| In the future, when people write about this period | | | | awkward and those somewhat foolish looking |
| in history, they will probably have to create a | | | | glasses which has kept 3D from truly entering |
| minor footnote for 3D. And the main reason being | | | | into the mainstream. |
| the top grossing film Avatar, which has brought | | | | Keep in mind, there are many different kinds of |
| 3D back into the forefront and placed it firmly on | | | | 3D glasses, just as there are many different kinds |
| everyone's mind. | | | | of 3D systems. However, everyone is probably |
| You have to say "back" because 3D images and | | | | familiar with the Polarized glasses which gives the |
| movies have been around for a long, long time. | | | | 3D illusion by limiting the amount of light which can |
| For example, not many people know the first | | | | reach each eye. Next we have the more |
| patent for a 3D process was made way back in | | | | advanced Shutter Glasses which uses radio |
| the late 1890s, by William Friese-Greene, who was | | | | frequency or a infrared transmitter to show |
| a pioneer in British Films. And perhaps even more | | | | different perspectives for each eye - it uses |
| people would be surprised that the first 3D movie | | | | timing signals in perfect sync to darken one eye, |
| with paying customers was "The Power Of | | | | then the other eye. This technique is called |
| Love", which was shown in Los Angeles at the | | | | Alternate-Frame Sequencing and can be found in |
| Ambassador Hotel on Sept. 27, 1922. | | | | many current 3D gaming devices. |
| However, most people know 3D from the movies | | | | However, we are seeing the introduction of 3D |
| of the 1950s, which is sometimes called the | | | | systems which don't use glasses and this is |
| Golden Era of 3D films. Many will also remember | | | | referred to as "Autostereoscopic" 3D. Some big |
| many of the 3D movies which were released in | | | | electronic makers are rumored to be pursuing this |
| the 1980s and the 1990s - but it wasn't until | | | | technology and if they succeed, the potential |
| Avatar dazzled and amazed movie goers last | | | | could be endless. And not just for gaming, but for |
| year that new 3D technology was once again on | | | | the modern workplace and for countless other |
| everyone's mind. | | | | applications in the real world. |
| While movies has received most of the attention, | | | | But it is in gaming and home entertainment where |
| many observers of popular culture believe, it is in | | | | 3D is making the most inroads. Gamers will |
| the area of computer gaming where this new 3D | | | | embrace 3D (with or without glasses) but only if it |
| technology will have the greatest impact. This | | | | gives them a superior gaming experience. |
| could spell the beginning of changing "HOW" people | | | | Amaze them and they will come. |
| play their video games. Some pundits would go so | | | | That seems to be the rallying cry of this new |
| far as to say we are at the beginning stages of a | | | | visual revolution. Dazzle them and they will open |
| major computer gaming revolution. The fallout is | | | | their pocketbooks to purchase these new 3D |
| still unknown, but there's no denying 3D is loudly | | | | systems. At the recent CES in Las Vegas - |
| entering stage left and auditioning for the leading | | | | viewers and critics were not disappointed by the |
| role. | | | | 3D displays. Just the opposite, all were truly |
| Many elements are dropping into place, but | | | | dazzled by the 3D monitors, TVs and gaming |
| perhaps this gaming revolution really started with | | | | systems. |
| the release of NVIDIA's long awaited GeForce 3D | | | | We are even witnessing the introduction of some |
| Vision Kit. This 3D kit includes 3D glasses and | | | | of the first 3D gaming laptops with 120Hz |
| powerful software which can be used to turn any | | | | 3D-Ready screens and 3D Vision Kits from Nvidia |
| computer into a 3D system. The one missing | | | | and other makers. Both HP and Dell are said to |
| piece of the puzzle was a 120Hz 3D-Ready display | | | | have 3D gaming notebooks in the works. As |
| or monitor. | | | | mentioned before, both PlayStation3 and Nintendo |
| However, we have quickly seen the introduction | | | | DS are going 3D, which will further bring the 3D |
| of these types of monitors from Samsung and | | | | experience to gamers. |
| Viewsonic. Plus, we have also seen the | | | | Plus, more and more films are debuting in the 3D |
| introduction of 3D | | | | format and gathering enthusiastic audiences. It is |
| TVs from Samsung and Sony. And it should be | | | | only a matter of time before those viewers want |
| noted, Sony is going 3D in a big way in 2010. First, | | | | and demand ways to enjoy those same 3D |
| it has announced it is making most of its products | | | | experiences in their living rooms. Many critics |
| 3D - these include its Vaio PCs, Blu-ray Players | | | | argue there is just not enough 3D content to |
| and PS3 gaming systems. If that wasn't enough, it | | | | make customers shell out the big bucks for these |
| has also said it is turning the Nintendo DS into the | | | | new home systems. |
| DS3. | | | | However, give people a superior viewing system |
| Not to be outdone, Microsoft says its xBox is fully | | | | and they will upgrade their home theater |
| capable of handling 3D games, although some | | | | systems, sooner rather than later. As for gamers, |
| gamers do question what the quality of those | | | | jumping on the 3D bandwagon is a no-brainer |
| games will be like? Regardless, we are seeing a | | | | since their DNA makeup simply demands the |
| movement towards 3D from these major players | | | | most realistic images possible and 3D does deliver |
| in gaming. | | | | the goods. And while the lack of 3D content may |
| It should be noted that the Nintendo DS3 won't | | | | slow down this train, it can't stop it. This new 3D |
| use glasses which should make it more feasible. | | | | visual revolution is here to stay, for good this |
| Let's face it, in the past, it has been those | | | | time. |