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Is bionic vision in your future? It might be if engineers can perfect a contact lens filed with electronics. As this ScienCentral News report explains, engineers have demonstrated how to put electronics inside a contact lens.

Watch the video:

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Guide on how to make a 3D Digital Camera yourself

As 3D is the “in” thing this year, we thought we would do something constructive for this video and create a 3D camera with a rather modest budget. Watch the video to find out how:

For those who wants try to build your own 3D camera please read the following blog:  Homemade 3D Digital Stereo Equipment

There are two type of transparent film, which allows to display stereoscopic 3D image on any screen, such as laptop, monitor, or television. Read more about GlobalWave Pic3D film here.

There are two distinguished methods presently available on the market: parallax barrier and lenticular film. The difference between those two is self-explanatory as shown below:

Lenticular screens

Screens with a molded lenticular surface are frequently used with projection television systems. In this case, the purpose of the lenses is to focus more of the

light into a horizontal beam and allow less of the light to escape above and below the plane of the viewer. In this way, the apparent brightness of the image is increased.

Ordinary front-projection screens can also be described as lenticular. In this case, rather than transparent lenses, the shapes formed are tiny curved reflectors.

RealD Launches First 3D Stereoscopic Converter ‘PODs’

RealD Side-by-Side 3D-POD

3D Converter:

Bring Home 3D Technology Today

(by abt.com)

From the advent of moving pictures to the invention of TV, historic developments drove image technologies through the 20th century. Among them, color and high definition (HD) were two major advances. Now, we present a third breakthrough in the form of full HD 3D. This new viewing experience is creating a new dimension of video realism. 3D is great in the theater; bring the same amazing technology home today. Don’t get stuck in 2D when you can bring 3D right to your living room. 3D is the latest dimension in gaming, movies, and TV programming. Don’t watch TV, live it. The amazing images jump off the screen, bringing the action so close, you can almost feel it.

What Does 3D Mean?
3D images are a made with a special camera that records one image from two perspectives. One of the images is recorded and projected for the viewer’s right eye and the other image for the left. When 3D glasses are worn, an illusion of depth as well as the image’s height and width is created. If you look at the images without the assistance of 3D glasses, the image will appear blurry.

• The only way to immerse yourself in 3D is to have a 3D TV.
• A 3D TV isn’t the only component you will need to bring your TV to life.
• You will need a 3D Blu-ray player, 3D Glasses and HDMI 1.4 cables.
• If you love to play video games, think of a Sony Playstation 3.
• You will be able to watch Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray DVDs as well as play games in 3D.

3D Compatible TV

3D has been around for decades, only now can you get a movie-quality 3D experience at home. A 3D TV can have an LED, LCD, or plasma screen. The only difference from a 2D TV is the screen is designed to show two versions of the same image. This works because the two versions are alternated at speeds that are so fast, they are undetectable by the human eye.

Three Types of 3D TVs
There is a 3D TV for everyone. Because 3D technology is so new, manufacturers are giving consumers options.

3D-Ready
Most TVs are 3D-ready. What does that mean? The TV will be equipped with a 3D emitter to send signals to the 3D glasses that you will be wearing. These TVs usually do not come with 3D glasses.

3D-Capable
These TVs are made with the screens that can play a 3D image, but they lack the emitter that is necessary to project a 3D image. 3D emitters are available to purchase for these TVs and they are external additions to the TV.

Full 3D
Similar to 3D-ready TVs, these sets are equipped with 3D emitters and the proper screen to produce a 3D image. They will usually come with 3D glasses.

Choose from:

LCD

LED

Plasma

3D Compatible Blu-ray Player or Playstation 3 (PS3)

The PS3 will be 3D compatible through a firmware upgrade sometime in 2010.

It means you can watch 3D Blu-ray DVDs and play games in 3D after downloading a firmware upgrade.

3D Glasses

Until recently, 3D glasses were plastic with one red lens and one blue. Improvements have been made on the technology; consequently the new 3D movies, TV broadcasts, and games can be viewed in 1080p, full 3D HD.

Active Liquid Crystal Shutter Glasses
Active liquid crystal shutter glasses replace older tinted glasses to give a 1080p, full 3DHD image. Each lens alternates blocking each eye up to 120 times per second, like opening and closing a shutter, one side at a time. They link to the TV by an infrared Bluetooth signal and most use rechargeable batteries.

3D Content

3D movies and animated cartoons are available on 3D Blu-ray DVDs. More than movies will be available in 3D.

Both ESPN and the Discovery Channel are developing channels devoted to 3D. ESPN channel is slated to begin in June 2010 and the Discovery Channel late 2010/ early 2011.

PS3 will also have games available in 3D with the option to be played in 2D.

Leonar3Do: Virtual Reality in 3D

Leonar3Do – The 3D Virtual Reality Kit

The first time you wear your Lenoar3Do 3D glasses and hold the bird in your hand that functions as a 3D mouse, you will have a feeling of wonder such as when a person first drives a car and feels control over the power of the engine. With Leonar3Do, you are able to control how you move within space: you can create and pull objects ‘out’ from the monitor with the cursor. As with the car, the experience is real: the control is yours, you have power over space. This alone is a unique experience, but with Leonar3Do you are capable of much more.

 Main components of the Leonar3Do Interactive Desktop VR (virtual reality) hardware:

• A spatial input device (the ‘bird’), 3D glasses and monitor-mounted sensors.
• The ‘bird’ operates in six degrees of freedom, which means that you can not only move any objects or the whole virtual space, but also you can rotate them.
• 3D glasses allow users to perceive a stereoscopic image being displayed in a free air as a 3D object.
• Visual sensors continuously track positions of both, the ‘bird’ and the glasses.
• Application  software generates, manages, and displays virtual reality.
• Users, even a 10-12-year-old, can create their own virtual world in space right in front of 3D monitor: they can also design in a free air, create models and parts, make new toys, design and play their own games, construct buildings using library of shapes, and much more, – all,which had been only dreamed of in the world of science fiction.

Integral 3D TV system projects a promising future with video

August 27, 2010 By Lisa Zyga

This reconstructed 3D image was created using the integral 3D TV imaging system. Image credit: Arai, et al. (c)2010 IEEE.

(PhysOrg.com) — Critics of 3D viewing may call the technology a passing fad, but if engineers can overcome some of the challenges of today’s 3D systems, 3D TV could work its way into becoming a common household product. There are several different ways to create 3D images on a display, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In one of the latest approaches, researchers from Japan have developed an integral 3D TV system based on the 100-year-old technique of integral photography that uses large numbers of lenses and pixels to transform ordinary photographs into 3D video.

The engineers, from NHK (the Japan Broadcasting Corporation) in Tokyo and JVC Kenwood Holdings, Inc., in Kanagawa, have been developing and improving their integral 3D TV system for the last several years. Their most recent system will be published in an upcoming issue of The Journal of Display Technology.

“The greatest advantage of our system is its suitability for the broadcasting system, i.e., glasses-free display, full-parallax (viewers can enjoy 3D images from any posture) and real-time motion imaging,” Jun Arai of NHK told PhysOrg.com.

The experimental setup for (a) capturing video and (b) displaying video. Both steps involve a large array of convex lenses to generate a 3D effect. Image credit: Arai, et al. (c)2010 IEEE.To record images, a large array of many convex lenses is placed in front of a Super Hi-Vision camera, which records the direction and intensity of light as viewed from slightly different directions. To display the images to a viewer, a Super Hi-Vision projector projects the images onto a diffusion screen, in front of which is an identical convex lens array. This set-up can recreate the direction and intensity of the light that was originally recorded. Since each lens looks slightly different at different viewing angles, the images look slightly different from different directions, giving a 3D impression.In terms of the image characteristics, there is a trade-off in the system in which an increase in the viewing angle results in a decrease in the image resolution. To maximize both characteristics, the researchers explain that it is necessary to shorten the distance between the lens array and the display device, and also narrow the pitch of the lenses, which requires a large number of pixels. Overall, the system uses a total of 7,680 pixels in the horizontal direction and 4,320 pixels in the vertical direction. With these adjustments, the researchers could ensure a viewing angle of 24 degrees and a spatial frequency that is 2.4 times higher than that of their previous system. Arai added that it should be possible to further improve both the viewing angle and image resolution with future research.

3-D movies via Internet and satellite

August 26, 2010

With MVC, the two images needed for the 3-D effect are packed together to reduce the movie’s bit rate.

Multiview video coding (MVC) is the new standard for 3-D movie compression. While reducing the data significantly, MVC allows at the same time providing full high-resolution quality. At the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam from Sept. 10-14, 2010, researchers will showcase how 3-D movies can be transmitted via Internet and digital television channels such as via satellite.

Blockbusters like Avatar, UP or Toy Story 3 will bring the 3-D into home living rooms, televisions and computers. There are already displays available and the new Blu-Ray players can already play 3-dimensional movies based on MVC. The first soccer games were recorded stereoscopically at the Football World Championships in South Africa. What is missing is an efficient form of transmission.

The problem is the data rate required by the movies – in spite of fast Internet and sat-ellite links. 3-D movies have higher data rate requirements than 2-dimensional movies since at least two images are needed for the spatial representation. This means that a 3-D screen has to show two images – one for the left and one for the right eye.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institut, HHI in Berlin, Germany have already come up with a compression technique for movies in particularly HD quality that squeezes movies while maintaining the quality: the H.264/AVC video format. What H.264/AVC is for HD movies, Multiview Video Coding (MVC) is for 3-D movies. The benefit is reducing the data rate used on the transmission channel while maintaining the same high-definition quality.

Videos on the Internet have to load quickly so that the viewer can watch the movies without interruptions. Thomas Schierl is a scientist at the HHI in Berlin and he explains that “MVC packs the two images needed for the stereoscopic 3-D effect so that the bit rate of the movies is significantly reduced.” These 3-D movies are up to 40 percent smaller. Thomas Schierl and his colleagues are working to establish the MVC codec for television transmission over satellites or the Internet. “New TV sets will start off by only playing 3-D movies from the Blu-Ray disc that is now coming into the third dimension. The next step to bring 3-D into living rooms will be made possible via broadcast or IPTV channels running via DSL or cable.”

You will be able to experience 3-dimensional movies in your living room in future without any 3-D glasses because the MVC format has the technical features to code and compress several views. After all, everybody enjoying the movie with you on the sofa has a different viewing angle. That is why they need a separate view – their “own” 3-D movie – for his or her individual seat. MVC compresses all of these views into one compact file or stream and one receiver, one set-top box decodes this information and passes it on to the television.

It will also be possible to play the MVC-coded movies on older televisions and set-top boxes and Thomas Schierl tells us how: »The first view corresponds to the signal that the existing television can receive and we would hide the second view in the same stream so that only the new receivers can use it. They are invisible to older tele-visions.« That is especially interesting to movie lenders and television stations because they do not have to worry about compatibility. And even mobile radio and mobile phone manufacturers can join the trend towards 3-D with the MVC standard. In the meantime, there are even displays the size of a mobile phone that allow a good 3-D impression.

The experts from the HHI show how the MVC-Codec functions transmitting television via DVB-S2 satellite from September 10-14, 2010 at the IBC in Amsterdam.

Provided by Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

High-Resolution Imagery from Two Data Streams

Side-by-side is not the only possibility when it comes to broadcasting and distributing 3D image streams. If there is no need to retain frame compatibility with existing MPEG-2 based broadcasting, there are a number of ways to transmit natural 3D images with no resolution degradation. One of these is the dual-stream approach (Fig. 5).

Fig.  Dual Stream Approach for Higher-Definition 3D Broadcasting

Diagram outlines dual stream broadcasting, now being considered for simultaneous transfer of multiple data streams. Korea is expected to begin 3D broadcasting in October 2010, packing MPEG-2 and H.264 data into a single channel on terrestrial waves (a). MVC and Sensio’s SENSIO Advanced also use dual streaming (b). The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) is working on a concept called “depth broadcasting,” which will add depth information via the network to standard 2D broadcast data (c).

Compression/Decompression Technology Makes the Difference in Image Quality

That alone will not wholly resolve the compatibility issues between different 3D broadcasters and TVs, though. The problem is that there is a variety of implementation for the above-mentioned RealD and SENSIO 3D formats. Concretely, there are differences in image compression and decompression technology, and which (if any) error correction technologies are used. These differences manifest themselves as differences in image resolution and data processing speed in many cases. The details of the physical implementation will sway image fidelity and price.

Assuming that side-by-side is the easiest method to implement, then the horizontal image resolution after compression will degrade to half the source for both left and right images (Fig. 4). This compression is, in principle, non-recoverable, which means significant quality loss in unavoidable when the images are decompressed for viewing on the set. A number of proprietary specifications have emerged as engineers search for ways to minimize this image deterioration. A source at one broadcaster says “The difference in compression/decompression technology between the first 3D sets in about 2007, and the sets today, makes an enormous difference in image quality.”

3D Broadcasting Worldwide Technology

The broadcast signal input interface in television sets is actually settling on side-by-side technology^{Note 1)} (Fig. 2). Different manufacturers have adopted different approaches to displaying the 3D imagery, such as frame sequential^† (FS) or Xpol^†, but the input interface is fairly independent of the display technology. Panasonic and Sony say their 3D sets can handle 3D broadcasting and video distribution from BS11, Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (J:COM) of Japan and SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings Inc. of Japan. BS11′s Endo adds “We are still verifying interoperability of sets from various manufacturers, but there aren’t any problems so far.”

Note 1) 3D TVs from Panasonic and Sony support side-by-side, High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 1.4, and top-and-bottom, which inserts each images for left and right eye at the top and bottom of each frame.

Fig. 2 3D Imagery Display Method Independent of Broadcast/Transfer Data Format

Diagram shows content flow for display of 3D imagery on a 3D set. The multiplexing technology for the left and right images, broadcast encoding technology, and 3D image display technology are largely independent of each other.

†Frame sequential (FS) method: One method of displaying 3D imagery. The frame of the images for left and right eye are displayed alternately over time, synched to LCD shutter glasses for viewing.

†Xpol method: Another method of displaying 3D imagery. Polarizing film is affixed over the panel, and the polarization direction alternated for each horizontal row of pixels. The left and right images are displayed line-by-line.

Most 3D image broadcasting systems have adopted side-by-side because it ensures frame compatibility^† with existing broadcast technology (Fig. 3). In side-by-side, two images for left and right eye captured with the 3D camera are compressed into two frames, and broadcast as a single video frame. The television splits out the left and right images from the received frame, decompresses each to 2x and displays the result.

†Frame compatibility: A video frame using the new broadcasting method is still compatible with existing broadcast video frames, which means that the relay systems will not have to be changed when the broadcasting scheme is.

Broadcasting Technology: Interoperability or Resolution?

The side-by-side solution retains frame compatibility with existing 2D broadcasting, but horizontal resolution is roughly halved. MVC, on the other hand, offers high-resolution frames incompatible with existing schemes, making it impossible to use in general MPEG-2 based broadcasting.

Firing Up Competition for Industry Standard

Jun 1, 2010 00:05  by Tetsuo Nozawa

The three-dimensional (3D) imagery boom began back in about 2005, and is finally beginning to move into broadcasting. Moving pictures began in the 1890s, with moving pictures evolving from silent imagery to the “talkies,” from black-and-white to color, and recently to digital… the next step is full-scale 3D broadcasting and distribution services for 3D TVs. There are no standards yet, though, like an orchestra lacking a conductor. This article probes interoperability between competing broadcasting and distribution methods, and the future of standardization.

• “It’s a whole new ball game this time, because 3D TVs are on the shelves, and the environment is ready for 3D broadcasting. Finally 3D broadcasting and 3D sets are both getting ready at the same time,” says Hiroshi Endo, Nippon BS Broadcasting Corp. (BS11) of Japan.
• In December 2007, BS11 was the first broadcaster in the world to begin 3D broadcasting on an almost continuous basis. It stood alone for years, but the situation changed dramatically in 2010 as a host of broadcasters around the world began offering 3D broadcasting and distribution services using the same technology, and 3D-capable TVs became generally available from multiple manufacturers.
• The 3D broadcasting method adopted by BS11 is called side-by-side^† broadcasting. It offers excellent compatibility with the Moving Picture Experts Group 2 (MPEG-2) high-efficiency coding scheme commonly used in broadcast data, which seems to be emerging as the de facto standard for 3D broadcasting. It is unclear whether or not it will be established as the standard, however, and it is entirely possible that side-by-side could end up as merely a transitional step.

Side-by-side: In the broadest sense, this applies to all transmission schemes sending the image streams for left and right eyes in parallel. 3D Video of the US began trial 3D broadcasting in Mexico in 1954, and today the general opinion in the industry is that side-by-side is not covered by a specific patent. In 1991, however, RealD, Inc. of the US claimed that it had acquired the basic patent for side-by-side. Concretely, two image streams compatible with existing broadcasting are compressed as left and right images positioned next to each other horizontally, transmitted, decompressed at the TV set, and displayed in a time-multiplexed manner. The image display is synched to the LCD shutter speed of the glasses worn by the viewer. The patent is US5193000. It expires in August 2011.

There are a number of issues involved with side-by-side, namely (1) existing side-by-side technology has limitations in terms of resolution (it cannot display full-high definition imagery) and 3D image fidelity, (2) there are a number of varieties of side-by-side, possibly making it impossible to guarantee interoperability between various broadcasts and sets, and (3) The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and other standardization organizations are talking about standardizing H.264-based 3D broadcasting into addition to MPEG-2. In other words, 3D broadcasting standardization is only really starting now that a number of broadcasters and TV manufacturers are actually offering the commercial services (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 Evolution Continues in 3D Broadcasting

Diagram shows future evolution in resolution and viewpoints for 3D broadcasting. Side-by-side and MPEG-2 are the most common technologies in use now, but H.264-based 3D broadcasting is likely to become more common in some satellite and networked services.

RealD Method Sweeping the Industry

• It would be no exaggeration to say that the 3D broadcasting starting up around the world is all “private brand,” because the vast majority of it is using proprietary broadcasting methods. The 3D TV manufacturers have no obligation to support them all, and there are no guarantees that broadcast interoperability will be achieved. Worse, the various 3D broadcasters working on standardization are not pulling in the same direction: Most of them are primarily concerned about not falling behind in the surging “3D broadcasting” boom.
• One 3D broadcasting/distribution technology has made great strides in the market in 2010, though: the RealD format for side-by-side, developed by RealD, Inc. of the US. Following the announcement by Sony Corp. of Japan in December 2009 that it had adopted the format, there was a rush of similar announcements at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in January 2010. Companies announcing adoption of the method include JVC Kenwood Holdings Inc. of Japan, Panasonic Corp. of Japan, Toshiba Corp. of Japan, Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd. of Korea and DIRECTV, Inc. of the US.
• RealD is famous for its 3D filming technology and viewing glasses, using polarized light, but it also holds a number of crucial patents in side-by-side transmission and LCD shutter glasses, for example. The flood of announcements at CES was driven by these resources. JVC Kenwood Holdings, for example, cited one of the key reasons for their selection of the RealD format as the fact that the firm already holds basic patents to side-by-side and 3D glasses.

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By Joy Mabayag – July 25, 2010

One of the most popular industries today is animation. The field of computer graphics has come a long way if you start with the time where computer animation software are non-existent. In the market today, you will find a lot of animation software which could help you achieve new animation skills.

3d has invaded animation. With a lot of 3d animation in the market today, you will surely have edge if you can work with 3d stuffs with much ease and confidence. If you want to make use of the opportunities you can work with the 3d industry, you must acquire the necessary skills on how to create better looking animated characters on a 3d platform.

The uses of 3d animation software are important if you want to know more about animation skills. It is a fact that there are a lot of options and choices if you are trying to choose the best free 3d animation software.

One of the best things to do if you want to learn a lot of things about 3d animation is to choose the best software to compliment your yearning for the skills that you need in order to survive the tedious process of acquiring 3d animation skills. You need not to worry about spending so much on these animation software. All you have to do is search and surf through the internet. You can hit the search engines and start looking for the best source of free 3d animation software.

Before you start hunting for a free animation software, you need to consider some important things. Perhaps these salient points can guide you in choosing the best software for all your 3d animation needs. Keep in mind that in order to find the best deals on these free software for 3d animation, you need to ask yourself questions on functionality, purpose and features that you would need.

Assess the entire animation skills that you would want to learn. Verify the offered functionality and tutorial stuffs for the software that you have chosen. In this way, you can shortlist the options that would fit what you need and prefer.

3d animation software which are for free may vary in levels of complexity and range of skills development. You will still experience jaw dropping animation and graphics tutorial even for the simplest low end software you might find for free. You can perhaps explore trial versions of 3d software animation tools. In this way, you will have a better feel of how your chosen software can fit your needs!

Watch this increadible video:

Channel 4 3D Movie technology revealed