Nvidia Unveils 3D Software For HDTV

Computer graphics maker Nvidia on Friday unveiled 3DTV Play software, which will let users connect 3D notebooks and desktops running its 3D Vision technology to 3D high-definition TVs for a “big-screen entertainment experience,” the company said.

Any compatible Nvidia GeForce graphics processing unit (GPU)-powered system running the 3DTV Play software can be connected to an HDMI 1.4 3D HD TV, the company said, letting users view 3D photos and videos on a larger screen. They will also be able to play some 500 games in 3D -- more than any other platform -- according to Nvidia. When the compatible video playback software is employed, users can also watch Blu-ray 3D movies in full 1080 stereoscopic 3D, along with HD digital surround sound with an HDMI connection to a compatible audio/video receiver. Game titles include StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, Mafia II, and Call of Duty: Black Ops.

A new line of Dell XPS laptops rolled out Friday come bundled with the Nvidia 3DTV Play software, Nvidia said. The 14-, 15- and 17-inch multimedia laptops also come with Nvidia’s GeForce 400M GPUs and Optimus technology.

With the addition of Nvidia’s 3DTV Play software in the Dell XPS laptops, “we can bring the thrilling 3D experience to an entirely new market by enabling consumers to enjoy life-like, 3D entertainment in the comfort of their living rooms,” Sam Burd, vice president, Dell Consumer & SMB Product Group, said in a statement.

Users of 3D Vision PCs can upgrade to Nvidia 3DTV Play software for free, through the latest Release 260 GeForce drivers for desktop GPUs, and Verde Notebook drivers for notebook GPUs. In addition to select Dell XPS notebooks, the software is available on ASRock and Zotac home theater PCs. The software will also be bundled on upcoming computers, Nvidia said.

In November, the Nvidia 3DTV Play software will go on sale on Nvidia.com as an upgrade for PCs that have an Nvidia GeForce GPU and Microsoft Windows 7.