Samsung shows OLED monitors for 3D gaming without glasses or headset
The 3D monitors with OLED panel enable stereoscopic display in 4K resolution without any aids. Lenticular lenses and eye tracking are used.
Samsung Odyssey 3D
(Image: Samsung)
Samsung brought new 3D monitors to Gamescom. The OLED screens, called "Odyssey 3D", do not require 3D glasses or a headset and use eye tracking and lenticular lenses to display 3D effects stably even when moving the head. Two models in sizes 27 and 37 inches will be shown in Cologne. According to Samsung, these will be launched on the market later this year, but prices have not yet been announced.
Users are not limited to 3D display, but can "seamlessly switch between 2D and 3D modes" if they are uncomfortable creating 3D images from ordinary 2D content. Samsung had already shown the 3D concept at the CES in Las Vegas at the beginning of 2024, and now the first finished products and their specifications can be seen.
Gaming monitors of the technical upper class
The OLED displays of the Odyssey 3D 27" and 37" monitors have a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels (4K, aka UHD) and offer a refresh rate of 165 hertz for smooth moving images. The gray-to-grey (GTG) response time is one millisecond and AMD's FreeSync is supported. Both monitors have one DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 connections. The height and tilt angle of the monitors can be adjusted to suit the user's sitting position.
To enable 3D viewing without glasses, Samsung says it combines lenticular lenses, which produce a different image for each eye to create the 3D effect, with a built-in camera for eye tracking. View mapping is used for this, which continuously adjusts the images for depth perception. This type of stereoscopic display can only be used by one person at a time, which should not be a problem for PC gamers.
Similar 3D concepts not yet available for gaming
Acer uses a similar concept for its "SpatialLabs View Pro 27" monitor announced last year. This also offers a 3D display without glasses at 27 inches, 4K and 160 hertz. However, gaming is not the main focus here. The response time of 5 milliseconds is significantly longer. Acer sees CAD workstations as an area of application, but also museums, educational institutions and salesrooms. In addition, Lenovo's autostereoscopic 3D monitor with 4K resolution, the ThinkVision 27 3D, is primarily aimed at designers.
In terms of price, these 3D monitors from Acer and Lenovo perhaps give an indication of what to expect from Samsung's new Odyssey 3D. After all, the SpatialLabs View Pro 27 is priced at over 2000 euros and the ThinkVision 27 3D even at 2700 euros. In addition, Samsung's Odyssey monitor series is not known for its attractive prices anyway, so the Odyssey 3D is unlikely to be a bargain either.
(fds)
