MasterImage 3D: The best glasses-free 3D technology yet

 Dean Takahashi

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Most stereoscopic 3D experiences are weak. The glasses-free Nintendo 3DS turned out to be a disappointment, forcing Nintendo to slash the prices on that handheld gaming device. But the glasses-free experience MasterImage 3D has developed is something altogether different. From what I’ve seen so far, it’s going to offer an outstanding 3D experience on smartphones and tablets.

Roy Taylor (pictured below), executive vice president and general manager for MasterImage 3D, showed me a working prototype of the company’s new screen based on what it calls “cell matrix parallax barrier” technology. The quality blew me away. On a 4.3-inch WVGA screen, Taylor showed a 3D movie running in stereoscopic 3D. I didn’t need to wear glasses to see the sharp 3D imagery. When I moved my head, it didn’t get blurry. And if I moved my head too far to the side, it gracefully transitioned to a two-dimensional image.

“We’ve measured their alignment accuracy and we believe we’re 500 percent more accurate than the 3DS,” Taylor said in an interview at the recent Emerging Display Technologies conference. “We don’t have any issues with eye strain” (eye strain has proven to be a significant issue with the 3DS).

The cell matrix parallax barrier is more sophisticated than the glasses-free, or autostereoscopic, parallax barrier technology from Sharp that Nintendo used in its handheld, which debuted in March but sold so poorly than Nintendo cut its price $80 to $169 last week. The MasterImage 3D solution presents an image to your left eye and a different image to the right eye. Human eyes then form the two images into a single 3D image. But while the 3DS uses a striped approach to its parallax barrier, MasterImage 3D uses a matrix of cells that block one eye and not the other, which is a more fine-grained approach.

The result is high brightness, and no ghosting or cross talk (which makes the viewer see two images instead of one).

Both 7-inch and 10-inch tablet screens are coming later this fall. MasterImage 3D uses a Texas Instruments OMAP 4 processor that can handle 15-inch screens, but Taylor doesn’t expect anyone to ship those because the larger screen size forces you to sit too far back to be able to see the 3D effect. Rivals include Sharp and LG Electronics. But MasterImage 3D scored a $15 million investment in March from Samsung.

There is a decent 3D viewing angle to the technology, which is probably ideal for watching in an airline seat. Only one person can watch in 3D at a time on the four-inch to 10-inch screens.

MasterImage 3D was founded in 2004 in Seoul, South Korea by Younghoon Lee. It first developed a digital 3D cinema system and got its first installations in 2006. by 2009, it had its 3D cinema projectors in 800 movie theaters. It now has more than 4,000 digital 3D cinema installations in 70 countries and ships more than 8 million 3D glasses per month. It moved its headquarters to Hollywood, Calif. last fall and has now extended to mobile screens.

The company shipped the autostereoscopic 3D technology in 2009 in the Wooo phone made by Hitachi. That device was ahead of its time, so it only sold about 300,000 units. Now MasterImage 3D has prototypes ready for the improved cell matrix technology, which is easier to manufacture. Taylor is hopeful because movie studios are readying content for the devices via streaming technology.


“We have relationships with the movie studios and they love what we’re doing,” he said. “We are also talking to almost every major manufacturer in the world. They are all rushing to do 4.5-inch screens that can do true 720p images.”

MasterImage 3D has patented the technology, including the technology for aligning the images so that they aren’t blurry.

Overall, 3D has faced a struggle. About 21 million 3D TVs sold in 2011, but many of those are simply the latest high-end TVs. By 2015, that number is expected to grow to 100 million units.The only problem for MasterImage 3D is that many of the 3D experiences it has shipped so far have turned consumers off.

But Taylor said 40 3D movies will be released in 2012 and 70 by 2014, partly because the movie studios love the fact that a 3D experience can’t be easily pirated. On top of that, studios are also streaming 3D movies to mobile devices.

“3D is definitely out of the bag,” Taylor said. “The challenge is consumer hesitation, the lack of 3D content, health concerns, and a need for industry-wide investment.”

Mobile phones just might be the right devices to help the market take off, Taylor said.
“Hollywood needs a new outlet they can sell movies into, now that the DVD market is declining,” Taylor said.

iPhone and iPod to Get 3D Screens with Help of My3D From Hasbro

From: http://www.ismashphone.com/

3D, The Future of Entertainment

Stereoscopic 3D is one of the latest buzzwords in the tech and gaming industries. Sony has done their best to push it out the door with their line of 3DTVs and the now 3D-capable PlayStation 3 (thanks to a firmware update earlier this year). In addition, Nintendo will be releasing their glasses-free 3D handheld in March, the 3DS.

iPhone in 3D

Apple hasn't yet announced any plans to incorporate stereoscopic 3D into their devices. They probably don't need to at this point. That's not to say we don't want to see 3D content on our iOS devices. That's where Hasbro comes in. That's right, Hasbro--the toy maker. Right now, you may be wondering how the same company that makes Mr. Potato Head is going to give your iPhone a 3D screen.

Remember the View-Master?

The above photo looks like an old model, but the concept and design has remained nearly unchanged for several years

Most of us probably had a View-Master. The cool little toy you used to put paper discs in and watch a little slideshow through the lenses. The device gives viewers an illusion of 3D depth of field by pulling together two separate images in such a way that makes it appear as if certain objects "pop out" of the picture.

Meet My3D

My3D (above) uses a concept similar to the classic toy, reinventing it for a new generation by using an iPhone or iPod Touch for its slideshow rather than a little paper disc. According to Hasbro, the device will offer "three-dimensional content...a 360-degree experience in gaming, virtual travel experiences and entertainment content...[for] both children and adults."

The device will set users back about $30, and will be available Spring 2011 at stores where Apple's iPhones and iPod Touch devices are sold. Users can then purchase additional My3D content, which is said to range in price, some of it will be available for free.

According to Hasbro, Apple guided them in the development of the device, and they feel that nothing available that matches the quality and content users will get from My3D.

Excited Yet?

Yes and no. It's $30, so that's not entirely bad. We already own an iPhone, so we are set. However, those who want a device for viewing will have to fork over an additional lump of money for an iPhone or iPod Touch (iPod Touch ranges in price from $229 to $399 depending on the storage capacity).

It's also worth noting that Hasbro has teamed up with some big names like Dreamworks Animation, the movie studio responsible for the Shrek series and How to Train Your Dragon. They're definitely pulling out the big guns for this one.

Those without an iPhone can always pick up the classic View-Master for about $10 along with a few additional View-Master reels. We'll wait to see how it does.

Warner Bros. Announces New Mortal Kombat for 2011

New fighter being developed for PS3 and 360, will have tag-team mode and "reinvented" 2D gameplay. See the first trailer.

By Kris Pigna

From: http://www.1up.com/

That live-action Mortal Kombat trailer recently released on YouTube maybe didn't have anything to do with a new Mortal Kombat game, but it makes little difference as Warner Bros. today has coincidentally announced a new Mortal Kombat game anyway. Evidently dubbed simply "Mortal Kombat," the new game is being developed by a new team for release in 2011.

The new team, called NetherRealm Studios, is being guided by original Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon. This new Mortal Kombat promises a "reinvention of its classic 2D fighting mechanic" along with a "new graphics engine." It's a little unclear from the wording, but it sounds like it'll go the Street Fighter 4 route, with 3D visuals but strictly 2D gameplay.

This new entry will also add tag-team modes in addition to standard one-on-one bouts, including a "co-op arcade mode" that has two players teaming up to take on other teams online. Warner Bros. also promises the "deepest story mode of any fighting game" with a return of "iconic warriors" from past Mortal Kombat games, but no specific characters are mentioned. And of course, there will also be a return of Fatalities.

"This game really is a response to what players have been demanding: mature presentation, reinvented 2D fighting mechanic and the best, most gruesome fatalities ever," said Boon in a statement.

Mortal Kombat is being developed for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and other than 2011, no more-specific release date was announced. But as usual with just about every new game announcement these days, we wouldn't be surprised to find out even more about it at E3 next week.

MSI to debut worlds first full HD 3D all-in-one PC

From: http://www.geekwithlaptop.com/

MSI are going to be showcasing their new range of all in one pcs at the forthcoming CeBIT expo in Hanover from March 2nd to March 6th 2010 and amongst them there’s one product that’s bound to attract a lot of attention.

It is the world’s first large screen full high definition 3D all in one computer designed for the 3D home experience. The press release says it all.

“MSI has become the first company in the world to introduce an All-in-One PC with a 3D touch-screen.

“Taking advantage of recent advances in 3D imaging technology, MSI has integrated 3D display technology combined with a powerful Multi-Core CPU and new 3D graphics technology to ensure smooth, clear 3D images and a higher level of detail.

“The combination of a 120Hz LED panel and 3D shutter glasses brings the kind of 3D video experience into your home that you would normally only expect from a modern 3D movie theatre.

“Put on the 3D glasses and touch the screen with your fingertip, and the beautiful scenery of the planet Pandora from the movie Avatar will appear right in front of you, almost as if you could reach out and touch it.”

The computer comes with an Intel Core i7 processor and will feature a 24 inch 120 Hz LED backlit full HD LCD touchscreen display and comes complete with Shutter Glass 3D glasses so that users can experience the computer in 3D.

The computer is actually built inside the display case so the device looks more like a standalone monitor than a traditional looking computer.

You wouldn’t expect something like this to come cheap, and it doesn’t, although we don’t have the exact cost it’s expected to be somewhere around the 2000 euro mark give or take a few euros depending on what components you choose.

The all-in-one PCs will come in a range of sizes, with a variety of specifications and colours.

MSI will also unveil their first 3D laptop at the expo, which sports a 15.6 inch 120 Hz 3D HD screen.

Other new products from MSI in 2010 will include the U160 super slim Netbook with 15 hours battery life, oh yes, that’s a world first too, also the X-Slim X620 Multimedia notebook, and the GT660 gaming laptop with the latest Core i7 processor and next generation graphics.

CES 2009: 3D video gaming to become a reality next month

By Wolfgang Gruener

Las Vegas (NV) - One of the most impressive product demos on the first day came from Mitsubishi. It showcased Nvidia 3D technology on one of its 3D-enabled TVs. You will be able to buy this stunning product for $200 next month (TV not included, of course). SLIDESHOW: CES 2009 Day 1 (24 pictures) Mitsubishi will be pitching a 3D product consisting of Nvidia driver software, 3D glasses with a receiver and a sender that is placed on top of a TV. If you own a home entertainment PC with a potent Nvidia graphics card, the driver software can create 3D imagery from regular video games, we are told. The sending unit reacts to the position of the 3D glasses to create a true 3D feeling. We were able to testdrive the technology for a few minutes and were deeply impressed. Mitsubishi said that the product will be offered for $200 beginning next month - home entertainment PC and 3D-enabled LCD TV not included.

3D gaming, HD video coming to netbooks in 2009

By Jon Stokes

Netbook users rejoice: NVIDIA has announced plans to pair Intel's Atom processor with a real mobile GPU, the 9400M. It's no secret that Intel's integrated graphics processors stink across the board, and they're the biggest weakness in the company's ultramobile platform. But by pairing the Atom processor with a 9400M, NVIDIA will be able to offer users a mobile x86 platform that supports 1080p video decoding, dual-link DVI out, DirectX 10 graphics, CUDA, and OpenCL.

The entire platform should draw about 18W of power, which is in the same ballpark as the current Intel Atom platform (12 watts). Note that Ion will cut the number of chips in the Atom platform down from Intel's three-chip design (Atom + 945GSE + I/O hub) to just two chips (Atom + 9400M), but the 9400M is substantially more powerful as GPU and you can't get something for nothing.

Ion reference motherboard

At right is a picture of the PicoITX reference board that NVIDIA has been showing off to reviewers and the press. It's remarkable that such a small board can support a full Windows Vista install, 1080p playback, and 3D gaming. Indeed, this platform will make a killer foundation for a small, power-efficient HTPC.

Ion is supposed to be available sometime in the first half of 2009.

AMD and VIA also in the game

NVIDIA's and Intel's competition is by no means sitting still. AMD announced its Yukon ultramobile platform last month, and it combines a mobile Radeon GPU with a forthcoming AMD processor. Due out in 2009, the platform will support HD video decoding, but it will have a slightly higher power draw than any Atom-based offerings just based on the CPU alone. (AMD doesn't yet have an Atom or Nano equivalent.)

More recently VIA announced its Trinity platform, which combines the VIA Nano processor, the VX800 northbridge (plus IGP), and a discrete GPU from S3. Like the Ion and Yukon platforms, Trinity will support Windows Vista, DirectX 10, and HD video decoding in a very small form factor.

VIA's Trinity platform

I can't find any details on the power draw for this platform, but I'd estimate that it's in the same 12 to 18 watt range as Intel's and NVIDIA's Atom-based platforms. This could make Trinity a very viable alternative for the increasingly popular netbook segment. But the main problem that VIA faces here is vendor uptake—they just don't seem to be able to generate the same level of interest from netbook makers as Intel does, despite the fact that the Nano seems to be a very capable CPU. Still, Trinity could change that equation in their favor.