To adjust your TV or projector correctly, download test patterns at our test-patterns information site, www.testbilder.de (German only).

Question: Does active technology (shutter glasses) offer more resolution than passive 3D technology?

Answer: Currently, yes. In passive 3D technology, a polarizing filter (a Film‐type patterned retarder) in the display causes it to emit light using the interlaced technique (one field for the left eye and one for the right). The polarized glasses designed for this technology allow each eye to see only the correct half of the lines, whereby at typical viewing distances the image can appear to contain regularly spaced horizontal gaps, reminiscent of an old tube TV.

Q: Why do two fields in passive 3D technology not combine to give a frame with full HD resolution?

A: Picture errors become visible in each eye as a result of the black stripes mentioned above (the lines intended for the other eye), which correspond to the highest vertical resolution. In addition, the viewer is not able to overlay these finely structured images so that they complement one another. This structure only disappears when the viewer moves far enough away from the picture. At the necessary distance, however, the viewer is not able to perceive the highest‐resolution picture details.

Q: Do two 3D channels add up to give an image with higher resolution?

A: No. In practice, even under ideal conditions, the opposite is usually the case. 3D technology is significantly more susceptible to loss of resolution, as a result of its complexity and the additional elements involved in recording (e.g., beam splitters) and playback (glasses and filters in the display).

On top of this, there is the problem of the image being darker; with all currently available technologies, more than 50% of the brightness is lost in comparison to 2D. This causes a further reduction in the image’s subjectively perceived resolution.

Therefore, although current playback technology necessarily means some detail is lost, one might argue that the second perspective in the image introduces new picture information (albeit to a lesser extent). In strict terms, however, this has nothing to do with image resolution.

Q: Do the observed weaknesses in 3D operation also lead to poorer picture quality in 2D?

A: According to our tests, this is only the case with passive glasses technology. With some TVs with
passive 3D technology, we identified the following disadvantages in comparison to normal TVs:

‐ Limited viewing angle: Microlenses or frame patterned retarder layers limit the viewing angle.
‐ Detail reproduction: To reduce crosstalk, fine details are often filtered out of the image.

However, one major advantage of 3D TVs should not go unmentioned: Since the technical demands for good 3D are far more challenging than for good 2D, 3D TVs are frequently also more powerful in 2D operation — and, especially in terms of motion sharpness, are often better than devices that deal solely with 2D.

Q: What are 3D displays with 4K resolution needed for?

A: Currently, these are used primarily to combat the reduced resolution of passive systems (polarization or autostereoscopic). If you the number of lines doubles, you can halve them without fearing a loss of resolution in the picture. 3D sources in 4K resolution are therefore not necessary, following the introduction of 4K displays — formats such as Blu‐ray with MVC (that is, with two complete high‐definition 3D channels) deliver excellent results with displays of this kind.

The study describes factors than can cause a loss of resolution at various points of a 3D device chain. These include factors related to recording and transmission, factors related to reading and displaying the image, and factors related to 3D glasses and the way in which viewers perceive the picture.

direct comparison of vertical 3D-resolution through the glasses

To illustrate the potential pitfalls of combining qualitatively inferior devices within the chain, AVTOP’s study compared two 3D TVs: the Samsung UE46D7090, which uses active 3D technology, and the LG 47LW570S-ZD, which uses passive 3D technology.

As the diagram below shows, there were significant differences in the vertical resolution actually seen by the viewer. The active 3D system clearly outperformed the passive.

AVTOP’s concern is that if inferior 3D systems were combined with inferior 3D signals, the viewer could end up seeing less than 25% of Full HD resolution, despite manufacturers’ claims to offer Full HD in 3D.

For more information on the technical factors involved, and to see details of the comparative test, read AVTOP’s study on 3D systems for private use in full.

If you don’t want to leave your email address to receive updates on our findings, please click here to download the study directly.

3D Test-Pattern Update

An optimized MPO file and a JPS file of the 3D test pattern are now available for download:

A Study by AVTOP Warns Consumers of “Shocking” Resolution Losses in So-Called Full HD 3D Systems

3D resolution certificate: 3D 1920x1080p by AVTOP

Unterschleissheim, Germany — Oct. 7, 2011 — An in-depth laboratory study of resolution differences in 3D systems has demonstrated that, in practice, the resulting 3D pictures can appear with less than 25% of Full HD resolution. The results of the study by the AVTOP test laboratory stand contrary to many manufacturers’ claims to deliver high-resolution 3D and casts doubt on the validity of certificates such as “Full HD in 3D Mode”.

AVTOP examines a range of factors that can limit the effective resolution of 3D systems. These factors include technical aspects such as the encoding format and the recording and display technologies, as well as physical considerations such as viewing distance and differences between the viewer’s eyes. AVTOP goes on to establish a qualitative ranking of 3D sources in terms of their resulting picture quality.

AVTOP’s study pits two commercially available 3D TVs — the Samsung UE46D7090 and LG 47LW570S-ZD — against one another. This comparative case study highlights the important differences between “passive” and “active” 3D systems. In the results published by AVTOP, the active Samsung UE46D7090 delivers higher vertical resolution than the passive LG 47LW570S-ZD.

Worryingly, if the vertical resolution losses in passive 3D systems were compounded by reduced horizontal broadcast resolutions, the resulting resolution of each 3D picture would be less than 25% of Full HD. The LG 47LW570S-ZD can, however, offer more than 25% when displaying a so-called “Side-by-Side” 3D source.

The firm’s CEO, Florian Friedrich, said: “Customers should be made aware of the resolution losses in current 3D systems. If we compare the resolution for each eye to current Full HD in 2D, I find it shocking that some TVs reduce the resolution to 25% or less and still claim to deliver Full HD in 3D.

“Our extensive tests show the truth, proving the lack of resolution on some of the latest 3D televisions, and I look forward to helping customers identify TVs offering genuine Full 3D resolution with our certification program.

“Every manufacturer is invited to send samples to us for approval of full resolution in 3D — if their TVs do, in fact, deliver it.” The study can be downloaded at www.avtop.com.

About AVTOP

Founded in 1999, AV T.O.P. Messtechnik GmbH is an independent ISO 9001:2008-certified test laboratory for consumer electronics. The laboratory’s services portfolio ranges from quality certifications to editorial contributions for magazines, technical evaluations to usability tests, on-site guidance during development to remission analyses, and from testing of manufacturing variance to carrying out studies in the consumer-electronics sector. Furthermore, AVTOP offers innovative products for measurements and optimization in the audio and video sector.

Contact:

Florian Friedrich
AV T.O.P. Messtechnik GmbH
Max-Planck-Str. 7
85716 Unterschleissheim

Tel.: +49-(0)-89-3706441-0

email: press@avtop.com

Picture of Audio Test Lab

Picture of Video Test Lab

Picture of Photo Test Lab

The images can be used free of charge, provided that the accompanying caption cites either AV T.O.P. Messtechnik GmbH or www.avtop.com. Please contact us if you require additional images.

For studies of this kind, we:

- develop new measurement procedures;
- introduce new certificates;
- carry out extensive testing with end consumers;
- document the results with specialist articles and videos;
- communicate the results in press releases;
- are available as a specialist point of contact for interested parties.

The resulting laboratory studies always focus on the interests of potential customers and offer valuable background information for specialists such as journalists, dealers, or enthusiasts.

If you are interested in training in one of our specialist fields, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will happily develop a tailor-made training program for you and will provide details of upcoming course dates.

We provide publishers with a scalable service that can, if they wish, cover the entire production process:

- procuring devices to be tested;
- producing device photos;
- writing articles;
- carrying out measurements;
- laying articles out or entering them into a CMS;
- final editing.

Our consultancy services cover everything from market insight to device features, important quality criteria, and test procedures. The goal is always to identify or develop devices that are superior to what the rest of the market has to offer. AVTOP can also help your team to develop targeted communications strategies for new products and features.

We are happy to carry out product audits and discussions with your developers on-site or to welcome you into our laboratories for detailed discussions or viewing/listening tests.

Future report
Which features are soon to be introduced? Which functions are still missing?
In this detailed report we provide tips about important functions that could enhance your product — either because we know that these functions are desirable and have not yet been introduced to the market, or because we have learnt that competitors are planning to introduce technologies that provide such functionality. We also report desires expressed in specialist publications and suggestions from our industry colleagues.

Quality report
How well do the products square up to their competition? What are their qualitative strengths and weaknesses?
In this report you will receive our latest estimation of your product’s quality, including detailed opinions from several expert authors. We will conclude by indicating areas in which we see clear improvement potential and by recommending which aspects to prioritize during product optimization.

Press report
This report examines the criteria that specialist publications consider in terms of quality, operation, and features, and describes measures that can be taken to improve a product’s overall review performance. Using concrete examples, we explain where the press will direct their scrutiny and identify any developing trends. We can also give advance notification of new test criteria that we plan to introduce.

Compatibility report
We offer continual compatibility testing with all other devices tested at AVTOP (about 40k euros’ worth of fresh test samples every month). You will receive detailed reports on compatibility problems such as HDMI-handshake or interoperability issues. In these reports, we will include details of any specific measurement guidelines that we use.

USP (Unique Selling Points) report
In this report we analyze your product’s unique selling points and those of other products. What unique features or functions does your product offer that its competitors do not? What unique features or functions do competing products offer? What additional USPs could easily be put into place?