Glasses-Free #3D Coming to Phones Thanks to #3M

3D without the dorky glasses was something I perfected ten years ago using a $5000 custom made slidebar and a Nikon DSLR to capture 36 side-by-side images that you dice up behind a lenticular lens to create an autostereoscopic display--now 3M has reduced that cost to under $1. Look for every cell phone with a color screen to adopt these new autostereoscopic screens over the next two years. R.C.J.


Here's what 3M says about its own demonstrations at the Society of Information Display (SID) next week: 3M Demonstrates Suite of Display Film Solutions During SID Display Week 2010; Energy Efficient Films for TVs, Monitors and Notebooks With Glasses-Free 3D Film for Handhelds...Building upon its efforts to improve energy efficiency in electronic devices, 3M’s Optical Systems Division will showcase a number of energy efficient exhibits for notebooks, handheld devices, monitors and LCD TVs during SID Display Week 2010, to be May 24-28 in Seattle, Wash. In addition, the company will demonstrate its glasses-free 3D film for handhelds--the world’s only film to deliver auto-stereoscopic 3D without impacting color or resolution of the displays...3M will show its field sequential 3D optical film for handheld devices—enabling true auto stereoscopic 3D viewing on mobile phones, gaming and other handheld devices without the need for glasses. The film only requires one LCD panel, operating at a 120Hz refresh rate. Backlight module assembly is nearly identical to existing systems—allowing for simple integration at the assembly stage.
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#3D TV Comes to Poland, Russia

Poland had its first 3D TV broadcast this weekend, and Russia will follow suit this fall. Look for every major television market to screen 3D TV over the next year. R.C.J.


Here's what Broadband TV News says: On Saturday, May 15, Canal+ successfully undertook the first-ever 3D transmission in Poland, broadcasting the Ekstraklasa match between Wisla Kraków and Odra Wodzislaw. There were public screenings in pubs and the Multikino cinema chain in Warsaw, Kraków and Poznan, with subscribers with 3D sets and HD receivers also able to watch the match at home...Meanwhile in Russia, the DTH platform NTV-Plus has announced plans to broadcast the UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan on May 22 in 3D...There will be a public screening at the October cinema in Moscow...
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Ericsson in 3-D TV partnership with ESPN

Delivering sporting events in 3D to Ericsson mobile handset users was announced recently, even though there are no 3D screens yet to display it. Look for every major smartphone vendor to start using 3D-capable screen on all new designs. R.C.J.


Here's what Ericsson says: ESPN is deploying a variety of Ericsson 3D and HD products including the complete solution for direct-to-home and contribution and distribution of 3D content. The Ericsson solution delivers more efficient bandwidth usage while ensuring the transmissions meet ESPN's high standards for picture quality.
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MIT says 3D Technology will Change the World

MIT's magazine called Technology Review has listed 3D as one of the top 10 emerging technologies that will soon "have a profound impact on how we live and work." Look for more endorsements of 3D in 2010, such Consumer Reports which has given its seal of approval (but a recommendation to wait for more content and for prices to go down). R.C.J.


In particular, MIT's Technology Review said that Mobile 3-D and automatic 2D to 3D conversion will change how people live and work by going mainstream on smartphones. MIT expects companies like Dynamic Digital Depth to take 3-D mainstream on smart phones and mobile devices by automatically converting existing 2-D content to 3-D on the fly. In the longer term, Insight Media estimates that 2D-to-3D conversion will become standard equipment on up to 50 million 3DTVs by 2016. IM's estimates include 2D-to-3D technology in 3DTVs, set top boxes and Blu-ray players. 3DTV, Blu-ray players and digital Set-Top-Boxes will including media processors (systems on a chip, SoC) to run the 2D to 3D conversion algorithms.

"Sony CEO Stan Glasgow to Explore Future of 3D at SID"

Sony Electronics’ President and Chief Operating Officer Stan Glasgow will deliver the keynote address during the Society for Information Display (SID) Conference. Glasgow will describe Sony’s vision of the future, with 3D emerging as the next great platform for home entertainment. Look for Sony making a big push for its 3D TVs in advance of major sporting events and films it will release during 2010. R.C.J.


Drawing upon Sony’s work on implementing 3D capabilities in its professional cameras, digital cinema 4K projection systems and other equipment, as well as consumer products including TVs, Blu-ray disc players, and gaming consoles, Glasgow will provide a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities in the 3D platform. Because in 3D, ‘seeing is believing’, Sony will be creating a 3D cinema experience within the Business Conference using their 3D equipment. Specifically, they will use: a Sony SRXR320 3D Projector, a Silver Screen to show the 3D images and distribute 3D glasses for attendees. Attendees will be treated to a mixture of content from Sony and other content providers, including movies, live sporting events, gaming and other entertainment. The release of numerous 3D movies has created a tremendous amount of interest in 3D beyond the cinema. But in moving from the cinema to the home, there are additional challenges. In his presentation, Glasgow will describe Sony’s concept of the “lens-to-living room” ecosystem for 3D, encompassing content creation, processing, delivery and viewing in the home.

Viewsonic #3D Glasses Debut for its Stereoscopic Projectors

ViewSonic announced the launch of its PGD-150 Active Stereographic 3D shutter glasses which work in tandem with ViewSonic's DLP Link 120Hz / 3D Ready projectors to provide an immersive 3D experience. Here is what Viewsonic says: "For teachers looking to make the educational experience more engaging for their students, or home users hoping to bring cinema-quality 3D experiences into their media rooms, ViewSonic's PGD-150 Active Stereographic shutter glasses offer a bold new approach. Boasting a 50ft effective use distance for maximum flexibility and active shutter glass design for a blur-free 3D experience, these glasses work perfectly in tandem with large scale presentations or solo media viewing. The PGD-150's sharp 1000:1 contrast and TN Type LCD shutter ensures each vibrant 3D image is displayed with perfect clarity. Molded in durable plastic, the ViewSonic PGD-150 Active Stereographic 3D shutter glasses feature a ruggedized water- and dust-proof design and operate with long lasting lithium batteries for up to 70 hours of usage before replacement. ViewSonic's PGD-150 Active Stereographic 3D shutter glasses are currently available for an ESP of $99."

#3D TV disparities said to cause physical, mental strain

Stereo photographers learn to tolerate the vergence-accommodate disparity as the only way to "free view" side-by-side left-and-right images on stereographic cards. In our club about half the members have learned to tolerate this disparity and "free view" stereo cards without glasses--but the other half complain of discomfort whenever they try. Look for all 3D TVs to sport a 3D-to-2D button that lets viewers decide. R.C.J.


Visual disparities in 3-D TV images can cause physical strain in viewers, according to recent research at the University of California at Berkeley. While proper viewing conditions can help avoid most problems--dark room, central seat far from the screen--3-D cinematographers also need to follow careful rules or risk making people sick, researchers said. A stereo viewing chair that rotates was designed by UC-Berkeley researchers to allow manipulation of visual and vestibular cues to self-motion and body orientation. The debate over 3-D TV heated up earlier this week when Samsung issued a warning about possible health effects. Even if the physical strains of 3-D are avoided, other disparities can cause mental strain akin to vertigo, according to other investigators at the University of Washington. For the emerging crop of 3-D movies that incorporate real-world scenery, movie makers have one extra job beyond those of previous animations: Minimizing the so-called vergence-accommodation conflict. The conflict arises from the fact that 3-D displays present perceptual disparities to the brain that its never encountered before, and to which not everybody's brain can adapt.