Shopping List

3D-Capable Display

Projection-based (DLP) 3D TVs

Note: This section is retained for archival purposes. While these 3D TVs still exist, they are increasingly harder to find because manufacturers are moving towards flat-panel (LED/LCD or plasma) 3D TVs. But it is still possible to pick up extremely cheap TVs with large screens and very good stereo quality.

The new crop of stereo-capable 3D DLP HDTVs are all based on a new 1080p HD DMD chip produced by Texas Instruments. While DLP projectors and TVs, due to the DMD technology's high pixel switch rate, have in principle always been stereo-capable, the new innovation is that the stereo TVs use a standard 1080p HD video signal to deliver stereo images. Instead of a special-purpose 120 Hz video signal, which delivers alternating left/right full frames and requires special graphics cards, the new signal interleaves left and right frames in a checkerboard pattern. This makes it possible to use consumer-level graphics cards, combined with special software, to create high-quality stereoscopic images over a standard DVI/HDMI cable. The following companies offer 3D-capable HD TVs right now:

Samsung
Samsung has a large selection of stereo-capable high-definition DLP TVs, ranging from 50" to 72" diagonal. These TVs are aimed at "Joe Sixpack" customers, and most stores carrying them (Walmart, CostCo, Best Buy, ...) do not even advertise them as 3D capable (or don't even know that they are). If in doubt, check the TV's input panel, and look for a three-pin DIN connector labeled "Stereo Out" or similar. The newest version (89 Series) has an LED light engine, with the concomitant lower energy consumption and higher lamp life. Previous versions use standard high-pressure mercury light bulbs. Depending on version, screen size, and vendor, these TVs cost between about $1000 and $3000. For example, the largest model, at 72" diagonal, is available on Amazon.com for $2729. This is the model we bought. Samsung offers a matching TV stand, the TR72B. We recommend buying this or something similar, since the TV needs to be raised off the floor to be comfortably used while sitting down.
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi also has a selection of stereo-capable high-definition DLP TVs, ranging from 60" to 73" diagonal. We have not seen one of these TVs first-hand yet, and cannot comment on their stereo quality. Mitsubishi offers matching TV stands as well, which probably need to be bought to lift the TV to a comfortable height.
Recommendation: We recommend going with the Samsung TVs, ideally the 72" HL-T7288W, since we have not seen the Mitsubishi TVs first-hand. The Samsung TVs offer very good image quality and excellent stereo separation.

Flat-panel (LED/LCD or Plasma) 3D TVs

These are the new standard, and there are too many options and models to cover. A detailed discussion of the basic technologies and their relative merits is on the main page. The bottom line is that all of them work. To pick one somewhat at random, the Vizio M3D651SV 65" passive-stereo 3D TV should have decent stereo quality, and is a steal at $1748.

Stereo Glasses

Note: This section is also only retained for archival purposes. TV manufacturers have wisened up to the fact that selling stereo glasses that only work with their own model of 3D TV at a high mark-up makes great business sense. When buying a flat-panel 3D TV, one is typically stuck with whatever style and type of glasses the manufacturers want to sell. The one exception are passive-stereo 3D TVs, which typically work with 3rd party polarized stereo glasses.

Since all 3D displays listed above offer a standard three-pin DIN stereo connector, there are several (mutually incompatible) options for 3D liquid-crystal shutter glasses. Each of the options below requires one IR emitter per 3D TV, which can synchronize any number of 3D glasses.

StereoGraphics CrystalEyes 3
The Rolls-Royce of 3D shutter glasses. These are the most comfortable to wear, have the largest liquid-crystal shutter panels, and the best stereo separation. However, a single pair costs $600. They require a StereoGraphics IR emitter. These emitters come in different versions and sizes; the correct model for the 3D displays listed above is the "E2" emitter for $150.
XpanD 3D TV stereoscopic glasses
These are mid-range 3D shutter glasses meant for cinema applications, meaning they are sealed and could be machine-washed between shows. The downside is that they cannot be folded, and their batteries cannot be replaced, which means that the glasses need to be thrown away when the batteries run out. While we do not condone this approach, the glasses have almost the same size of liquid-crystal shutter panels as CrystalEyes 3, good stereo separation, and a lower price of $199 per pair (but remember that they have to be replaced once the batteries run out). They need their own IR emitter. The manufacturer's online store offers a "starter kit" with two pairs of glasses and the IR emitter for $599.
ELSA Revelator-style glasses
These are low-cost shutter glasses available from several online vendors (DDD USA Inc., Ultimate 3D Heaven, eDimensional, ...). They have fairly small liquid-crystal shutter panels, but very good stereo separation. They work very well with our Samsung 3D TV and cost only about $60 per pair. They require their own IR emitter.

Some of the online vendors listed above seem a little "fly-by-night;" we bought a "starter kit" containing two pairs of glasses and an IR emitter from www.i-glassesstore.com for $111.75 and had no problems (the "TriDef 3D Experience software" is not required for our applications).

Note: All the 3D glasses options above are compatible with all listed 3D displays, but due to their incompatible IR protocols, they cannot be mixed and matched.

Recommendation: Based on price and quality, we recommend going with ELSA Revelator-style 3D shutter glasses. They are by far the cheapest, and have very good stereo separation (and their batteries can be replaced when they run out). While their liquid-crystal shutter panels are the smallest, they are large enough for 3D TVs.

Tracking System

At the moment, the only feasible low-cost tracking system is NaturalPoint's OptiTrack system with the Tracking Tools software. NaturalPoint offers a "Tracking Tools Bundle" consisting of three V100:R2 cameras, a software license, calibration equipment, ten retro-reflective balls, and all hubs and cables needed to connect the cameras to each other and to the host system via a single USB 2.0 port, currently for $3427. This is all the hardware needed to assemble a basic tracking system. The tracking system is extensible, to cover larger spaces and/or deliver higher accuracy, just by adding more cameras, for currently $599 each. NaturalPoint also offers "extended Tracking Tools Bundles" with more and/or more powerful cameras, priced anywhere between $4627 and way-too-much.

The basic Tracking Tools Bundle with 3 V100:R2 cameras for $3427 is perfectly fine for 3D TV applications; as long as the camera layout in the installation instructions is followed, everything else is overkill.

Input Devices

The optimal input device for a fully immersive VR environment is wireless, light-weight, has a large number of buttons and optionally analog axes, and a flat surface to attach a "tracking antler." We found Nintendo's Wii controller, particularly the new Wii Remote Plus, preferrable over bulkier alternatives such as wireless gamepads, e.g. Logitech's Cordless Rumble Pad 2. The Wii controller can comfortably be held and operated with one hand, has 11 buttons, can be extended with the separate Nunchuk controller for two more buttons and two analog axes, uses Bluetooth to connect to the host computer, and costs only around $40 when bought separately.

Main Computer

The main computer will drive the 3D display via a digital DVI or HDMI video output, and will run the VR software. This computer does not have to be very fancy or expensive. Most modern computers with a good 3D graphics card will be fine, depending on the intended application. We recommend a setup with two monitors (one LCD flat panel for the desktop and the 3D TV for VR), which requires a graphics card with two digital outputs, such as an Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 (we recommend Nvidia graphics cards due to their currently better Linux drivers). Our VR software is based on the Vrui VR toolkit, and requires some version of the Linux operating system (Fedora, Ubuntu, Red Hat Linux, ...).

In general, one should budget around $1000 for this computer. For example, the Dell/Alienware Alienware X51, with Intel Core i5 CPU, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, 1 TB 7200 RPM hard drive, Nvidia GeForce GT 640 1 GB, is a perfectly suitable system for $849 (without monitor), or, on the higher end, with an Intel Core i7 CPU and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 1.5 GB for $1199. For slightly technically inclined customers, a build-it-yourself PC with components from Newegg.com will generally be a much better deal, and prettier to boot (Alienware PCs are butt-ugly).

Tracking Computer

NaturalPoint's OptiTrack tracking system comes with proprietary, Windows-only tracking software. We have not yet been able to run this software on the main computer under Linux, using either wine or a virtual machine. Therefore, one needs to find (or buy) a second computer with Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8 installed. This computer does not have to be anything special; we are currently using a four-year old Dell PC with Windows XP. Otherwise, a low-end computer like the Dell New Inspiron 660s for $429.99 would work, and it could share the main computer's LCD monitor. Again, something cheaper and better can probably be had at Newegg.com.

Cables, Connectors, Miscellany

The following minor components are required or recommended to complete the fully-immersive VR environment:
DVI-to-HDMI digital video cable
The main computer and 3D display have to be connected via a digital video cable. Consumer graphics cards typically have DVI digital outputs, and all listed 3D displays have HDMI inputs. DVI-to-HDMI cables are very expensive when bought in most brick-and-mortar stores, but are available online for very low prices, for example this 15' DVI-to-HDMI cable for $10.79.
Ethernet hub or switch
The main computer and tracking computer need to be connected via a TCP/IP network. If there is no existing network infrastructure, one needs to buy an Ethernet hub and two Ethernet patch cables. Alternatively, one could create an Ethernet crossover cable and forego the switch or hub.
Bluetooth adapter
The main computer needs a Bluetooth interface to be able to connect to a Wii controller. The easiest way to add Bluetooth to a PC is via a Bluetooth USB adapter. These differ vastly in price, but the very cheap Kingwin KBT-150M for $4.99 works fine.
Camera swivel mounts
The tracking system's cameras have to be carefully aimed for optimal tracking coverage. This task is greatly simplified by using six-degree-of-freedom swivel camera mounts. We found the Manfrotto 484 mini ball head to be perfectly adequate for $45. It attaches to the cameras via a standard 1/4" threaded rod, and can be attached to a mounting surface (such as a plank of wood) via a 3/8" bolt.
Supplies to build "tracking antlers"
The optical tracking system requires "tracking antlers," unique arrangements of three or four retro-reflective balls for each tracked device. While the balls themselves are included in the NaturalPoint OptiTrack Rigid Body Package, the included rigid body mounts are below par. We bought 1/8" wood dowels to attach the balls, 1/2" wood cubes to connect the dowels, and a tube of Elmer's glue, from a hobby supply store. We also recommend using thick (foamy) 1/2" double-sided poster tape to attach the finished antlers to the head-tracked glasses and input device(s).

Itemized Shopping List For Recommended System

Total cost, not including taxes, shipping and handling: $7246.63 (including separate Windows PC), or 6816.64 (without separate Windows PC). All costs current as of 12/12/2012.