So I went to watch Toy story 3 in IMAX a couple of weeks ago. It was my first 3D experience, therefore, the technology kept me more captivated than the movie itself. The movie was projected by RealD, the leading 3D technology provider of the days, which primarily uses polarized techniques to develop a three dimensional effect.
By far, RealD is considered to be the most useful, economical, & prevailing system in the 3D arena. Instead of using two projectors simultaneously, this technology just needs a single projector and a pair of stylish tinted glasses. But this isn’t just that simple, of course. The system applies a method called “Circular Polarization” to create depth into the picture. A circularly polarized light is transmitted to the screen with the help of projector that produces a haphazard image, if seen with the naked eye. The tinted glasses play the role of a filter that allows a limited amount of polarized light into our eyes. What makes the role of these glasses crucial is the disparity between the filters used on each side. Because of that, each eye receives a different type of polarized light, and thus, sees a similar image from a vaguely different perspective. This whole process eventually makes a single image 3D for our brain to perceive.
RealD Cinema system was launched in 2005, and promptly gained popularity among the masses. By 2010, it has signed contracts with a number of major electronic brands in order to advance its innovative 3D technology to a next level. While the new RealD designed Samsung TVs are already out in the market, other brands like Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, JVC, & DirecTV are also planning to take their future products to another dimension. Although the consumer acceptance of this new 3D-at-home phenomenon is yet limited, but the coming decade will definitely alter our perceptions by immersing our home entertainment into the depths of a new reality i.e. RealD. The addictive charm of three-dimensional images will certainly enthrall people to enjoy it in their living rooms. This foreseen venture, however, will affect the cinema business to a large extent. But that’s how the technology has always grown, and always will. Who knows what’s yet to come!
