75% growth

The heading's amazing growth figure is what InAvate reports based on DisplaySearch's findings for 3D stereoscopic displays to experience by 2018. Of course, as the research also explains, this means mostly consumer sales and 3D at home.

Planar's 3D Stereoscopic Monitors with patented StereoMirror technology are not meant for home, though. With double the resolution compared to the standard home solutions - HD or not - these monitors are meant for professionals. Some Planar staff have experimented playing console games utilising the added fun of the StereoMirror technology and apparently the effect has been huge: the legend tells that beers almost went untouched on a "boys' night in" doing the testing. But just for gaming these monitors prove a bit pricey still.

Who then can truly benefit from Planar's 3D Stereoscopic Monitors? Geospatial and medical professionals appreciate the high quality picture in tasks where absolute accuracy is needed. Have a read of Planar's latest ebook on the requirements of geospatial professionals for 3D stereoscopic monitors, released just now!

Back to the 3D Movies: Avatar

Just a short note on the wonderful world of the 3D cinema. Avatar hit the screens in December 2009. Even if the story didn't dazzle everyone, they were amazed by the visual effects.

But like after any given party, there comes the hangover...

StereoMirror Aids in Reading Mammograms

With the recent debate over new medical guidelines for routine mammographies for women under the age of 50 who are not in a high risk group, women may become even more concerned about the accuracy involved with reading their imaging test results. Planar's StereoMirror 3D displays plays a pivitol role in reading stereoscopic digital mammography results in many clinics, hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country by aiding radiologist who are responsible for providing a quick, accurate diagnosis and assessment.

With the ability to see breast tissue in 3D, diagnosis tends to be more accurate and breast abnormalities are detected earlier than in standard tests. Viewing the image on a stereo display workstation allows a radiologist to see the internal structure of the breasts in 3D and provides an in-depth view of the breast, substantially reducing the limitations of standard mammography.

Available in several viewable sizes, Planar's StereoMirror displays SD1710, SD2220W and SD2620W can be used to significantly improve the image radiologists are viewing when reading mammograms.

Let us know what you think about 3D mammography vs standard mammography screening.

Ultra-Thin Bezel LCD Video Wall System

Have you seen the latest series of giant video walls popping up in retail environments across the country? Some are better than others, for sure. One recently launched product standing out though is the Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall.

The cool feature with this video wall has to be the ultra-thin bezel that provides awesome tiled visual performance. Just think what it's like to view a bunch of video wall panels with thick bezels breaking the visual flow. Now, think of viewing a wall of panels that look seemless. You get the picture!

Clarity Matrix utilizes commercial-grade 46" LCD panels with breakthrough narrow-bezel characteristics resulting in just a 7.3mm pixel-to-pixel gap between images. Now that's thin! And, it's easy to mount, too.

Let us know where you've seen a video wall recently.

Planar 3D in the hunt for Alzheimer's?

Planar's 3D Stereoscopic monitors are used as a part of a vital race with time to help predict Alzheimer's disease early. See CBS's Health Specialist Kathy Walsh reporting from University of Colorado Denver with the images of Planar's 3D being used for vision testing to develop a test which will help in early detection of the disease thus helping the patient to live healthier and longer.

CBS on 30th September 2009: "Vision test could predict risk for Alzheimer's"

Yes, I could go on boasting about the wonderful multiuser capability, which can be seen on the clip and did you notice how the monitor could be used in the standard office lighting while not strictly staying on the "sweet spot" and still get the benefits of a 3D image...? But no, I think I will use this space and chance to spread the awareness of the disease.

Early detection is the key, so be sure to know the sympthoms of Alzheimer's and to spot them on your loved ones - if not yourself - to get early treatment. According to University of Colorado Denver, they hope to have the test ready in about 4 years... That's a long time with Alzheimer's!

Look for more information on Alzheimer's and local contacts from the following organisations:

• Alzheimer's Society in the UK.
• Muistiliitto Ry in Finland in Finnish, Swedish and English.
• Alzheimer's Association in the US with information in Spanish and Chinese included.
• Société Alzheimer Society in Canada with information in English and French.

See also Alzheimer's awareness advertisements on AdFreak's blog entry. There are a French and a British version - which one is your "favourite" and sticks in your mind better?

3D cinema

Do I even have to mention it: 3D cinema is here to stay. As one of the topics on the previous blog post about 3D content, here is a wider exploration on 3D cinema.

Here in Finland the new era of 3D cinema started a bit over a year ago with footage from U2's previous world tour with a film called U23D and the visually magnificent Journey to the Center of the Earth (click here to see the trailer). Currently Up 3D entertains the younger audiences in about 20 cinemas where 3D viewing is available in Finland - that might not sound like much to you but it's more than in any other Nordic country, so it makes us Finns very proud!

3D cinema is a topical issue, see e.g. how Kevin Smith discusses 3D cinema on YouTube. Topical, yes, even if the whole thing was already invented in the 50's: the firstever 3D film was Bwana Devil in 1952. Back then the idea also was that 3D would come and save the cinema. Sounds familiar, eh? With DVD's and Blu-Ray's and home cinema equipment turning out ever more popular and the technologies used becoming more advanced, the cinema needs something "new" to attract the crowds to enjoy the BIG screen. Is 3D the answer?

Planar's 3D products are originally designed for use by professionals in photogrammetry and for geospatial applications. Read more about the 3D monitors, which Planar offers and which could be useful in post production stages of creating 3D cinema.

Where does 3D content come from?

We all know and have perhaps already experienced how large film studios are experimenting with 3D. However experts doubt 3D films will make a real breakthrough anytime soon, as lack of possibilities for viewing 3D films at home will keep the profits still rather thin for films produced in 3D. In the following are some examples of other sources of 3D content.

• You can find advertising agencies and production companies creating 3D content, for example Trick or Treat Studio in Italy.




• You can buy various 3D content, for example for games design like Content Paradise offers on their website.




• Google Earth boasts of all the 3D content they keep adding, like in this blog entry from June 2009.




• There are various companies with various options for 3D software, like Cortona 3D.




• One of our 3D stereoscopic demos is just returning from a trip to Hannover and Rhodes, where it was used for aesthetic surgeons 3D software. See the earlier blog entry "Planar & Beauty".

The applications for 3D stereoscopic monitors are vast! Where would you utilize a professional quality, high resolution 3D monitor...?