Stereo3D Displays

Introduced on July 24, 1999
last update: Dec. 27, 2006

Content:

Autostereo Displays (no glasses required)
Polarized Displays
180°/360° Displays
Volumetric Displays
Other
related links

Autostereoscopic 3D-Displays
No 3D-glasses required!

Product Year Status Price Displ. Technology Track-
ing # of
Users Primary
Resolution Resolution
per Eye Channels Modes Supported
Formats Supported
Software

3D EXPERIENCE Ltd Spexfree 3D Monitor available lenticular? Track? 1 user? 2 ch.

4D-Vision GmbH '4D15'
(4D-V acquired by X3D, X3D changed name to Opticality) discontinued 15'' LCD subpixel
filter no Track? many users 1024x768 8 ch.

4D-Vision GmbH 'Plasma 4D50'
(4D-V acquired by X3D, X3D changed name to Opticality available, name changed 50'' plasma subpixel
filter no Track? many users 1280x768 8 ch.

New: Dimen Pavonine Dimen C170A 2006 available 17'' LCD Backlight - switchable barrier no track 1 user? 1280 X 1024 640 X 1024 2 ch. 2D/3D
switch page-flipping, line-sequential, side-by-side

New: Dimen Pavonine Dimen C190A 2006 available 19'' LCD Backlight
switchable barrier no track 1 user? 1280 X 1024 640 X 1024 2 ch. 2D/3D
switch page-flipping, line-sequential, side-by-side

DTI
2015XLS available US$1699 15'' LCD Backlight no Track 1 user? 1024x768 512x768 2 ch. 2D/3D
switch page-flipping, line-sequential, over-under, side-by-side 3D-Studio-MAX®,
4D-Tool, More3D DirectX-Driver, Avi4D video package

DTI
2018XLQ available US$4995 18'' LCD Backlight no Track 1 user? 1280x1024 640x1024 2 ch. 2D/3D
switch page-flipping, line-sequential, over-under, side-by-side 3D-Studio-MAX®,
4D-Tool, More3D DirectX-Driver, Avi4D video package

ELSA Ecomo 4D
(identical to the Dresden3D/SeeReal D4D, Elsa was just a distributor, but went out of business) now available
from SeeReal was:
EUR
25,000 18'' LCD Lenticular Track 1 user 1280x1024 640x1024 2 ch. column sequential

Heinrich-Hertz-Institut HHI
autostereo display proto-
type? ch.

Heinrich-Hertz-Institut HHI
accomodation autostereo display proto-
type ch.

New: IRIS-3D 2005 ? available £19,995 ex VAT 1 user 1600x1200x2 1600x1200 2 ch.

Kodak
3D Stereo Display 2003 available 23.500 USD 1 user 1280x1024x2 1280x1024 2 ch.

Kodak
3D Stereo Display (Next Generation) 2004

New: Newsight
(formerly Opticality) 19/23/32/40/45" 3D MultiView Display 2005/
2006 available LCD Lenticular,
subpixel filter ? no tracking multiuser from 1280 x 1024 up to1920 x 1080 depending on model multichannel

Philips 3D-LCD SDK avail. Track? 1 user? 1024x768 438x256? 7 ch.

New: Philips
42” WOWvx 42-3D6C01 2006 available USD 17500 excl VAT 42'' Lenticular,
subpixel filter ? no Track ? multiuser 1920x1080 9 ch. plug-in for 3dsMax, 3DS Media Player, 3DS Wrapper

RealityVision autostereo
Display proto-
type? ch.

Richmond Holographic Studios Ltd. (RHS) proto-
type? ch.

Sanyo 3D Screen 1999? proto-
type? Backlight Track 1 user 2 ch. 2D/3D
switch

SeeReal Technologies
(former Dresden3D, i2i)
D4D discontinued $15000 18'' LCD Lenticular Track 1 user 1280x1024 640x1024 2 ch. 3D only column sequential/ vertical interleaved

SeeReal Technologies
C-i (eye tracking) available 18'' LCD Lenticular Track 1 user 1280x1024 640x1024 2 ch. 3D only column sequential/ vertical interleaved

SeeReal Technologies
C-s (spot tracking) available 18'' LCD Lenticular Track 1 user 1280x1024 640x1024 2 ch. 3D only column sequential/ vertical interleaved

SeeReal Technologies
C-n (no tracking) 2005 available 20'' LCD Lenticular no Track 1 user 1600x1200 800x1200 2 ch. 3D only column sequential/ vertical interleaved

Sharp
LL-151-3D 2004 available US$3,200 15'' LCD Backlight no Track 1 user 1024x768 512x768 2 ch. 2D/3D
switch column sequential/ vertical interleaved

Sharp AL3D Notebook 2006 ? available

Sharp Actius RD3D Notebook 2003 available US$3,300 15'' LCD Backlight no Track 1 user 1024x768 640x1024 2 ch. 2D/3D
switch

Sharp 3D Phone
i-shot (i-mode standard) Mova SH251iS
2002 available in Japan only LCD Backlight no Track 1 user 2 ch. 2D/3D
switch

Siemens
SXD³ 1899 2004? 18'' LCD many users 1280x1024 3D only

StereoGraphics SynthaGram SG181 2001 discontinued $6000 18'' LCD Lenticular,
subpixel filter no Track many users 1280x1024 426x341 9 ch. 3D only 3D-Studio-MAX®, VIZ® and Maya® for NT, SDK, image viewer

StereoGraphics SynthaGram SG182 2003 available $4495 18'' LCD Lenticular,
subpixel filter no Track many users 1280x1024 9 ch. 3D only

StereoGraphics SynthaGram SG202 2003 available $5995 20'' LCD Lenticular,
subpixel filter no Track many users 1600x1200 9 ch. 3D only 3D-Studio-MAX®, VIZ® and Maya® for NT, SDK, image viewer

StereoGraphics SynthaGram SG222 2003 available $17995 22'' LCD Lenticular,
subpixel filter no Track many users 3840x2400 9 ch. 3D only

StereoGraphics SynthaGram SG421 2001 discontinued $9995 42'' Plasma Lenticular,
subpixel filter no Track many users 852x480 9 ch. 3D only 3D-Studio-MAX®, VIZ® and Maya® for NT, SDK, image viewer

StereoGraphics SynthaGram SG422 2003 available $15345 42'' Plasma Lenticular,
subpixel filter no Track many users 1024x768 9 ch. 3D only

StereoGraphics SynthaGram 204 2004 available 20'' LCD Lenticular,
subpixel filter no Track many users 1600x1200 9 ch. 3D only

StereoGraphics SynthaGram 404 2004 available 40'' LCD Lenticular,
subpixel filter no Track many users 1280x768 9 ch. 3D only

Toshiba 3D monitor in development

VISUREAL Displaysysteme GmbH Holotron M706 available 6'' CRT
mono-
chrome no T many users max.16400 Pixel/cm² many ch. 3D only column sequential

VISUREAL Displaysysteme GmbH Holotron C906 available 6'' CRT color no T many users many ch. 3D only column sequential

VIZTA3D Z20/20 2003 available DLP DLP plus LCD-barriers!? 20? 3D only

Opticality (formerly X3D)
X3D-17 Display AD 2004 available 17'' LCD subpixel
filter no Track many users 1280x1024 8 ch. 3D only

Opticality (formerly X3D)
X3D-19 Display AD 2004 available 19'' LCD subpixel
filter no Track many users 1280x1024 8 ch. 3D only

Opticality (formerly X3D)
X3D-20 Display AD 2004 available 20'' LCD subpixel
filter no Track many users 1600x1200 8 ch. 3D only

Opticality (formerly X3D)
X3D-40 Display AD 2004 available 40'' LCD subpixel
filter no Track many users 1280x768 8 ch. 3D only

Opticality (formerly X3D)
X3D-50 Display AD 2004 available 50'' Plasma subpixel
filter no Track many users 1280x768 8 ch. 3D only

Stereo vs. Multichannel

Most of the autostereo-displays listed here are using standard stereo-pairs, i.e. two perspective views, one for each eye. They are compatible with existing 3D-content (apart from possible format problems). Another approach are multi-channel systems, like the Philips (7 views), 4D-Vision (8 views) and StereoGraphics (9 views). These systems allow for looking around objects and for multiple users. Therefore they are even interesting for stereo-blind people. On the downside is the lack of compatibility with existing stereo-content. 7 to 9 cameras (virtual or real) are required. The multiple channels have to be multiplexed for the complex filter system of the displays, which requires enourmous CPU-horsepower. StereoGraphics is working on an external real-time mulitplexer which will sit between the VGA-board and the autostereo-monitor.
Another problem of the multichannel systems is the loss of resolution per eye, which is just a fraction of the primary resolution of the display. Nevertheless the multichannel systems should be great for research facilities, theme parks, trade fairs and exhibitions.
Lenticular vs. Backlight

The lenticular screens are brighter, but fixed to 3D stereo mode. The backlight, raster barrier models are darker, but can be switched between 3D and full res standard 2D.

Which Autostereo-Display to Buy?

I only had the chance to try the SeeReal-D4D yet. It delivers a very bright stereo image, but is quite expensive. Not as bright in stereo mode should be the DTI products, but they have lots of other advantages. They are relatively cheap and turn back into a full-res standard 2D-monitor at the push of a button. Reportedly the DTI's deliver a very good stereo-effect and the compatibility with existing stereo-drivers, -applications and -content seems to be outstanding.

4D-Vision GmbH '4D15'
15'' TFT autostereo display with software,
resolution 1024 x 768

4D-Vision GmbH 'PLasma 4D50'
50'' plasma autostereo display with software,
resolution 1280 x 768

DTI product range of 1999

DTI product range of 2001

DTI - Dimension Technologies Inc. - Virtual Window autostereoscopic flat-displays

Backlight Stereo Technology. Supports all formats: page-flipping, line-sequential-progressive, (line-sequential-interlace???), above-below, side-by-side; therefore any stereo-driver or native-stereo-software should work right away. Any graphics card can be used, at least in some of the supported formats. There's plug and play support for : 3D Studio Max, Strata 3D, SolidWorks, Studio Tools, Catia, AutoCAD, Cult 3D, TrueSpace.

German distributor: Dr. Baldeweg AG, Dresden

Prices as of Dec. 2002:

15" model $1,699
18" model $4995

For comparison the old prices of July 1999:

15" $8,649
18" $13,949

Philips 3D-LCD

Richmond Holographic Studios Ltd. (RHS): TFT-LCD monitor with Holographic Optical Elements (HOEs) which divert the light of certain pixels into different directions, i.e. into different eyes. Multi-user capable.

Sanyo 3D Screen: 15 inch LCD monitor with non-glasses stereo 3D display. Uses eye-tracking.

VISUREAL Displaysysteme GmbH Holotron

Reportedly the most stunning display of them all. The image comes out of the screen and you can actually walk around it. Current model has 6" only, but larger versions are under development. There's already a 14" prototype. Main applications are in medicine (e.g. 3D-ultrasound-analysis) and science. The current 6" model is actually on sale (status of February 2003).

RealityVision autostereo display

SeeReal (former Dresden3D, i2i) - D4D
Check my short CeBIT report of the D4D

EUR 15.000,-

ELSA Ecomo 4D, autostereoscopic digital 18'' LCD-screen
(August 2000)

The Ecomo was identical to the D4D by the "Technische Universität Dresden" (now SeeReal). Check my CeBIT report on the D4D here. The price for the ELSA model which is bundled with a professional digital VGA-board was over 25,000 Euro.

3D EXPERIENCE Ltd Spexfree 3D Monitor

Heinrich-Hertz-Institut HHI autostereo displays

Heinrich-Hertz-Institut HHI-accomodation autostereo display

Polarizer Displays

Product Year Status Price Display Technology Primary
Resolution Resolution
per Eye Modes Supported
Formats Supported
Software

3D Magic Display 2005 (?) available LCD 2 displays, mirror, linear polarization 1880 * 1050 full 2D/3D dual input

Dimen Pavonine Dimen G170S 2006(?) available 17" LCD Switchable (circular polarization) 1280x1024 half 1280x512 2D/3D line-sequential and frame-sequential

iZ3D Monitor 2006 (?) available $1300 17" LCD Switchable (circular polarization) 1280 x 1024 half 1280x512 2D/3D

Nuvision 21 MX discontinued (?) 21'' CRT CRT with build-in polarization-shutter screen (circular poarization) full 2D/3D frame-sequential

Nuvision 17 SX/21 SX for 17''/21'' CRT Polarization-shutter-screen add-on for CRT monitors
(circular poarization) full 2D/3D frame-sequential

Omniatec 3D-displays available LCD 2 displays, mirror full 2D/3D

Polaris 3D-LCD displays available 10" and 17" LCD 2 stacked displays full

Stereographics Z-Screen 2000/2000i for 21'' CRT Polarization-shutter-screen add-on for CRT monitors
(circular poarization) full 2D/3D

VRexCyberbook, Stereo3D-notebook discontinued line-sequential polarization half 2D/3D

Product	Year	Status	Price	Display	Technology	Primary Resolution	Resolution per Eye	Modes	Supported Formats	Supported Software
3D Magic Display	2005 (?)	available		LCD	2 displays, mirror, linear polarization	1880 * 1050	full	2D/3D	dual input
Dimen Pavonine Dimen G170S	2006(?)	available		17" LCD	Switchable (circular polarization)	1280x1024	half 1280x512	2D/3D	line-sequential and frame-sequential
iZ3D Monitor	2006 (?)	available	$1300	17" LCD	Switchable (circular polarization)	1280 x 1024	half 1280x512	2D/3D
Nuvision 21 MX		discontinued (?)		21'' CRT	CRT with build-in polarization-shutter screen (circular poarization)		full	2D/3D	frame-sequential
Nuvision 17 SX/21 SX				for 17''/21'' CRT	Polarization-shutter-screen add-on for CRT monitors (circular poarization)		full	2D/3D	frame-sequential
Omniatec 3D-displays		available		LCD	2 displays, mirror		full	2D/3D
Polaris 3D-LCD displays		available		10" and 17" LCD	2 stacked displays		full
Stereographics Z-Screen 2000/2000i				for 21'' CRT	Polarization-shutter-screen add-on for CRT monitors (circular poarization)		full	2D/3D
VRexCyberbook, Stereo3D-notebook		discontinued			line-sequential polarization		half	2D/3D

New: 3D Magic Display - dual-LCD polarizer display
full 1880 * 1050 Pixel resolution in 2D and stereo 3D.

New: Dimen Pavonine Dimen G170S with passive 2D/3D Switchable Display (circular polarization)
line-sequential and frame-sequential input signal
resolution 2D : 1280x1024 stereo3D : 1280x512

Nuvision 21 MX: 21'' monitor with build-in polarization-shutter screen.

Nuvision 17 SX/21 SX: Polarization-shutter-screen add-on for 17''/21'' monitors. Supports page-flipping, interlace and sync-doubling (above-below format)
The same comment as for the Stereographics Z-Screen applies for the Nuvision screens.

NEW: Omniatec 3D-displays - the spanish company offers full resolution stereoscopic-3D workstations (MIMO) based on 2 flatscreens for use with polarization glasses.
A very straight-forward and pragmatic approach which has some advantages over autostereo-flatscreens, i.e. resolution, freedom-of-movement, multi-user-capability and probably price.

NEW: The Polaris 3D-LCD displays for polarized glasses uses two full-res stacked displays in a package not much thicker than a conventional LCD-display.
Sizes of 10 and 17 inch are available. Displays up to 42 inch are possible.

Stereographics Z-Screen 2000/2000i polarization-shutter-screen add-ons

You don't need active glasses for this one. With polarization even cardboard glasses will do the trick (circular polarization!!!). That's good if you're dealing with an anonymous crowd of people in places like fairs, museums, galleries, schools. It's also great for multi-monitor setups. The glasses are lighter and more comfortable and the only thing which might flicker is the screen, never the whole environment. Stereographics asks for 45$ for additional polarization glasses. At such a price some other companies offer wireless Shutterglasses (w/o emitter). BTW polarization was often used in movie theatres. Captain Eo, Terminator 3D, Jaws 3D and most of the 3D-B-movies from the 50's are polarization 3D movies.
How it works: The Z-Screen works like one big shutter. It's connected to the VGA-card and requires a standard CRT monitor, just like shutterglasses. Instead of just blocking the entire light from the monitor it only blocks a certain polarization-directon at a time.

Full review of this product should be ready by September 2000.

VRex Cyberbook, Stereo3D-notebook (passive, line-sequential)
Passive polarization system. The odd-line of the Cyberbook's display are polarized one way, the even lines are polarized the other way. By wearing polarization glasses one eye can only see half of the lines. Used with some alternate-line 3D software you'll see stereo3D. No heavy glasses, no flicker, no interlace or page-flipping compatibility issues. Cool, but there may be some ghosting.

180°/360° Displays

Jan. 2001: Elumens Visionstation brings 180° projection to the desktop - read comment

Volumetric Displays

Actuality Systems Volumetric 3-D Display

Now this is the stuff we know from SciFi-Movies. A stereo image hovering in free space, visible from any viewpoint. This is achieved by projecting the images onto a fast rotating surface.

VIZTA3D Z20/20 volumetric 3D-monitor

A combination of DLP back-projection and a LCD-based barrier!?

Other

Visual Environment of California: C-vision monitor

Cyberscope Virtual Reality Hood: Looks like the thing Spock used all the time on the bridge of the good ole' 1701. This should give you the best stereoscopic picture quality of all systems. No additional flicker, no ghost images, but I guess it's not very comfortable. I don't think there's that much software support either. The images must be turned by 90 degrees (see photo).