If you didn't get the memo, then allow me to fill you in: 3D is where it's at. From 3D versions of movies to the multitude of 3D TVs coming out this summer, the third dimension is the hottest realm in technology today.

Of course, not everyone can drop hundreds of thousands of pesos down for the latest 3D TV. And yet, we all want to experience 3D in our living room. So what is one to do? NVIDIA apparently has a solution, for gamers anyway: 3D Vision.

NVIDIA's 3D Vision is their own take on 3D. The system consists of a stereoscopic active shutter glasses, an IR transmitter, a 3D compliant display and an NVIDIA GeForce video card. In theory, the system will allow you to play your PC games in full stereoscopic 3D. The package retails for about $200 online, which is roughly 8500 to 9000 pesos.

The box includes a pair of rechargeable stereoscopic active shutter glasses, an IR transmitter and the requisite manuals and drivers to get you going. Unfortunately, I didn't have access to a 120Hz 3D capable LCD monitor, but the system will work fine on a 100Hz CRT monitor, like the17-inch AOC monitor I used for the test. The testbed was an Intel Core i5 660 (3.33GHz) with 4GB of memory paired with a MSI GTX275 Lighting video card.

Installation was a bit fiddly, as the system requires you to uninstall previous GeForce drivers, requiring a reboot. After that, the driver that comes with the 3D kit reinstalls said drivers, then requires you to do another reboot before installing the 3D drivers. Kind of tedious, if you ask me.

After the software installation, you'll be asked to calibrate the glasses, and as a reward for all the tediousness, you're presented with several stereoscopic photos to give you a sense of what you're in for.

The glasses aren't half bad. It's not something you'd be proud to wear in public with its neon green trimmings and what not. The glasses are rechargeable, with the charging port on the bottom left side rail, with the power button opposite it.

3D Vision is theoretically capable of transforming your favorite game into glorious 3D, but in practice it's a bit of hit and miss. NVIDIA has handily created a list of games that will work with the solution, and are labeled 3D Vision Ready, Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor and Not recommended.

To save you time, the best games to try with the solution are the ones that are 3D Vision Ready and rated excellent - anything else and you'd be wasting your time and possibly straining your eyes.

I tried two games in the 3D Vision Ready category: Resident Evil 5 and Battlefield Bad Company 2. The 3D effect was really apparent in RE5, with the characters Chris and Sheva getting extra depth. There was a bit of ghosting apparent, especially in the bottom part of the screen. Moving further back from the monitor improved things somewhat, but it was still there.

I ran into a bit of trouble with Battlefield Bad Company 2, with the game refusing to run in 3D. I found out later that to support the game I had to completely uninstall the drivers and install the latest drivers found on the NVIDIA homepage. After going through the whole install process again, I finally got it running.

The 3D effect is more pronounced in this title probably because of the first person nature of the game. Looking down the sights through the ACOG really gives you a feeling of depth, especially in protracted firefights.

Is the solution worth it? It all depends on how much you are willing to spend. To really enjoy the full 3D effect, you'll definitely need at least a 22-inch 120Hz LCD monitor. As of writing, sourcing a compatible monitor is difficult, if not near impossible, as none of the local distributors and stores carry them although you might find one trawling the net or through parallel import shops.

The list of 3D-ready games is short too, so it's really not worth it if your favorite game isn't on it. But if you really want to experience the third dimension in a relatively inexpensive package, then NVIDIA's 3D Vision might be right up your alley.