy full HD Blu-ray 3D playback with real-time GPU accelerated decoding and playback on GeForce GPUs(1)

Watch streaming 3D movies

View 3D photographs directly on the 3D TV

NVIDIA 3DTV Play software will be available later this spring and sold separately with an anticipated U.S. MSRP of $39.99. It will also be available for free for current NVIDIA 3D Vision™ customers.

Quotes:

“NVIDIA is a premier choice for gamers, and 3D Vision TV delivers an easy way for them to game on the big screen, for the ultimate, immersive experience,” said Bob Perry, Senior Vice President, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “We’re pleased that NVIDIA shares our commitment to providing awesome technology to savvy consumers, and we are happy to offer NVIDIA the opportunity to highlight their 3D solution as part of our nationwide road show.”

“NVIDIA is all about raising the bar of PC gaming, and gamers are going to love playing in 3D on one of the new Panasonic VIERA 50-inch full HD 3D TVs,” said Phil Eisler, general manager of 3D Vision technology at NVIDIA. “This is truly one of those ‘must experience to believe it’ moments, and we are ecstatic that consumers will have the chance to try it for themselves on any of our 15 stops across the US.”

About the Panasonic Touch the Future Tour

The 2010 Panasonic Touch the Future Tour will give consumers the chance to experience hands-on demos of exciting new Panasonic products, including its first full HD 3D home theater system. The tour will spend three days at popular venues in 15 national markets between March 15-April 17, and one lucky sweepstakes winner in each market will receive a complete Panasonic full HD 3D home theater system — featuring a Panasonic VIERA® 50″ full HD 3D TV, a Panasonic 3D Blu-ray Disc player, and a pair of Panasonic 3D Eyewear. Visit www.panasonic.com/future for tour locations and details.

The LCD is called the GD235HZ and is a 23.6-inch LCD that has a 120Hz refresh rate and is ready to be used with the NVIDIA 3D Vision active 3D glasses. The screen has a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a 0.2715 pixel pitch. I would rather see a native resolution of 1920 x 1200 for gaming, but that resolution is getting increasingly rare in consumer monitors.

Other features of the LCD include a 2ms response time, a native contrast ratio of 1000:1. The screen has a dynamic contrast ratio of 80,000:1 and a brightness of 300 cd/m2. The screen is capable of showing 16.7 million colors and has HDMI, DVI, and VGA inputs. The MSRP for the LCD is $399.99 and it will ship this month.