Active Matrix Stereographics

More information about stereographics available here:
http://www.stereographics.com

Download Stereo 3d Handbook (pdf format)

Active matrix stereographic imaging is a powerful tool in today's VR and immersive visualization systems. It provides a very realistic hologram type image of computed objects.

Step 1: The computer generates a slightly different image for the left and then the right eye. The viewpoint is slightly shifted left and right as it would be if you viewed an object first with one eye then the other.

Step 2: The computer sends a synchronizing signal to an infrared transmitter which broadcasts the synchronizing signal into the viewing area.

Step 3. The infra red synchronizing signal is received by a pair of special glasses with fast liquid crystal shutters for the lenses. The sync signal tells the glasses to alternately blank one eye then the other.

Frame Rate: The speed at which this happens is important. The frame rate is effectively half of what it would be if the image were received by both eyes at the same time. If the frame rate is too slow, a flicker is perceived by each eye alternately. This is tremendously tiring! The higher the frame rate, the less the effect is seen. Visual computers typically produce between 96 and 98 frames per second for stereographics, providing the viewer with 48-49 frames each second for each eye. The result is a very realistic, stable, binocular, 3D image.

CRT Projectors: All CRT based Panoram displays are capable of stereographic display with the addition of the transmitters, glasses and appropriate configuration of the computer output. Additionally, the software application the user is running needs to be capable of generating stereographic sequential data with the appropriate sync signal for the transmitter. For applications that run at 120 frames per second, fast green phosphors (P-43 phosphor) is required. For these extreme applications, special order projectors are available for your Panoram display.

Non CRT Projectors: Non CRT projectors are typically limited to frame rates in the 60-80 frame per second mode and, although stereographics ARE possible at these frame rates, the flicker can be a true annoyance.

Ocular separation: Most stereographic capable software has the capability of setting the ocular distance of the view. This is a setting for how extreme the binocular effect is perceived. Since stereographic capable software typically originated from applications using head mounted displays, this setting probably defaults into a value that is much too extreme for viewing comfortably on a projected display using active matrix glasses. We suggest that you experiment with this setting on your software application working your way down the settings until you achieve a comfortable result.