Literally "Hands On" Virtual 3D Reality!

Robert Wang, a student of MIT, has developed a wonderful new way of utilising virtual reality! The unconventional looking gloves allow new possibilities for 3D modeling: you can pick-up and rotate objects with your hands just like in real life. See also FastCompany's article on the innovation.

I started pondering over possible real life applications for this - other than the OBVIOUS: kids with building blocks, which will not be left lying on the floor with the sharp corner pointing towards the unsuspecting sole of your foot.. How about the surgeons practicing for an operation in virtual reality? Or hairdressers learning to make festive hairdos without the partygoers having to sit through the practise sessions?

See the video on this innovation with a simple example of how these "magical" gloves work.

And what if you combine this technology with Planar's 3D Stereoscopic monitors..? Wouldn't that even further advance the user's experience of a virtual reality?

Active vs. Passive 3D glasses

Planar 3D Monitors utilise passive 3D glasses whereas the Avatar 3D movie experience depends on active shutter glasses. What does that mean? Went to see the Avatar 3D finally and got this question from my friend. So, here's the explanation:

The structure of the glasses is different. The passive glasses are polarized. Planar’s glasses have linear polarization, which is different in each lens by 90 degrees, for example, so that one lens has horizontal and the other vertical polarization. In the case of Planar’s 3D monitors, the StereoMirror technology is utilised to show two different pictures from two different displays so, that each eye gets a different image – simultaneously. Difference here compared to the Avatar 3D experience with the active glasses is, that there is no flicker: in Avatar your eyes are basically getting an image alternating in left- and right-eye. This can give a slight feeling of dizziness and the view seems darker as one eye only sees at any one time. When going to see Avatar 3D, I noticed slight feeling of disorientation during the commercials but it vanished after the eyes adjusted to the shutter glasses.

One main difference is, that active shutter glasses require power of some sort, whereas passive glasses don’t. This adds to the design: active shutter glasses look bulky whereas passive glasses can be light almost like the smallest of sunglasses. This is why they also easily ”vanish” at exhibitions where we’ve demoed the Planar 3D monitors: people mistake them for sunglasses. Well, now you know: they are not (so please return them, when you next see us at the show!).

The most memorable difference for me as the user - at least in the case of Planar’s passive 3D glasses versus active or so-called shutter glasses used to view the 3D version of the film Avatar - was the pain on the nose! Yes, for me at least, the active 3D glasses proved heavy and hard on the nose. Had to sit with my index finger stuck between the glasses and my nose for some part of the film... The passive glasses are nice and light in comparison!

Oh, and have a look at the latest in 3D displays: Flyfire - no need for the glasses NOR the display itself! Wonder when they start making movies with THIS solution...?

75% growth

The heading's amazing growth figure is what InAvate reports based on DisplaySearch's findings for 3D stereoscopic displays to experience by 2018. Of course, as the research also explains, this means mostly consumer sales and 3D at home.

Planar's 3D Stereoscopic Monitors with patented StereoMirror technology are not meant for home, though. With double the resolution compared to the standard home solutions - HD or not - these monitors are meant for professionals. Some Planar staff have experimented playing console games utilising the added fun of the StereoMirror technology and apparently the effect has been huge: the legend tells that beers almost went untouched on a "boys' night in" doing the testing. But just for gaming these monitors prove a bit pricey still.

Who then can truly benefit from Planar's 3D Stereoscopic Monitors? Geospatial and medical professionals appreciate the high quality picture in tasks where absolute accuracy is needed. Have a read of Planar's latest ebook on the requirements of geospatial professionals for 3D stereoscopic monitors, released just now!

Back to the 3D Movies: Avatar

Just a short note on the wonderful world of the 3D cinema. Avatar hit the screens in December 2009. Even if the story didn't dazzle everyone, they were amazed by the visual effects.

But like after any given party, there comes the hangover...

StereoMirror Aids in Reading Mammograms

With the recent debate over new medical guidelines for routine mammographies for women under the age of 50 who are not in a high risk group, women may become even more concerned about the accuracy involved with reading their imaging test results. Planar's StereoMirror 3D displays plays a pivitol role in reading stereoscopic digital mammography results in many clinics, hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country by aiding radiologist who are responsible for providing a quick, accurate diagnosis and assessment.

With the ability to see breast tissue in 3D, diagnosis tends to be more accurate and breast abnormalities are detected earlier than in standard tests. Viewing the image on a stereo display workstation allows a radiologist to see the internal structure of the breasts in 3D and provides an in-depth view of the breast, substantially reducing the limitations of standard mammography.

Available in several viewable sizes, Planar's StereoMirror displays SD1710, SD2220W and SD2620W can be used to significantly improve the image radiologists are viewing when reading mammograms.

Let us know what you think about 3D mammography vs standard mammography screening.

Ultra-Thin Bezel LCD Video Wall System

Have you seen the latest series of giant video walls popping up in retail environments across the country? Some are better than others, for sure. One recently launched product standing out though is the Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall.

The cool feature with this video wall has to be the ultra-thin bezel that provides awesome tiled visual performance. Just think what it's like to view a bunch of video wall panels with thick bezels breaking the visual flow. Now, think of viewing a wall of panels that look seemless. You get the picture!

Clarity Matrix utilizes commercial-grade 46" LCD panels with breakthrough narrow-bezel characteristics resulting in just a 7.3mm pixel-to-pixel gap between images. Now that's thin! And, it's easy to mount, too.

Let us know where you've seen a video wall recently.

Planar 3D in the hunt for Alzheimer's?

Planar's 3D Stereoscopic monitors are used as a part of a vital race with time to help predict Alzheimer's disease early. See CBS's Health Specialist Kathy Walsh reporting from University of Colorado Denver with the images of Planar's 3D being used for vision testing to develop a test which will help in early detection of the disease thus helping the patient to live healthier and longer.

CBS on 30th September 2009: "Vision test could predict risk for Alzheimer's"

Yes, I could go on boasting about the wonderful multiuser capability, which can be seen on the clip and did you notice how the monitor could be used in the standard office lighting while not strictly staying on the "sweet spot" and still get the benefits of a 3D image...? But no, I think I will use this space and chance to spread the awareness of the disease.

Early detection is the key, so be sure to know the sympthoms of Alzheimer's and to spot them on your loved ones - if not yourself - to get early treatment. According to University of Colorado Denver, they hope to have the test ready in about 4 years... That's a long time with Alzheimer's!

Look for more information on Alzheimer's and local contacts from the following organisations:

• Alzheimer's Society in the UK.
• Muistiliitto Ry in Finland in Finnish, Swedish and English.
• Alzheimer's Association in the US with information in Spanish and Chinese included.
• Société Alzheimer Society in Canada with information in English and French.

See also Alzheimer's awareness advertisements on AdFreak's blog entry. There are a French and a British version - which one is your "favourite" and sticks in your mind better?