On the heels of XpanD's announced universal 3D glasses, Monster has revealed their own plans to accessorize the burgeoning 3D world. The debut of Monster Vision "Max 3D" at the CEA Line Shows in New York City this week reportedly brings the world's first and only universal wireless 3D eyewear "shutter system," with an exclusive active 3D radio frequency (RF) solution that will work with any brand of 3D-ready television. RF ensures reliable communication with the transmitter even without line of sight, which might seem unnecessary since we need line-of-sight to watch TV obviously, but it's handy if a person (or dog or cat) wanders between us and the transmitter. Monster's "Active Sync" is based on Bit Cauldron's HeartBeat technology, eliminating the common sync issues found in most rival IR-based shutter glasses.
Monster's agnostic approach utilizes a process whereby Active Sync allows Monster's wireless Universal 3D Shutter Transmitter to detect the signal from any 3D-enabled flat panel display. The transmitter then wirelessly decodes the shutter signals and transmits them to a sensor embedded in the glasses, via ZigBee's 2.4 GHz radio technology. The interference rejection software and sync correction then enable the specially designed lenses in the Monster Vision Max 3D glasses to react electro-chromatically, blinking faster than the eye can see. And addressing the concerns of multiple 3D TV owners, Active Sync also allows Monster Vision Max 3D glasses to work with one TV even when other 3D TVs or Monster Vision Max 3D Shutter Transmitters are nearby.
The glasses feature a rechargeable lithium polymer battery for many hours of continuous use and thousands of hours before replacement is needed. The glasses are also future-ready for new standards, updatable via USB through the built-in Monster Vision update portal to learn new codes.
Monster reps passed around a prototype pair after the announcement and the oversized über-geek style (perhaps deliberate?) fits comfortably over prescription eyeglasses like mine, with a lightweight high-gloss black design. The Monster Vision Max 3D Eyeglasses and Transmitter Kit should be available in September for a suggested retail price of $249.95 for the set. Additional Monster Vision Max 3D Eyeglasses will carry a suggested retail price of $169.95/pair, with an a la carte transmitter retailing for $59.95.
[editor's note: not sure how they'll handle the slightly different tints used in different vendor's TVs and 3D glasses but we shall see]
More Information:
