A Device Uses Two LCD Monitors and a Semitransparent Mirror to Generate 3D Images

Engineers at Planar Systems Inc., Beaverton, Oreg. (www.planar.com), have developed a low-cost StereoMirror display. The display combines two monitors to view 3D images. The new SD1710 offers 1,280 × 1,024-pixel resolution. Its two LCDs, one mounted atop the other, are separated by a 110° angle. A semitransparent mirror bisects that angle and combines images from both LCDs. One LCD, however, delivers polarized light to the mirror. Thus, when viewers don polarizing glasses, a different image is sent to left and right eyes, creating a 3D image in this mirror.

Three-dimensional images retain the full resolution, response time, and color saturation of the individual LCDs. The unit can also be used as a standard 2D LCD. The unit also supports a broad platform of OpenGL, DirectX, and Windows applications that use offthe- shelf dual DVI output- graphics cards.

Edited by Stephen J. Mraz