3D Monitor Shoot-Out: Acer HN274H & ViewSonic V3D245

The Acer HN274H features a traditional black bezel with a mostly black stand. The bezel measures approximately one inch on the sides and 1.5 inches on the top. The bottom bezel is a bit thicker because it curves downward. With the stand, the monitor is 18.44 inches tall and 7.56 inches deep.

In the past, you had to connect a separate 3D emitter to the PC in order to make full use of NVIDIA's 3D Vision Kit. Now, Acer and ViewSonic (and some others, like Asus) are building these emitters into the bezel, which is certainly convenient. The Acer HN274H's built-in 3D Vision emitter is located on the top center of the bezel of the monitor. Keep this location in mind if you use a webcam or center channel speaker clamp as you won't want to block the emitter.

Click to enlarge, Acer HN274H

Acer includes not one, not two, but three HDMI ports on the HN274H. With these ports, you'll be able to connect any 3D-capable device that outputs stereoscopic 3D content using the HDMI 1.4a 3D frames packed standard. This includes devices such as the PlayStation 3, some standalone 3D Blu-ray players, NVIDIA GeForce-based notebooks with HDMI, and others. Keep in mind when you're using the HDMI 1.4a input from your PC, you'll be limited to 720p60/50 or 1080p24 when gaming.

HDMI isn't your only connectivity option with the Acer HN274H. This monitor also has a USB port, D-Sub, Dual-Link DVI-DL (with HDCP), audio connector, and a power connector.

Click to enlarge, Acer HN274H Inputs

The ViewSonic V3D245 also features a traditional black bezel with a black stand. The bezel on the V3D245 is thin around the top and edges and slightly thicker at the bottom with the thickest part in the center below the ViewSonic logo. The side and top bezels measure less than one inch. To the left of the ViewSonic logo on the lower bezel, there is a 3D mode power light. This light will let you know when 3D is turned on and can be useful if you ever need to troubleshoot the ability to display 3D content.

The V3D245's stand is in the form of a diamond pattern. Although the base looks cool, it prohibits you from sliding the monitor as close to the wall as possible. It's a small issue, but users with very small desks may notice. With the stand, the V3D245 measures 17.4 inches tall and 9.5 inches deep.

Click to enlarge, ViewSonic V3D245

In the box of the ViewSonic V3D245, you'll find a power cord and adapter, audio cable, D-Sub cable, DVI-D dual-link cable, 3D Glasses, ViewSonic Wizard CD, and quick start guide. All of the ports for the V3D245 are located on the back of this monitor. Ports include audio out, DVI, D-Sub, and a single HDMI 1.4 port. As with the Acer monitor, you can connect the V3D245 to a PlayStation 3, some 3D Blu-ray players, NVIDIA GeForce-based notebooks with HDMI, and other devices and enjoy stereoscopic 3D content using the HDMI 1.4a 3D frames packed standard.

One thing both of these monitors lack is height and pivot adjustments. Both the Acer HN274H and the ViewSonic V3D245 offer some tilt controls, but that's the extent of the adjustments you'll get with these monitors.