P3D Re: stereoscopy and language

[Larry Berlin <lberlin@xxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999
>From: boris@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Boris Starosta)
>...........
>I am talking about perhaps the most vexing problem in marketing stereo to
>the mass market: language.  Say "stereoscopic" and people give you a blank
>look.  Say "stereo" and people reply, "crank it up, dude."  Say 3-d, or
>Three dimensional, or related terms, and people know you are talking about
>software that generates (flat) pictures with perspective, of scenes that
>are three dimensional representations.

****  The *blank look* routine is the result of lack of exposure. Exposure
can fix that problem. People readily remember that they have two eyes as
well as two ears so the association of *stereo* for sound with
*stereoscopic* for sight is a handy step ladder to getting exposure.
Besides, they half-way know how to spell it already. 

The term 3D may be misapplied and overused, but again it's that free
exposure thing. Even if it's not exactly on target, it helps spread the word
BECAUSE the latent interest does exist. The solution is to combat the
illusion with the real thing. Just try selling plastic ice cream next to a
real ice cream store...

>
>No commonly understood term exists for stereo photography except
>"ViewMaster."  And that term evokes the image of a toy, which presents
>teensy little toy images.

*****  I'm glad I had ViewMaster when I was growing up, but I still see them
as a toy myself, (though I do appreciate stereo toys above mono ones! ) I've
had better luck with *stereoscopic* than with *ViewMaster* when it comes to
word recognition. I think as long as you can easily identify the context of
natural eyesight, you can shorten the term to *stereo* and/or *(stereo)3D*
without losing your audience or tangling their tongues.


>.........
>The thought came to me recently after perusing advertising for new
>computers.  All these features that are "3D" - 3D graphics boards for
>example, and now "3D Sound" as well!  What is that!?  Stereo sound?
>Surround sound?  Quadraphonic sound?  (with retro all the rage these days,
>they should easily be able to sell Quadraphonic)  These marketing people
>are just making up words willy nilly to attract attention to their
>products, even if perfectly good words already exist!

*****  Yes, that does happen, and there may yet be some other neat term we
can dream up. I'd much rather it be a popular term arising from the real
situation than a commercially invented term associated with some brand name.
In any case, people require time and exposure before any genuinely new term
could possibly be effective. ViewMaster didn't become a household word
overnight, nor did it remain a household word. (generally)

It remains true that these new generations of 3D graphic cards can indeed
support fully stereoscopic displays if the right software is used. The
current lack is for marketers to include mention of stereoscopic 3D. They
are probably waiting for an increase in the open market of stereoscopic
products by about 500% (that wouldn't take much given the current state of
affairs) before they worry about mentioning it. Right now manufacturers of
shutter glasses can't get their product into mainstream stores *because*
there are no good stereo products to put on the shelf next to it.

They need photo and picture collections, games (both epic and short),
interactive educational series and entertainment of all sorts *specifically
in stereo3D*... Out of that jumble, a nifty selling term might arise... as
well as an awakening public interest.

So package as many past stereo image competitions as possible in electronic
form and add them to product lists. Use them as fund raiseres for local
clubs. Learn the weird and arcane science of programming and use your
creativity and skills to write stereo 3D games and adventures. Shoot wild
and crazy stereo video shorts that can be edited into collections. 

We've got a great home hobby here, but the masses aren't looking for a
hobby, they want something that's ready, easy to use and totally fun. They
want it brought to them, not have to go somewhere to get the experience. I
don't blame them, and stereo doesn't have to be as hard as pro photographers
make it sound (sometimes). In fact it's a very challenging (people respond
to challenge if it's do-able) and rewarding experience.

As to terminology, I like multi-dimensional because stereo 3D is in some
sense just the gateway to other dimensions, an already popular term.

Larry Berlin

Email: lberlin@xxxxxxxxx
http://www.sonic.net/~lberlin/
http://3dzine.simplenet.com/


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 3165
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