MIT Media lab has come up with a 3D display screen that is based on tensor technology. This is supposed to be a futuristic display technology which won’t require the wearing of special glasses. Another of its specialty is the wider viewing angles that is possible and depth of field. The development is at the prototype stages as yet. There are two variants of the screen that has been built — the first includes ‘two LCD screens with a directional backlighting unit (BLU)’ while the second prototype comprises of three panels illuminated by a regular BLU.

The 3D effect is created by the software side without banking on complex optical systems. The technology displays alternating images on the required panel by software manipulation. The hardware therefore is not that sophisticated though the program logic is. Due this reason, the cost of the tensor displays would be much lesser than the autostereoscopic panels.

Endgadget however reports that the display is dim at some times of projection. The cost factor that MIT claims can be reduced with this technology may not hold much water as the LCD screen itself is one of the costliest technology in TV today. Using three of them to get 3D effect would naturally raise the cost of the set. MIT sources have stated the technology can become a reality within the next five years.

Sovan Mandal (695 Posts)

Sovan Mandal is the senior tablet and tech corespondent for goodereader.com and 3D Specialist. He brings a international approach to news that is not just applicable to the North American market, but also Asia, India, Europe and others. Sovy brings his own writing flavor to the website and is interested in Science Fiction, Technology and Writing. Any questions, send an email