The new glasses-free stereoscopic display aims to provide engineers and designers with a convenient alternative to AR/VR.
Lenovo has joined the small group of monitor makers offering glasses-free 3D displays. Today the company announced the ThinkVision 27 3D monitor, a 27-inch screen that pairs eye tracking with lenticular lenses to create a stereoscopic 3D effect. For users, content appears to float in front of the screen, which Lenovo believes will enable more immersive design and collaboration for professionals and 3D content creators.
The Lenovo ThinkVision 27 3D monitor supports both 2D and 3D modes, allowing users to switch between them. The screen offers a 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution in 2D mode, which is cut in half (1920 x 2160) in 3D mode since each eye is shown a slightly different image to create the illusion of 3D.
If it’s like other recent glasses-free stereoscopic displays, the Lenovo ThinkVision 27 3D monitor will probably deliver on its promise of a smooth and convincing 3D experience. The technology isn’t new, but it’s come a long way since the days of products like the Nintendo 3DS.
To support 3D content, the new monitor will include Lenovo’s 3D Explorer software, which the company says provides an easy platform for users to access all of their 3D apps. It will include a player for viewing 3D videos and files, support for design and productivity software, and an SDK for developers to build their own 3D applications for the monitor.
“The ThinkVision 27 3D monitor offers several 3D software and plugins for existing products on the market, and through user settings, the monitor can support a number of third-party solutions. Users can also use third-party conversion tools to support a vast range of design software and games,” George Toh, VP and GM of Lenovo’s Visuals Business, told engineering.com.
Toh says that users of the ThinkVision 27 3D monitor won’t need to worry about having the latest and greatest workstation specs, since the monitor “does not require additional computing power from your PC thanks to its built-in 3D rendering engine.” The ThinkVision 27 3D monitor supports multi-monitor setups, but only one can be active in 3D mode at a time.
Besides its glasses-free 3D capabilities, the new monitor has a few other notable features. It’s got a respectable color coverage of 99% DCI-P3, 99% Adobe RGB, 100% sRGB and 100% BT.709, with a color accuracy of ∆E<2 (meaning any deviations are virtually undetectable to the human eye). The ThinkVision 27 3D monitor also includes built-in speakers and a variety of connectivity options including USB-C docking and modular camera support.
The new 3D screen will be available in the U.S. in January 2024 for a starting price of $2,999.
“The ThinkVision 27 3D monitor is another step forward in Lenovo’s overall immersive tech and metaverse strategy as it offers a distinct, glasses-free, sit-and-watch experience that’s an easier entry point for most people to use before adopting traditional AR/VR headsets and glasses,” Toh said.
