3D Vision Blog

CyberLink has released the new version 12 of their PowerDVD video player software that also supports the playback of 3D videos and Blu-ray 3D movies. The new version 12 comes with some improvements and new features part of which are related to the stereoscopic 3D support that the software offers. PowerDVD 12 finally comes with support for converting normal 2D Blu-ray movies into stereoscopic 3D format in real time, so you may be able to enjoy some of your favorite 2D movies autoconverted in 3D format (if you are a fan of autoconversion to 3D). PowerDVD 12 also comes with support for 3D videos using the MK3D video format (file container). The new version also lets you choose your preferred 3D viewing method for viewing YouTube 3D videos, and you can also playback 2D videos from YouTube converted in stereo 3D format, using the TrueTheater 3D autoconversion feature of the software.

One more important change with the new PowerDVD 12 software is the stereo 3D support also becoming available to a Pro version of the player and not only available anymore in the Ultra version. The PowerDVD 12 Pro and Ultra pretty much offer the same set of stereoscopic 3D features, although the Ultra version still has some more extra features. Just a reminder that the Standard version of PowerDVD 12 does not have support for any of the 3D-related capabilities of the product and you will not be able to play stereo 3D content with it. PowerDVD 12 Ultra is available with a price of $99.95 USD and the PowerDVD 12 Pro is available for $79.9 USD, and upgrades from previous PowerDVD versions are available starting at $44.95 USD. Not that much reason to upgrade if you already have PowerDVD 10 or 11 Ultra and use it mainly for the playback of Bly-ray 3D or other 3D videos as the the focus this time seems to be placed mostly on extending the autoconversion from 2D to 3D. There is also a trial version available of the player that you can download and try the new features of PowerDVD 12.

- For more information about the new CyberLink PowerDVD 12 software player…
- To download the trial version of the new CyberLink PowerDVD 12 software…

HP is finally joining in with a 3D LCD monitor, after the company also released a 3D-capable laptop quite a while ago in the Envy product line. What is interesting in this announcement is that the HP 2311gt monitor is a passive 3D solution and not an active 3D one as HP has shown last year with HP 2310g. So it seems that we won’t be seeing a 3D Vision-ready monitor for now from HP and they have apparently abandoned the idea to release the active HP 2310g 3D LCD monitor and have replaced it with the HP 2311gt passive 3D model.

The 23-inch HP 2311gt LED backlit 3D monitor uses Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) technology, offers native 1920×1080 resolution, comes bundled with 2 pairs of passive 3D glasses, Cyberlink PowerDVD software bundled to offer 2D to 3D video conversion and playback as well as DDD’s TriDef Ignition software for playing games in stereoscopic 3D format. This new 3D monitor from HP is apparently already available in some parts of Europe…

HP 2311gt Monitor Specifications:

Viewable Image Size: 58.42 cm (23.0-inch) diagonal
Display Type: TN LCD active matrix
Response time: 5 ms typical
Pixel Pitch: 0.265 mm
Brightness: 200-250 cd/m² (2D mode); 100 cd/m² (3D mode)
Contrast ratio: 1000:1 static; 3000000:1 dynamic (2D mode)
View angle: 170° horizontal, 160° (2D mode) and 12° (3D mode) vertical
Maximum Graphics Resolution in 2D: 1920×1080 @ 60 Hz
Maximum Graphics Resolution in 3D: 1920×540 @ 60 Hz
3D Glasses: 3D Passive FPR (Film-type Patterned Retarder) Glasses
Video Input Terminals: VGA, DVI, and HDMI
Power Consumption: 45 watts max, 33 watts typical, 0.5 watts sleep
Dimensions (W x D x H): 557.95×159.0×416.48 mm (21.97×6.26×16.40 in)
Maximum Weight: 4.3 kg (9.5 lb)

What is interesting is the fact that HP is giving out all the not so attractive specs that most of other makers of passive 3D monitors tend to “forget” to mention to the customers. I’m talking about things like the reduced brightness in 3D mode, the very small vertical viewing angle in 3D mode, the lower resolution in 3D mode. Most others just save you these important things and focus on the better points in passive versus active 3D solutions, leaving the impression that it is much better and does not have any drawbacks.

Today CyberLink officially released their new PowerDVD 11 media playback software for PC with the new version being announced as an universal player that is designed to be the only application you’ll need to view Blu-ray and DVD movies, videos, photos and listen to music. PowerDVD 11 comes with a lot of new features including support for playback and transfer of content from iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android phones and tablets to PC. In addition to support for media from smartphones and tablet devices, the new PowerDVD can also play from remote media sources such as DLNA servers and popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Flickr and YouTube. Furthermore PowerDVD 11 users owning an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Android-based devices can download and install the PowerDVD Remote application that will turn their mobile device into a remote control for the PowerDVD playback functionality tight from the comfort of their sofa.

Among the interesting new 3D-related features you will get in the top version of PowerDVD 11 are for example: Playback of recorded 3D TV (ISDB-T Standard), 3D Photo support (MPO/JPS), TrueTheater 3D functionality for for photos including ones from Facebook and Flickr, and the ability to Upload 3D video to YouTube. I’ll be doing a review of the new functionality added in the PowerDVD 11 Universal Media Player in the next few days, so expect more information about the new version of the PowerDVD media player very soon.

Key Features in the new PowerDVD 11:

- Play any HD media: Whether it’s Blu-ray, upscaled DVDs, videos or photos, PowerDVD 11 can play them all flawlessly with optimized CPU/GPU hardware acceleration. And new ultra-fast Instant Seek lets you search for movie scenes in your DVDs in a flash.
- Play any 3D media: Experience the hottest new movie and video technology with Blu-ray 3D and native 3D video support. You can even convert your 2D DVDs, videos and photos and enjoy them in 3D.
- Play media from anywhere: From Apple and Android devices through to online media, DLNA server content, and Blu-ray and DVD discs, PowerDVD 11 plays it all.
- Play in upscaled quality: CyberLink’s unique TrueTheater enhancements allow you to upscale the image quality of your movies, videos, while TrueTheater Surround gives you a surround sound experience using only stereo speakers.
- Play social media: Watch TrueTheater-enhanced video from YouTube and view Facebook and Flickr photos and slideshows all from the one application. Easy, convenient and a great time-saver – no more searching!

The new PowerDVD 11 is already available online, supporting the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Russian and Portuguese. CyberLink offers OEM versions to PC and CE manufacturing customers, while a free trial download is also available from the CyberLink website. In order to get all the features available, including the Blu-ray 3D movie playback you will need to get the PowerDVD 11 Ultra that is available for $99.95 USD. The slightly more affordable PowerDVD 11 Deluxe version is $69.95 USD and while it still supports most 3D functions, you will not be able to play Blu-ray 3D movies with it. If you own a PowerDVD 10 Ultra license you can do an upgrade to the new 11 Ultra version for $59.95 USD.

- For more information about the new Cyberlink PowerDVD 11 Universal Media Player…