Stereo 3D Display Options

This page is for aggregating the latest know-how and links to current Stereo 3D display options best suited for molecular graphics applications like PyMOL. Please strive to provide fact-based objective information based on first-hand experiences while using the displays for real work and teaching.

Let's figure out together what stereo solutions work well in this post-CRT world!

Definitions

• "Active Stereo 3D" requires expensive and/or bulky shutter glasses. For decades, this has been the standard solution for stereo 3D molecular visualization on the desktop
• "Passive Stereo 3D" requires inexpensive lightweight polarized glasses required. This has emerged as the standard solution for delivering stereo 3D to audiences which consist of more than a few people.
• "Autostereoscopic 3D" means that no glasses are required. However, current autostereoscopic displays tend not to work well for molecular graphics due to their inability to faithfully represent fine detail such as thin bonds and wire meshes.

Active Stereo (High-Refresh) LCD Displays

This solution would be analogous to using desktop CRT monitors with shutter glasses. Are any of these displays on the market yet?

• ViewSonic VX2265wm

Active Stereo (High Refresh) DLP Projection Televisions

These solutions would also be analogous to using CRT monitors with shutter glasses. However, projection televisions tend to be too large and blurry for desktop use.

• Samsung 3D-Ready DLP HDTVs

Passive Stereo 3D Mirror-based LCD Displays

• Planar3D

Passive Stereo "One Piece" LCD Displays

• IZ3D
• Zalman 22-inch 3D LCD monitor

Active Stereo 3D (High Refresh) DLP Projectors

Although these displays require shutter glasses out of the box, when combined with the adapters below and a special "silvered" screen, they can be used to project Passive Stereo 3D to a large audience.

• DepthQ Stereoscopic
• Christie MIRAGE S+4K SXGA+ 6500 LUMEN DLP™ STEREOSCOPIC PROJECTOR

Passive Stereo Projector Adaptors

These devices make it possible for a large audience to see projected stereo 3D using inexpensive polarized glasses.

• RealD Stereo3D visualization for CAVEs and immersive environment

Autostereoscopic LCD Displays

• Dimension Technologies Inc.
• SeeReal Technologies
• NewSight Corp.