3D technology – What is it?

3D technology – What is it?

3D: the third dimension. Many people are divided on the subject. It doesn’t look to be leaving us anytime soon though, because 3D technology has evolved so much over the years it has become less of a novelty and more credible. Who remembers the floppy cardboard glasses with one green eye and one red?

3D is intriguing for everyone no matter your interests, whether you enjoy Party Poker online, or like writing. Most don’t understand how it works though. To start you off you need to realise that there is more than one type of technology to create the 3D effect. Here are three examples used across the globe

Colour differences

The classic 3D process with red and green lenses in your glasses. First tried in the 1950s, the left and right eyes see through different colours, which the lenses then separate to make a 3D effect. The advantage of this is that it works for both projection and print. The disadvantage is that the colour reproduction causes an irritation to the eye after a while. Recent developments have improved separation however.

Wavelength Multiplex Glasses

A German firm called Infitic developed this. The process uses narrowband color-fitters, which define a specific band within each colour, so that both eyes receive the red, green and blue. The images are then projected alternately by DLP projectors. The advantage of this is the easy implementation. Three-chip DLP projectors allow for a good quality picture. The disadvantage is that the glasses are expensive and the effect is hard to achieve on normal screens.

Polarized glasses

This method uses vertical and horizontal polarizers to filter light in the right directions. This will direct two separate signals to the viewers’ eyes. It can work with two screens, two projectors, or just the one. The cheap glasses create a decent picture which is an advantage. However this method requires a ‘silver screen’ for projection, otherwise the polarization is interrupted.