3D television

`3DTV´ is the general name for television systems which allow the viewer to perceive `depth´ in the scene he watches. Our perception of depth is linked to many elements in the scene, such as size of objects, texture, etc. One of the most important feature for objects close to us is the difference seen by the left and right eye (`binocular disparity´). A 3D television (3D TV) is a television set that employs techniques of 3D presentation. A special viewing device project a television program into a realistic three-dimensional field. As good as the picture is on modern high definition televisions, the image on the screen is still locked in two dimensions. Due to the rise of popular 3D feature films (namely Pixar´s "Up" and James Cameron´s "Avatar"), many manufacturers are starting to make, or at least announce televisions that will bring your viewing experience into the 3D dimension. Year 2010 was a breakout year for 3D TV, 3D movies and 3D content. Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of Dream Works Animation SKG Inc., calls 3D media "the greatest innovation that has happened for the movie theaters and for moviegoers since color". To date, the largest complaint has been the lack of content and the frustration with special eyewear. Companies have exhibited glasses-free (or “autostereoscopic”) TV prototypes for years, but CES 2011 brought the first commercial models. This will be launched in the second half of the year. Non consumer applications include virtual reality applications, scientific research and education, industrial design and monitoring. In medicine, 3D images may aid diagnosis as well as surgery and transportation. In industry, they may aid design and prototyping machines or products involving moving parts. In education and science, they may allow unmatched visualization capability.