Press Release
StereoGraphics Contacts:
Product - Andy Ramm, Product Manager, StereoGraphics
Email - aramm@crystaleye.com
Phone - (415) 459-4500, FAX (415) 459-3020
Similar in appearance to an anti-glare screen mounted on the front of a computer monitor, the ZScreen enables on-screen images to be displayed with realistic depth, making objects appear to have presence in the user's physical environment. This allows scientific and technical professionals to better see and understand complex interactions between a wide variety of 3D elements, from molecules containing thousands of atoms, to the design and layout of an automobile's drivetrain and suspension.
The Monitor ZScreen is compatible with all stereo-ready software currently on the market and works with all major UNIX platforms, 16- and 32-bit Windows environments, DOS, and Macintosh computers. The product is used in conjunction with lightweight polarized glasses and is optimized to yield the highest-definition stereoscopic images of any passive 3D system on the market.
"Our imperative is to deliver the highest quality, workstation-based stereo imaging products—and for years, CrystalEyes was the only one that met our standards," said Lenny Lipton, founder, chairman and chief technical officer for StereoGraphics. "With Monitor ZScreen, we now have two solutions. The ZScreen achieves what no other device of its kind has been able to—yield stunning and visually rich stereoscopic images with a high dynamic range and no unwanted artifacts."
In conjunction with stereo-ready software, the ZScreen circularly polarizes the left and right eye images in opposing directions. When passive polarized glasses are worn, these independent images are transmitted to each eye and the viewer sees a realistic 3D picture. In addition, the ZScreen is microprocessor-controlled to maximize stereoscopic image quality and eliminate unwanted artifacts such as on-screen banding and visible segmentation lines, which are present in competitive products.
"StereoGraphics' new Monitor ZScreen is a significant advance in practical and comfortable 3D imaging," said Dr. Samuel Rod, president of the Bristlecone Corporation, an environmental technologies integrator and specialist in stereoscopic technology. "Its image is the sharpest I've seen of any 3D polarizing device and it sets a new standard for real-time stereo 3D visualization."
StereoGrpahics has been the leader in providing electronic stereoscopic display solutions since its beginning in 1980. Its flagship stereo display product, CrystalEyes, is currently in use by over 50,000 professionals who work with three-dimensional visual data. StereoGraphics' Monitor ZScreen is compatible with all applications and platforms that support CrystalEyes, giving all current and future customers a broad range of available software and hardware to use with ZScreen.
The product includes the Monitor ZScreen panel, electronic control box and three pair of polarized glasses. The product receives its sync signal from stereo-ready workstations via an industry standard BNC connector. Users with stereo-ready computers can purchase adapter cables from StereoGraphics to convert CrystalEyes emitter connectors to BNC when necessary. Computers not directly providing a stereo sync signal can utilize the company's GDC 3 or Sync Doubling Emitter products for above/below stereo format display.
"I'm most pleased with the ZScreen's adaptability to many different applications," said Dr. Rod "For example, I've successfully incorporated ZScreen right out of the box to both high-frequency non-interlaced and low-frequency interlaced images in video and still-image modes. Moreover, it was easily connected to numerous makes of graphics boards and different computer platforms. It's basically plug-and-play."
ZScreen Interlace Adapter
For certain legacy applications in the fields of medical imaging, GIS and photogrammetry, stereoscopic images are often displayed in interlaced mode on 16- and 32-bit Windows computers. In this scenario, the Monitor ZScreen requires a special adapter for proper operation. The ZScreen Interlace Adapter (ZIA) is a pass-through dongle that attaches to the user's VGA port. When used with the included driver software, the ZIA sends the appropriate stereo sync signal to the ZScreen and stereo images are displayed properly.
Price and Availability
StereoGraphics Monitor ZScreen carries a suggested list price of $2,195 and is available now. StereoGraphics ZScreen Interlace Adapter carries a list price of $295 and is also currently available. Additional polarized glasses are available for $49 per pair. For additional product, pricing or reseller information, contact StereoGraphics Corp. at 1-800-783-2660.
StereoGraphics Corp. was founded in 1980 to provide a variety of products
that enable the realistic viewing of three-dimensional video and computer
images. StereoGraphics products utilize stereoscopic human depth perception
to deliver natural looking 3D in high-resolution for a variety of professional
workstation and consumer applications. CrystalEyes, StereoGraphics' flagship
product, has an installed base of over 50,000 users in scientific visualization,
GIS/mapping, molecular modeling, CAD/CAM, and commercial presentation.
With SimulEyes, StereoGraphics offers affordable 3D eyewear for the PC
gaming and multimedia markets. StereoGraphics' address is 2171 E. Francisco
Blvd., San Rafael, CA., 94901.
StereoGraphics and CrystalEyes are registered trademarks, and ZScreen and SimulEyes VR are trademarks of StereoGraphics Corporation.