Acer's Spatial Labs: Glasses-Free 3D Display Technology Review

Acer's Spatial Labs displays offer an impressive glasses-free 3D experience, but usability and price challenges remain.

### Exploring Acer's Glasses-Free 3D Technology: A Dive into Spatial Labs
* 💻 Almost two years ago, a groundbreaking Asus laptop display featuring **glasses-free 3D technology** was filmed, but the video was never released due to Nvidia's decision regarding **gameplay footage**.
* ✨ Now, the excitement continues with Acer's Spatial Labs view technology, which offers a **stunning 3D display experience** that feels like a **dream come true**.
* 🎮 The 27-inch displays, priced around **$5,000**, sacrifice **half of their resolution** to create the 3D effect, using a **lenticular layer combined with camera-based eye tracking** for enhanced visuals.
* 📺 The monitors include features like the **Spatial Labs Experience Center**, which allows users to view **3D content**, but the experience can be marred by issues like **crosstalk in fast-moving scenes**.
* 🕹 True Game, a feature that applies **custom 3D profiles** for over **150 supported games**, faces limitations as game developers must collaborate with Acer for **optimal 3D experiences**.
* 🔍 The Pro model offers additional features aimed at professional use, such as **developer support and educational applications**, but limits gaming capabilities compared to the consumer version.
* 🤔 Despite the impressive visuals, the usability and convenience of glasses-free 3D technology seem to **lag behind VR headsets**, raising questions about its **future in the gaming landscape**.
* 🛡 Lastly, the video ends with a nod to the **importance of online privacy protection**, highlighting the services of **Delete Me** in **safeguarding personal data**.

It was almost 2 years ago that we shot a video about a stunning Asus laptop display. It used glasses-free 3D technology that was so cutting-edge that Asus had to custom-build it into older machines so that we could see it without them revealing the other hardware that powered it. But you never saw that video. Long story short, Nvidia decided that you guys wouldn't be able to tell the difference between gameplay, even gameplay footage, and benchmarks of an unreleased GPU, a GPU we weren't even using. So yada yada yada, video dead. But I'm still excited about glasses-free 3D technology, so we're finally taking a look at something very similar but from Acer this time. Spatial Labs view technology is just about everything we ever dreamed that a giant 3D display could be. We did find some, let's call them interesting decisions that we need to talk about later, but the effect is just straight-up awesome. Awesome. I mean, look at the way this segue pops out to our sponsor, SEIC, their Prime TX.

1000-watt power supply is a fantastic choice for your next upgrade or build. Its hybrid fan control helps reduce noise without temperature spikes, and it even comes with a 12-year warranty. Learn more using our link in the video description. [Music] Wow, yo, that's so sick. Is that cool or what? Uh-oh, God. Wow, it really makes you want to throw up when it's getting its stuff together. Uh, that's actually the first line after the intro that I was about to read, but it looks great once it kicks in. The effect is shocking, and we didn't script this. Jake just wandered on set and was like, Oh, I'm going to try a thing 'cause I'm a magpie. Yeah, it's pretty cool, right? While the pair of 27-inch displays that we're looking at today have only been available for a few months, the fundamentals behind this and older glasses 3E 3D is pretty similar. First thing you need to do is sacrifice half of your resolution to produce the 3D effect, though when you're starting with

a 4K display. The result is a lot prettier than it would have been on your old Nintendo handheld. Also, unlike the 3DS, which used a parallax barrier technique and then later added camera-based eye tracking to improve the 3D effect on the new 3DS, these Spatial Labs displays utilize a lenticular layer over the screen. You could think of it kind of like an array of cylindrical lenses that are all standing up in front of the screen. That, combined with camera-based eye tracking, lets the monitor adjust what each eye sees to give the best possible results. And I can even move around as fast as this without breaking the 3D effect. Oh, oh, oh, starting to glitch a little bit there. That's fine, and it handles even pretty extreme angles. Yeah, there it cut out. Still pretty darn good. Oh, I just realized we haven't told you what these are. We're using the Predator PSV 27-2 gaming monitor, and then over on the other side is its twin brother who went to business.

school the ASV 272p Pro 27 between them. I'm just going to rip this bandaid off. You're looking at about $5,000 Freedom dollars, which for those of you counting at home, was buy you an RTX 490 gaming PC, a valve index VR kit, and an iPhone 16 Pro. And making matters worse, unlike the demo I saw 2 years ago, these are LCD displays rather than OLED, meaning that especially in fast-moving scenes, you're going to get a significant amount of cross talk. But let's say you're still interested. Which one should you be looking at? To answer that, we could look at the spec sheets, except they're basically the same. We could tear them apart with the Precision screwdriver kit from LTD store.com, except they're looners, and in fact, even the warranty is the same. So, it turns out that most of the Thousand difference is in the accessories, the software, and the gamery paint job. Wow. Despite their similarities, though, their capabilities are quite different. Here, let me show you. I'm going

to load up the Spatial Labs Experience Center that comes with the Predator version of the monitor. We've got a model viewer, a video player, their true game, which we'll be taking a closer look at in a minute, and also Spatial Lab Go, which allows you to view full-screen 2D and side-by-side stereo content in 3D. Spoiler alert, that's going to save the day in a little while. First, let's try out the model viewer. Hard of the eyes. God damn, this is out to here for me, which seems like a pretty average size. And then in terms of depth, like, I'd say it feels like it's about back to here through the back of the monitor, and it's kicked back into 3D now. There's a menu, right, Jordan, where you can adjust the depth? Yep, oo, here we go, crank it up. Okay, max depth 50, not to 50. Oh well, with the size of our model, it just doesn't really need any more depth. But potentially, I could, oh, I could zoom. Oh buddy, that is hilarious. Okay, it looks

like it's right here. It looks like I'm touching the end cap of this screwdriver right here. Oh, that is brain-breaking when it touches the edge of the frame though and completely breaks the effect. Also, there's a bit of a vignette effect in this software, so that just, oh, that really messes with my eyes. I'm going to have such a headache when we're done with this video. I'm like, I'm too close to focus on the object that's being spot out at me. That is sick. It looks like it's coming a solid 18 in out of the frame. There's no way you'd want to operate it like this day-to-day though. I'm telling Jordan about this, but he can't actually experience it because it uses cameras for eye tracking. Well, it can only track one pair of eyes at a time, right? So if you were, you know, looking at this with your design lead or something like that, you'd basically have to have them come over and then I'd go, okay, okay, you look. It doesn't look very 3D right now.

you done looking at it? Yep. Is it not working? I left. You left? No, no. Come, come see how long the changeover is. I want to see how long the changeover is. Okay, that's 3D. 3D. Okay, my turn. Okay. Oh yeah, there we go. Not bad. Check out the player next. Does this come up every single time? Every time UAC doesn't. Every time, but the explanation does. Okay, brilliant. Okay, what should we do with this one? Load up a video. Okay, browse or pick one of the two at the bottom there. Actually, yeah, sure. As far as the actual stereo separation goes and cleanness of the image goes, this is great. Like, it's not good, it's great. I don't know that I would trade this for HDR, 'cause these are not HDR-capable displays, but it's fun. I gu get a little bit of the 3D effect if I'm like right behind you. No way. Get as close as you can. Get as close as you can. I lost it now. Damn. Hang on. Hold on. What if

you're right above me. Like, does it align vertically? Like, if I'm down down here. Oh yeah, that's pretty good. Really. Oh, I lost it. No, no, it's gone. Oh, I got it. 3D. Okay, yeah, we. Yeah, I've got it too. No wa. Okay, so we can watch together as long as we're like this. I'll be in your hair. Enough of this. Let's talk about true game effectively. This is a wrapper around your other game launchers: Steam, Epic, GG, Xbox Live, and it automatically applies a custom 3D profile when you use it to launch supported games. At the time of filming, that's just over 150 games in at least one of its two different 3D modes that boil down to that totally looks 3D and that kind of looks like a pop-up book. By the way, did you catch the glaring issue with that last sentence? 150 games. Now Acer says they're always adding more, but they are reliant on game developers approaching them to collaborate with them to create that.

custom 3D profile which, as you guys can probably imagine, doesn't happen that much. With that said, there's some really solid games on here. Lego Star Wars, let's go dude. Star Wars scrolling text is going to be sick. Oh God, that's awful when it's cut off by the frame. Oh, oh, that's, oh okay, yeah we can skip this man. There is a really nasty shadow on some stuff and some of the reflections from the floor seem just completely wrong. It is safe to say from my experience in this game that the fact that it's supported by true game is no guarantee that it's going to be a quality 3D experience because I can see ghosts on both sides of objects and there are situations where their reflection in the shiny floor, I don't know how to describe it other than that it's weird. Oh okay, I figured it out. When you jump, your upside-down reflection comes out of where your character model is, so it's above the floor. Oh, that is weird. Did you notice

that yeah. I don't know if that happens in this game in 2D, but if it does, that's terrible. Let's try another game. All right, trying too. That seems like a prime candidate. Trying was a big 3D Vision game back in the day. The 3D worked quite well in it. Oh yeah, the 3D looks freaking awesome in this game. And what's interesting is I'm not getting any of that weird cross talk. I think that may have just been down to that previous game, like you're still going to get a little bit of motion blur compared to if you had an OLED, but the cross talk seems like it was just an issue with that last game and the way that it was handling something. I wish you guys were experiencing this with me. Like, this is the kind of thing a friend comes over and you show them your cool monitor that can switch into 3D mode, and they're like, No way! And then you tell them how much you spent on it, and they're like, No!

way the eye fatigue is way less in this game, way less. This is so cool. It brings me back to the first time that I saw World of Warcraft in 3D Vision. Like, it blew my mind. But something I don't miss about that era was the limited game compatibility. Fortunately, Acer has a solution, and it's Spatial Labs Go, which is an alternate mode to get unsupported games working. This works in any app or even game that supports side-by-side stereo rendering on its own. And on r/stereo3D gaming, we learned that you can even inject alternate shaders into some games that don't support it, like Super Depth 3D, and get it freaking working. That really expands the library of games. So why don't we try Risk of Rain 2 here? I can already tell there's one weird thing about it. The menu is just behind the screen for no apparent reason, and that unpleasant doubling of everything effect is... oh well, it was a thing in the menu. This seems totally okay. It's not the strongest stereo effect, but

It definitely adds an element of depth to it. Like, I can really feel the ground coming out toward me, even if I have no front projection, right? All I really have is depth into the screen. Tearing looks absolutely nasty in Stereo 3D, and that was always the case. It is one of the few situations where I would argue that pretty much everybody should be using vsync. This is kind of awesome, not going to lie. Like, there's no way I'd spend two grand on it, but if I had it in front of me, I'd be like, Oh, I'm enjoying playing this game right now. I would like to continue playing this game, you know what I'm saying? There are problems that come with using custom shaders, though. Oh, I know not all games are going to support it. Anti-cheat does not like it. Yeah, that makes sense. As cool as it is to play like this, though, I have to wonder if the money would be better spent on a VR headset. Let's not think about that for now, though. First, let's take a look at

the pro display starting with the physical differences on top of the beefier Bas. The bundle includes a Mini PC Mount and this very nice shroud that really is very nice. Like, it attaches magnetically. It's got this nice little velvet in here that not only helps with glare but also made a significant difference to the effectiveness of the various sensors on the top bezel, especially in a bright environment. But the big difference is not in the hardware; it's in the software. What can we do thanks to that extra $000? Well, for starters, as you can see, we can now play games with true game. Full disclosure here, guys, we actually got the pro display first because we figured, well, of course, the pro version will do everything that the consumer version will do and more. But the software detects which display you've got and insists on only installing the correct version before it will let you see a single Pixel in 3 voxel. We were confused, so we reached out to Acer, who confirmed that true game is

strictly consumer-facing. I think it's Acer who's confused because only the pro model supports spatial Labs experience Center Pro, giving access to things like developer support plugins for Unity, Unreal, you know, game engines, plus Acer's own open XR and Steam VR Bridge packages. But as useful as this might seem for game development, no, Acer intends this version for only big, important tasks like Medical Imaging, education, GIS, showroom displays, pretty much anything but childish video games. The good news is you can still hack it with spatial Labs Go. It's just that your mileage may vary thanks to its unofficial support. So let's give it a shot, shall we? Uh, how do I spatial Labs Go it? Alt G, Alt G, Alt G, B. Oh God, yeah, yeah, you don't want to, you don't want to see that. You don't want to see that. Give it a second to kick in. Don't, no, I want things to happen now. I guess the your REM me very part launch app. It's there. Yeah, I see it. Well, I don't know. It works sometimes.

basically, yeah, we had this working before. It's basically the same display, other than an arbitrary function lock, thanks to manufacturer boneheaded. So, bottom line overall, this is still a category of products that I would be excited to see make a comeback, but it's one that I am starting to lose hope for in the face of competition from VR headsets. Usability, price, and convenience all need to take some major steps forward, none of which seem to have happened in the last 2 years. But hey, at least trying to looks great, so great that it makes me want to keep rooting for this technology the way that I root for our sponsor, Delete Me. Your personal information might be sold online without you even knowing it, but not all heroes wear capes. Delete Me is here to protect your data by combing through online databases for your information and requesting its removal. Your phone number being sent to call stations around the world? Deleted. Your email given to scammers and hackers? Deleted. And it's not just your back they have, Delete Me.

is now offering seamless protection for your entire family with their family plans. Each member gets their own data sheet, and you can manage all their profiles from one central dashboard. So, go to join.delet.me.com/lt20 and use the code lt20 at checkout for 20% off the plan that best fits you. If you guys enjoyed this video, maybe check out, oh, that wild VR treadmill that we tried recently. That was quite a sweaty experience.

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Linus Tech Tips

Acer's Spatial Labs View Technology: A Game Changer for 3D Displays

Acer's Spatial Labs view technology offers a stunning glasses-free 3D display, using a lenticular layer and camera-based eye tracking for a seamless 3D effect.

The 27-inch displays sacrifice half of their resolution for the 3D effect, but the result is impressive, especially with a 4K starting point.

The monitors can handle extreme angles and fast movements, providing an immersive 3D experience.

The ASV 272p Pro 27 monitor is priced at around $5,000, offering similar specs and warranty as its counterpart.

The main differences lie in the accessories, software, and design.

The monitor's Spatial Labs Experience Center provides various 3D viewing options, but the eye-tracking feature can only track one pair of eyes at a time, making it challenging for multiple users.

The 3D effect of the display is impressive, with the image clarity and stereo separation being great.

The true game launcher offers a custom 3D profile for over 150 supported games, but its success relies on collaboration with game developers.

While some solid games are available, the 3D experience can be inconsistent, with issues like ghosting and strange reflections.

The 3D effect in the game "Trying" is impressive, with no cross talk or eye fatigue, offering a nostalgic experience.

Acer's Spatial Labs Go provides an alternate mode for unsupported games, expanding the library of compatible titles.

The use of custom shaders for stereo rendering can be problematic, raising concerns about game compatibility and anti-cheat measures.

Differences Between Pro and Consumer Displays

The Pro display features physical differences, a Mini PC Mount, and a magnetic shroud with velvet lining for glare reduction and sensor effectiveness.

The software is the main differentiator, with the Pro model offering exclusive features like the Spatial Labs Experience Center Pro and developer support for game engines.

While the Pro version is intended for serious tasks like medical imaging and education, it is possible to hack it for game development using Spatial Labs Go, though with varying success.

The product category in question is facing tough competition from VR headsets, leading to a loss of hope for a comeback.

Usability, price, and convenience have not improved in the last two years.

Delete Me offers personal data protection and family plans, providing seamless management of profiles from one dashboard.