Sony PlayStation 3D Display review

Yes, it looks just like a flattened PSP Go, and we never really cared for that device, but if you look past the disappointments of that handheld game system, the PlayStation 3D Monitor is moderately stylish. The entire panel's just over an inch and a quarter thick, and you won't have any trouble hefting it into your car. The screen only weighs about twelve pounds, and there are handy grips on either end. The matte plastic stand is passable, with metal reinforcements to keep the monitor in place, a token 15-degree tilt backwards and a quick-release button to detach the panel, but don't go looking for a swivel or height adjustments. The IR emitters for the shutter glasses are neatly integrated into the glossy piano black bezel — we count nine infrared LEDs in all — and you'll find all the ports facing out to the right, including both HDMI sockets, five RCA sockets for component video, and a 3.5mm jack for your headphones. A standard two-prong detachable power cord plugs into the back as well. Despite the thin panel, Sony managed to fit the entire power supply inside the monitor shell.

Sony doesn't bundle a remote control

The back is also where you'll find the display's controls, six long buttons for power, input select, volume up and down, opening menus and changing between 3D modes respectively. Since the power button is larger than the others, and the volume up key has a raised dot, they're not too hard to figure out in the dark, and there are on-screen visual cues too. There is one annoying problem, though — when pressing them, your fingers occupy the same physical space as the HDMI cables. I'm not sure why Sony decided to have everything on the right and leave the left rear side entirely blank, but the result is that you'll have to cram your fingers in every time you want to adjust volume, brightness or switch between your console and computer. The power button's a likely candidate, too. The PlayStation 3D Display doesn't seem to have a typical standby mode; it turns off whenever it doesn't detect a connection, but not vice versa, so you'll be hitting that power key every time your PC or PS3 wakes up. Would now be a good time to mention that Sony doesn't bundle a remote control?

Update: If you turn on "Quick Start" in the settings menu, the monitor will wake up when it detects a video signal. Thanks, All4Fun!

What the 3D Display does come with is a pair of Sony's new universal shutter glasses, and we have to admit, they're really good as such things go — lightweight, fairly unobtrusive, fairly solid and durable. They also seem to be circularly polarized, as we were able to block our secondary computer monitor even with the glasses turned off. We were pleased with the wireless sync too. Whenever we were within a line-of-sight of the emitters, even at extreme angles, the glasses would stay in sync, and you'll never need to switch the glasses completely off unless you're putting them away. As long as they're in idle mode, the infrared signal will automatically turn on the shutters when 3D content begins, and turn them off again afterwards. Unfortunately, we weren't able to test the glasses with any rival manufacturer's televisions during the review period, but Sony says they work with Samsung, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, and Sharp IR emitters as well.

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