LG W2363D 3D Monitor – Review – Hardware

As technology advances, we witness some immense changes in our world. Some of these involve how we watch TV, movies, and view content on our computers. The ability to view content in 3D is one of the emerging technologies that allow you to watch your favorite movies, TV shows, and play your favorite video games in full 3D. A fine example of 3D technology is the movie Avatar; it is the highest grossing film of all time. One of the reasons for this is that 3D technology immerses you to a point where you actually feel like you are part of it. Many people went and saw the film many times. For a long time the only way to see 3D content was in the movie theatres. However, you can now purchase TV’s and computer monitors that allow you to do the same thing. The LG W2363D is one such device. The real question – is 3D far enough along to warrant buying a new monitor or TV?

Build Quality: When I opened the box for this monitor it looked great and felt solid. The screen on this model is of a matte finish. The casing is a glossy black and holds onto finger prints and dust fairly easily. The controls are touch sensitive and are on the bottom right of the casing. One of the big problems I encountered with these buttons is that they are not backlit and I would have to move my head and sometimes use a light to find the correct button to change the input source or access the menu.

Functionality: The biggest attraction to this monitor is its ability to display 3D content. To do this you must have a PC that meets the required standards in terms of video card and display connection. You must also have the NVidia 3D vision kit. The monitor displays 3D content by displaying two images which overlap and are filtered to display only one image per eye using the included shutter glasses in the NVidia kit. Using this technique, each eye sees only one image; your brain then merges them together and you see in 3D.

Usability: When I first turned on the monitor, the gamma, brightness, and contrast were in dire need of adjustment. It took me some time to get it in the gravy zone. This can be a big drag for the average consumer who does not know how to adjust these settings. The other problem I encountered is that it does not save the adjustments based upon the input selected; when you switch to a different source it may be too dark or too bright. Once setup, however, the screen looks amazing. Another problem I came across is that when one source gets turned off, the screen will go blank for 1-2 seconds. I have both my Xbox 360 and PC hooked up to the monitor and this can be quite a drag while playing an online game.

The screen displays up to 120Hz which is far beyond what the eye can discern. The purpose of the high refresh rate is so the monitor can accurately display 3D content. Playing videos, viewing pictures, and playing games in 3D can be quite a thrill. Video games play and look more lifelike. You can accurately discern how far an item or enemy is away from you. There are quite a few games out there that have been upgraded to allow you to use this technology. Bioshock is one of these games. I’ve played through the entire game in 2D before, but when the game was played in 3D it took on a new life; it feels completely new. Movies and videos shot in 3D look amazing. People are lifelike; they have form and look like they are just on the other side of the screen. The only problem with 3D is that it is an emerging market. Content in 3D is few and far between. The only videos I’ve found are located on NVidia’s website. Granted they look amazing, but you are left wanting more. You can play 3D Blu-ray’s on your computer if you have a Blu-ray drive in your PC. The monitor can only display content located on your computer. Unlike 3D TV’s which can be used to watch 3D TV shows and sports games?

Overall: The LG W2363D retails for $400 and the NVidia Vision Kit costs around $180 which can be quite a lot of money for some. The monitor works amazingly well and it displays 3D content smoothly. Since 3D displays are just now emerging onto the scene, early adopters will take a hit to their wallet. I foresee 3D content exploding onto the scene in the New Year. 3D Blu-ray’s are just now materializing out into the market and can be picked up around the same price as the traditional 2D Blu-ray. If you are in the market and are looking for a new PC monitor, this could be an option for you, especially if you own a gaming rig. Playing games in 3D can be a blast and there are plenty of games you can play right now – some you may already own. Another thing I should mention is that TV’s that can display 3D cost around $2000 – $5000 so you can get on the ground floor of this emerging tech cheaper than other options available. This monitor is ready for the future the real question is are you?

Pro: 3D display

Fast response time

Great overall monitor

Cons: Price

Lack of some simple features.

Score: 8 out of 10

A review unit was provided by the manufacture for review purposes

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