3D TVs and Gaming (ARTICLES)

3D LCD TVs and 3D gaming has come a long way in the last 5 years; we can now watch 3D blockbusters in our own living room, play 3D games on our games consoles and even play in 3D on the move, with the introduction of the Nintendo 3DS. The types of 3D technology can be confusing so we’ve put together this short guide on the two main types of 3D tech and a little about where 3D is heading in the future�

3D TVs and Gaming

Passive Technology

Passive 3D technology is available exclusively in LG 3D enabled TV sets and uses alternative frame technology to send 3D images to the eye. This means that you can use normal 3D glasses that you would use in the cinema for these television sets which could save you a fortune, especially if you have a big family.  Passive technology works by using filters to alternate horizontal and vertical stripes of picture, which sends alternative images to each polarising eye. The glasses used for passive 3D technology are lightweight and cheap- they’re the same ones as you use in the cinema to watch 3D films. The only problem with passive technology is that it may dilute the resolution quality of the 3D image, which could significantly reduce the picture quality when watching something in HD.

Active technology/Alternate frame sequencing

This type of 3D works by having two cameras which record the images on the TV screen and plays the images back alternately  to each eye by using 50 frames per second. To support this technology you need active shutter glasses, which sync to the TV using infra-red to ensure each eye gets the right image. These glasses are fairly bulky and need charging before use and have been said to feel slightly uncomfortable. Active technology however, does produce fantastic quality pictures. Panasonic, Samsung and Sony all make TVs which support this type of technology, so you have a good range of choice if you’re going out looking for an active technology 3D TV.

3D gaming

The good news is both of these types of 3D technology are fully supported on Sky 3D channels, Blu Rays and games consoles. 3D has brought a whole new dimension to gaming, yet 3D gaming isn’t a new phenomenon. Back in 2008 there were 3D PC monitors and the iZ3D, Zalman and World of Warcraft released 3D Vision in 2009, which in turn prompted more developers to incorporate this technology into new releases. This saw a surge in quality PC game releases, like Resident Evil 5 and Batman: Arkham Asylum. Then, 2010 saw the release of the Nintendo 3DS, the first hand-held games console to support 3D.

Now, the many popular games have 3D support. New and upcoming games include Batman: Arkham City, Assassins Creed: Revelations, Crysis 2 and Gran Turismo 5. As time goes more and more games will be 3D enabled, if anything, to future proof the games industry. It has been predicted that 3D televisions that you can watch without glasses will be available to main stream before 2015. These will use a technology called autostereoscopy, which hasn’t yet been perfected , but should give the viewer the best viewing experience possible. Developers are working on this and we should see these new 3D TVs hit our shelves in the next few years. It is thought that this new “no glasses” approach to 3D TV should really grow the 3D TV Market in the coming years. 


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