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 schul...@cornell.edu > ---- Original message ---- > >Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 01:31:12 -0700 > >From: Warren DeLano <war...@delsci.com> > >Subject: Re: [ccp4bb] Best 3D stereo combination for Mac OS X > today > >To: CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK > > > > 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:smi...@omrf.ouhsc.edu] > > Sent: Tue 6/30/2009 4:03 PM > > To: Warren DeLano > > Cc: Danny G Smith; CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK > > 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
