Real 3D technology licensed to HDTVs

We all know RealD to be the real culprits behind the boom in 3D cinema attendance. If it weren’t for their technology that enables the use of inexpensive, normal-looking glasses in cinemas for 3D viewing, Avatar would still be something you’d watch either as a geek, or at home.

As we mentioned earlier, there are three technologies that use glasses for 3D viewing. The first is the funny-looking red-and-blue cardboard glasses, that put together a slightly dis-shaped image and make it look 3D. The second are the active shutter glasses. These enables 3DTV manufacturers to keep production costs down (because their screens are somewhat similar to other HDTVs). However, active shutter glasses are quite expensive ($300 a pair) and no cinema-owner in their right mind would buy a couple hundred pieces of them just to hand them over to random viewers.

RealD, however, develops a different technology that makes use of pretty cheap polarized glasses, a specialized projector and a special silver screen.

RealD glasses

Up until now, if you wanted RealD technology at home, you’d have to buy the expensive projector, plus have the silver screen installed. That’s a lot of money.

Real3D Pro 3D projector

In September, however, RealD announced they will license their 3D to HDTV manufacturers. Let’s see what they can make out if it and if this is the push the 3D market needs to become mainstream.