A few months ago I found myself at the BFI Imax cinema near London Waterloo. Seated near the top, we watched the recent Harry Potter movie but with a twist; a segment was screened in 3D. As we found ourselves flying on broomstick at high speeds, swaying left and right, putting aside the near motion sickness sensation, we found ourselves fully immersed experience 'in' a screen more than 20 meters high and 26 meters wide.
From my first cinema 3D experience, watching Jaws in the 1980s, I have always been fascinated with this technology. In simple terms, 3D is a visual technology solution that gives the impression of depth. Recording the same subject with two cameras at the same time where the distance between the lenses is an exact ratio to the distance between our eyes, approximately 2.5 inches apart, creates this effect.
When 3D is screened, be it a still photo or a moving image, it looks as if you are seeing two different images. Traditionally this is where 3D glasses help as each lens acts as a filter that block one of the images, thus creating the illusion of depth. In certain modern technologies, however, digital screens have been created by companies such as Fuji where a "Light Direction Control System" adopts a "Parallax Barrier System" to direct light to the left and right eyes giving the impression of a 3D image. Meaning that you do not need to wear 3D glasses.
Enter 3D Mobile
It is difficult to illustrate the full impact of a 3D technology on a 2D display. Most of us remember the 3D illusion cards that would often be bundled with our cereal boxes. Here, we would hold the card, adjust the plane of view slightly giving the impression of movement and/or depth. This is not it. Nor are the cereal box hologram cards remotely close to this 3D experience. Modern 3D technologies really are an innovation of our time that is near impossible to illustrate. What I can say is that for those fortunate enough to find Fuji's recently launched W1 3D camera, prepare yourself for something unique.
Putting aside the issues of composition, photos and video taken on the W1 can be viewed as fully immersive 3D on both the camera's screen as well as on a specially designed photo frame. Individuals can also print 3D photos on a newly designed Lenticular sheet which might generate a resurgence to the days of physical photo albums – how few people actually use physical photos in this day and age when digital photography is so accessible.
While first to market with a viable consumer product, Fuji isn't alone in this space. 3M has developed a 3D screen in their Vikuiti line of screens for the mobile platform. This solution is of particular interest as when you move out of the 3D visual spot, the screen still looks good in 2D. And while this technology has already been launched in the Wow vx 3D television set built by Phillips, a viable option for mobile phones will change the way we communicate.
Consider tactile-based research coming out of Japan, where we interact with real physical objects, or efforts being undertaken by Sony over a new 360 degree display which shows an image in 3D that can be viewed from any direction. In fact, almost every leading manufacturer is developing one form or another of 3D display, projection, or print technology; some that require the use of glasses, others that do not.
Here in the UK, one of our main TV stations, Channel 4, is running a 3D week. From featuring previously unseen footage of the Queen's coronation ceremony, to horror movies such as Friday 13th III, to a concert tour with Hannah Montana, to a magic spectacular with Darren Brown all in 3D. Perhaps not the best line up, still, something. While later next year, Sky, the satellite TV channel, will be launching a dedicated 3D channel.
3D Future
Earlier this year I came across a demonstration of Pranav Mistry's wearable technology concept. His solution uses a number of sensors and cameras to create an enhanced user engagement - what else would we expect from MIT's Media Lab.
But in the future 3D will not simply be something visual, it will become a comprehensive engagement platform. The simplest example being the ability to 'jump into' a game of Second Life.
Today your phone knows where you are. In the UK we are caught on CCTV cameras more than 300 times a day on average. Imagine if these others cameras were recording in 3D. When someone calls you, not only can you project an image of them in front of you in 3D from your phone, but your image and location can be caught through one of these CCTV cameras and projected to them. One would be in the physical location, while the other could be projected into a virtual 3D creation of the same space. Why would anyone want to do this? Let us again step further.
Say you are a first responder to an accident and the ambulance is 5 miles away, you need to offer immediate help to a critical patient. An image of you and the scene you're in can be projected in full 3D to a doctor in a hospital, or even at their home. They can see the environment you are in, look around in real time, provide advice on what can and cannot be done. With an enhanced tactile experience (two generations on from Mistry's current system), they might even be able to physically help with treatment. Today 3D is a purely visual experience; tomorrow, we will be jumping into it, living it.
Returning to today, and now, the resurgence of 3D technologies have in part been driven by the need for a more engaged, more personalized user experience that immerses the individual. The consumer is always looking for an enhanced proposition, so while we work our way into new solutions and offerings, some standards will succeed while others will not; think VHS vs Betamax. Thus the 3D race might be less about the technology in question and more about the availability of content and services that can be delivered on that technology.
For the time being, however, I would suggest that those etching to jump onto the bandwagon give Fuji credit for spearheading 3D camera technology and at the very least head out to try a W1. It does take time to understand how to compose a good 3D photo, but once you do, you will appreciate the rewards of something unique indeed!
Farrukh I. Younus holds a master's degree in international business management and works in the emerging telecommunication industry across Europe and Asia. Dedicated to understanding and delivering solutions based on new technology, Younus has spoken on the subject to the European Parliament in Brussels, and regularly attends industry-leading conferences worldwide. His cross-cultural knowledgebase is strengthened with extensive international travel that includes visiting China on more than 25 occasions. He resides in Surrey, UK. You can contact him by sending an e-mail to HealthAndScienceATiolteamDOTcom.
From my first cinema 3D experience, watching Jaws in the 1980s, I have always been fascinated with this technology. In simple terms, 3D is a visual technology solution that gives the impression of depth. Recording the same subject with two cameras at the same time where the distance between the lenses is an exact ratio to the distance between our eyes, approximately 2.5 inches apart, creates this effect.
When 3D is screened, be it a still photo or a moving image, it looks as if you are seeing two different images. Traditionally this is where 3D glasses help as each lens acts as a filter that block one of the images, thus creating the illusion of depth. In certain modern technologies, however, digital screens have been created by companies such as Fuji where a "Light Direction Control System" adopts a "Parallax Barrier System" to direct light to the left and right eyes giving the impression of a 3D image. Meaning that you do not need to wear 3D glasses.
Enter 3D Mobile
It is difficult to illustrate the full impact of a 3D technology on a 2D display. Most of us remember the 3D illusion cards that would often be bundled with our cereal boxes. Here, we would hold the card, adjust the plane of view slightly giving the impression of movement and/or depth. This is not it. Nor are the cereal box hologram cards remotely close to this 3D experience. Modern 3D technologies really are an innovation of our time that is near impossible to illustrate. What I can say is that for those fortunate enough to find Fuji's recently launched W1 3D camera, prepare yourself for something unique.
Putting aside the issues of composition, photos and video taken on the W1 can be viewed as fully immersive 3D on both the camera's screen as well as on a specially designed photo frame. Individuals can also print 3D photos on a newly designed Lenticular sheet which might generate a resurgence to the days of physical photo albums – how few people actually use physical photos in this day and age when digital photography is so accessible.
While first to market with a viable consumer product, Fuji isn't alone in this space. 3M has developed a 3D screen in their Vikuiti line of screens for the mobile platform. This solution is of particular interest as when you move out of the 3D visual spot, the screen still looks good in 2D. And while this technology has already been launched in the Wow vx 3D television set built by Phillips, a viable option for mobile phones will change the way we communicate.
Consider tactile-based research coming out of Japan, where we interact with real physical objects, or efforts being undertaken by Sony over a new 360 degree display which shows an image in 3D that can be viewed from any direction. In fact, almost every leading manufacturer is developing one form or another of 3D display, projection, or print technology; some that require the use of glasses, others that do not.
Here in the UK, one of our main TV stations, Channel 4, is running a 3D week. From featuring previously unseen footage of the Queen's coronation ceremony, to horror movies such as Friday 13th III, to a concert tour with Hannah Montana, to a magic spectacular with Darren Brown all in 3D. Perhaps not the best line up, still, something. While later next year, Sky, the satellite TV channel, will be launching a dedicated 3D channel.
3D Future
Earlier this year I came across a demonstration of Pranav Mistry's wearable technology concept. His solution uses a number of sensors and cameras to create an enhanced user engagement - what else would we expect from MIT's Media Lab.
But in the future 3D will not simply be something visual, it will become a comprehensive engagement platform. The simplest example being the ability to 'jump into' a game of Second Life.
Today your phone knows where you are. In the UK we are caught on CCTV cameras more than 300 times a day on average. Imagine if these others cameras were recording in 3D. When someone calls you, not only can you project an image of them in front of you in 3D from your phone, but your image and location can be caught through one of these CCTV cameras and projected to them. One would be in the physical location, while the other could be projected into a virtual 3D creation of the same space. Why would anyone want to do this? Let us again step further.
Say you are a first responder to an accident and the ambulance is 5 miles away, you need to offer immediate help to a critical patient. An image of you and the scene you're in can be projected in full 3D to a doctor in a hospital, or even at their home. They can see the environment you are in, look around in real time, provide advice on what can and cannot be done. With an enhanced tactile experience (two generations on from Mistry's current system), they might even be able to physically help with treatment. Today 3D is a purely visual experience; tomorrow, we will be jumping into it, living it.
Returning to today, and now, the resurgence of 3D technologies have in part been driven by the need for a more engaged, more personalized user experience that immerses the individual. The consumer is always looking for an enhanced proposition, so while we work our way into new solutions and offerings, some standards will succeed while others will not; think VHS vs Betamax. Thus the 3D race might be less about the technology in question and more about the availability of content and services that can be delivered on that technology.
For the time being, however, I would suggest that those etching to jump onto the bandwagon give Fuji credit for spearheading 3D camera technology and at the very least head out to try a W1. It does take time to understand how to compose a good 3D photo, but once you do, you will appreciate the rewards of something unique indeed!
Farrukh I. Younus holds a master's degree in international business management and works in the emerging telecommunication industry across Europe and Asia. Dedicated to understanding and delivering solutions based on new technology, Younus has spoken on the subject to the European Parliament in Brussels, and regularly attends industry-leading conferences worldwide. His cross-cultural knowledgebase is strengthened with extensive international travel that includes visiting China on more than 25 occasions. He resides in Surrey, UK. You can contact him by sending an e-mail to HealthAndScienceATiolteamDOTcom.
