The resurgence in 3D can probably be wholly attributed to James Cameron’s Avatar, a 3D spectacular that laid to rest any doubts about 3D being the future of films. Before then 3D was seen as a little bit gimmicky and something that was confined to the theme parks around the world such as Universal Studios in Florida.

The reason for this is there was a push for 3D TV back in the 50’s, but the technology didn’t match up to the audience expectations and watching films in a distinctly red or green tinge took away from the experience.

So how do these modern 3D TVs compare to the cinema?

3D TV is, without doubt, the future of TV. This technology means images appear to leap out of the screen and into the room. Of course, you still need to wear the 3D glasses because the technology that would let us experience 3D without glasses is still in the laboratories. However, these are not the same kind of glasses you get given in the cinema, the 3D glasses you use to watch 3D television are a special kind called Active Shutter Glasses.

The way these new 3D TV’s work is that instead of trying to show two images at once like in the cinema, they alternate the picture, one for the left eye and then one picture for the right eye. As the television alternates the picture it sends a signal to your Active Shutter Glasses which sends a small amount of power through the lenses, instantly making them opaque or clear.

So what is happening is that when the TV shows you the right eye picture, the 3D glasses turn the left lens opaque so that you can’t see through it. When your 3D TV shows the left eye picture, your 3D glasses switch the power so that the left lens is now clear and the right lens becomes opaque.

I know this sounds clunky and that you would notice this rapid changing of the lens opacity, but it happens so quickly your brain is not able to notice it, instead forming the 3D picture in your mind.

It might help to think of a helicopter rotor blade, when it’s spinning all you can see is a disc, you can’t make out the individual blades because they are moving too fast. A similar concept applies to watching 3D TV, the picture changes so quickly between the left and right image that all your brain is able to see is the 3D image.

In order to make the TV’s give a 3D affect, the manufacturers had to increase the refresh rate from around 60 Hz to 120 Hz or more. This is because anything lower than 60 Hz and it becomes slow enough for your brain to notice the transitions. By doubling the refresh rate the 3D TV can show the left and right picture quick enough to trick your brain in to thinking it is seeing just one image. TGEHV6JMWKX2