Did You Know You Can Watch 3D Movies On Any Computer With Anaglyph Glasses?

Well ok, we are not talking about proper super high-tech active shutter 3D movies, but still, the stereoscopic 3D technology allows you to watch side-by-side videos on any computer and make the most of its 3D effect thanks to anaglyph glasses. No need for ultra-performant technology to see a bullet come out of your screen : thanks to a stereoscopic player and red / cyan glasses, you can watch side-by-side 3D videos on any common monitor. Following is an explanation on how to proceed.

Side-By-Side, Anaglyph, Stereoscopic… What Does This All Mean?

First, lets explain some vocabulary around 3D technology in order to understand fully how it works:

• Stereoscopic: designate the process of viewing together two photographs of the same object that are taken at slightly different angles, creating an impression of depth and solidity.
• Anaglyph: designate the process by which two stereoscopic photographs are printed in different colours, usually red and cyan, and superimposed in order to produce a stereo effect when viewed with appropriate filters over each eye.
• Side-by-side (SBS): means that the two images are superimposed side-by-side (left-right). It opposes to top-bottom, where the images are superimposed… Guess how ? Top-bottom, of course.
• 3D: means that two different images are sent to each eye.

Now, the best of the best of 3D tech is the active shutter 3D, where the television monitor switches rapidly between two different images, many times per second, while you wear special glasses which are synchronised to the television, each lens alternating between dark and clear at the exact same time, using tiny liquid crystal cells and an electrical signal. But for this, you need advanced designed technology and specific glasses that can’t be copied at home.

So, How Can I Read Side-By-Side Videos To Watch 3D Movies?

So today, let focus on the HSBS technology (Half Side-By-Side), which you can use on any CRT, LCD or LED television or monitor without any conversion needed, nor any fancy 3D TV nor any crazy 3D graphic card. You just need a stereoscopic player and anaglyph (red / cyan) glasses.

• Step One:

First, you’ll need to download a stereoscopic player. You can use the one from 3dtv.at, which is free for us all. Don’t forget to leave a little thanks.

• Step Two:

Then, you’ll need to get some side-by-side anaglyph 3D video clip or movie for a test. If you don’t know how to find any of these online, just try on YouTube 3D, there are plenty for free.

• Step Three:

Open the stereoscopic converter and don’t mess the settings, they are perfect the way they are. Drag the video into the player (or click on “File”, select “Open”) and import the side-by-side footage into the software.

• Step Four:

A pop-up dialogue box will open: you need to select the option “Side By Side – Right Image First”. If you like, you may also select an aspect ratio, according to your preferences and screen size.

And that’s it! The image on your screen should look reddish and foggy and you just need to put your anaglyph glasses to enjoy the 3D effect of your movie. No need for further conversion or configuration, you are ready to plunge into your video right now!

Tips On How To Make your Own SBS 3D Glasses

Now if you want to do it all by yourself, you can also create your own anaglyph red / cyan goggles. But to be honest, we do recommand you buy a solid pair that you can find for only a couple of coins in any cheap toy shop.  Still, if you feel like doing your own pair by yourself, here are a few tips to make something that doesn’t look like a joke on your eyes.

First find a goggles frame and take of the lenses. Then cut off crystal clear plastic to replace the lenses. You can use cellophane, transparency sheet for overhead projectors, hard CD “jewel case” or else clear acetate sheets in order to have very transparent lenses.

In order to colour your new lenses, you have two options, a cheap one and a more accurate one:

• The cheap way is to use basic markers. Colour the plastic and shade off with your fingers if needed. If the colour is too light, colour both sides of the lens. This way, you can make your glasses in a couple of minutes, but the result won’t be very efficient as there are few chances the colours will be the exact same as the ones used by your stereoscopic player.
• If you want a more effective colour and you have a performant printer and a good quality plastic, you may also print on it directly. This way, you will be able to select the exact colour corresponding to the ones used by your stereoscopic player. For this, know that the RGB colour codes for red and cyan are 255-0-0 (red) and 0-0-255 (cyan).

Now you are fully ready to enjoy any side-by-side video on any monitor in an instant. On your marks, set, plunge!