Acer's 3D display for nVidia and XpanD runs for "only" $399

One of biggest downfalls of active shutter approach to 3D was the requirement for 120Hz panels, which as we all know, aren't exactly everywhere. In fact, so far PC world saw no more than two devices: Samsung 2233RZ, Viewsonic VX2265wm FuHzion. When they appeared on the market, both models ran for $599 with a pair of nVidia 3D Vision goggles. Today, the situation is vastly different: Samsung goes for $294.99, while Viewsonic will only cost you $234.99.

The reason for this massive price drop? The imminent arrival of Acer GD235HZ. This is the display that the company hopes it will become another Dell 2405WFP, a super-seller that pushed Full HD resolution into the mainstream. GD235HZ retails for $399.95 and is available as of today in e-stores across the Internet[s].
Acer GD235HZ is the first 3D-ready LCD with Full HD resolution, which is something that you just could not experience with the 22" displays from Samsung and Viewsonic. While those displays were quite good in quality, inability to display 1080p content [16:10 format, 1680x1050 screen resolution] was an inconvenient downgrade after spending 3-5 years of working at screen real-estate of 1920x1200 pixels.

Display size is set at 23.6" i.e. a new 16:9 format for 24" displays, and as you might have guessed, screen resolution is 1920x1080. You can use this product as a regular display or with nVidia 3D Vision active-shutter glasses. Later this year, movie giant XpanD will roll-out their own 120Hz active-shutter glasses and they too will know how to utilize the GD235HZ. Unlike the models from Samsung and Viewsonic, this bad boy comes with a dual-link DVI [mandatory requirement for 3D through DVI], HDMI and analog D-SUB connector.

If you're interested in specifics, the display has a 0.2715 millimeter pixel pitch which is large, but not by a mile. Screen refresh is set at 120Hz, with a fast response time of only 2ms [G-T-G]. The manufacturer claims maximum achievable contrast ratio is 80,000:1, while in real world, that contrast is natively a 1000:1 - which is still pretty good, given the amount of manufacturers that don't disclose real-world contrast figures.

Still, there is little doubt that Acer, nVidia, XpanD and Hollywood studios will push this display really hard. Time will tell if this is a lonely ranger is just the first of many, just like the legendary Dell 2405WFP was or is the 3D just another gimmick for selling 3D Blu-ray movies after the original Blu-ray content failed to capture the audience. As we all know, games alone aren't enough to warrant a success.