In response to the increasing number of 3D films being made in Hollywood, in Japan too the number of 3D-compatible cinemas is gradually increasing. Currently a variety of different 3D systems have been deployed. Each uses its own unique technology to provide stereoscopic images that make the audience feel they are in the picture.
Developed by RealD, this system uses an LCD circular polarizing filter placed in front of the cinema projector lens. Two streams of image data, left and right, are circularly polarized - clockwise and anticlockwise - to generate pictures for the left and right eyes, respectively. These are alternated at high speed for projection on a silver screen, watched by an audience wearing glasses fitted with circular polarizing filters. The alternating images reflected from the screen are thus seen by left and right eyes alternately, allowing the viewer to enjoy a 3D experience.
Each of the three primary colours - red, green and blue - is split into 2 different wavelengths, one for the left eye and one for the right eye. For projection, an interference filter (Infitec) is rotated at high speed, displaying RGB for left and right eyes alternately, while the viewer wears Infitec filter glasses for this "wavelength multiplex visualization system."
This system requires active (shutter) glasses to watch. Single frames are displayed for left and right eyes alternately, while synchronized LCD shutters in the glasses prevent the "wrong" eye from seeing. This means that left and right eyes see different images, enabling an audience to enjoy stereoscopic images.
IMAX® is a giant-screen projection system developed by Canada's IMAX Corporation. In addition to the flat-screen version, there is IMAX Dome for projection on a dome-shape screen, and IMAX® 3D for stereoscopic films.
· Real D™ is a registered trademark of RealD (US).
· Dolby® is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
· IMAX® is a registered trademark of Canada's IMAX Corporation.
· All other products and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
3D Cinema
