[photo-3d] Stereoscopic Displays and Applications XII Day 2

["Steve Berezin" <sbere@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Stereoscopic Displays and Applications XII Day 2

This is a continuation of the coverage of the conference in San Jose that I am working on for the NSA publication stereo world. These are rough notes…the final article should be a little more refined.

The second day of the conference was mainly concerned with Autostereoscopic displays (3D without glasses). Most of the early papers concentrated on improvement of head tracking capabilities in existing autostereoscopic applications. The team at NYU, the Korean Institute of Science and Technology, and the Electronic Visualization Lab, at the University of Illinois at Chicago all went over refinements in this area. Sharp Labs in the UK went over improvements in their 2D/3D switchable parallax barrier that has the advantage of disappearing when not in use. 

Several Korean University research teams went about the challenge using different approaches. Kyung-Wan University used a reflective vibrating scanner array to isolate images and then played them back on a system using 8 separate hard drives. Seoul National University recorded and played back an integrated picture by first shooting through a lenticular system and then playing it back through a similar system.

Some of the more novel concepts detailed were volumetric display concepts. Actuality-Systems is working on a system where they are attempting to create interactive three-dimensional imagery by projecting a series of 2D images on a rotating screen. The device, which looks like a spinning disc in a glass globe, will rotate and images projected on it at 4000 frames per second. They felt it would be good for applications that do not require photo-realism.

John Rupkalvis (SCSC and Photo 3D member) gave an enjoyable presentation entitled "Human Vision Considerations in Stereoscopic Displays". Some of the concepts he touched on involved proper room lighting for stereoscopic presentations, flat vs. stadium seating (stadium seating like for Imax tends to be shot from a higher angle to account for the audience position), and editing styles. MTV type quick edits are not recommended for stereo video because it takes people more time to process a stereo image than a flat image.

John Roberts (NIST, also a Photo 3D member) detailed other issues important in stereo display usability. He recommended that there be rules for cross platform stereo applications and that perhaps even stereo theatres should adapt a certification system to insure consistent quality.

Later a Panel discussion on Standards in Stereoscopic Imaging was given. Michael Weissman of Karl Storz Imaging (stereo endoscopy) chaired, and Andrew Woods (Photo 3D Member) and Dave Swift (VREX) gave presentations. Discussed were standards such as the VESA (Video Electronic Standard Association) standard for shutter glass connectors and standards for the video signal for those glasses. 

Wendesday will feature actual demonstrations of these products and should give a clearer picture of the actual performance of the devices. 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]