3-D Video, Immersive Audio Take Stage at CES

Gaming was huge at CES 2008, with innovations in audio, video, accessories, seating and more. Two of the more notable trends include 3-D video and immersive audio solutions from THX and Dolby.

Texas Instruments (TI) has been one of the biggest promoters of 3D gaming and video, thanks to the company's DLP mirror-based engines. They're fast enough to display the split 60 Hz image needed to create the perceived-depth stereoscopic effect when coupled with electronic shutter glasses.

To that end, TI showed already-on-the-market RPTVs from Samsung and Mitsubishi that utilize available 3-D glasses and an infrared adapter for timing the shutter glasses. But the big news is that the two models shown, Samsung's 57-inch LED DLP-engine-based HLT5687 and Mitsubishi's 73-inch WD73833, also now support a major improvement in 3-D and video gaming, called DualView.

TI's DualView allows the video game content from two separate PC game computers or game consoles to be fed to the TV on two separate HDMI ports. The images are displayed at the same time on a single screen, with each player only able to view his own game screen. A menu selection in the TV is all that is required to enable the feature.

Now, when gamers want to play Madden '08, for example, they can see only the offensive and defensive plays that they have selected, without seeing their opponent's play selection. This eliminates the possibility of one player making a “quick change” to his play call. Indeed, any multiplayer game can benefit from DualView technology, but the best part is that with it, each player sees the full screen, not a split screen.

You may wonder if DualView reduces the image quality since it allows a maximum of 60 frames per second. No degradation of the gaming images was noticeable at the CES demo. And if you're still concerned about degradation, TI showed a 240 Hz DLP prototype TV in its booth -- each player enjoys 120 Hz frame rates.

Although 3-D gaming on RPTV is impressive, custom installation clients want flat screens. Samsung recognizes that RPTVs can be a tough sell, so it showed the first plasma-based 3-D-compatible flat panel at the show. The 50-inch unit has the same multi-pin jack on the back that all Samsung 3-D sets have for the IR shutter timing emitter. With DualView, the plasma permits a family to watch a movie and play a game at the same time.

Philips showed a no-glasses-required commercial monitor in a variety of sizes from a 120-inch video wall to a 32-inch separate monitor, but the 3-D effect was less impressive, with lower resolution compared to the active TI demos.

LG Electronics also showed a 42-inch monitor that requires a specific viewing distance to see any 3-D effects. Like the Philips unit, the LG monitor is targeted for commercial signage applications.

In the 3-D computer monitor space, Zalman, best known for its cooling systems, is planning to release a 22-inch single-input 3-D monitor that will require special drivers to play most downloaded games. Still, the unit is a real bargain at $999.

Dolby, THX Pump Up Gaming Volume

On the audio side of the gaming world, Dolby demonstrated its Dolby Volume that promises to tame the wide variances in audio levels between sources, game consoles and gaming PCs.

The technology analyzes 40 bands of the audio signal and either increases the processing, or boosts and reduces the bass and treble levels when the signal is above or below reference level. This processing allows a homeowner to switch from a louder video game to a quieter jazz concert and have the overall sound levels for both remain at consistent levels.

A unique feature of Dolby's system is that the dynamic range can be separately adjusted from the bass and treble. But according to the company, the real appeal of Dolby Volume technology for gaming systems is the fact that it can be employed in a cost-effective manner to the mass market.

Not to worry, the Dolby Volume processing circuit can be disabled for watching movies.

The demo used a prototype Onkyo receiver and did an excellent job of maintaining a steady volume range, while still sounding rich and full with lower-level program material.

THX has its own version of Dolby Volume control, but it has only been licensed with THX's Ultra II standard. The technology is known as THX Loudness Plus on higher end receivers from Pioneer and Yamaha.

At CES, THX unveiled gaming innovations -- one for small spaces, and another for 7.1 surround.

Coming from the automotive market was a tabletop two-channel speaker and bass system from Razor. Utilizing THX's slot speaker technology, the product was originally developed for the Lincoln MKS, but has been adapted for gamers who want big sound in a small form factor. At $399, this little unit can really put out serious bass.

There's a new game from Sierra Entertainment called Prototype that will be the first to be encoded with Neural-THX 7.1 Surround technology. With this technology, the two extra discrete rear channels are encoded onto a standard 5.1 bitstream. These channels bypass the Xbox 360 (which only processes 5.1 streams) and are picked up and properly decoded by a receiver with Neural-THX surround decoding for an immersive 7.1 gaming experience.

THX estimates that at least 70 percent of receivers on the market have licensed Neural-THX Surround.