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?

3D cinema

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?

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

StereoMirror at NAB

Planar showed footage from the 3D movie, Coraline (http://coraline.com/), produced by LAIKA (http://www.laika.com/) at the recent NAB convention held in Las Vegas.

Folks watched the opening scene of Coraline’s family moving into their Pink Palace Apartment and the amazing mouse circus scene that took place in “the other world.” The content was shown using “RV” image and sequence viewer from Tweak Software (http://www.tweakfilms.com/). The StereoMirror technology is an excellent tool for 3D modeling, stereoscopic photography and 3D post production work, among other applications.

What movies do you think would be "other worldly" in 3D? Do you have an application need for a stereo 3D display?

StereoMirror v. Perceiva

Obviously the team has been busy with another comparison document to highlight the differences between Planar's StereoMirror and dual stacked LCD stereoscopic monitors.

Download the comparison

StereoMirror v. Red Rover

Our product management team recently assembled a comparison of Planar's StereoMirror and True 3Di's Red Rover product. Download the comparison document.