I’ve been reading about glasses free 3D projection systems for some time – they are certainly coming and this would be quite exciting for Avatar 2 to launch glasses free 3D theaters – but it is not yet for certain that this will happen.
Category Archives: 3D Tech
CNET thinks #VR is already dead, apparently #VR3D #VR360 #CES2017
The media bad mouthed 3D – falsely referring to eyeglasses as “goggles” – contributing to the stunted market for consumer 3D TV. This CNET story reads like those old stories – just change “3D” to”VR”:
Virtual reality promises to be a mega-trend that upends how we use computers and just plain get along. So why’s it such a snooze at the world’s biggest tech expo?
Source: Virtually boring: VR really disappoints at CES this year – CNET
Yep, it’s 2017 and VR is just a snooze, practically dead, isn’t it?
Reminder – 3D was launched into a market in the midst of a near global economic depression. People who had just upgraded their old TVs to new HDTVs were asked to upgrade to more expensive 3D TVs. That was a non-starter. Second, there was very limited 3D content available. A limited selection of 3D BluRays – plus one or two 3D TV networks available only to a few. With little to watch, there was little reason to upgrade one’s HDTV to a new 3D HDTV.
News reporters, many of whom admitted they did not like 3D movies, invented their own explanation – they proclaimed consumers did not like “3D goggles”, referring to eyeglasses. The same reporters who wrote that then later wrote enthusiastically about Virtual Reality – never mind that VR elevates the “goggles” to literal helmets.
Now some reporters seem to be turning against VR because VR is not already in every home and being used for every possible application. The technology just isn’t roll out fast enough!
VR has something going for it that 3D TV did not – Google Cardboard-style viewers. Low cost, simple viewers that use existing smart phones enable consumers to enjoy VR 360 and VR 3D videos and games – at low cost! No large investment is required – no need to purchase an expensive 3D TV and upgrade your DVD player to 3D BluRay.
Second, content is delivered as gaming applications – no cable TV or satellite network support needed, as was needed for 3D. Users can watch VR 360 and VR 3D videos hosted on Youtube, Facebook and other online sites.
To summarize, VR has going for it:
- Inexpensive ways to begin using VR today!
- Access to free and inexpensive VR content, readily available!
- Can also be used to watch 3D video – as a bonus feature – at no additional cost
Marvel Digital shows no-glasses 3D Display tech at CES 2017
Source: Glasses-free 3D display – marveldigital
Marval Digital demonstrated glasses-free 3D displays for up to 65″ 4K 3D displays, and also for 3D phones and 3D tablets. The 4K 3D TV displays feature up to 140 degree viewing angles.
Marvel Digital also sells (price unknown) VisuMotion, a software tool for professional conversion of 2D video to 3D.
StreamTV Networks also showed new 360 degree VR technology, plus their glasses-free 3D technology. When I attended CES in the past, the StreamTV technology was the best glasses free 3D technology that I saw at the time.
Snapchat Spectacles support 3rd party prescription lenses
Snapchat’s Spectacles are dark glasses with integrated camera, for recording life’s activities. Interesting idea. Like most dark glasses, they are for those who do not need corrective lenses.
On the plus side, the lenses in Spectacles may be swapped out and replaced with corrective lenses prescribed by an optomerist. You then end up with prescription dark glasses integrated in to the Spectacles:
“To swap out Spectacles lenses for prescription lenses, consult a professional ABO-certified optician for guidance.
Please Note: Rx total power cannot exceed -5 diopter”
Source: Spectacles Support
Those who ordinarily wear corrective lenses typically buy snap on dark lenses that go over their existing corrective lenses. Or purchase a set of corrective dark lenses.
Snapchat Spectacles are targeted at a specific demographic (from the Snapchat web site):
Snapchat recognizes the need to support those wearing corrective lenses, including with in this demographic, by making it possible to use prescription lenses in their product.
Tech companies that miss these large market opportunities risk alienating customers by providing unsatisfactory viewing experiences, which may translate into negative online comments and general disinterest in their products. And that will not be good for profits! I will continue to explore this topic in future posts.
Related: Snapchat Spectacles are not water proof or water resistant which restricts their use cases for those living in wet climates such as the the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
Related articles
Sony announces 4K 3D monitors for medical applications
4K TVs aren’t just for home cinema – that level of detail can also help guide surgeons and doctors. Sony has unveiled a new line of medical monitors that are the first to combine 3D and 4K images, and new recorders and management systems that allow the storage and sharing of images and video.
Source: Sony stitches 4K and 3D video together in new medical monitors