Getting Started with the Odyssey 3D

The Samsung Odyssey 3D monitor combines user-friendly features and advanced gaming technology, making it a popular choice for gamers. To utilize its 3D capabilities, users must first download the Reality Hub app launcher. This app, although separate, efficiently scans and displays supported games from your library.

Connection setup is straightforward, requiring only a USB-A cable and a compatible display interface. In testing, the monitor functioned seamlessly when connected to a gaming laptop.

Connectivity and Controls

Located on the rear of the monitor, the port configuration includes:

• Two HDMI ports
• One DisplayPort
• Two USB-A downstream ports

However, notable omissions are the headphone jack and USB-C support. The power button doubles as the controller for the on-screen display (OSD), which allows access to various settings, including brightness and volume adjustments. Users may find the navigation for these settings somewhat tedious due to the number of required clicks.

Sound Performance

The Odyssey 3D features built-in 5-watt speakers that provide decent audio quality. While they deliver directional sound to enhance immersion, users observed that the audio output is notably clearer and richer when compared to the spatial audio of certain other monitors.

Display Quality

Though primarily marketed for its 3D gaming capabilities, the Odyssey 3D excels in standard 2D performance. Samsung has prioritized display quality, equipping the monitor with a 4K IPS panel boasting a 165-Hz refresh rate. This ensures that even non-3D gaming experiences are visually stunning.

Color performance is impressive, with coverage of 100% sRGB and 83% AdobeRGB. Additionally, color accuracy is excellent, achieving a measurement of 0.83 on a colorimeter, comparable to high-end OLED displays. The monitor’s peak brightness in standard dynamic range (SDR) reaches 487 nits, outshining many OLED panels. However, HDR performance may not be as remarkable, particularly since 3D gaming does not support HDR features.

Final Thoughts

While the Samsung Odyssey 3D monitor is celebrated for its 3D capabilities, its true strength lies in its robust 2D display performance. As gamers seek high-quality visuals for diverse gaming styles, this monitor stands out, albeit with a high price tag that may deter some buyers.