What are active 3D glasses and how do they differ from regular glasses?

3D glasses are a recent invention by a number of companies that have made it possible to “step” into the future. Thanks to them, virtual reality has become much closer - you can now play videos and games even from a computer. When choosing the optimal model, you need to carefully study reviews, ratings and testimonials.

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To make working at the computer more convenient, various accessories were invented: special headphones and speakers that allow you to hear surround sound, a more functional keyboard, etc. Not so long ago, 3D virtual reality glasses were added to them, which allow you to see the image in volume.

What it is

Most often, such glasses are needed when watching movies and playing games. They allow you to see not a flat two-dimensional picture, but to be completely immersed in it. This effect is achieved by “removing” the image from both eyes and superimposing them on each other.

Attention! Each human eye also sees a flat picture: only by superimposing the right and left “imprint” can people see objects in volume.

Due to the huge number of devices, many people confuse concepts that are similar but have different characteristics.

1. Video glasses: These are devices that allow you to watch videos without a monitor. In other words, this is the simplest cinema, which is projected on the lenses of the device from the inside.
2. Augmented Reality Glasses: This device allows you to superimpose a picture on top of the real world. That is, with their help you can see a dinosaur on the street, but not immerse yourself in the virtual world;
3. Virtual reality glasses or helmet (VR gadget): these are the very devices that will make the virtual world become a reality. A person literally “goes” into it: travels, interacts with other characters, etc.
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   Feel like the hero of your favorite game

Operating principle

Everything is very simple here. You need to download or find the movie you want to watch in a special 3D format. A three-dimensional image is achieved by submitting a frame for each eye separately. That's why you need 3D glasses for your TV. It is they who close each human eye in turn at high speed and create that same three-dimensional effect (active technology). There is a second method, when lenses divide the image from the screen into two types. The left eye sees some frames, and the right eye sees completely different ones (passive technology). Many people ask the question: which 3D glasses for TV are better to choose? The answer lies in the device you are going to watch the video on. If the TV supports active 3D, then the glasses should be of the appropriate type, and vice versa.

You can find out which technology your pet supports in 3 ways:

• In the instructions for the model;
• On the official website of the manufacturer;
• From a consultant in a store when purchasing a new 3D TV.

Types of glasses

There are several options for 3D glasses:

1. Anaglyph: These are ordinary glasses without diopters, the lenses of which have blue (or green) and red colors. The image on the screen is divided into two spectra, which are superimposed on each other, allowing you to obtain a three-dimensional image. These glasses are only suitable for watching special films on special TVs: simple screens and movies are not suitable.
2. Mirror: use the method of mirroring angles using tilt. Used only when viewing photos and videos in horizontal parallel stereo pair format.
3. Passive: divided into several subspecies with their own characteristics. Images are transmitted simultaneously; glasses are most often used when watching movies.
4. Active: used in computer games, which allows users to get an unforgettable experience. Their operation is based on the use of a special shutter and sensor: at a certain moment a signal is sent to the glasses, and they close or open the shutters, allowing you to adjust the sent picture. Such a device can be powered by electricity or batteries; it is connected to a TV or monitor using a cable.

Active

Active 3D technology differs from passive 3D in that the image is transmitted to each eye in turn. You can watch movies broadcast in this way only with 3D glasses that have an active shutter. When using them, either the right or left eye closes at high speed in turn. Thanks to this, a three-dimensional image effect is created. Active 3D glasses can only work if they have a power source, which is often a built-in battery. From it, energy flows to the shutter mechanism, thanks to which they work.

When using this technology, the shutter mechanism in the glasses and the TV or computer display must be synchronized, otherwise the device will not work properly and the 3D picture will be of poorer quality. Previously, it was possible to synchronize these devices using a special wire, but this method was not particularly convenient. Therefore, modern active 3D glasses use an infrared port for synchronization. With the help of this technology, everyone can watch a film exactly in the quality in which it is. That is, if it is Full HD format, then this is what you will see.

However, this technology also has certain disadvantages. Firstly, the image through them will be darker than in reality. When watching movies in 3D quality on TV or from an LCD computer monitor, you are unlikely to notice this, but if you watch them through a projector, the difference will be noticeable. In addition, the alternately opening and closing shutter puts a lot of strain on a person's eyes. Most people get used to it after a few minutes, but a more sensitive person may experience sore eyes and headaches.

In addition, transmitting the image to each eye separately is also a certain disadvantage. This is because the frame rate mainly depends on the TV model and what the content is programmed for. So, if the frames in a movie change 60 times per second, then for each eye the image will be updated only 30 times per second. As a result, motion may be uneven and there may be jerkiness in fast-paced scenes.

The cost of such technology is quite significant and this applies not only to the TV, but also to the glasses that go with it. Most often, you will receive only one pair of glasses with your device, or two at most. The rest will have to be purchased separately, but they are not that little.

Options to select

We will talk specifically about VR helmets. When choosing, you need to pay attention to:

1. Price: virtual reality glasses cannot and will not be cheap, as they are premium items.

Attention! Additional payments include the need to have or buy a powerful computer or game console, otherwise spending on points will be in vain.

1. Duration of production: there is no need to rush to buy a product in pre-order or in the first rows, since after purchase, problems are often discovered in the first copies. In addition, there is often a need to update glasses, which is not always possible with the first options. It is better to wait a while and purchase an improved and modified version.
2. Graphic characteristics: viewing angle, refresh rate, image smoothing, resolution and fps. The last two parameters depend on the location of the glasses screen: the closer the screen is to the eyes, the higher their performance. At low levels, problems may begin with the perception of the picture: ripples, “waves,” and your eyes will quickly begin to get tired.
3. Tracking sensors: These are necessary to control the virtual prototype in the game world. For some devices they are attached to the helmet itself, for others they must be placed around the room.
4. Content: the more games and platforms the helmet supports, the better. Some companies produce helmets only for their own products, which significantly limits the possibilities of its use. This also includes controllers: some manufacturers can offer the client a fairly large number of additional items (steering wheel, pedals, pistol) that the helmet must recognize.
5. Reviews: Since the headset has recently appeared on the market, it is necessary to carefully study customer reviews. They will help you understand what problems you should expect, as well as determine the optimal model.

But the most important thing is the client’s personal impression. It's no secret that some buyers suffer from seasickness when working with glasses. Most often this is due to the individual characteristics of the body, so it is worth checking the model you like in advance.

Viewing angle, picture and sound quality are important indicators

Passive technology

Passive 3D glasses for TV, also known as polarized glasses, are designed according to a simple principle. Two lenses of different colors allow certain frames to pass through for the left eye, and others for the right eye. They operate without any power source and are light in weight. Many experts also classify anaglyph 3D glasses as passive technology. The advantages include the affordable cost of such an accessory and less strain on a person’s vision. Allows you to watch your favorite movies in 3D comfortably. The disadvantages include lower image quality. Before you buy inexpensive 3D glasses for your TV, you need to look at the instructions. The “Compatibility” column will help you choose the right glasses for your TV. Their range reaches 6 meters, but no more.

There are two types:

• Linear polarization – glasses with straight lenses. They distort the image when you turn your head, which is a definite disadvantage. When choosing this option, the viewer should be in front of the screen and, for comfortable viewing, not move his head;
• Circular polarization – the glass is made in a semicircle, which makes viewing comfortable even when a person moves his head.

Advice! You should give preference to 3D glasses with semicircular lenses, because viewing comfort is the main thing!

A short video will tell you in more detail:

Most popular glasses

Despite the fact that the VR glasses market is still small, the most popular models can already be found on it. These include:

1. OculusRift: when creating it, the developers focused on picture quality, and they were right. Users will be able to view everything in a resolution of 2160*1200 with a refresh rate of 90 Hz - these numbers have become the standard for virtual reality glasses. But the viewing angle leaves much to be desired - only 100 degrees. The xBoxOne controller comes with the glasses.

The company works with many game developers, including indie developers, so you can expect a large number of games suitable for VR playthrough. However, these are only plans: for now, demos and a small number of games are available to owners.

The price is also not encouraging - about 600 dollars + the need to have a fairly fast and powerful computer, for which you will have to pay at least 1.5 thousand dollars. Another disadvantage is the company’s development of a new helmet: it is quite possible that the new model will retire the “ancestor” in just a couple of years;

1. HTCVive: according to experts, the brainchild of Valve is the main competitor of OculusRift. In these glasses, the main emphasis was placed on the person’s position in space, but the picture did not suffer from this: the resolution and fps remained the same, and the viewing angle increased to 110 degrees. The company is focused on working with Steam, and therefore we can expect a large number of good games.

Along with the helmet, the client receives two motion sensors, which should be placed in the corners of the room. By reading the player's position, they transport him into the game world. While the glasses are still imperfect and don't allow the player to do absolutely everything, they are much more accurate and have a lot of potential. However, the price for such pleasure is also higher – about $800. The need for a good computer has not gone away either;

1. MicrosoftHoloLens: This headset is designed to connect the virtual and real worlds. By layering objects on top of each other, it allows you to see, for example, the surface of the moon on a table or game characters in the living room. At the same time, the glasses do not need communication with a computer: they work autonomously from the built-in Windows 10 OS and battery.

Its most significant disadvantage is the price - about 3 thousand dollars.

1. FoveVR: a feature of the model is its response to the position of the player’s eyes. The objects he is looking at become the clearest, the rest are slightly blurred. Glasses start at $350.

Attention! SonyPlaystationVRProjectMorpheus glasses are designed only for the Playstation 4 console and cannot be connected to a computer.

Choosing a virtual reality helmet is quite a troublesome task. It is necessary not only to make sure that it will be compatible with the equipment, but also to check whether the helmet fits, whether it has the necessary games, whether it turns out that after the release of a new model the old one will become obsolete, etc.

Corrective 3D glasses - is it possible?

Initially, users of corrective glasses to view stereo films and stereo images were forced to wear 3D glasses over their corrective glasses, which did not always provide high-quality three-dimensional images. But today the situation is changing.

Thus, LG has introduced special passive 3D attachments that are conveniently attached to glasses designed for vision correction. This is one of the easiest ways to watch movies and videos in stereoscopic format for those who wear corrective glasses and do not want to wear additional 3D glasses over them. In the new glasses, the 3D image is absolutely identical to that obtained in traditional passive glasses; In addition, they provide protection against ultraviolet radiation.

Marchon3D and Younger Optics, in turn, announced the start of cooperation to develop and produce 3D prescription lenses. Based on the developments of Marchon3D, Younger Optics intends to produce semi-blanks for 3D lenses with circular polarization, and the use of digital surface processing will make it possible to produce single vision and progressive lenses based on them.

Video review of 3D glasses with anaglyph lenses Video

2.1. Children's 3D glasses with polarization

Polarized stereo glasses have a simpler design, so choosing them is easier.

As in the previous case, the first thing you need to do is check compatibility. To do this, simply indicate the TV model to the seller, and he will help you make the right choice.

Polarized 3D glasses also have a limited operating range, which does not exceed 6 meters. There are also models with a shorter range, so check this indicator with the seller.

Polarization type

The activity of children should be taken into account here. After all, they cannot sit still and constantly turn their heads.

For small viewers, circular polarization is the best choice, since in this case the image quality does not deteriorate when the head is tilted. In this case, wearing glasses with linear polarization, you must watch the film strictly perpendicular to the plane of the screen. When tilted, image quality drops significantly and 3D effects disappear.

A budget option

If you want a budget option for homemade glasses, make paper ones. In this case, it is worth taking a frame made of cardboard, because it is easier to glue the lenses to it. You will also need large transparent tape and transparent silicone film, three felt-tip pens in red, blue and green, and sharp scissors.

Description of work:

• Let's draw and cut out the frame from cardboard. Let's attach the empty windows of the frame to the film and trace the outline with some marker or pencil, and then cut out two lenses;
• Next you need to do the painting. Let's paint one lens red, the other green and blue, on different sides. Let's wait until they dry;
• glue the lenses on both sides and secure them to the frame with tape. The red lens will be for the left eye, the blue-green lens is needed for the right eye. So we made an anaglyph product.

How to choose

There are models costing over 20 thousand rubles, but you can find sales at a discount. Choosing stereo glasses for an interactive cinema is necessary both according to technical characteristics and personal preferences. For a computer, you should choose anaglyph glasses or shutter glasses. Don’t forget this fact: not only the purchased device is important, but also the components of the computer itself (for example, a monitor). Models with a battery that ensures uninterrupted operation are more expensive. If it is completely discharged, the glasses are recharged in 2 hours.

How they work

In adults, the eyes are located at a distance of 58 to 72 mm from each other. When a person looks at an object, a pulse called parallax is triggered in the brain. With it you see pictures from two points of view. We can explain in detail how 3D glasses work as follows: a person perceives the world around him from different angles, at a certain distance. Through the retinas of the left and right eyes, image information is transmitted to the brain directly to the visual center.

After processing the received images, a three-dimensional image is formed by comparing two signals. If you close one eye, you will not be able to perceive volumetric technology, since with monocular vision the signal will be supplied from one source. The brain center will immediately cease to perceive the distance, shape, size of objects and things. Because of this, people with visual impairments (for example, severe vision loss in one eye or blindness) have problems viewing 3D.

How to watch 3D on TV and is it convenient?

The transition of cinemas to the 3D format has stimulated many wide-screen fans to bring a new product into their home in the form of a mid-diagonal, but, as sellers assure, functional TV. With that same fabulous function that changes reality... Meanwhile, advertising slogans ignore the fact that the 3D picture is not broadcast live. There are no channels with such high bandwidth yet. We can only be content with watching 3D remakes of old films, which, unfortunately, do not impress with the same quality of visualization “beyond the TV” as, for example, “Avatar” in 2009.

Speaking about new films, one cannot help but notice that the release of the next product on cinema screens occurs much faster than an HD release on Blu-ray. This is due to the fact that 3D films for TV on a secure electronic medium end up on the network. A premature leak of the film will have a disastrous effect on the box office, which means that the management of the film company will not receive the corresponding profit.

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Categories: Hobbies and handicrafts

In other languages:

English: Make Your Own 3D Glasses, Français: fabriquer vos propres lunettes 3D, Español: hacer tus propias gafas 3D, Deutsch: Eine 3D Brille selber machen, Português: Fazer Seus Próprios Oculos 3D, Nederlands: Maak je eigen 3D bril, Italiano: Creare i Tuoi Occhiali 3D, 中文: 制作自己的3D眼镜, Bahasa Indonesia: Membuat Kacamata 3D

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