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3D Cinema comes of age

Although 3D in cinemas has been around for a long time, until now it has been not much more than a novelty. The big Hollywood studios, spurred on by new digital technology, are investing heavily in the format, with a number of high profile 3D blockbusters about to hit the big screen. Alongside the huge investment, around 10 cinemas a week in the UK are implementing the digital projection systems required to display 3D films.

3D technology has actually been around longer than many of you might imagine. As early as 1894, the pioneering British film maker, William Friese-Green patented a process for 3D movies using a stereoscope.

Although the first taste of 3D for many of us was the 1983 release of 'Jaws', 1952 witnessed the first feature length 3D movie, 'Bwana Devil', followed in 1953 by the classic Warner Brothers 'House of Wax'

Relatively cheap to buy and set up, digital 3D projectors have replaced the twin analogue ones that were notoriously difficult to set up and maintain. At the same time, digital film has made the costs of distribution far cheaper. 3D is also difficult to copy, a life line for an industry ravaged by illegal copying

Tron legacy in 3D December 2010

The huge success of James Cameron's 3D science fiction epic, Avatar (taking over $2 billion worldwide) has cemented belief in the potential success of the new format.

The much anticipated 'Tron legacy' 3D, sequel to the 1982 Disney classic, 'Tron' has been praised for its stunning extra dimensional effects.

3D Cinema Technology

IMAX 3D cinemas use very large single projectors with dual lenses which accommodate dual rolls of film. Two rolls of 70mm film pass through the projector, one for each eye.

The projectors are very expensive to buy and complex to maintain. Movie goers need to wear polarising filter glasses or electric active shutter glasses.

In 2008, IMAX announced plans to upgrade its 394 cinemas to DLP digital projection. DLP technology is fast becoming an integral part of the 3D movie making process. During the filming of "Avatar," DLP projectors were used for real time viewing of the footage being shot. DLP Cinema projectors were also used during the post production process to provide superior contrast ratios, color calibration and sharp 3D imagery.

There are currently around 100 installations of 3D DLP projectors in the UK.

The other 3D Cinema format, RealD, also works by projecting a double image, one for each eye.

The system of projection however is slightly different, with just one lens alternately projecting images for the left and right eye at 144 times per second.

Each projected frame is 'polarised' to suit the corresponding filters in special polarised glasses.

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