Back in the August 2010 issue of Maximum PC I built a 3D HTPC that I was pretty damned happy with, but the times have changed. The CableCard quad tuner that was featured prominently in that machine is no longer needed, as I have joined the ranks of the Cable Cutter Movement™. So without the need for a CableCard, I wondered if I could build a rig with all the same capabilities but make it much, much smaller.
Acer today announced its newest all-in-one 3D entertainment center built around Intel's Sandy Bridge platform, the Aspire Z5763. This latest AIO PC sports an integrated IR emitter and Nvidia 3D Vision technology to serve up 3D visuals on its 23-inch, Full HD 1080p 16:9 display. Audio duties are handled by an integrated 5W stereo speaker system and Dolby support. More specs after the break.
You're not going to find anyone saying you can have their 3D glasses when you pry them from their cold, dead hands. The truth is, the need for eye gear is a major turnoff many consumers would rather do without, even if it means living in a 2D world. That's where glasses-free 3D displays come in, like the one found on Nintendo's recently released 3DS handheld console, and also on Toshiba's just unveiled 'Dynabook Qosmio T851/D8CR' notebook. If glasses-free 3D displays aren't exactly new, why is Toshiba beating its chest?
Acer this week started shipping
It's bad enough that in most cases, if you want to enjoy 3D content, you need to slap on a pair of goofy looking 3D glasses. There's just no way to look hip while wearing 3D eye gear, and adding insult to injury, active shutter glasses are flipping expensive. It's kind of like going to an overpriced barber shop and walking out with a bad haircut. Thanks to Samsung, expensive 3D glasses might just become a thing of the past.
Nintendo's Hideki Konno, who was a key person in the 3DS's development, is very frank about Nintendo's past failures in the 3D space. In the 1980s, for example, Nintendo tried to push a companion disc player that could be connected to a computer and used with a pair of company manufactured 3D goggles. The project flopped and never made it out of Japan. Then there was the Virtual Boy, a semi-portable 3D system that also required 3D goggles. The recently launched 3DS is Nintendo's first real success in 3D, or at least it's looking that way so far, just don't expect Nintendo's next home console to support 3D.
NASA had every intention of building a 3D camera for the next robotic rover to be sent to Mars. Movie director James Cameron has been helping to upgrade the camera on the Mars Science Laboratory rover, called Curiosity, into a 3D camera before it launches into space later thsi year. Unfortunately, time simply ran short and NASA made the call to scrap the project and ship Curiosity as-is.
Nintendo's eye-popping portable powerhouse may be the talk of the town, but not all of said talk has been positive. Foremost, early adopters have reported trouble with the novely named Black Screen of Death, which kicks users to an ominous, sadly 2D error message that prompts an immediate reset. For some, however, problems have persisted to the point of angry marches back to the retailer, receipt in hand. Before you toss a brick through Nintendo's window over your bricked portable, however, let's hear the console-maker's side of the story. 
Glasses-free 3D technology continues to gain steam. Later this month, Nintendo will launch its 3DS handheld console, the first of what we hope are many 3D devices that ditch the 3D glasses (assuming this whole 3D fad sticks around). Next up are large screen TVs, and as you read this, Samsung's over in China showing off a 55-inch 3D LCD TV that's able to produce 3D effects without any eye gear.
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