'3DTV' is the general name for television systems which
allow the viewer to perceive 'depth' in the scene he watches. Our
perception of depth is linked to many elements in the scene, such as
size of objects, texture, etc. One of the most important feature for
objects close to us is the difference seen by the left and right eye
('binocular disparity'). A 3D television (3D TV) is a television set that
employs techniques of 3D presentation. A special viewing device
project a television program into a realistic three-dimensional field.
As good as the picture is on modern high definition televisions, the
image on the screen is still locked in two dimensions. Due to the rise
of popular 3D feature films (namely Pixar's "Up" and James
Cameron's "Avatar"), many manufacturers are starting to make, or at
least announce televisions that will bring your viewing experience
into the 3D dimension. Year 2010 was a breakout year for 3D TV,
3D movies and 3D content. Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of
DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc., calls 3D media "the greatest
innovation that has happened for the movie theaters and for
moviegoers since color". To date, the largest complaint has been the
lack of content and the frustration with special eyewear. Companies
have exhibited glasses-free (or “autostereoscopic”) TV prototypes for
years, but CES 2011 brought the first commercial models. This will
be launched in the second half of the year. Non consumer
applications include virtual reality applications, scientific research
and education, industrial design and monitoring. In medicine, 3D
images may aid diagnosis as well as surgery and transportation. In
industry, they may aid design and prototyping machines or products
involving moving parts. In education and science, they may allow
unmatched visualization capability.