PSP World

3D Vision Screen Planned for PSP

A European hardware manufacturer called RealView innovations plans to release a peripheral add-on for the PSP that will enable the device to display games in 3D. The device, called the V-Screen PSP, is set to release this winter in North America. According to the manufacturer, the V-Screen does not rely on software or electronics, but rather attaches to the front of the handheld to "enhance the perceived depth of the 2D screen image on the PSP." The patent for the device states that this is accomplished using a curved fresnel lens that sits some distance from the screen of the device (see photo below).

Founded in 2001, Irish company RealView Innovations (RVI) has developed a unique 3 dimensional screen technology that enhances the perceived depth of 2 dimensional screen images. Currently the company is focused on providing this technology to the personal entertainment and video game accessory market.

Anybody up for some portable gaming?

"The innovation uses special optical components in unconventional ways," said Eamonn Ansbro, an Optical Engineer at RVI. "No software, electronics or headgear is required. Nonetheless, the optical results are astonishing." Continued Ansbro: "The video game industry is a perfect fit for our technology. The V-Screen offers consumers a tremendous leap forward in optical enhancement."

There are a couple of potential problems that we can see with the V-Screen. First of all, the device is quite large, and turns the PSP into something resembling a Nintendo Virtual Boy instead of a portable handheld. Secondly, the only photo we have seen of the device is clearly designed to fit the existing model of PSP, rather than the upcoming PSP Go, and we wonder if RVI has a similar device in the works for the smaller machine. Thirdly, we wonder if third-party software makers need to make games specifically for the device, or whether it works with existing games. If it is designed to work with existing games, then the "3D Effect" might not be all that useful or impressive. On the other hand, we can't see third party developers making new games for an untested peripheral.