From: drascic@ie.utoronto.ca (SpIke)
Subject: Re: 3DTV via LCD Glasses?
Organization: University of Toronto, Department of Industrial Engineering
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 16:39:12 GMT

watters@darwin.genetics.washington.edu (Mike Watters) writes:

>In article <1992Sep2.154336.13572@samba.oit.unc.edu> Curt.Miller@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Curt Miller) writes:

>>I was wondering if anyone has done any work with 3DTV using LCD
>>shutter glasses as the medium for portraying the three dimensional
>>image?  I have seen a demo of an inexpensive system by XSPECS-3D
>>that used a LCD visor.  It was running on a Comodore Amiga which has 
>>NTSC video output. I've also read about a system called Crystal Eyes 
>>Systems put out by Stereo Graphics Corp.  (this system has a higher
>>refresh rate)
>>	I was wondering if anyone has done any work with either of these 
>>two systems or possibly with other ones.  I would appreciate any info
>>or help I can get on this project.  Thanks!

>I probably won't be the only one to mention this, but over on my couch right
>now is sitting a Toshiba SK-3D7K stereographic camcorder.  Has all the hardware
>needed (twin lenses, CCD's etc) built right into it.  It has an interocular
>of about 60mm (parallel not converged) with an ability to adjust the window
>by shifting one of the lenses.

The Toshiba lenses DO converge, at a distance of about 20 ft.  This isn't
very good for desktop viewing.  If you remove the front panel, it is
possible to adjust the convergence to a somewhat smaller distance, giving
a much nicer display.  It is also possible to purchase lenses which you can
fit to the front which simultaneously act as telephoto lenses and which
adjust the convergence distance.  You can get cheap plastic ones through

	REEL 3D Enterprises Inc
	PO Box 2368
	Culver City, California 90231
	(310) 837-2368.

This company was selling the camcorders for US$1,000, but I don't know if
they have any left.

You can get high-quality glass lenses (and the camcorders at the original
list price of ~US$4,000), a modified lens hood to let you mount the lenses
easily, and a variety of different stereoscopic video products and films
from
	3D-TV Corp.
	PO Box Q
	San Rafael California 92913-9319
	(415) 479-3516

>Couldn't ask for an easier, more convenient system for 3DTV.  Just point and
>shoot like any other camcorder, then take it home and watch through the
>LCD visor that comes with it.  Actually, the visor is my only complaint.  It's
>just silly looking.   Big band that goes around your head with the shutters
>stuck out on a post in the front. (does get rid of flare from the side though)

The image isn't very high resolution, however.  Much better CCD cameras
are now available.  Unfortunately, they aren't pre-assembled into such
a handy package.  Furthermore, the C-VHS recorder is ALSO low
resolution.  When I've recorded with the Toshiba, I've used a SONY 8mm
Handycam as a VCR to record a higher-quality image.

I've been working with a variety of stereoscopic video (SV) systems for six
years now.  I've used the Amiga XSPECS, the Atari 3-D glasses, SEGA 3-D
glasses, Nintendo 3-D glasses, Toshiba 3-D glasses, and a few others.
The Atari were terrible, the SEGA not very good, and the rest are somewhat
similar, the Toshiba having the largest lens.

Most of these glasses work well with both 60 Hz (NTSC) frequencies and
flicker-free 120 Hz frequencies.

I've also used the StereoGraphics Corp CrystalEyes 120 Hz video system for a
year or so.  The glasses work nicely, but there is a fair bit of cross-talk
due to phosphor persistance when driving a monitor at 120 Hz.

	StereoGraphics Corp
	2171-H East Francisco Blvd
	San Rafael, California 94901
	(415) 459-4500

I don't work for any of the above companies.  I'm just a customer.

	David Drascic
	Dept of Industrial Engineering
	University of Toronto
	drascic@ie.utoronto.ca
Newsgroups: alt.3d