What is a Stereoscopic image or video?
Almost everyone has viewed a movie at home or in a theatre
that required you to wear 3D glasses and gave the impression
of things popping out of the screen or depth into the screen.
The effect is "Stereoscopic" and tricks the eyes
into perceiving depth from what is really a flat scene.
Some people refer to it as a 3D video or image, which can
be confusing as the term also relates to video or images
that are made using 3D and not necessarily viewed with
3D glasses.
Making a stereoscopic movie normally means you have to
film or Render a different image
for each of the viewer's eyes, which is what causes the
perception of 3 Dimensional depth. It's the special glasses
that you wear that separates the 2 images and provides
the final distorted perception.
The theory of stereoscopic images is too complicated for
this page as are all the different ways it can be displayed.
Of note is some new LCD technology that is available for
view Stereoscopic video without the need for special glasses.
This has great potential for controlled environments
like corporate shows, kiosk displays and other locations
where the viewing angle can be controlled.
Stereoscopic video using the red/blue glasses (Anaglyph)
can be displayed adequately on home theatre systems provided
they have a good quality screen and at least a modern DVD
player (a high-definition player like a Blu-Ray system
is much better).
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