Research Papers/Articles - Institute of Management Studies Dehradun

3D Technology: Shaping the Future of Entertainment
ABSTRACT
Most of us, at one time or another, have been fascinated by some form of 3D technology. Whether it is the
red-and-blue comics in the back of a magazine or a stunning IMAX 3D film, there is something inherently
captivating about seeing flat images come to life in vibrant three-dimensionality. The 3 D technology has
brought a drastic change in cinema and television viewing. Brands like Sony, Panasonic and Philips are
promising excellent 3-D technology input in TVs. It is going to create a kind of 3D revolution where we
would be able to experience the depth without the eyewear. This paper gives an overview of working of 3-
D technology, transmission process and its future.
Keywords: Stereoscopy, Lenticular screens, auto stereoscopy, computer generated imagery
Introduction
3-D technology refers to three dimensional technology
that is used in films and motion pictures that provides some
kind of illusion of depth perception and viewers enjoy
some different kind of experience to this technology. The
latest release of such a technology has been in the
blockbuster movie called ‘Avatar.’ The movie was shot with
special motion camera to record the images. This
technology is derived from stereoscopic photography
technique. Special projection hardware and eyewear are
required to enjoy 3-D technology of the movies.
The 3-D films have been there since 1950s but have found
prominence during the end decade of the last century and
first years of 21st century. But, 3-D technology has now
experienced a world-wide resurgence and is coinciding
with the computer generated imagery and introduction of
high definition video standards. Today, the technology has
also found space in Televisions.
But, the TV industry is trying to portray the fact that one
won’t need the typical specs for watching the 3-D TVs. They
are trying to revive the technology and make the 3D
watching specs free affair, though, it has not been possible
yet.
Normally to watch 3D movies, we need circular polarized
or active LCD shutter glasses. These glasses are used in
theatres by public to enjoy the 3D images or pictures. The
present day glasses or spectacles use circular polarized or
active LCD shutter that ensure that each eye has different
Deepak Uniyal*
image and have different feelings that altogether create
the impact on the brain.
In 1838, Sir Charles Wheatstone first described the
process of stereoscopy, the process by which humans
perceive three dimensions from two highly similar, overlaid
images or, the process by which Avatar looks like a mindblowing
immersive alien landscape instead of a bunch of
brightly colored fuzz.
Stereoscopy: The Science Behind 3D
Technology
“Stereoscopy,” refers to how our eyes and brain create the
impression of a third dimension. Human eyes are
approximately 50 mm to 75 mm apart accordingly, each
eye sees a slightly different part of the world.
The image on either side should be pretty similar but
slightly offset. These two slightly different images enter the
brain, at which point it does some high-powered geometry
to make up for the disparity between the two images. This
disparity is “3D”, our brain making up for the fact that we
are getting two different perspectives of the same thing.
This is also, essentially, what modern 3D technology is
trying to replicate. The sunglasses and silver-coated
projectors are all designed to feed the individual eyes a
different perspective of the same image.
It is easy for our brain to figure out the disparity between
the two images. Our brain can automatically figure out all
* Deepak Uniyal, Asst. Professor - School of Mass Communication, Institute of Management Studies, Dehradun
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"Pragyaan: Journal of Mass Communication" Volume 10, Issue 1, June 2012