RealD 3D is a digital stereoscopic projection technology made and sold by RealD. It is currently the most widely used technology for watching 3D films in theaters.[1] Worldwide, RealD 3D is installed in more than 26,500 auditoriums by approximately 1,200 exhibitors in 72 countries as of June 2015.[2]
 | |
 Two pairs of RealD glasses demonstrating the polarization effect | |
| Type | 3D projection technology |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | RealD |
| Website | http://www.reald.com  |
Technology
editRealD 3D theater technology is a polarized 3D system that uses circularly polarized light to produce stereoscopic image projection. The advantage of circular polarization over linear polarization is that viewers are able to tilt their head and look about the theater naturally without seeing double or darkened images.[3] However, as with other systems, any significant head tilt will result in incorrect parallax and stop the brain from correctly connecting the stereoscopic images.
The high-resolution, digital cinema grade video projector alternately projects right-eye frames and left-eye frames, switching between them 144 times per second.[3] The projector is either a Texas Instruments Digital Light Processing (DLP) device or Sony's reflective LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon). A push-pull electro-optical liquid crystal modulator called a ZScreen is placed immediately in front of the projector lens to alternately polarize each frame. It circularly polarizes the frames clockwise for the right eye and counter-clockwise for the left eye.[4] The audience wears circularly polarized glasses that have oppositely polarized lenses that ensures each eye sees only its designated frame. In RealD Cinema, each frame is projected three times to reduce flicker, a system called triple flash. The source video is usually produced at 24 frames per second per eye (total 48 frames/s), which may result in subtle ghosting and stuttering on horizontal camera movements. A silver screen is used to maintain the light polarization upon reflection and to reduce reflection loss to counter some of the significant light loss due to polarization filter absorption. The result is a 3D picture that seems to extend behind and in front of the screen itself.[5]
History
editLenny Lipton developed the first flicker-free electronic stereoscopic display, and founded the company StereoGraphics Corporation in 1980.[6] In March 1, 2003 the company RealD was founded by Joshua Greer, Michael V. Lewis, and Richard Boyd, and two years later acquired StereoGraphics and its technology. In 2005 the first commercial cinema installation was rolled out in North America, and by 2009 over 10 000 cinemas had 3D-enabled screens. At the same year, the movie Avatar helped increasing the popularity of 3D movies in cinemas.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ Verrier, Richard (2009-03-26). "3-D technology firm RealD has starring role at movie theaters". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
- ↑ ""Jurassic World" In 3D Delivers Approximately 65% Of Universal Pictures Record-Breaking International Opening Weekend". RealD. Archived from the original on June 22, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
- 1 2 Cowan, Matt. "Real D 3D Theatrical System" (PDF). European Digital Cinema Forum. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
- ↑ "RealD - Visual Technology". RealD - Visual Technology.
- ↑ Cowan, Matt. "Presentations (technical)". RealD Media Room downloadable files. Archived from the original on 2009-08-03. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
- ↑ Sokol, John (2010-12-21). "Video Technology: Who is Lenny Lipton?". Video Technology. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
- ↑ Forces, Porters Five (2026-01-15). "What is Brief History of RealD Company?". Porter's Five Forces. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
Further reading
edit- US patent 7477206, "Enhanced ZScreen modulator techniques", issued January 13, 2009, assigned to RealD
- US patent 6975345, "Polarizing modulator for an electronic stereoscopic display", issued December 13, 2005, assigned to StereoGraphics Corporation
- US patent 5481321, "Stereoscopic motion picture projection system", issued January 2, 1996, assigned to Lenny Lipton
- US patent 4884876, "Achromatic liquid crystal shutter for stereoscopic and other applications", issued December 5, 1989, assigned to Lenny Lipton
- US patent 4792850, "Method and system employing a push-pull liquid crystal modulator", issued December 20, 1988, assigned to StereoGraphics Corporation
External links
edit
- Official website
- Who is Lenny Lipton? About Inventor and Chief technical officer of RealD through 2008