Content area
Full Text
NO GLASSES NEEDED-NOTEBOOK DISPLAYS 3D IMAGE
Sharp Systems of America
www.sharpsystems.com
PRICE: $2,999
On first appearance the Sharp Actius RD3D AutoStereo Notebook appears to be simpLy a somewhat large, thick, and heavy notebook computer. Once you look at the on-screen image, however, the difference is eye-popping. This is a stereo notebook that uses Sharp's TFT 3D LCD technology to produce 3D images that are directly viewable without requiring special glasses or goggles.
A relatively large 3D button at the top of the keyboard indicates something out of the ordinary. Once you boot the system into Windows XP, press the 3D button to toggle the RDSD's screen between conventional 2D mode and a 3D mode for specially written applications or specially produced graphics. You won't, for example, get a 3D Excel spreadsheet or 3D e-mail by toggling from one mode to another.
The Actius RD3D uses a parallax barrier, toggled by the 3D button, to divide light from the LCD screen so that different patterns reach the viewer's right and left eyes. Because each eye sees a slightly different image, the potential exists for specially produced graphics to produce the illusion of 3D.
To best view the 3D image, it's important to have your head aligned fairly accurately with the center of the RDSD's screen. If you're a little to one side or another, you see a little banding. If you're substantially off-axis, you lose the 3D effect. In practice, it proved to be easy to stay in the right area. I just had to move slightly to keep the alignment for the maximum 3D effect.
A software bundle included with the Sharp Actius RD3D supports its 3D and multimedia capabilities. Among the...