3D Displays at CES
I've been trying to keep up with advances in 3D display technology, because to me, it's absolutely going to be the "next big thing" in monitors.Plus, I'm going to want one. I saw a 42" display at E3 one year that had a 3D effect (using footage that had been specially recorded) and it was mind-blowing--truly one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
I saw two announcements at CES this week. The first is from Philips:
At CES 2007 Philips Electronics is showcasing the capabilities of its 3D content-enabling software for converting existing high-definition 2D commercials and professional stereo video footage into 3D for visualization on Philips’ professional 3D displays.
This isn't on-the-fly conversion into 3D, but it's interesting nonetheless. Also:
Philips is focusing first on the professional application market for its 3D displays, but company representatives said that the goal is to bring the 3D experience to the wider consumer entertainment market, hopefully into gaming and home theater.
That's the right goal to have. Read the full release here.
The second story is even more interesting:
Philips isn’t the only one showing off 3D LCD at CES. 3D software and content company DDD Group and Syntax-Brillian, maker of Olevia LCD TVs, is demonstrating 3D technology from video games to movies on a specially modified 32" Olevia 532H LCD HDTV. Like the Philips, viewers do not need any special equipment or glasses to see the 3D effect; but unlike Philips, the DDD offering is aimed at displaying games and movies.
The 3D Olevia 532H is equipped with Arisawa's Xpol 3D optical material that enables both normal 2D and stereoscopic 3D content to be displayed on the screen. The 3D Olevia 532H is also powered by DDD's TriDef Vision+ that converts any existing 2D broadcast or DVD content to 3D in real time.
Conversion to 3D in real time--that's what was really needed, and now it's apparently been done. It's just a matter of time now--time and price. It certainly seems like many of us could be playing on 3D displays in five years at a reasonable price-point.
The full story is here.
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