Endless Paradigm

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Sony has just announced a new 3D gaming monitor at the E3 Expo that's now in full swing in Los Angeles. This 24-incher comes with an LED-edgelit LCD panel featuring full-HD resolution and is designed specifically for use with its PSP handhelds and PS3 consoles. The monitor utilizes a pair of active shutter goggles for displaying 3D games and supports frame packing (used by 3D Blu-ray Discs), top-and-bottom and side-by-side 3D formats. More importantly, it also allows two users to view different images on the same screen through the same goggles. This unique feature will come in handy for dual-player game modes, but is compatible only with selected game titles pending confirmation.

Other key propositions include a built-in 2.1-channel speaker system with a dedicated subwoofer and a quick charge function for the rechargeable 3D eyewear. The latter is particularly handy for gamers who are itching to get back into the action. It takes merely 3 minutes to "juice up" the battery enough for three hours of usage. There's also a brief mention about a quad-speed frame sequential display technology in the press release, though it is still unclear if Sony is referring to an ultrafast 240Hz screen refresh rate.

This attractive Sony 3D monitor will be available in Japan, US, Europe and Asia this fall. Price-wise, it is bundled with the new Resistance 3 game, a pair of 3D glasses and an HDMI cable at US$499.99 for the US market. Unfortunately, Sony did not provide launch information for the rest of the countries. By the way, you can also purchase a larger 32-inch Vizio 3D TV with Internet apps for the same price in the US.

Key specifications
24-inch, LED-edgelit panel
1,920 x 1,080 resolution
5,000:1 native contrast
4ms response time
Active shutter 3D glasses
One component-video and two HDMI inputs
3W x 2 speakers and 5W subwoofer