How Do 3D TVs Work?

How Do 3D Televisions Work?

Before we begin, let's take a closer look at the dynamics of a 3D TV. Stereoscopy, or 3D imaging, does not entail rocket science, but it calls for a bit of cunning and trickery in order to fool your brain into seeing a 3D picture. Fundamentally, stereoscopic images appear blurred when viewed with naked eyes. That's because the display is sending two sets of images, one for the left and the other for the right eye. When applied with the right type of eyewear (depending on the 3D technology used), these two images are combined by the brain which then interprets them as a single image with depth. These left and right images are typically shot on cameras with discrete lenses, spaced marginally apart to create a slightly different perspective. Alternatively, a conventional 2D film can be post-processed to create left and right eye pictures.      

In the past, flatscreen displays did not make suitable candidates for 3D due to their slower frame rates. For example, a 50Hz TV can only yield 25 frames per second (for each eye) at best. It is unlikely anyone would enjoy flickering 3D images, would they? Thankfully, the AV landscape has evolved dramatically since then. With native 100Hz or 120Hz frame rates (do not confuse this with pixel response time) being a reality now, manufacturers are empowered to develop functional 3D screens for the consumer end. As we speak, however, TV makers are still in the process of tweaking their offerings to bring the stereoscopic experience one step closer to perfection.