Unlike 3D-ET™, the aforementioned most common method of obtaining stereoscopic imagery causes the user's eyes to converge by focusing on objects visible in the foreground, and to separate by focusing on those objects visible in the distance. Although its relatively young age and quick development have currently outrun the pace at which it has been scientifically researched in detail, it has nevertheless already been the object of studies for a considerable amount of time.
According to the research of Dr. Martin S. Banks, PhD, Dr. Takashi Shibata, PhD, Dr. Joohwan Kim, PhD, and Dr. David M. Hoffman, PhD, of the University of California in Berkeley, California, and the Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, since both processes occur simultaneously, the effect – known as the vergence-accommodation conflict – may consequently impair human vision, and affect the user physically as well as neurologically. Dr. Banks's study found that the effect would often cause blurred vision and lead to headaches, fatigue and feeling of dizziness and discomfort. It also appeared to correlate with the age of the user – the symptoms would usually increase as the users' ages would decrease. Younger users – who, incidentally, constitute a sizable portion of current consumers of 3D entertainment – would experience more severe symptoms, and would suffer from them more often.
(Source: “The zone of comfort: Predicting visual discomfort with stereo displays”, by Takashi Shibata, Joohwan Kim, David M. Hoffman and Martin S. Banks. / http://www.journalofvision.org/content/11/8/11.full)
In 2010, the researchers at Samsung published a health warning concerning the 3D effect based on the use of stereoscopic glasses. The release warned of the following potential dangers resulting from the use of the technology:
  • Altered vision
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Involuntary movements such as eye or muscle twitching
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Convulsions
  • Cramps
  • Disorientation

(Source: Samsung Australia, 2010 – http://www.samsung.com/au/tv/pdf/3D-tv-warning.pdf)

While the research into the technologies behind the 3D effect still continues and some time is likely to pass until it may be deemed fully conclusive, 3D-ET™ already eliminates the potential inconveniences and dangers of traditional stereoscopic 3D. Thus, the technique introduced and employed by 3D-ET™ is not only far more convenient for the end user, but also considerably safer.

Technical, legal and licensing information is available on the official 3D-ET™ website, at: http://www.3D-ET.com
3D-ET™ technology – by Reality Pump Studios and TopWare Interactive AG.

3D-ET™ - 3D Eye-Tracking Technology Overview.
Copyright © 2010 – 2011 by Reality Pump Studios and TopWare Interactive AG.
Document revision 1.0 / 2 December 2011 / Jaromir Król, Reality Pump Studios.

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