3D Technology Applied to Digital Frames - A Sign of a Healthy Growing Industry

The technology transition from 2D to 3D has already started. 3D applications are available on TVs, game consoles, cell phones, digital frames and other electronic devices. This is a logical next step in technology.

3D technology, however, is not at all new. Way back in 1853 in Germany, anaglyphs or traditional 3D images were developed. An anaglyph image consists of 2 pictures, one for each eye. By filtering the left eye image to remove blue and green and filtering the right eye image to remove red, each eye will see a slightly different picture when seen through special colored glasses. This "tricks" the brain into blending the 2 images, giving the illusion of depth and resulting in a stereographic image.

Technology is now available that can change any 2D picture into a 3D picture. This kind of conversion can be applied to TVs and digital frames and other electronic devices using human visual perception characteristics. This results in a more detailed 3Ds and a better viewing experience.

There are at least 5 digital frame manufacturers producing frames that can convert 2D images to 3D images:

• eMotion has a 3D frame that does not require glasses because the conversion happens in the software. This frame will also play videos in 3D.

• Sony has introduced a 3D prototype that is cylindrical so that pictures can be viewed at 360 degrees.

• Frame Wizard produces a product with software that can change 2D digital photos into moving 3D photos. Eyes will blink and leaves will fall from the images in this frame.

• Apple has also gotten into the act with glasses that can be worn and plugged into the iPod, iPhone and soon the iPad to enable watching videos in 3D on those devices. A stereoscopic image creating the illusion of 3D will be produced because the lenses will be able to split the image into 2 different frames.

• The Aiptek company has produced a frame that is designed to display photos and videos taken with Aiptek's 3D camcorder. It is the camcorder which has the software that can convert 2D photos and videos into 3D.

3D technology applied to digital frames is a very strong sign that this industry has the ability to keep up with the latest technology and is in itself a healthy and growing technology.