Announcing: iFriends in 3-D!

Have you ever used LCD-based 3-D goggles when playing videogames? Have you ever seen an iMax 3-D movie? Then you know how realistic – and FUN – it can be. Now, iFriends has engineered another internet first: We've applied the same 3-D technology to live videochat. If you've got a pair of 3-D goggles that jack right into your PC Monitor port (see link below if you're in the market to buy one), and know an accommodating chathost that offers the iFriends 3-D experience, put your seatbelt on, because you're in for one hell of a 3-D ride.

If you've ever wondered what it would be like if your favorite chathost could jump out of your computer screen and into your lap, iFriends 3-D is perfect for you.

Recommended configuration, based on result of iFriends' test lab:

• Software: iFriends' own ifCam software (sorry, 3-D is not yet available with iFriends' LiveStream formats). Available for free at the iFriends download center
• PC and Net Connection: To support ifCam in 3-D, your PC transmits 640x480 frame sizes as fast as your PC and internet connection will allow. (From the viewer's perspective, the more frames per second he sees, the more realistic the 3-D experience). While 3D will work on any PC and over any internet speed (even dialup modems), for optimal 3-D experience, we recommend at least a 2GHz PC and at least DSL or cable TV internet speeds.
• Camcorder: Any camcorder that supports "threaded filter rings" (most do -- take a look at the lens of your camcorder; if there are rings around it that look like screw-threads, you should be fine).
• Can't I use my regular everyday webcam? Sorry, most typical webcams, such as the ubiquitous QuickCam, lack the necessary lens-mounting threads that enable you to split your cam image into the twin images needed in 3-D applications. (See "Camcorder 3D glasses" below).
• Camcorder "3D eyeglasses": This is a special lens that mounts onto your camcorder; it splits the single image captured by your camcorder into two images, to create the 3D effect. We recommend the NuView 3D Producer Kit (available here: http://store.yahoo.com/i-glassesonline/nuvstarkit.html). Depending on the lens size of your camcorder, you may also need a step-up or step-down adapter from NuView Kit (see note below)
  • Note: You may have to purchase an adapter ring if the NuView lens is a different size than your camcorder's filter ring. The NuView lens requires a 37mm filter mount. The size of your camcorder's mount will likely be written on the camcorder itself by the lens or else can be found in your manual. It will either be written in mm (i.e. "46mm") or with the symbol "ø" (i.e. "ø46"). If your camcorder's size is less than 37mm (ø37), you will need a STEP-UP adapter ring from your size to 37. If your size is greater than 37, you will need a STEP-DOWN adapter from your size to 37. Some bundles of the NuView lens include some adapter rings; check when ordering. Otherwise, your local camera shop should be able to assist you, or you can purchase an adapter ring here: Step-Up or Step-Down.
  • Note #2: When you purchase the NuView 3D Producer Kit, it may come bundled with 3D glasses for TV. If so, discard these 3D glasses, as you won't be using them. (This kit is designed for producing 3D video for television, not the PC, so the bundled 3D glasses will only work with a TV set and, therefore, not with iFriends.) However, to see your own videochat while you host, you'll still need your own pair of 3D glasses that work with PCs. (see below).
• Capture Card: We experienced good results with the ViewCast Osprey-210 capture card. However, any capture card that supports a 640x480 image size should work fine.
• 3-D PC Viewing Glasses: You'll want your own pair of 3D goggles, so you can see yourself in 3-D. Plus -- and this is very important -- you'll need to see how you look in 3D, because you'll probably want to tweak some of your video settings to get the best look. For the glasses we recommend, see below, "Viewing 3D Video on iFriends".

Once you've made the above arrangements, you're ready! Here's how to host your live iFriends 3D session:

• Run ifCam. Click "Video Setup", select the "Enable 3D" checkbox, and follow the instruction provided to enlarge your video size to 640x480. (iFriends 3D requires the extra pixels available from a full 640x480 cam window).
• On the session signin form, select the "ifcam" option. On the next page, in the "Extended Features" section, select the 3d icon. Otherwise, sign in the session as you ordinarily would.

• IMPORTANT: PC-based 3D glasses will ONLY work on PCs which are connected to standard CRT monitors (the bulky monitors). Owing to differences in the way video signals are handled, 3D PC glasses do not ordinarily work in conjunction with flat-panel displays.
• The X3D Glasses come with Controller Software that you'll need to install for the glasses to work with iFriends. The glasses also come with nVidia Display Drivers, but this is only necessary if you have an nVidia video card, and you want to use your glasses to perform other 3D functions, such as playing videogames. The nVideo drivers are not needed with iFriends.
• If you already have 3D Glasses: Most models will work, but only if they are designed for use with PCs; the plain red-and-blue paper glasses from the movie theater will NOT work.
• You will need to manually turn on the 3-D glasses when you're ready to start viewing by right-clicking on the glasses' icon in your "system tray" (those icons next to your clock) and choosing "Stereo-Normal". If you are having difficulty seeing the 3-D Effect, go back to this icon and choose "Stereo-Reverse" instead. To turn the glasses off, go back again and choose "Stereo-Off".
• If you are having difficulty reading the chat while in a 3-D-enabled chat room, don't forget you can change and enlarge the chat by clicking the "Font" button in the chat window. You can keep clicking until you find one that's easy enough for you to read.