Warren: why should a 120 Hz LCD monitor with the nVidia USB
emitter/glasses require a Quadro card? The system requirements for
GeForce 3D Vision on Windows lists many GeForce cards as being
supported:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/GeForce_3D_Vision_Requirements.html
GeForce GTX 200 series
...
Geforce 9 series
...
Geforce 8 series
...
I should think it unlikely that the hardware requirements under Linux or
MacOS would differ drastically, if and when those OSes are covered by a
driver.
-
=======================================================================
You can't possibly be a scientist if you mind people
thinking that you're a fool. - Wonko the Sane
=======================================================================
David J. Schuller
modern man in a post-modern world
MacCHESS, Cornell University
[log in to unmask]
> ---- Original message ----
> >Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 01:31:12 -0700
> >From: Warren DeLano <[log in to unmask]>
> >Subject: Re: [ccp4bb] Best 3D stereo combination for Mac OS X
> today
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >
> > Danny,
> >
> > Thank you (and Harry and Dirk) for pointing out the
> > after-market PNY card -- I wasn't aware of that
> > option.
> >
> > However, it is worth noting that PC users can access
> > stereo 3D (via "3D Vision" IR emitter & glasses)
> > with a $139 Quadro 300-series card whereas Mac users
> > must spend 12X more for an ultra high-end
> > 4000-series card (which will only work IF they
> > happen to own a compatible Mac Pro model).
> > Unfortunately, all the GPU power of an expensive
> > ultra-high-end-card provides little (if any) benefit
> > if all you're running is Coot, PyMOL, CCP4mg...
> >
> > Anyway, my point is that there is presently a
> > significant (and possibly increasing) lack of parity
> > for the Mac versus the other platforms with respect
> > to stereo 3D. Furthermore, because of nVidia's
> > introduction of their proprietary USB-based emitter
> > (which syncs the 120 Hz LCDs), it isn't yet clear
> > whether or these displays will work only on Windows,
> > only on Windows and Linux, or indeed across all
> > three platforms.
> >
> > Personally, I would want to know the answer to that
> > question before spending $4-6k+ USD on a
> > Quadro-equipped Mac Pro!
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Warren
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Danny Smith [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: Tue 6/30/2009 4:03 PM
> > To: Warren DeLano
> > Cc: Danny G Smith; [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: [ccp4bb] Best 3D stereo combination for
> > Mac OS X today
> >
> > Warren,
> >
> > Thank you very much for the quick reply. I didn't
> > see it directly
> > with the mac, but this link still has it at the
> > store,
> >
> http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/WebObjects/BusinessCustom.woa/9554008/wa/PSLIDfind=Quadro+FX+4800+for+Mac&wosid=7Q4ITeYWEwd92YhZCy32JoVJnH4
> > . It is very expensive at $1,746.00. I also found
> > this link,
> >
> http://www3.pny.com/NVIDIA-Quadro-FX-4800-For-Mac-P2815C409.aspx
> > . It looks like on that page that it is tested with
> > Mac OS X v10.5.7,
> > on MacPro3,1 or MacPro4,1 or later - Note: MacPro1,1
> > and MacPro2,1 are
> > not compatible. I was just hoping to find a cheaper
> > card. It does
> > make me want to do more research with our sales rep.
> >
> > thanks,
> >
> > Danny G. Smith
> > Sr. Programmer / Analyst
> > Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
> > 825 N.E. 13th Street M.S. 11, Room E210.1
> > Oklahoma City, OK 73104
> > Phone: (405)271-8001 ext. 35535 Cell:
> > (405)-202-6691
> >
> > On Jun 30, 2009, at 5:25 PM, Warren DeLano wrote:
> >
> > > Danny,
> > >
> > > Last I checked, Apple dropped the Quadro option
> > from the Mac Pro,
> > > and a
> > > quick check on Apple.com seems to confirm that:
> > >
> > >
> >
> http://store.apple.com/us_smb_78313/browse/home/shop_mac/family/
> > > mac_pro
> > >
> > > Lacking indications to the contrary, we can only
> > conclude that OpenGL
> > > stereo 3D support has an uncertain future on the
> > Mac, whereas nVidia
> > > appears fully committed to supporting it under
> > Windows XP, Vista, and
> > > Linux.
> > >
> > > 120 Hz LCDs are very close to being, but are not
> > quite yet, a viable
> > > option. Hopelly that will change in a matter of
> > weeks, however, they
> > > will likely require a quadro card, 3D vision
> > emitter, and an
> > > appropriate
> > > driver from nVidia. Mac support for 120 Hz seems
> > unlikely unless
> > > nVidia
> > > and Apple deliberately get together to create a
> > joint solution. Due
> > > to
> > > proprietary aspects of each component (Mac OpenGL
> > drivers, nVidia
> > > emitters), this isn't something either Apple or
> > nVidia could
> > > accomplish
> > > alone.
> > >
> > > Zalman LCDs can do stereo 3D (with reduced
> > vertical resolution) but
> > > they
> > > require software modifications or a Quadro card
> > with the updated
> > > windows
> > > or linux driver. Not all software packages
> > support the Zalman display
> > > on the Mac yet.
> > >
> > > My view is this: if having the best stereo 3D is
> > important, then go
> > > Linux or Windows -- but wait until the 120 LCD
> > solution is released by
> > > nVidia. If having a Mac is important, then expect
> > limited access to
> > > stereo 3D technologies.
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > > Warren
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