Future of 3D gaming and media *spawn

[patsu]

Hands-on Toshiba's 55-inch 4K glasses-free 3DTV
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/hands-on-toshibas-55-inch-4k-glasses-free-3dtv/

... we got a chance to catch up with it at a Toshiba CES event and we're happy to say it doesn't suck. Not only is the 4k mode down right breathtaking, but the autostereoscopic 3D technology has come a long, long way since we saw a demo of a prototype last year. Up to nine people can enjoy 3D on the local dimming 55-inch LED 3DTV, but the optimal number is four or less. There is an almost invisible camera in the base of the set that tracks your face and there can be circles and arrows displayed on screen that help you move to the absolute best spot -- wish all TVs made it so easy to find the sweet spot. On display was a production model for outside the US, but our slightly different version is expected in Q1 2012 for more than most have ever paid for a TV (~$10k).

 

[patsu]

Microvision's PicoMagic apps bring touch interactive, 3D mobile displays to your pico projector
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/...-bring-touch-interactive-3d-mobile/#continued

Touch interactive and 3D mobile displays are two PicoMagic applications MicroVision will be demonstrating at CES. Touch interactive displays will allow users to instantly interact with a projected image on any surface, as well as create multi-user applications such as virtual whiteboards. For business users, touch interactive technology will provide the convenience to conduct business presentations with only the touch of their fingertips on a large display surface. Avid mobile gamers would also benefit from touch interactive technology by interacting with projected images with high response levels, making mobile gaming more realistic. As MicroVision continues to dedicate itself to enhancing the user experience for pico projection use cases, 3D displays are another natural next step. MicroVision's PicoP 3D will provide an incredibly immersive viewing experience, from an ultra-compact and portable device.

...

 

[patsu]

Lumus see-through wearable display hands-on
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/lumus-see-through-wearable-display-hands-on/

Lumus was showing off two different types of wearable displays, the development kit -- or DK-32 shown above -- and the PD-18-4 a monocular version using the same technology. Driven by Lumus' patented Light-guide Optical Element, a micro-display pod, and the Optical Engine which projects light into the lens -- where it is reflected back to the user's eye via reflectors embedded in the lens -- the Lumus' DK-32 delivers a bright 720p 3D-capable display that only weighs 27 grams. The effect is really quite impressive, the colors are bright -- and adjustable using the display pod -- and images were surprisingly clear. But the best part, of course, is that while you're watching YouTube vids and walking about you'll avoid stumbling into objects and passersby. Also on hand was the monocle which was very much like something you'd see in a science fiction flick. With the PD-18-4 we checked out a nav program, some eye tests, and a phone UI mockup. ...

 

[patsu]

Regular 3DTVs and monitors...

Viewsonic goes cloudy, touchy and 3D with a trio of new displays
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/viewsonic-goes-cloudy-touchy-and-3d-with-a-trio-of-new-displays/

Vizio ultrawidescreen, Google TV and Cinema 3D HDTV hands-on
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/vizio-ultrawidescreen-google-tv-and-cinema-3d-hdtv-hands-on/

3D Android 4 tablet...

Wikipad is First Glasses-Free 3D Android 4.0 Tablet
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/wikipad-tablet-android-3D-Tablet-gaming-tablet,news-13816.html

 

[patsu]

John Carmack commented on HMZ-T1:
https://twitter.com/#!/ID_AA_Carmack/status/156887418803458049

Sony HMZ-T1 OLED displays are excellent:1280x720 real pixels with no resampling, great color, response so fast I notice new artifacts.

 

[patsu]

Another glasses-free 3DTV...

Sony demos 24- and 46-inch glasses-free 3DTVs, we go eyes-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/sony-demos-24-and-46-inch-glasses-free-3dtvs-we-go-eyes-on-vi/

The autostereoscopic panels, shown off at the company's booth in 24- and 46-inch models -- employ a subtle 3D effect that isn't immediately noticeable. In fact, we found the visual pizzazz was best enjoyed when experienced from the side -- a feat possible due to the incorporation of multi-point viewing angles -- lending much needed depth to the onscreen image. Of the two, only the larger set can deliver full HD, owing to its beastly 4K resolution, whereas the 1080p panel on its lil' bro suffers when halved. Distance also plays a major role in the intensity of the 3D visuals, with effects holding up at a range of up to 2ft for the smaller screen and 10ft for the 46-incher.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

with effects holding up at a range of up to 2ft for the smaller screen

That's basically a gamer's TV, played close like a monitor. You wouldn't want to be sitting 10' from a 24" screen even if the 3D depth was sustained at that distance!

 

[patsu]

Pretty much. But I am also looking forward to a comfortable 3D visor for gaming. ^_^

I doubt a glasses-free system can provide the same visual as a 3D visor.

 

[patsu]

Vuzix augmented reality Smart Glasses prototype hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/vuzix-augmented-reality-smart-glasses-prototype-hands-on-video/

Hiding out at Vuzix's CES booth we found a functional prototype for its Smart Glasses industrial class monocular display -- a special lens attached to a proprietary display driver that produces a bright, 1.4mm holographic picture for one of your peepers. Vuzix told us the lenses were the fruit of a DARPA project, and could allow soldiers involved in air-to-surface operations to track jets, check their ordinance and mark targets for destruction. The military / industrial monocle will go on sale in Q3 of 2012 for somewhere between $2500-3000.

Want to look a little more, well, normal while you're augmenting your reality? You're covered -- or at least you will be in 2013. Not only will Vuzix's consumer facing smart glasses offer you the same holographic heads-up technology that'll power its military bound brother, it'll cost you a bundle less, too: between $350-600. The unit we saw wasn't final, but were told the final unit will be able to accept connections over HDMI, and may even be capable of displaying stereoscopic 3D content. ...

 

[patsu]

CES 2012 update on standardizing Active 3D glasses...

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/11/sony-panasonic-samsung-team-up-for-3d-supergroup/

3D Glasses Go Universal
http://techland.time.com/2012/01/13/3d-glasses-go-universal/

Last August, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and glasses maker Xpand 3D announced that they were working together to develop a standard for 3D glasses. It’s called Full HD 3D Glasses. And this week at Xpand 3D’s booth at CES in Las Vegas, I tried some of the first glasses that support it.

The good news is that there’s nothing much to report: I was able to watch Ice Age 3 in 3D through several different brands of glasses, and it looked exactly the same in all cases.

...

These new glasses aren’t quite universal, because some TV makers are using infrared to sync the spectacles with the 3D picture, and others use Bluetooth. Makers of 3D glasses can choose to support infrared, Bluetooth or both; the compatible technologies will be indicated on packaging.

Besides cofounders Panasonic, Samsung and Sony, other major TV makers have expressed support for the Full HD 3D Glasses Initiative, including Toshiba, Philips and Sharp. So the chances seem good that these standard glasses will, in fact, become standard. (LG isn’t on board, but it’s focusing on passive 3D; the Full HD 3D standard only applies to active 3D.)

Full HD 3D glasses are beginning to hit store shelves. The first HDTVs that they’ll work with are supposed to show up in March.

EDIT:
Another one...

Will $20 glasses, universal standard polish active 3D TV's apple?
http://ces.cnet.com/8301-33379_1-57357306/will-$20-glasses-universal-standard-polish-active-3d-tvs-apple/

Ami Dror, Chief Strategy Officer for 3D glasses maker XpanD, told CNET that he expects active 3D glasses to cost as little as $20 each before the end of the year. That's $10 less than the current least-expensive such glasses from Samsung, which retail for $30 per pair. Active glasses from Sony and Panasonic currently cost more.

[Blah...]

 

[patsu]

Verizon FiOS TV launches WealthTV in 3D:
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4902

WealthTV Launches 24/7 3D Channel
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wealthtv-launches-247-3d-channel-137655683.html

WealthTV, ..., announced today that it launched its linear 3D lifestyle and entertainment channel branded WealthTV 3D. WealthTV 3D is the accumulation of a two year 3D production ramp effort that involved numerous in-house and outside production crews circling the globe. From the ruins in Machu Picchu and the treasures of the Louvre to the man-made grandeur of Dubai, WealthTV's 3D production crews have literally traveled the world capturing the most compelling sights and stories in 3D. The life-like 3D channel features a broad range of programming including adventure travel, automotive programming, compelling documentaries, culinary delights, boys toys, live events, and much more. WealthTV 3D has also produced a number of sports related programs, from off-road racing to championship boxing. The 3D network, working with Don King Productions, is delivering world-class title fights in 3D.

...

 

[patsu]

Sony's 3D Experience channel tops 10 million views, some people like the extra dimension
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/sonys-3d-experience-channel-tops-10-million-views-some-people/

Experience Sony's 3D content channel was launched in July 2011 "3D Experience (3D Experience)", the ※ 1 topped 10 million viewers worldwide total number of content at 6 months of service. "3D Experience" movies, music, sports, and digest a wide range of 3D video and documentaries, LCD TV compatible 3D ※ 2, Blu-ray Disc Player for ※ 3, free Internet service that delivers. This service initially launched in five countries, has expanded the deployment of currently 60 countries and regions, for customers worldwide, and delivers 3D entertainment.

...

 

[patsu]

[Bah... wrong thread !]

 

[patsu]

Zeiss Cinemizer OLED with head-tracking hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/06/zeiss-cinemizer-oled-head-tracking-hands-on/

The Carl Zeiss Cinemizer OLED has been a long time in the making -- we first heard about the video glasses at Macworld in 2008 -- but the company has yet to push the head-mounted display past the prototype phase. We stumbled upon Zeiss' booth here at CeBIT, where we found a version of the glasses that look mighty similar to the mock-up we saw in marketing materials from 2010, but are now equipped with a pair of head-tracking modules to expand the yet-to-be released marvel's practicality.

...

 

[MfA]

Sensics cheapest HMD is like 24 grand. If this one is under a grand and offer their panoramic view ie 150 degrees fov as well as 3D, I would I get one in a heartbeat.

Until HOEs get perfected you can't do panaromic view without hanging 100s of grams of optics far in front of your eyes ... if you need huge counterweighted headsets it's not going to be a hit with consumers.

 

[Arwin]

Zeiss Cinemizer OLED with head-tracking hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/06/zeiss-cinemizer-oled-head-tracking-hands-on/

Yeah, I like where this is going. I'm anticipating using something like this for a next-gen console, where I'm hoping there will be less of a performance penalty.

 

[patsu]

Samsung patents using a phone as a pointer while wearing a head-mounted display
http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/14/samsung-patents-using-a-phone-as-a-pointer-while-wearing-an-HMD/

Samsung has patented an alternative method that lets you keep wearing those silly goggles, but uses your cellphone almost like a gyroscopic mouse to pilot a pointer. Rather than use a gyroscope or accelerometer (both of which are present in many modern smartphones), Samsung's patent turns to the camera -- a feature found in even the lowliest dumbphone. The primarily software-based solution would require that both the phone's sensor and the display have an agreed upon background marker to help line up the motions.

 

[patsu]

Microsoft patenting helmet display for future Xbox?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ht...017811117_microsoft_patents_helmet_displ.html

Microsoft applied in September 2010 for a patent on the laser display system invented by Adrian Travis, a senior researcher in the company's Applied Sciences Group. Travis, who was previously at Cambridge University, is a noted optics researcher with experience in 3-D displays.

The patent application was published earlier this month.

It explains that the human eye can't focus on images less than a few centimeters away, so the display system provides a virtual image in a focal plane further from the eye. "One challenge in this field is to form such an image using a compact, robust optical arrangement, which also provides suitable image resolution and fidelity," it continues.

This display system "may be be coupled into goggles, a helmet, or other eyewear. These configurations enable the wearer to view images from a computer, media player, or other electronic device with privacy and mobility."

By displaying two different images concurrently, it may be used for stereoscopic, virtual-reality applications.

 

[MfA]

Unlikely, it's just the work of one of their pet researchers ... very little of that gets commercialized.

 

[ERP]

Unlikely, it's just the work of one of their pet researchers ... very little of that gets commercialized.

I've heard second hand that they did some heavy hiring for a HMD project.
Doesn't mean it'll ever hit production, but means they are looking at it seriously.