VizWorld.com

If you’ve wondered why your LG 3d Active Glasses won’t play nice with your Samsung TV or your Sony system, researchers at Curtin University have your answer.  In their new whitepaper “A Survey of 3D Sync IR Protocols” they cover the many differences in the various glasses.

The protocols were measured by connecting the emitter/dongle or 3D display/projector to a 3D video or 3D sync source.  In the case where the emitter was integrated into the 3D display/projector, the 3D display/projector was switched into 3D mode.  A high‐speed IR photosensor was directed at the IR emitter and analysed using a digital storage oscilloscope.  The timing of the IR pulses were measured relative to the 3D Sync signal, the light field emitted by the display, and/or the timing of the shuttering of the eyewear.

I now see why my Samsung & Panasonic glasses aren’t compatible.

3D Glasses Infrared Protocols.

Hardware 3d, glasses, whitepaper

NVidia has just announced the newest version of their 3D Vision products, attempting to squash the common complaints of darkness and faint imagery from active displays.  The new tech boasts “LightBoost” technology, doubling the typical brightness of the displays through special monitors and a new generation of classes.

“NVIDIA 3D LightBoost technology makes 3D games, movies and photos more stunning and life-like than ever before,” said David Wung, senior director of product management of Open Platform Business (OPBG) Group for ASUS Computer International. ”With 3D LightBoost and our new full-HD monitors, colors are richer, textures and subtle image details virtually jump off the screen, and the overall quality of the experience is something to behold. We are thrilled to be the first desktop display manufacturer to bring this new level of 3D visual quality to our customers with the ASUS VG278H.”

The glasses are still IR based, and available from retailers for $149.  Hopefully this means new Vision Pro glasses are on the way!

via NVIDIA 3D Vision Vaults to New Dimension With Next-Gen 3D Glasses and Monitors – NVIDIA Newsroom.

Hardware 3d vision, glasses, nvidia, stereoscopic

A battle for the future of 3D cinema is brewing between Sony and Theaters over the cost of 3D Glasses.  Previously provided by Sony, now they want individual theater guests to buy their own sets of glasses, which NATO (National Association of Theater Owners) says really translates to increases deployment costs fot theaters.

In its statement, NATO said press reports indicate that Sony wants audience members to buy their own glasses, but in reality, the studio wants to move the expense of providing glasses off their own balance sheets and doesnt particularly care if the cost is borne by theater owners or ticket buyers.

via NATO Slams Sony for 3D-Glasses Charges Updated | Reuters.

Hardware glasses, sony

A recent research study in the UK shows that a significant majority of 3D TV owners only own the glasses that came with their equipment, and a percentage (13%) don’t even own that.

“The glasses issue is very real,” says Jia Wu, a senior analyst at the firm. “Naturally enough, people would rather not have to wear them, but a majority of 3D TV viewers are prepared to put up with the inconvenience when the experience and entertainment value justify it.”

Of course, they claim that Price is the issue but I think a bigger issue is that people just don’t want to wear glasses.  So many 3D tv producers ship crappy little glasses that, if you’re like me, won’t fit over your regular prescription glasses.

Autostereoscopic is the future.

via In Depth: Are glasses killing 3D TV? | 3D Radar – 3D news and reviews.

Hardware 3d, glasses, tv

Vuzix is back with an impressive new offering for Augmented Reality fans, the STAR1200 which packs a HD camera, 6-dof head-tracker, control logic, connectivity, and more all into 1 amazing (and pricey) pair of glasses.

A high-speed 1080p high definition camera with a dedicated USB connection enables exceptional performance for marker or object recognition. The camera, seen by the computer as a standard webcam, allows for easy adaptation and application support without proprietary software.

A miniature 6-DOF (Degree of Freedom) head tracker with compass plugs directly into the STAR 1200 display module providing cooked or raw tracker data through the STAR system’s control interface. A VGA Control Box interfaces with Windows based netbook, laptop or desktop computers or lithium ion rechargeable Wrap PowerPak+ connects to the iPhone/iPad family of mobile devices, enabling tracker support.

They aren’t cheap, running $5000 with a $2000 commitment up front, but they look like they’re state of the art in Augmented Reality headwear.

Although, one has to ask how long AR Glasses will remain relevant with the booming smartphone AR market.

via Vuzix STAR 1200 Augmented Reality System.

Hardware augmented reality, glasses, vuzix

In a decidedly odd move, NVidia has just released a new generation of their popular 3D glasses.  In an attempt to cut down on the price, the new glasses are available in a USB-powered wired version for only $99.

NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses, which feature NVIDIA’s advanced active-shutter technology, allow gamers and 3D enthusiasts to access the broadest selection of high-quality 3D content available today, including more than 525 full-HD 3D games, Blu-ray 3D movies, and streaming 3D video from YouTube and 3DVisionLive.com. NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses also support more than 65 different 3D Vision monitors, notebooks, and projectors, giving users complete flexibility in configuring their 3D Vision PCs.

I don’t think anyone would disagree that cheaper glasses are attractive, yes.  But $99, for Wired glasses?  A quick look at Amazon shows several other wireless active shutter glasses at comparable prices ($50 – $150), and I just can’t imagine wearing them with that wire brushing my cheek.  NVidia makes some noise about using them in “crowded environments” like Internet Cafe’s and LAN Parties, where you won’t have to fight signal noise, and they’re probably right.  However, I still don’t see too many of these coming out.

Read the full press release after the break.

via NVIDIA Introduces New 3D Vision Wired Glasses for Only $99 – NVIDIA Newsroom.

Read more…

Hardware 3d vision, glasses, nvidia

It took long enough, but the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) has finally decided it’s time to come to some standard agreement on active 3D glasses technology.  They’re currently forming a working group with the sexy name ‘R4WG16′ with the goal of coming up with a standard.

After proposals have been submitted, R4WG16 will select the proposals that will become the basis for standardization. Creating a standard for 3D active eyewear glasses can help break down consumer barriers to purchasing 3DTVs, and increase the expansion of 3D into the home.

About time.

via CEA kicks off process to standardize active 3D glasses — Engadget.

Hardware 3d, cea, glasses

Over at BenchmarkReviews they put the new “Call of Duty Black Ops” ProGaming Glasses through their paces.  The glasses are actually just rebranded Gunnar’s, glasses specifically made for extended computer usage through colored lenses & special construction.  I’ve been eying a pair of Gunnars for quite some time, although I would need prescription ones which seem to clock in around $400 or more, but his final conclusion does make it a bit more tempting.

Would I pay $79.99 for a pair of glasses that improve clarity and reduce eye strain? Before experiencing the positive effects first hand, I would have certainly been skeptical. However, in the aftermath of several sixteen hour days behind my computer while wearing the Mad Catz Call of Duty: Black Ops ProGaming glasses, I would gladly pay the asking price without thinking twice. If it were an option, I would also go back and ask my expensive laser eye surgeon to give me a Mad Catz ProGaming Riddick-style shine job… which cost a lot more than twenty menthol Kools.

So, $80 vs $400 is still a big difference, but I’m glad to hear they actually do most of what they claim.

Mad Catz CoD: Black Ops ProGaming Glasses | Mad Catz,ProGaming,Call of Duty: Black Ops,Glasses,Review,CD76180300A1/02/1,Gunnar Optiks,Mad Catz Call of Duty: Black Ops ProGaming Gunnar Optiks Glasses Review.

Hardware glasses, gunnar, review

First Samsung, then Oakley, and now Gucci has come out with a set of custom $225 3D Glasses.

These obvious 2011 must-haves exhibit the same retro-80s flair that creative director Frida Giannini brought to her Gucci Eyeweb collection this past summer. The shiny plastic aviators are both stylish and sentimental — and best of all, owners will no longer have to share the same classless glasses as common moviegoers at the local cinema.

The announcement is full of PR buzz too, announcing features like ‘optically correct 6-base curved lenses’ and a ‘high-tech multi-layered mirrored coating’.  They obviously know their audience, tho, mentioning that the special coating allows the wearer to view themselves in a mirror without distortion (typically, looking in a mirror while wearing polarized glasses causes odd effects in the eyes).

via Gucci 3-D Glasses – Because Nerds are Rich.

Hardware glasses, gucci

No doubt that the differences in various 3D Glasses and Display technology are frustrating, but XpanD hopes to resolve this with their new “universal 3D glasses” that they claim will work in Any 3D display, be it in the home or the theater.  The Xpand Universal X103 3D Glasses have some nice, if not a bit entertaining, specs:

• Universal 3D Glasses – works with all active 3D TVs
• Full 1080 3D resolution to both eyes
• Wide 3D viewing angle for multiple viewers/players
• The fastest shuttering speed eliminating headaches, fatigue, and eyestrain
• High transmission ratio for bright images

I think it’s a bit silly to see the glasses with a spec like “Full 1080 3D resolution”, since that’s entirely dependent on the Display, not the Glasses.  Nonetheless, if you want a single set of glasses that will work anywhere, here’s your answer.

Hardware glasses, stereoscopic, xpand