There are plenty of other tweaks that can be performed to improve the 3D gaming experience none of which, though, I had time to try out. You can switch the game back to 2D mode at any point by holding down the Alt+Shift+minus keys. Like photos and videos, these games have to be launched within Tridef's software, and while the 3D effects weren't mind-blowing, they delivered a worthwhile 3D experience-at least more so than with photos and videos. And sure enough, a game like World in Conflict, which wasn't listed, didn't work as well off the bat. Popular titles like Crysis and Call of Duty: World At War are part of an extensive list of games that have been tested to work with TriDef's software. DirectX 10, however, is currently not supported. If you're set on getting 3D to work with any sort of video, animations tend to produce the best results.ÄirectX 9 capable games can also reap the benefits of 3D, and it's more compelling than photos and videos because the Direct X engine already contains all the necessary information for a high-quality 3D experience.
DVD playback software is also included in TriDef's utility and suffered the same limitations as other video file formats.
Testing 1080p files in WMV formats proved that the 3D HD experience wasn't at all compelling. And it also has strict recommendations for playing back high definition content, which involves, and I quote: "Ask us first". Tridef's Web site lists and recommends the types of encoded content that will yield the best results.
It doesn't recognize H.264 and MP4 files yet. The 3D effects were difficult to detect while playing back various video formats, including WMV, AVI, and MPEG files.
However, 2D videos and DVDs lacked any 3D depth. I also found that higher resolution photos had better physical 3D depth to them. I tested an assortment of photos in jpg and bitmap formats, as well as ones with varying resolutions-all of which rendered nicely to 3D, though I was constantly adjusting the way I was sitting and the physical angles of the screen.
The only action required is that you have to open your photos, videos, and games through TriDef's Media Portal utility launching them manually in Windows leaves out the desired 3D effects. There's no waiting involved for the conversions to happen-they're instantaneous. It's not as bad as you think, though, particularly with a third-party tool and conversion times. From your own personal collection of media files, you'll need TriDef's included software tools. TriDef preloads some already-converted content in this laptop, delivering the reach-out-and-grab-stuff effects convincingly. DDD TriDef, the folks behind this 3D technology makes the necessary hardware and software that turns your 2D images, videos, and games into 3D content. But put on a pair of stereoscopic 3D glasses-which, by the way, is included with your purchase-and your photos, games, and videos will supposedly jump out at you. It's laid on top of a generic-looking 15.6-inch widescreen that houses a 1,366-by-768 resolution (this resolution is a must for optimal 3D viewing). Perhaps the neatest gimmick this year, and a first on an inexpensive laptop such as the AS5738DG, is the built-in 3D hardware. It's not as boxy-looking as the Dell Studio 1555 (USE006CS), though, since its edges are rounded to look more oval than rectangular shaped. Even comparable laptops like the HP Pavilion dv6t (1030us) and Gateway NV5807u are thinner-looking and designed more tastefully. Its bland design is even harder to fathom when a dirt-cheap laptop like the $500 Acer Aspire AS5434-1958 has thinner and sleeker dimensions. On top of that, it's a thick frame, measuring 15.1-by-9.9-by-1.4 inches (HWD), and lacks any kind of sex appeal. The AS5738DG is part of Acer's long-standing Gemstone series, which is basically clever marketing lingo that glorifies a polished plastic top. Even without the nifty screen effects, it's an excellent laptop, with a price that works in its favor. While a number of the 3D effects were cool and the polarized screen didn't interfere with day-to-day tasks, everything around the AS5738DG is still pretty standard. Pre-installed with one of the first 3D widescreens, it comes with a pair of 3D glasses to match. The Acer Aspire AS5738DG ($780 street) is a budget desktop replacement laptop, and apparently the next trick up the company's sleeve.
It started with a multitouch laptop that reaped the benefits of Windows 7's touch capabilities, and then came a netbook that dual-booted with Google's Android operating system.
The latest batch of Acer laptops are anything but ordinary.