[Introduction] - Types of 3D Display


VOLUMETRIC VS HOLOGRAPHIC VS INTEGRAL

In traditional “3D” displays, such as in cinema, TV, etc., viewer’s head and eye movements are very limited this is because they are not Real 3D. Its essentially showing two showing two 2D images to each eye.


Image 1: Resembling sunglasses, RealD circular polarized glasses are now the standard for theatrical releases and theme park attractions.



There are mainly four types of displays that can be constituted as Real 3D displays. Meaning the display shows three full dimension. They are Volumetric Display, Holographic Display, Intergral Imaging and Compressive light field displays.



Volumetric Display:


Image 2: VOXON's VX1



These types of display points of light within a volume. These points of light are different from traditional pixels hence they are called voxels. The technology also includes displays in multiple planes which are display planes stacked up. This is what VOXON’s VX1 uses.



Holographic Display:
Binocular disparity, motion parallax, accommodation and convergence are the four mechanisms that a Holographic display has the ability to provide.


Image 3: 3D Hologram – ACESForce


It can do so without any special glasses and induces no visual fatigue to the human eyes.

Intergral Imaging:

This technology is similar to holograms because it also has no need for any special glasses but it achieves a 3D image with the use of arrays of micro lenses in front of the image. Depending on the viewing angle each lens will show different part of an image.

Image 4: Integral imaging 3D display - 3DLab@INHA

This is a bit different to showing 2D image in all directions. It is more like reproducing 4D light field and as such when viewer moves it exhibits parallax creating a stereo image.

Compressive light field displays:
Also known as Tensor Displays. Compressive light field displays technology uses LCD panels and compression algorithms.


Image 5: Image credit: MIT Media Lab, Camera Culture Group

Here is a video for quick run down on this technology:



This technology is very recent. MIT Media Lab is currently working on a prototype that makes use of this technology.

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