Re: [PyMOL] WARNING: No Mac or Linux support for 120 HzLCD synchronization

[Warren D. <wa...@de...>]

Malcolm,

 

Yes, a reasonable person might expect it to work...but we have tried on both Mac and Linux, and it doesn't work with either CystalEyes or NuVision hardware.  I don't think Modeline timings have any meaning when generating a true digital display signal, but regardless, the actual sync signal output is not correct.

 

My naïve guess is that this is because the analog sync signal from the Quadro DIN connector is based off of the SVGA vertical blanking interval and has nothing to do with the digital-only display signal required by these displays.  Note that these displays do not accept an analog SVGA signal - they have only a pure-digital DVI-D connector - not DVI-I, and they have no HD15 SVGA input.  They also require a full dual link DVI-D cable with all pins present.  It seems that the dual-link capacity is used to carry the 120 Hz signal (perhaps split over two regions of the display? or with the left 60Hz on one channel and the right 60Hz on the other?). 

 

Furthermore, even if the Quadro sync was correct, the polarization of the old shutter glasses conflicts with that of the liquid crystal.  I also observed that light from the Samsung LCD seems to interfere with the old CrystalEyes sync signal.  Of course, the other problem is that affordable Quadro cards do not even come with a sync connector.

 

So in summary, there seem to be many problems combining modern LCDs with old stereo 3D hardware, which presumably explains in part why nVidia decided to introduce a new USB emitter and glasses for use with these displays.

 

Cheers,

Warren

 

________________________________

From: Davis, Malcolm [mailto:mal...@bm...] 
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 2:00 PM
To: pym...@li...
Subject: Re: [PyMOL] WARNING: No Mac or Linux support for 120 HzLCD synchronization

 

Has anyone tried these with the old CrystalEyes glasses?  We are looking to get one of these to try, but it is hard to understand why there should even be a need for a different graphics driver or a newer Quadro card to use it that way.  The FX1100 cards we still have in some of our Linux workstations can be configured to send a 1600x1200@100Hz signal to our old IBM c220p monitors and the 100Hz limit was from the monitor not the graphics card.  So other than needing to specify the Modeline manually in the X config files, why shouldn't this just work?

 

Malcolm

 

 

From: Warren DeLano [mailto:wa...@de...] 
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 12:23 PM
To: pym...@li...
Subject: [PyMOL] WARNING: No Mac or Linux support for 120 Hz LCD synchronization

 

Just to make sure everyone understands:

 

Stereo 3D support for these awesome new 120 Hz LCD displays is WINDOWS ONLY due to the need of a special USB driver for the 3D Vision sync emitter.  Unfortunately, you cannot sync a digital 120 Hz LCD using the old stereo analog DIN sync connector - it just doesn't work.

 

Please do not waste money right now buying a 120 Hz LCD if you use Linux or Mac OS (even if you have a Quadro card), or if you use a Windows laptop (without a Quadro graphics chip).  You will be disappointed -- the display will not do 3D with your system, and nVidia has not promised support for 120 Hz LCD synchronization on platforms other than Windows.  That may change, but then again, it might not.

 

Accordingly, our recommended stereo 3D solution for Mac, Linux, and for Windows systems without Quadro cards is the Zalman M220W LCD display.  You get fewer pixels for stereo 3D, but it works great with PyMOL on ALL PLATFORMS (including most laptops). No special graphics hardware or drivers are required to use the Zalman with PyMOL.  http://pymol.org/zalman

 

Cheers,

Warren

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________

This message (including any attachments) may contain confidential, proprietary, privileged and/or private information. The information is intended to be for the use of the individual or entity designated above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately, and delete the message and any attachments. Any disclosure, reproduction, distribution or other use of this message or any attachments by an individual or entity other than the intended recipient is prohibited.