14 DAY TRIAL // Some may have noticed, a while ago, that HP was preparing a FPR-enabled monitor with passive 3D support and, sure enough, the item is now up for order.
Back at the end of last month (October, 2011), we mentioned how HP had mostly finished developing the 2311gt monitor.
Now, this very panel has started to ship, for the price of $299 in the US and (probably) 273.12 Euro or thereabouts in Europe (alas, not quite the 218 Euro that exchange rates would imply).
It measures 557.95 x 159.0 x 416.48 mm (21.97 x 6.26 x 16.40 inches) and has a maximum resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels at 60 Hz (1,920 x 540 at 60 Hz in 3D mode).
The display type is a TN LCD active matrix, but HP also implemented the Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) technology.
It is this element that actually makes it possible to use passive 3D glasses when viewing 3D videos and photos or playing 3D games.
Indeed, as opposed to most every other 3D LCD out there right now, the HP 2311gt can be enjoyed even with lightweight passive glasses.
The list of the specifications goes on, of course, with a 5ms response time, a brightness of 200-250 cd/m2 (100 cd/m2 in 3D), a DCR (dynamic contrast ratio) of 3,000,000:1 (static ratio is 1,000:1) and viewing angles of 170 degrees horizontal / 160 degrees vertical (3D vertical angle is 12 degrees).
Consumers should take note of the fact that the lower specs in 3D aren't unique to this specimen, as the image quality and angle drops apply to all passive 3D panels but companies don't have a habit of always mentioning it.
The 23-inch product has been posted on the 3D Vision Blog, so prospective buyers need not worry if it supports the NVIDIA 3D Vision technology or not.