So whilst E3 is going on the rest of the world doesn’t stop, as demonstrated by this article posted on MIT’s Technology Review on glasses free 3D. 3D does seem to be the big buzz for Sony at this year’s show, but Microsoft’s research team seem to have a trick up their sleeve when it comes to removing the cumbersome glasses from the picture.
By using a very special wedge shaped lens that allows them to accurately control where light goes Microsoft seems to have developed glasses free 3D that works no matter where you position yourself. How’s the wedge know where you are? Apparently it uses a camera for head tracking, which then alters the way light enters the lens so that the 3D illusion is maintained. Currently the system can provide two users with stereoscopic views, or four users with 2D viewing. The 2D viewing may seem a little odd, but think of it as a privacy screen, essentially it can send different 2D images to each of the four users (the same is true of the 3D).
Whilst the lens does sounds a little cumbersome initially but Steven Batchie, head of Microsoft’s Applied Sciences Group, says the lens is actually thin enough that it can be easily integrated into a standard LCD display. It uses a highly controlled array of LEDs to at the bottom of the lens to control the way light bounces within the lens and ultimately exits, generating the 3D experience. The use of these LEDs mean that the system essentially replaces the backlighting in a more traditional display, and even the cameras are integrated into the display meaning that there’s no extra peripherals needed for the system to work.
Personally I think glasses free 3D is the way forwards, although I’m not sure if this system will be it. Due to the refresh rate available on LCD displays the system is only able to accommodate a maximum of two 3D users at a time, hardly ideal for a large gathering. Hopefully they find a way around the limitation and the idea becomes more than a proof of concept.
Via: Engadget
Rob92
God 3D glasses are not that much of an issue! Yes no one really wants them but in the grand scheme of things who really cares? If you care enough about viewing 3D and paying the ridiculous sum in the first place the glasses are not an issue.
I certainly dont care, they dont affect you and are much like wearing normal glasses.
Charmed_Fanatic
2 max? full family goodness ;-)
Supertaxman
I’m really not bothered about the glasses if they give me the best picture and effect, so I’m perfectly happy to wear them to be honest.
playstationdre
If you are sittin 15 feet away from your t.v playing a shooting game with 3 other friends with this screen on top of your t.v you will have the same 3d effect as the Nintendo DS. This does not eliminate “Screen Peaking” as the glasses do and the back of the screen, with a big t.v, would seem now 20 feet away from you. With the glasses there is no distance between you and the action, you are completely submerged in a new world that you control in the palm of your hand. If you have seen Avatar in 3D you could imagine what it would be like to control a character with that same amazing, in your face 3D.
The glasses are dorky looking, chance of being lost (just like absolutly everything you own for your system), and may not be super comfortable for all BUT the experience is so worth it and you would forget those minor inconviences quickly.
playstationdre
plus, if your all tuned out, you could throw those shades on and no one would know, on top of the fact that you would be trippin sooooo hard to all this crazy 3D action commin at you.