About 8 CEDIAs and other tradeshow years ago, a semi-updated 1950s technology was introduced that wowed the conventioneers, media attendees and industry analysts alike. It was the first TV-based 3D viewing of live and video-taped theatrical content. But the lack of an accepted standard from manufacturers, movie-makers and TV producers, let the next 3D die right there.
The 2000 version by X3D could be viewed by attaching a small converter box to your VCR, while the Texas Instruments version was seemingly built into the TV. Both systems required glasses. X3D, a small U.S.-German technology firm now known as NewSight-X3D, also showed off a version of their 3D technology that was superior to TI because it also worked with video games and while fraught with factory problems, still was a pretty compelling experience. A strange physical bug that occurred when young women viewed any content in that format for more than 45 minutes also hampered X3D.
Well, the next generation was kind of reborn here the last few days on stage and behind closed doors at CEDIA.
NewSight-X3D, Texas Instruments and several off-site video game makers offered up a standard definition 3D demo using a Samsung DLP TV and a Mitsubishi HDTV that was a slightly improved version of what some of us had witnessed in movie theaters in the late 50s and early 60s. Sony, Hyundai, Funai-Philips in Japan and the Netherlands are also showing a stereoscopic version in their own respective countries, which is expected in the U.S by spring. All of these versions are 8-years better, despite the fact you still have to wear glasses. The Samsung and the Mitsubishi TVs are rear projection models, which still require an adapter and customized software to work, but work they do…
But the most impressive version of this technology belongs to Newsight-X3D. It doesn’t require glasses, and though previously limited to viewing from about 20 feet away, is one the best and most realistic of its kind.
NewSight-X3D can be experienced in several shopping malls and airports in the U.S and Europe and is used mainly for advertising with custom design content for these systems. The NewSight/X3D uses 60-70 inch specially designed Pioneer and Mitsubishi flat screen monitors. Their technology previewed overseas live about a month ago, but shown behind closed doors at CEDIA.
According to NewSight’s CTO Keith Frederickson, the next wave in consumer entertainment will be 3D movies and videos in the home. “NewSight’s VCam technology revolutionizes 3D content production by providing a simple and low cost conversion process for 3D digital cinema productions to be viewed glasses-free at home. The VCam technology will supposedly support real-time broadcast and transmission of 3D. “With VCam you can convert 3D movies like ‘Meet the Robinsons,’ ‘Beowulf,’ and ‘Hanna Montana’ 3D into a format that lots of people can watch at the same time without using 3D glasses,” Frederickson claims.
But the biggest news out of this show is the rumored conversion of Blu-ray discs and Blu-ray players so that they can deliver 3D technology built into the content and technology itself.
Supposedly, NewSight-X3D, while experiencing some financial problems, has nevertheless approached several of its business hardware suppliers like Pioneer, Mitsubishi and others, to discuss using its proprietary 3D software conversion codecs and other systems that are being used in their enterprise related 3-D products, for consumer uses.
I was part of a team that experimented with 3d VCR, TV and early DVD technology about 8n years ago. After only a week, several of our female researchers and participants came down with a slight tummy ache and dizzyness.
In addition, they also experienced some temporary balance problems,. When the scientist and CTOs daughter came down with same symptoms only a day later, the company stopped the trials.
Overseas the product trials lasted longer until the same results...almost all female responses were realized.
At that point and with subsequent research there is a motion and visual issue that certain kinds of 3D technology used to cause.
I have been assured by several sources that this known issue has been solved with better algorithms and improved motion simulators
I have heard of this, and I hope they will be lowering the prices of this gadgets into a more convenient price for consumers, so that it will be appropriate to be given as a gift.
This sounds like just the thing to make Blu-Ray a must-have. I already prefer it greatly to DVD, funnily enough especially for the lossless sound it offers. 3D would be a ‘no looking back’ advance, perhaps even on the scale of the introduction of colour TV.
I have been hoping that Blu-ray woud do the the 3D thing for a good bit now. I just hope it pans out.
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I worked with NewSight back in 2005/2006. I have compared them with other 3D without glasses displays and they are supperior. It looks like we are getting closer to 3D in the home. Good work Keith and team. With all the work in 3D, increased bandwidth available to the home, the reality that we all worked for is getting closer.