IMAX 3D vs RealD vs Dolby 3D
This article does not pretend to a complete picture of the world, to objective information and scientific research. This is just an attempt to compare disparate information and summarize some statistics about current 3D technologies. In the last few days I was often asked about the differences between IMAX 3D, RealD and Dolby 3D technologies and which one to choose when watching a movie. There will be no definite choice, whoever wants to will be able to choose according to the facts provided.
For a long time, people, by virtue of the binocularity of view, sought to capture our world as we perceive it, i.e. three-dimensional. The first successful works, which are known at the moment, belong to the 19th century . In the 20th century, humanity did not stop at static stereo images. The film industry began to develop at a frantic pace, and to add zest, they began to shoot the first films in 3D, using anaglyph. The technology involves the use of two cameras, color coding is used for the display. She quickly gained popularity due to ease of implementation: you need to view a color-coded movie and glasses with red and blue light filters. Show such a movie can be in any cinema. Now you can watch these movies on your computer. The main disadvantage of this technology is incomplete color reproduction.
Then there were various technologies of alternating overlapping of the eye, but they are complex and not so interesting, about their history some other time.
At the moment, there are three main 3D display technologies in cinemas on the market, two of which are based on polarization, the third is an evolution of anaglyph technology: IMAX 3D, RealD and Dolby 3D.
IMAX 3D
Technology has appeared the first of the popular now, the first films were released in the last century. To create three-dimensionality, linear polarization of the film and special glasses are used. “+” A big plus of IMAX technology is the use of 70 mm film and, accordingly, high resolution images.
“-” The minus of linear polarization is the loss of three-dimensionality at the slightest tilt of the head to the right and left.
Wikipedia - IMAX 3D
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RealD
This is the second technology, built on polarization. Unlike IMAX, circular polarization of light is used here and corresponding glasses are used. There is also a version with an increased resolution of RealD XL, in Russia known as SuperD.
“+” A plus of technology is the possibility of a slight tilt of the head without losing the three-dimensional image.
“-” A smaller resolution compared to IMAX.
Wikipedia - RealD
"++" Pluses of polarization: cheap glasses, so it makes no sense to make them anti-vandal and heavy.
“-” Cons polarization: in order for the screen not to change the polarization of the image, you need an expensive coating of silver; image brightness is reduced due to the fact that the polarization screen is in front of the projector and blocks part of the light flux.
Dolby 3D
The technology is based on the effect of mixing images with different wavelengths. Special glasses and a projector with a special rotating light filter are used for this. A wonderful article about Dolby 3D has already been written, so it’s just useless to describe everything in color.
"+" Technology is easier to install in cinemas, because does not require special preparation of the screen. The brightness of the picture while practically does not suffer.
“-” Glasses for viewing are quite expensive, so they are made heavy and vandal resistant. In the presence of second points - it will be quite an unpleasant test for the watching movie.
PS There are other methods used at the moment, but it is difficult for me to judge them only by theoretical knowledge, so they did not fall in comparison.
PPS If there is a more suitable blog, I will transfer.
UPD: Very good article on this topic.
Story. How it all began
For a long time, people, by virtue of the binocularity of view, sought to capture our world as we perceive it, i.e. three-dimensional. The first successful works, which are known at the moment, belong to the 19th century . In the 20th century, humanity did not stop at static stereo images. The film industry began to develop at a frantic pace, and to add zest, they began to shoot the first films in 3D, using anaglyph. The technology involves the use of two cameras, color coding is used for the display. She quickly gained popularity due to ease of implementation: you need to view a color-coded movie and glasses with red and blue light filters. Show such a movie can be in any cinema. Now you can watch these movies on your computer. The main disadvantage of this technology is incomplete color reproduction.
Then there were various technologies of alternating overlapping of the eye, but they are complex and not so interesting, about their history some other time.
The present.
At the moment, there are three main 3D display technologies in cinemas on the market, two of which are based on polarization, the third is an evolution of anaglyph technology: IMAX 3D, RealD and Dolby 3D.
IMAX 3D
Technology has appeared the first of the popular now, the first films were released in the last century. To create three-dimensionality, linear polarization of the film and special glasses are used. “+” A big plus of IMAX technology is the use of 70 mm film and, accordingly, high resolution images.
“-” The minus of linear polarization is the loss of three-dimensionality at the slightest tilt of the head to the right and left.
Wikipedia - IMAX 3D
')
RealD
This is the second technology, built on polarization. Unlike IMAX, circular polarization of light is used here and corresponding glasses are used. There is also a version with an increased resolution of RealD XL, in Russia known as SuperD.
“+” A plus of technology is the possibility of a slight tilt of the head without losing the three-dimensional image.
“-” A smaller resolution compared to IMAX.
Wikipedia - RealD
"++" Pluses of polarization: cheap glasses, so it makes no sense to make them anti-vandal and heavy.
“-” Cons polarization: in order for the screen not to change the polarization of the image, you need an expensive coating of silver; image brightness is reduced due to the fact that the polarization screen is in front of the projector and blocks part of the light flux.
Dolby 3D
The technology is based on the effect of mixing images with different wavelengths. Special glasses and a projector with a special rotating light filter are used for this. A wonderful article about Dolby 3D has already been written, so it’s just useless to describe everything in color.
"+" Technology is easier to install in cinemas, because does not require special preparation of the screen. The brightness of the picture while practically does not suffer.
“-” Glasses for viewing are quite expensive, so they are made heavy and vandal resistant. In the presence of second points - it will be quite an unpleasant test for the watching movie.
As a result:
| Method | + | - | |
| IMAX 3D | Linear polarization | Light glasses Large resolution | Lower brightness Head is better not to tilt |
| RealD | Circular polarization | Light glasses You can tilt your head | Lower brightness |
| Dolby 3D | Different wavelengths | Bright image | Heavy glasses |
PS There are other methods used at the moment, but it is difficult for me to judge them only by theoretical knowledge, so they did not fall in comparison.
PPS If there is a more suitable blog, I will transfer.
UPD: Very good article on this topic.
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/79145/
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