3 Different Display Methods For Getting A 3D Image
Posted on January 21st, 2012 by Alex Blaken
The popular method of creating a 3D image on a TV these days is to rapidly show two slightly different images one after the other. Each eye is shown only one image each with active shutter glasses that block and unblock the view of each eye so the correct image is shown to the correct peep hole. As each eye sees the world from a slightly different perspective this effectively fools the brain into thinking that it is seeing an image with some depth.
The inherent problem with this technology is that first off you need expensive glasses and second you need a TV with a high refresh or scan rate. The TV you bought 4 or 5 years ago probably won’t be 3D capable so you will have to fork out some serious cash for a new one. Once you have the TV you then need to get glasses compatible for your model. Unfortunately most families have at least 3 members. With my family I need to buy 6 pairs. Basically I’m investing almost the same amount of money spent on the TV on the shutter glasses just so we can all watch movies at the same time.
Thankfully technology moves onward and upward at a great rate of knots and new equipment is already coming into the market place which promises to solve all of these problems. New projectors and TVs are now available, albeit at a rather large cost, that use the same technique currently used in the movie theaters. The two pictures are projected onto the screen with polarized light. Each lens on the polarized glasses will only let one image through while blocking the other. As a result each eye sees a separate and slightly different picture than the other. As both images are shown at the same time the refresh and scan rates of TVs is not as crucial.
LCD screens can also create 3D without the need for glasses. The LCD screen is configured in such a way as to be able to project the two separate images in different directions so that each eye will only see one of them. The technology behind how this is done is always a closely guarded secret. A major disadvantage of this technology is that it is not suitable for a widely dispersed audience. Each viewer has to be in the correct spot in order for each eye to get its correct image. Any viewer outside of the sweet spot will only a see a 2D image at best or a blurry mess at worst.
Consequently it may be a while before we see this glasses free 3D technology in large TVs and projectors but it is available in the new Nintendo 3DS game system. As there is usually an audience of one with a personal gaming system then this technology is an excellent way to bring 3D gaming to the masses.
This article has been written by the author, Alex Blaken. Should you require any more 3D Image please visit his 3D Viweing resources!