How 3D Works History Creating 3D Movies Glossary 3D Formats

Red and blue lens glasses are for viewing anaglyphic images. Not for today’s new 3DTVs.

Polarized 3D eyewear is not meant for use outdoors – unless you are watching 3D there!

The Nintendo 3DS is the best selling DS console ever.

3D Without Glasses or Autostereo

Several companies are developing 3D displays that don't require glasses. This general category of displays are called autostereo or "glasses-free".

Many people are already watching glasses-free 3D on their cellphones and game consoles and other small, single-user screens. The 3D lenses on the screen are calibrated to a ‘sweet-spot’, or a primary viewing position. Many 3D monitors are also autostereo, as the viewer is relatively motionless and a sweet spot can be defined.

Drawbacks exist for moving this technology to the home theater or applying to large-screen TVs. The main drawbacks being cost, viewing angles and sometimes, the need for a differently-formatted content.

There are many products suitable for autostereo displays in commercial and industrial markets where special eyewear is inappropriate. Most experts agree that in 5-10 years we may see an autostereo display offered to consumers for home theatre viewing, but as yet the cost premium is incalculable and picture quality needs substantial improvement.