Re: stereoscopic video

[P3D Andrew Woods <andrew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

RUBEN10219@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> I would like to hear from those of you who have got the chance to 
> experience any of the field-sequential video systems now in the market.
> 
> I'm planning to buy one of them but I'm worried about the flicker
> that is said to ruin such systems.
> 
> I would also appreciate your comments about the 3D CD ROMs that are out
> now from 3D TV, VRex and other companies. Are they worth buying?

Firstly I should clarify one point.  There is 3D Video (field-sequential
3D on your home TV and video) and there are 3D-PC systems 
(field-sequential 3D on your computer screen).  The 3D-CDROMS fall into
the latter category.

3D Video on a home TV does suffer from flicker (30Hz flicker if you
use NTSC (USA/Japan/...) - 25Hz flicker if you use PAL 
(Europe/Australia/...)) _BUT_ the effect of the flicker can be reduced
if you reduce the brightness on the TV _AND_ reduce the room brightness
(If you have a bright white wall behind your TV this can induce
obvious flicker).  The eyes sensitivity to flicker is also a function of
the image brighness.  Less bright, less sensitive.

Of course there are also _EXPENSIVE_ ways of eliminating the flicker
for 3D-Video by using field rate doublers.

Field-sequential 3D on a PC may or may not suffer from flicker because
the refresh rate of PC screens can be altered.  If the software is smart
enough (and your VGA card and screen are capable), the refresh rate
could be increased as high as 70 or 80Hz (or maybe even higher).  This
results in a 35Hz or 40Hz (or higher) flicker rate when viewed
field-sequentially.  

I know for a fact that the Kasan 3DMAX system does increase the refresh
rate.  I think the systems from 3DTV corp and StereoGraphics also do
but I can't remember exactly.  The other systems may or may not...?

Just as a form of summary, here is a list of all 3D-PC/Video systems
available (NB: not all systems support 3D Video as well).

3DTV           3D-MAGIC    http://www.3dmagic.com                        $195
               PC-3D-TV                                                  $275
               3D-Theatre                                                $145
Chinon         Cybershades http://www.thevrstore.com/chinon/cyber.html    $99
Kasan          3D-MAX      http://pcvr.kasan.co.kr         wired glasses  $99
                                                        wireless glasses $150
StereoGraphics SimuleyesVR http://infolane.com/infolane/stereog/sghp.html $179
Victormaxx     Cybermaxx3D http://www.vmaxx.com/pr/nuvision.html          $99
VREX           VR Surfer   http://www.vrex.com                            $69

So far the VREX system seems to offer the best value (offering both
3D-PC and 3D-Video support with a pair of wireless 3D glasses) _BUT_
I haven't seen these yet so I cannot attest to their quality.

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