NTT DoCoMo unveils portable 3D display

NTT DoCoMo is looking to unveil a svelte 3D portable display system at the upcoming CEATEC in Japan, but unlike the traditionally uninspiring three-dimensional products we've seen (and even the not-so-gimmicky variety), DoCoMo's device operates sans the red-tinted glasses. Working in conjunction with associate professor Yasuhiro Takagi of the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, the megacorporation has developed a 7-inch "3D display system" that makes images and video appear as if it's "leaping out from the screen." This rendition also allows viewers to experience the illusions from angles other than front and center, as onlookers can view the action within a 60-degree horizontal angle or 30-degree vertical angle without losing the wow-factor. An embedded camera senses the position of the viewer(s), and then intelligently beams the images through its lenticular (single-convex) lens attached to the front of the screen. While no word on pricing or availability outside of the CEATEC expo has been given, we can definitely envision this becoming an excellent tool to keep those mischeveous kids occupied for hours, but us grown folk will probably just hold out for the 110-inch version.

[HughJass @ Sep 30th 2006 3:53PM]

For what it's worth, the glasses are generally tinted red in one side and green in the other :-)
But this display does sound quite fascinating. Maybe someday in the near future these will make it to local Best Buys so we can judge for ourselves.

[jbulava @ Sep 30th 2006 4:39PM]

Sounds great, but I've seen monitors similar to this one (sans camera) at SIGGRAPH a couple years ago. Unfortunately, the quality of the image goes way down due to the lenticular lens...picture those 3D images on special DVD cases that move when you tilt it back and forth. Hopefully that has been improved, otherwise the trade-off isn't quite worth it yet.

[Atanas Boev @ Oct 1st 2006 4:19AM]

I don't see anything new here. This is called autostereoscopic lenticular screen, take a look here
http://www.inition.co.uk/inition/products.php?CatID_=5#1
We have the NewSight and the Philipst screens in our lab. The technology is alomost on the border of being consumer-grade (I mean almost as good as one would expect from a TV in his living room). However, it is still "almost".
Also fo a very long time SHARP are selling laptops and cellphones with autostereoscopic screens, however theirs have only two views, instead of 8 (newsight) or 9 (philips).
At our lab we have a big inter-university project (Fraunhofer HHI included) dealing with 3DTV. The website is at http://www.3dtv-research.org/. Wish us luck, and maybe after two years you will have 3DTV in your living room :)

[Junky @ Oct 1st 2006 9:44PM]

Won't that be nice. You are sitting near the side of the television and all the action is blocked by a building that happens to be on that side of the screen. Sure makes for a coveted center seat.