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You can fine tune the amount of depth you want in a game to get the best effect, and ensure comfortable viewing. Considering that I'm predisposed to migraines, it's commendable that I was able to play several games on this screen without my head feeling like it was about to split open. That said, firing up Command and Conquer 3 did cause me considerable pain, since no amount of fine tuning could achieve a solid 3D image. Hugo also tried to get a clean image on C&C3 in case it was a problem with me, but he too walked away feeling distinctly ill.

So game support isn't perfect, but when it's good, it really is very good. To prove that Boston hadn't tweaked the games that were pre-loaded onto the system, I installed a couple of my own, one of which was Tiger Woods PGA Tour '08. I'm not a massive fan of golf games, but Tiger Woods in 3D does look pretty spectacular. One of the most impressive aspects of the 3D system is that you don't need to sit in a sweet spot either - the effect is just as impressive even if you're sitting off to one side, meaning that multi-player gaming on the same screen is a definite option.

As with any cutting edge technology, the ZM-M2020W doesn't come cheap, especially when compared to traditional 1,680 x 1,050 22in widescreen displays, so you'll have to really want 3D gaming to stump up the cash. In fact, at over £400 including VAT, you'll need to really want the 3D features, considering the fact that you can almost buy two decent standard 22in screens for that price.

The big question is whether the ZM-M2020W is worth the money, and unfortunately I'm not convinced that it is. Don't get me wrong, the 3D aspect is truly impressive and has completely changed my perception on "real" 3D gaming. However, as a standard monitor the ZM-M2020W just doesn't cut the mustard, and for this kind of money, it should.

Verdict

Zalman has proved that nVidia's investment in 3D display technology was a sound one. This screen really does produce a truly immersive 3D environment in which to play your games. In fact everyone in the office was surprised at how good the 3D effect was on the ZM-M2020D.

Unfortunately the excessively glossy coating on this screen doesn't just make it impossible to recommend for general Windows use, but it also severely affects the 3D aspect, since if you have the slightest hint of ambient light in your room, you're constantly distracted by the reflection of your own face and everything behind you.

The constant buzzing feedback in the audio pass through is another annoyance, as is the lack of labelling on the audio ports themselves. What Zalman has created though, is a great building block, on which to base a second generation screen that addresses all the shortcomings of this one. With nVidia continuing to develop this technology at the graphics card end, there's every chance that the next 3D monitor to land in the TrustedReviews labs will be a real winner.

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