Magnetic and NEC partner to deliver 3D sans glasses

While calling it the holy grail of 3D may be a stretch, there's no denying that the technology has been largely held back and (rightfully) seen as a gimmick due to the whole "unsightly glasses" requirement. Granted, this isn't the first time we've heard of 3D being experienced sans goggles, but the newfangled agreement between Magnetic and NEC could deliver just that to a display near you very soon. Reportedly, the duo is off demonstrating a 57-inch Enabl3D display at the Digital Signage Expo in Las Vegas, and while this iteration is admittedly aimed at commercial users, the promise of seeing imagery "pop more than a foot off the screen without the use of any special glasses" sure sounds intriguing. No word on when this stuff will be coming to everyday users, but don't be shocked to see marketers coming up with new ways to grab your attention (and frighten the young) with this in the near future.

[Aguiluz @ Feb 28th 2008 5:31PM]

And the cost? Frightens me.

[Mike @ Feb 28th 2008 5:44PM]

ENGADGET! Stop using the word "Sans" it's annoying especially when it's used in nearly every single post!

[john @ Feb 28th 2008 6:01PM]

@mike : quit your whining

[austin @ Feb 28th 2008 6:03PM]

its not customary to jack the first post, especially when you your self are only the third poster.

and you need to chill. sans is a short way to say without and it sounds more formal so chill

[Curtis the Claw Game Master V2 @ Feb 28th 2008 6:51PM]

I would enjoy Engadget sans Mike.

[packetsniffer @ Feb 28th 2008 7:17PM]

Sure, Mike is a cranky SOB, but he did make a good observation. What would an Engadget article be without the word "sans" in it? A Gizmodo article or something.

[yahmes @ Feb 28th 2008 8:32PM]

sans is actually a word hacked from the french language....it doesn't actually make it more formal...but i think its fine....sorry im being an ass about this....i just....had to say something??

who is excited for DOOM in 3D!!!!!!!

[mrpoo @ May 7th 2008 3:43PM]

"ENGADGET! Stop using the word "Sans" it's annoying especially when it's used in nearly every single post!"

Sans is always prefered over Sanz... Horatio, that is.

[fanthem @ Feb 28th 2008 6:09PM]

Imagine people watching porn on this thing. I feel bad for those tv's.

[peterjohndean1 @ Feb 28th 2008 6:29PM]

Porn in 3D is what will keep the internet profitable in future. Just as porn keeps it profitable today. Without glasses is better but technically still a problem.

[-Tj- @ Feb 28th 2008 7:04PM]

I'm a little confused here. At the last SIGGRAPH convention in San Diego, there was at least one company showing off glassesless 3D displays. They used a pair of cameras to track eye movement and a computer to calculate the correct distance for each eye, and the effect was incredible. So incredible, in fact, that I'm considering picking one up. If I recall, 17 or 19" displays start at $3500, and they had larger ones (46"?) working as well. Mind you this was back in August, well before the Mitsubishi 3D TV tech post, and I'm sure they've had this tech for a while now.

[Rick wilson @ Feb 28th 2008 7:04PM]

This technology has been shown for years a CES in computer monitors, Notebooks, CELL PHONES, and plasma screens. I'm really surprized none of those were ever reported on at engadget (maybe they were but they're not referenced here).

[Christian Martin @ Feb 28th 2008 7:34PM]

Someone at Magnetic/NEC has been watching Paycheck too much...

[DWells55 @ Feb 28th 2008 8:08PM]

Whoa, whoa, slow down there.


...


Someone actually *saw* Paycheck?

[Christian Martin @ Feb 28th 2008 9:28PM]

Yep. Well, I saw the first ten minutes anyway.

[michaelportent @ Feb 28th 2008 7:55PM]

But, but... the glasses are so damn stylish!

[site+engadget @ Feb 28th 2008 9:28PM]

There will be no content to watch on 3d.

[Damian @ Feb 28th 2008 11:35PM]

I saw three monitors like this installed in Boeing's Future of Flight exhibit at Paine Field in Everett, WA.
It was showing the internals of the new Trent 1000 engine that Rolls Royce is debuting on the 787 Dreamliner. When i walked up to the display and started looking at it, i thought i was losing my mind! It amazingly effective, the 3D effect works, but i cant imagine that it would give someone a headache after looking at the screen for a while.

[Ris @ Feb 29th 2008 4:37AM]

Correct me if im wrong, but I could have sworn that ive read about 3D panels that require no glasses on engadget before...

Something about not directing light to cross on the tv panel itself, but through it into your eyes...dunno im no expert xD

[NHAnimator @ Feb 29th 2008 8:51AM]

NEC is still in business?

Thought maybe this was a stereogram TV. You know: You put your nose right to the glass, then SLOWLY slide your chair backwards until...

[TheDude @ Feb 29th 2008 3:10PM]

saw it, touched it, loved it.
the only issue with all of these is the production needed is nothing like standard broadcast video work (no 3D Seinfeld episodes). The 3D production houses will be happy though...

[Der Wahnsinn @ Mar 6th 2008 5:28PM]

Welcome to the Animation Show!