3D - How it works:
Finally, how can a consumer watch 3D. Obviously there are many methods and I want to highlight the most import ones:
- -Movie Theatre
The projectors in the theaters alternate left and right eye at very high speeds and the glasses separate the two streams again so that the brain compiles it into a 3D image.
- laptop or handphone
German optical firm Zeiss has developed high tech viewing devices with two separate screens for each eye. I have seen the new OLED prototypes and the 16:9 picture quality is superb. You can plug in to any HDMI or VGA output and the Cinemizers are also compatible with the iPhone and other smartphones.
- Blue Ray Players
Yes, new BluRay players are 3D compatible and the first titles are already available for rental or sale. But don´t forget that you still need a viewing device (Cinemizers or a 3DTV) to be able to enjoy the 3D effect. The BluRay is just a storage medium.
- Television
New 3D TVs have been the hottest consumer electronic gadget since CES 2010 and the FIFA World Cup with all manufacturers introducing new models to the international markets. Prices still vary but are dropping very fast. Early adopters are complaining about the relatively high cost of each pair of glasses (these are active glasses that shutter at high frequency and need to be recharged), but sales are picking up everywhere. LG, Toshiba, Panasonic and Sony´s Bravia are the most popular brands but Samsung claims to own a 90 percent global market s
- The Future: No glasses needed
This is by far the most exciting trend in 3D. Playstation introduced a handheld console with a 3D screen in early 2010. LG announced the first 3D phone without glasses in early 2011. And numerous TV manufacturers including Toshiba are developing a large screen 3DTV that do not require glasses. While everyone in this space believes that this will be the killer application for 3D, 2011 and 2012 will probably not see widespread introduction of these next generation TVs.
Last but not least we would like to mention content. The general rule ”Content is king” is especially appropriate in 3D. Global Media Consult offers several hundred hours of stereoscopic 3D content for you to license or re-sell.
