Planar3D: An Exploration of Stereoscopic Displays

The latest in 3D: the Planar 3D Matrix goes live!

2011-11-14T02:14:00.000-08:00

It's what the 3D Roundabout caught already at the prototype stage earlier this year, but now it is launched and being installed as well! First installlation can be seen the University of Illinois Chicago's Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) in a class room setting. The Cyber-Commons 3D is a class room facility featuring six wide by three high Matrix 3D video wall, made from our 46" Matrix displays, which allows 2D and 3D visualization and collaboration. You can read more about the installation from EVL's own website.

The new 3D Matrix will be at show this week at the SuperComputing 2011 at Louisiana State University, where Planar can be found exhibiting at booth number 2836.

What is the 3D Matrix then, why is it so special? What would you say about an ultra-thin, flicker-free 3D stereoscopic display meant for large format professional installations? Omega Sales Inc. comments: "How cool is that?"

The Clarity 3D Matrix product expands Planar's expertise in 3D to professional, passive-glass approach for stereo viewing with 46" size displays for building a video wall the size you need. Installation depth is only 3.6"/93mm with integrated mounting system and off-board electronics and power supplies to create an alternative for projection based 3D visualization.

Keep your eyes open for new installations! Or why not contact our sales teams to stay ahead of your competition and be one of the first to get your 3D video wall installed!

Planar 3D Exhibits at SIGGRAPH 2011

2011-08-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

Planar Systems, Inc. will exhibit its StereoMirror/3D displays and a prototype of its 3D Matrix LCD Video Wall at SIGGRAPH 2011 in Vancouver, BC, August 9-11, 2011 in booth #683 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Here's a preview of some of the displays which will be on exhibit at SIGGRAPH:

The Planar SA2311W 3D Vision Ready monitor is designed for 3D viewing but ideal for 2D viewing, as well. Suitable for playing the latest 3D games or modeling complex biomolecules, Planar's SA2311W has a fast 120Hz frame rate and 2 ms response time.

Planar's PX2491W color accurate professional monitor is ideal for creative professionals that depend on predictable color and gray shades. Accurate. Stable. Wide gamut.

When you need a seamless 3D video wall and uninterrupted 24x7 operation, Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall is the ultra-thin bezel system that provides outstanding tiled visual performance. And now, the prototype on exhibit in Planar's booth features 3D technology, providing an eye-catching solution for your digital signage applications.

Will you be at SIGGRAPH? Stop by Planar's booth #683 to meet with our 3D display professionals and learn more about Planar's complete 3D display offering.

Are you a gamer or a professional 3D display user? Planar can help with your 3D display needs!

How photogrammetry professionals utilise Planar's 3D stereoscopic monitors?

2011-05-31T06:20:00.000-07:00

Planar's Business Development Manager Scott Robinson was interviewed at ASPRS by GISCafe.

What does Planar do? How photogrammetry professionals utilise Planar's 3D stereoscopic monitors? Which other industries you find Planar's 3D monitors at?

You'll find answers to these and other questions from this interview!

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Planar on Adobe TV

2011-04-29T06:08:00.000-07:00

Planar's SA2311W is featured together with NVIDIA's 3D kit on Adobe TV where hosts Karl Soule' and Jason Levine give important insider tips and tricks related to stereoscopic 3D editing.

Colour Accurate Monitor from Planar's 3D range at ETE this week!

2011-03-01T10:24:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Entertainment Technology Exposition is taking place in Los Angeles this week on Thursday.

At Planar's booth #310 you'll have a chance to see Planar’s award-winning Runco 3Dimension™ D-73d 3D projector. The Runco D-73d 3D projector offers film studios with flawless passive-glasses stereoscopic video. The custom home theater industry has applauded this as the most innovative 3D product of the year, including taking top honors as the CEDIA new Product of the Year, as well as the CE PRO best Product of the Year. The latest European demos of this product were at the ISE 2011 in Amsterdam in January.

From the Planar 3D Stereoscopic product range, the new colour-accurate professional grade PX2491W monitor (only available in the US), the color-accurate professional grade SD2421W stereoscopic display, and the new SA2311W 3D Ready monitor.

The ETE show hours are March 3, 11:00am-6:00pm Pacific time and it takes place at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City, CA.

The 3D Society’s Annual Creative Arts Award Show chooses Runco 3D Home Theater Projector by Planar

2011-02-10T06:46:00.000-08:00

Planar is a sponsor of the International 3D Society's Awards in 2011. The Society has been founded to advance the art and technologies of stereoscopic 3D content and its professional innovators. They do this by hosting educational opportunities for showcasing work, recognizing achievement and advancing member growth.

This year's Awards took place this week (8.-9. Feb) at the Manns Chinese Theatre, including live 3D demonstrations. Planar's own Runco projector, the Runco D-73d, was chosen as the Official Projector for the Annual Creative Arts Award Show.

The Awards ceremony was televised in 3D and broadcasted on 3net, 3D TV Channel to be launched during early 2011. Find out more about the new 3D technology that will help filmmakers capture the world in 3D in the video below with Jeffrey Katzenberg of DreamWorks Animation SKG.

Read more from Planar's press release from 9. February 2011.

3D glasses?

2010-12-30T00:32:00.000-08:00

3D Vision Blog has an interesting article published today comparing the different options of glasses for viewing 3D. The 3D glasses review includes anaglyph red-cyan glasses, passive polarized solutions, solutions with active shutter glasses, autostereoscopic 3D displays.

Planar's professional 3D stereoscopic displays are based on the passive polarization together with our patented StereoMirror technology and we've had great feedback on the user comfort. That's valuable to us, as the SD range of 3D stereoscopic monitors is designed for professionals who might be using the monitor for even eight hours per day. However, for added intensity and a more vibrant and exciting experience, we've designed the latest 3D monitor, SA2311W, to work with NVIDIA's 3D Vision glasses. The 3D Vision-Ready SA2311W is targeted to professionals and 3D gamers alike, and it is suitable for use as a high quality 2D desktop monitor as well.

Want to know more about SA2311W? It's all here, in just one minute and sixteen seconds!

3D Vision ready monitor from Planar - the SA2311W

2010-11-11T03:02:00.000-08:00

Why did a Japanese visitor go "WoHOuhouWow!!!" at A3.276 at Electronica on Tuesday?

We are exhibiting at Electronica 2010 and today launched the SA2311W, 3D Vision ready monitor. The monitor is designed for 3D viewing based on high quality 2D image. The monitor itself does not do the conversion, which has been the question of many of the trade show visitors who have had the chance the experience the SA2311W already, but we use NVIDIA's 3D Vision kit and 3D player for the 3D effect AND you must have 3D content to start with. There are companies who do 2D to 3D conversion, like for example Finnish Stereoscape, if you want to get your 2D content compatible with 3D.

Here's a video where Scott Robinson tells more about the SA2311W, our latest 3D monitor. The video was shot here at Electronica.

Oh, and the Japanese visitor! Well, we gave him the NVIDIA 3D Vision glasses, so that he could experience the wonderful 3D image possible with SA2311W.

Literally "Hands On" Virtual 3D Reality!

2010-05-23T23:36:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-02T03:53:00.001-08:00

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

2010-01-13T04:39:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-12T05:33:00.001-08:00

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

2009-12-03T08:06:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-02T14:47:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-11-17T03:15:00.000-08:00

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:

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?

3D cinema

2009-11-02T05:03:00.000-08:00

Do I even have to mention it: 3D cinema is here to stay. As one of the topics on the previous blog post about 3D content, here is a wider exploration on 3D cinema.

Here in Finland the new era of 3D cinema started a bit over a year ago with footage from U2's previous world tour with a film called U23D and the visually magnificent Journey to the Center of the Earth (click here to see the trailer). Currently Up 3D entertains the younger audiences in about 20 cinemas where 3D viewing is available in Finland - that might not sound like much to you but it's more than in any other Nordic country, so it makes us Finns very proud!

3D cinema is a topical issue, see e.g. how Kevin Smith discusses 3D cinema on YouTube. Topical, yes, even if the whole thing was already invented in the 50's: the firstever 3D film was Bwana Devil in 1952. Back then the idea also was that 3D would come and save the cinema. Sounds familiar, eh? With DVD's and Blu-Ray's and home cinema equipment turning out ever more popular and the technologies used becoming more advanced, the cinema needs something "new" to attract the crowds to enjoy the BIG screen. Is 3D the answer?

Planar's 3D products are originally designed for use by professionals in photogrammetry and for geospatial applications. Read more about the 3D monitors, which Planar offers and which could be useful in post production stages of creating 3D cinema.

Where does 3D content come from?

2009-09-29T07:03:00.000-07:00

We all know and have perhaps already experienced how large film studios are experimenting with 3D. However experts doubt 3D films will make a real breakthrough anytime soon, as lack of possibilities for viewing 3D films at home will keep the profits still rather thin for films produced in 3D. In the following are some examples of other sources of 3D content.

You can find advertising agencies and production companies creating 3D content, for example Trick or Treat Studio in Italy.

You can buy various 3D content, for example for games design like Content Paradise offers on their website.

Google Earth boasts of all the 3D content they keep adding, like in this blog entry from June 2009.

There are various companies with various options for 3D software, like Cortona 3D.

One of our 3D stereoscopic demos is just returning from a trip to Hannover and Rhodes, where it was used for aesthetic surgeons 3D software. See the earlier blog entry "Planar & Beauty".

The applications for 3D stereoscopic monitors are vast! Where would you utilize a professional quality, high resolution 3D monitor...?

3D advertising in London

2009-09-21T03:36:00.000-07:00

At London's St Pancras station - the hub also for the Eurostar trains - is currently on display a 3D advertising campaign. The campaign is by Balfour International Group and it features Scottish Widows' 30 second advertisement on 42" screens. Read more and see a photo at InAVate's latest online issue which you can find by clicking here.

It's Not Just a Simple Etch-A-Sketch Anymore!

2009-08-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

Remember when your Etch-A-Sketch toy was the first tool for the creative possibilities of drawings? Well, we've come a long way. The Sketch-3D system has been developed that is interactive, integrated software/hardware system that enables users to create their own anaglypic 3D drawings. How fun is that?

Now you can have a personal 3D experience where Sketch-3D can be scaled to work with any output device from large scale projection to plasma displays to an integrated LCD. Planar's StereoMirror displays also offer another option for 3D viewing. Check out the overview of stereoscopic technologies.

Since it can be tailored to fit a wide array of installation environments, how would you use this 3D Etch-A-Sketch?

Entry-level Priced Stereoscopic/3D Display

2009-08-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for an entry-level priced stereoscopic display that provides high-quality WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050) 3D stereoscopic images? Well, look no further than Planar's new SD2220W 22" stereoscopic/3D display. Just launched, the SD2220W complements Planar's StereoMirror product line and produces comfortable extended viewing ergonomics for multiple users.

When considering options for seeing in stereo, check out this overview of stereoscopic technologies, including a handy 3D display comparison grid. Whether you're needing a 3D display for your geospatial, oil & gas, simulation, medical or other application, the SD2220W offers flicker-free operation allowing extended stereo use with no discomfort.

What's important to you when considering a stereoscopic/3D display?

Planar & Beauty

2009-07-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

New 3D stereo imaging application for Planar 3D stereo monitors with great potential!

Bona Forma had a Planar 3D stereoscopic monitor SD2020W in their booth at the “Beauty through Science 2009” conference in Stockholm on 11-13 June 2009 with their aesthetic surgery outcome simulation, prediction and optimization software.

Bona Forma is a high-tech enterprise with expertise in breast augmentation, cranio-maxillofacial surgery and design of bespoke implants. They offer a unique ability to predict and optimize the patient’s post-surgery appearance at the initial pre-surgery stage. They say they achieve accurate simulations by combining 3D scanning of the patient’s body with physical modeling of biological tissues. The simulations are further enhanced when being viewed using professional 3D stereo imaging equipment, such as SD2020W by Planar. Upcoming conferences, where Bona Forma's simulations can be viewed with Planar's 3D display are:

- 40th Annual Conference of the German Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery: DGPRAEC 10-12 Sept 2009, Hannover, Germany

- 11th Congress of European Societies of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (European Section of IPRAS): ESPRAS 20-26 Sept 2009, Rhodes, Greece

In the picture you see Bona Forma’s stand at the conference in Stockholm.

3D/Stereoscopic Video Samples

2009-07-08T14:42:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for some examples of stereoscopic video to show on a StereoMirror? We have uploaded some sample videos of MOV and MPEG4 formats.

To play stereoscopic video, download the 3D Player at 3DTV.at. The site that allows left and right video to be played in stereo via Stereoscopic Player. Video files can be played using either the Quad-buffered OpenGL setting or the side-by-side stereo option with the monitors in Horizontal span mode. This site also has some other sample stereo video available for download.

Tweak RV is another application that can be used for stereo video playback. It does not support AVI files like the 3DTV Stereoscopic Player, but it allows .mov files to be played in stereo.

Download the sample 3D videos - left video, right video. You will need both downloads.

If you have some interesting 3D video samples, we'd love to see them.

Planar StereoMirror on Display at SIGGRAPH and GEOINT

2009-07-02T13:43:00.001-07:00

Have you seen Planar's line of StereoMirror displays? Now you'll have a chance to see what all the talk is about during a demonstration that will answer your stereoscopic display questions about the viewing angle, resolution and image quality of these monitors. Planar will exhibit the SD2620W and the newest version, SD2220W, in booth #3627 at SIGGRAPH 2009 in New Orleans, LA, August 4-6 and again in booth #544 at GEOINT 2009 Symposium in San Antonio, TX, October 18-21.

StereoMirror technology enables an unprecedented level of stereo viewing comfort and there is no restrictive "sweet spot" for viewing stereo images or any need to work in a dimly-lit environment. The Stereoscopic displays make it easier for many professionals to do their job. Applications include geospatial and 3D for simulation and training, among others.

Do you use a stereoscopic display for your work? What features do you find most important?

StereoMirror Provides Best Real-Time Display

2009-05-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried to figure out how to get the best image quality for aerial photography product processing and triangulation of ortho photos? According to AeroTech Mapping Inc., Planar's 3D StereoMirror monitor provides an image that is almost as clear as the negative itself. They have three displays for triangulation and compilation, which is the process of collecting digital data from stereo photography for use in creating topographical maps. They use Datem Systems' Summit Evolution software and three P-3 analytical plotters.

With several StereoMirror monitors in their office, including an SD1710 and SD2020, AeroTech has doubled their production stations while using a fraction of the space compared to analytical plotters. Besides excellent image quality, AeroTech's technicians are able to use the stereo monitors for up to ten hours at a time with only a few breaks in between. The comfort level of Planar's StereoMirror monitors is very high.

Have you used a StereoMirror monitor for your mapping projects? How does it compare to the quality of analytical plotters?

StereoMirror Used For Aerial Surveys

2009-05-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

Providing accurate 3D photogrammetric mapping is complicated and photogrammetrists are always looking for monitors that will improve their viewing experiences and aid in verifying data. Planar's StereoMirror SD2420W with Planar's PX 2411W has been used by Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc. to suit their needs moving into a complete digital workflow and provide better image quality.

In verifying the accuracy of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) used in their orthophoto production process, Keystone's team was able to confirm that the data was "correct" and then, if needed, correct any problem areas quickly and effectively using a StereoMirror. They use Inpho DTMaster and 3D Stealth mouse. The SD2420W widescreen allows each user to view a much larger area without sacrificing the desired image magnification extent which is helpful when working with multiple users.

Are you a photogrammetrist? What stereoscopic viewing features would be beneficial for your work?