3D without the TV
Even the smallest cinemas are investing in 3D screens these days, and there’s hardly a single Hollywood release which hasn’t been produced with stereoscopic viewing in mind.
If you haven’t read it yet, it’s worth checking out our primer on 3DTV, which explains how the current generation of high end televisions is bringing cinematic effects into your lounge.
But what about the 3D experience beyond watching movies and sports? There’s a new generation of gadgets either available now or just around the corner, which take the advantages of 3D into fully interactive entertainment, adding extra depth effects to photos and videogames and putting you right in the middle of the action.
Why you need a 3D laptop
The most obvious migration of 3D technology has been to laptop screens and computer monitors. New notebooks like the Acer Aspire 5745DG use the same techniques as 3DTVs so that you can watch 3D Blu-ray films on the go.
When you buy a laptop like this, everything you need is included, down to a pair of active shutter glasses that stay in sync with the high-speed screen.
Laptops, however, are much more versatile than a 3DTV, and it’s here that 3D really comes into its own. With the right software installed, for example, you can view still photos in full 3D.
3D photography
3D photography works best if you own a dual lens digital compact camera like the FujiFilm Finepix W3 3D. This takes a separate photo for each eye, which are overlaid in the viewer to create a natural depth effect.
Even if you don’t own a 3D camera, however, many software photo viewers can turn 2D pictures into 3D tableaux.
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Consider buying
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Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo’s 3D handheld games console paves the way for a whole new generation of interactive entertainment with 3D effects, and you won’t even need to wear glasses to enjoy it.
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NVIDIA GeForce 3D Vision Glasses
A 3D-ready laptop or PC screen should come with a single pair of specs, but why not share the experience with a spare pair for family and friends?
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FujiFilm Finepix W3 3D
Add depth to your shots with the FujiFilm Finepix W3 3D. It has two lenses and two sensors for stereoscopic snapping, but is as easy to use as a digital compact.