Doug Elfman is an award-winning entertainment columnist who lives in Las Vegas. He blogs at http://www.lvrj.com/columnists/Doug_Elfman.html. Twitter at VegasAnonymous. By DOUG ELFMAN ADVERTISING I rarely review expensive video game peripherals, because doing so makes companies think I’m a tech critic,
By DOUG ELFMAN
I rarely review expensive video game peripherals, because doing so makes companies think I’m a tech critic, and then they mail me gear, unsolicited.
Maybe receiving such free stuff sounds awesome to you. But it’s seldom useful. So dear game companies: Don’t mail me luxury peripherals. Thanks.
Now that I’ve got that out of the way, let’s take a look at the extraordinary, yet imperfect, $400 PlayStation 3-D Display. This is a video monitor designed for the PS 3.
There’s only one reason I’m reviewing it: The monitor comes with a technology called SimulView. It lets two people (wearing 3-D glasses) view two different, full-screen images while gaming at the same time.
So let’s say you and a friend are playing the racing game “MotorStorm: Apocalypse.” You will see a full screen of the game as it progresses for your motorcycle. Your friend will see a full screen of the game as it progresses for his motorcycle. You won’t see each other’s race.
This is incredible — sidestepping crappy split-screen gaming.
But here’s the catch: As of now, only four games on the market work in SimulView: “Motor Storm: Apocalypse,” “Gran Turismo 5,” “Killzone 3” and “Super Stardust HD.”
You can play 2-D games, plus 3-D games, such as “Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception,” “Killzone 3” and “NBA 2K12.”
You can watch 3-D and 2-D Blu-ray movies and DVDs, plus stream Netflix via PlayStation Network.
And two HDMI slots let you connect a PC or cable/satellite box, but there’s no coaxial hookup.
This PS 3-D Display is high tech, featuring a resolution of 1080p/240Hz.
It comes bundled with an HDMI cable, a pair of 3-D glasses (rechargeable batteries clock in at 30 hours) and a copy of “MotorStorm: Apocalypse.”
Extra glasses fetch $70 each (ouch).
The screen is just 24 inches. Pro: It takes up little space, and it’s easy to move around. Con: You sit close to the screen to make it worth viewing.
The sound system is fine, though I plugged my Logitech speakers and subwoofer ($100) into the sole earplug hole to make the sound bigger.
It took me about 15 minutes to hook it all up — the monitor, glasses and my Logitech speakers.
It doesn’t come with a remote control, just a few buttons. But if you own a PS 3 TV remote ($25), it will be compatible.
Biggest drawback: If you hate screen glare, beware. Even in an almost lightless room, the screen of my PS 3-D Display reflects the slightest light source.
Bottom line: This is an interesting secondary video monitor if you’re a serious gamer with $470 to burn for a 24-inch, glare-y screen that plays just four games in SimulView, but has awesome resolution for games, movies and TV.
That would not have enticed me to drop $400 on it, but Sony mailed it to me, and I like it, except for the glare, so there you go.
PlayStation 3-D Display by Sony retails for $400 — Plays intuitively. Looks great, except for screen glare. Three and one-half out of four stars.
Doug Elfman is an award-winning entertainment columnist who lives in Las Vegas. He blogs at http://www.lvrj.com/columnists/Doug_Elfman.html. Twitter at VegasAnonymous.
