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RealFiction's Dreamoc 3D / holographic display demoed on video
Retailers may be having a tough time moving inventory, but they're not using a Dreamoc to advertise. RealFiction's latest blend of holographic technology, 3D imagery and mind-blowing eye candy has resulted in the device you see above. Hailed as a 3D display system designed "especially for high profile brands in a competitive retail environment," this box possesses the innate ability to "mix free-floating animation and video images with physical objects." We can only imagine how lovely this would be if removed from that chamber and utilized as a tabletop HDTV, for instance, but until the company works that idea into its product line, have a look at the current incarnation (in video, no less) after the break.%Gallery-35689%
NEC shows off 12.1-inch no-glasses-required 3D display
One day, not too far off in the distant future, we have a dream that all 3D displays will be able to engross us in the third-dimension sans goggles. That these no-glasses-required 3D displays will be the rule, and not the exception. Till that fateful day arrives, however, we're still going to be impressed with ones similar to NEC's latest, a 12.1-incher with an SVGA (800 x 600) resolution. Reportedly, the outfit has developed the prototype screen to show off 3D material without requiring the viewer to ugly up their face with a set of those wonky glasses. There's no sign of a commercial release just yet, but we'll be keeping our naked eyes peeled just in case that changes.[Via Tech-On]
Seiko Epson's 500ppi 3D display for phones: how dense is dense enough?
Not that we're complaining, it's just that human eyes usually can't discern denser than 300ppi, and few interfaces are built to take advantage of... ah, who are we kidding? This is awesome. Seiko Epson has built a 2.57-inch 3D display for phones that runs at an astounding XGA resolution, and should be ready for commercial applications in two years. There's a special lenticular lens on top of the pixels to allow you to view images from multiple angles, which usually means a hit to the pixel density, but obviously this display can handle a bit of that.
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.
Miracube G240S ushers in "new generation" of 3D displays
If you're one of us futurists who agree that 2D displays are like, so 2007, you'll be pleased to hear that Pavonine Korea is a company working in three dimensions. Its new generation of 3D LCD displays, codenamed Miracube, are debuting here at CES with improved brightness, viewing angles, viewing distance and pricetags that will reportedly benefit from streamlined manufacturing process. Touted as flicker-free, the Miracube 3D displays sport a wide range of user options including easy switching between 2D and 3D modes. Beyond the obvious professional applications of 3D displays, we're personally looking forward to the day when a Big Daddy leaps directly out of the screen to drill us a new one. Meanwhile, as the Miracube sets its sights on a 3D TV mass consumer market, our advertisers can barely contain themselves at the prospect of being able to reach out and slap your face on rollover. [Via press release]
Mitsubishi shows off 3D TV technology: no glasses needed
Experiencing 3D on a television sans those horrifically unsightly glasses has been a dream for years, and while we heard that Mitsubishi had a few tricks up its sleeve last year, we're finally seeing the fruits of its labor. In a brief, completely monotonous video, the outfit demonstrates its "scalable system for real-time acquisition, transmission and autostereoscopic display of dynamic scenes," which translates to "3D TV" in layman's terms. We'll restrain from getting all up in the technicalities, but feel free to take a look at what the "future holds" in the video after the break.
AMEX Digital intros G-Plus GPS phone with 3D display
Just in case a GSM handset with a relatively sleek exterior, integrated GPS chip and a very sexy selection of color options weren't enough to pique your interest, how's about we throw in a 2.4-inch 3D display? Truth be told, we're just as in the dark as you when it comes to deciphering exactly what "3D display" means in this scenario, but we're hoping that it has more to do with 3D maps and less with gaudy goggles. Regardless, the candybar-styled handset boasts tri-band GSM connectivity, up to 2.5-hours of talk time (200-hours in standby), an embedded GPS antenna, QVGA panel, USB connectivity, a 1.3-megapixel camera, integrated media player, miniSD expansion slot and a couple of built-in games to keep you busy. Regrettably, AMEX Digital wasn't kind enough to dish out pricing or availability deets, but it looks like you can phone 'em up if one of the mobiles pictured above just climbed to the top of your must-have-at-all-costs list.
Researchers develop a 360-degree holographic display
Researchers at USC have taken another step towards that holiest of sci-fi dreams: the 3D holographic display. Using a spinning mirror covered with a "holographic diffuser," a special DVI implementation, and a high-speed projector, the team's device can project a three-dimensional image that can be viewed from 360 degrees -- regardless of the viewer's height and distance. That's impressive, but that spinning mirror looks pretty dangerous. Check a video of the system in action after the break. [Via Core77]
TWISTER: goggle-free 3D rotating panoramic display
In a device eerily akin to teleportation machines seen in major motion pictures (seriously, check it after the break), the Telexistence Wide-angle Immersive STEReoscope aims to "immerse viewers in a 3D video environment" sans those pesky goggles. Developed by a team at the University of Toyko, TWISTER is being hailed as the "world's first full-color 360-degree 3D display that does not require viewers to wear special glasses," and it's finally coming together after a decade of work. Within the cylindrical, rotating device, you'll find some 50,000 LEDs that give off the illusion of a three-dimensional object without any ocular aids. Moreover, the team is already looking into the possibility of adding 3D videophone technology to spruce up video telephony, but we'd be totally content with a couple rounds of Halo in this thing.[Via PinkTentacle]
Philips intros 20-inch 3D display -- no need for gaudy glasses
Don't count Philips as the first outfit to dream up a 3D display that allowed you to leave the eyewear at home, but it looks like the technology is coming ever closer to the mainstream -- for better or worse. The firm has reportedly developed a 20-inch LCD "designed to increase brand awareness and attention value of products at point-of-sale locations," and is showing off the (literally) eye-popping effects at this week's InfoComm. Of course, this rendition seems to be aimed at businesses rather than consumer applications, but we'd expect to see more where this came from as the WOWvx-equipped lineup expands. The newest duo consists of a frame-mountable 20-3D2W01 (pictured above) and a more decorated 20-3D2W04 if you're wanting a bezel and stand. As expected, there's no word yet on pricing or availability, but feel free to peep another shot of the third-dimension after the break.
Zalman demos 19- and 22-inch 3D displays at CeBIT
Zalman is a company traditionally known for its cooling devices which, like almost every other company out there, is looking to diversify into different markets: like the, uh, 3D gaming display market. The company showed off two 3D monitors over in Hannover for CeBIT; one being a 19-inch 5:4 1280 x 1024 iteration targeted at gamers, and the other a 22-inch widescreen 1680 x 1050 model with a more general appeal. Both of the displays require the user to wear glasses to combine the stereo images, although Zalman promises that the price of these monitors will undercut the competition as a consolation. If you get a little bored / pick up a migraine, you'll be happy to know that the monitors are capable of switching between 3D and 2D modes, although if you're crazy enough to buy a 3D display in the first place we can't see you wanting to turn off your only justification for paying extra over a regular LCD. Unfortunately there's no word on specific pricetags, nor release dates, so if you're itching to make a silly investment in a display that simulates 3D, you'll have to hold onto your wallet.
IO2 Technology intros floating M3 Heliodisplay screen
We've seen some pretty far-out display creations, and while some are admittedly more useful than others, having our own Star Wars-esque floating display has been a dream for quite some time. Thankfully a company is bringing the idea to life and to more markets than ever before, as IO2 Technology has unveiled a new 3D Heliodisplay worldwide. While the mid-air projector, as it's so aptly dubbed, had been seen a time or two before, the new M3 / M3i boasts "an improved tri-flow system for increased image stability and uniformity," enhanced brightness and clarity, a 1,024 x 768 resolution, 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios, 2000:1 contrast ratio, VGA / S-Video / composite inputs, USB, NTSC / PAL compatibility, and "significantly quieter operation" to boot. Marketed to the uber-wealthy and board room runners who'd like to teleconference on a free-space device (and blow the minds of clients), the basic M3 is available for a stiff $18,400, while the M3i -- which also serves as a "computer input device for cursor control in a desktop environment" -- will set you back $19,400.
LG unveils specs of Flatron M4200D 2D/3D display
While there's always plenty of room for skepticism when delving into the realm of 3D, we tended to think LG knew what it was doing when showing off its oh-so-intriguing 42-inch 2D/3D LCD monitor. The mysterious display now has a proper moniker (Flatron M4200D) and a bevy of specs to boot, including a "Full HD" 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, 500cd/m2 brightness, 8-millisecond response time, and a 1600:1 contrast ratio. The 3D filter is reportedly one of "lenticular" nature, which provides auto-stereoscopic images (similar to the iFusion 3D) to onlookers without the need for style-hindering glasses. Of course, attempting to capture 3D imagery on camera is a lesson in futility, so we'll have reserve judgment for its effectiveness until we can eye one ourselves, and hopefully this "unique feature" won't give LG (or M4200D viewers) the same headaches that Philips experienced when trying something nonpareil.
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.
