Three Dee
3D quality - TriDef
Running 3D gaming via the TriDef method requires configuring the screen to run either sequential or side-by-side processing, depending on graphics card, and then launching titles via the software. This can be done by either requesting the 'Game Launcher' software to scan the system for known executable game files, or by manually adding in the correct files.
Fire up Call of Duty: Black Ops, sync the glasses, and the 3D effect is obvious and overt during the title sequence and in-game play. Adjustments enable you to alter the perceived 3D depth, to suit your eye, and, running, via DVI (HDMI is limited to 60Hz), on an AMD Radeon HD 6950 2GB card at a full-HD, high-quality setting, the overall experience can be termed good.
But switch on over to an NVIDIA 3D Vision setup - we used a GeForce GTX 570 card housed in a comparable system, connected to an ASUS VG236H monitor - and the 3D effect is considerably better, according to our trio of test players.
Load up other popular games and the same observations permeate the thoughts of the testing trio. It's not so much that the ASUS screen is better than the Samsung, rather NVIDIA's 3D Vision system gives a more-immersive feel in most games. 3D via TriDef is good, not great, and the need to go through a specific application (Game Launcher) doesn't help matters.
3D quality - Samsung monitor
Yet we know that the SA950 itself can convert 3D on the fly, irrespective of input content. The system actually works pretty well, all things considered. Activating the mode causes the screen to look a little fuzzy when viewing without 3D glasses - the program is sending slightly different images to each eye - but they composite well when looking at pictures, video and gaming.
And the built-in system is game-agnostic, too. Every title can be processed into a pseudo 3D look, requiring no middleware or driver support, though, while 3D depth can be set, the results aren't as impressive as TriDef's (when it works well) and certainly not up to the punch and depth clarity of NVIDIA's 3D Vision.
3D quality - non-PC
While the majority of this review has focussed on PC-centric 3D usage, there's nothing stopping you connecting it up to a PlayStation 3 and/or 3D-capable Blu-ray player. We did just that with the trusty PS3, via HDMI, and found that Call of Duty: Black Ops was no better than the PC version for the quality of 3D effects.
Switching gears to Grand Turismo 5 and 3D comes back with a bang. That elusive word, immersion, springs to mind, and, subjectively speaking, the game plays better this way.
What we think
Here's the rub, folks. The Samsung SA950's gorgeous aesthetics and excellent 2D traits aren't the main selling points here. Rather, it's the quality of 3D that'll determine whether readers put down £500 on a 27in, full-HD screen. Samsung's active-shutter glasses technology isn't compatible with NVIDIA's and, as such, 3D Vision isn't available. This is a shame because Samsung's chosen methods of displaying 3D - TriDef software and monitor-side processing - aren't as immersive in the games we tested with.
A solid screen for readers who use AMD's Radeon graphics or want a 3D screen for the PS3 or Blu-ray player, NVIDIA's range of GPUs is better covered by Vision 3D-compatible screens. Ultimately, the Samsung SA950 is a gorgeous monitor whose looks aren't matched by similar 3D prowess in a PC environment.
The Good
Looks drop-dead gorgeous; super-thin bezel
Built-in 3D mode works well, is GPU-agnostic
Very good 2D image
Thin-and-light active-shutter glasses bundled
The Bad
Overly reflective screen and surround
Doesn't support 3D Vision
Costs £500-plus
Overall 3D quality not up there with best 3D Vision packages
HEXUS Rating
Samsung SA950 27in LED 3D monitor
HEXUS Where2Buy
The Samsung SA950 27in 3D monitor can be purchased from Scan.co.uk.
HEXUS Right2Reply
At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.
