Why is 3D Important?

Grant's Perspective on ... why 3D is important and the need to go big.

2010 has been bursting with the recent development of 3D technology. InfoComm was no different. 3D was everywhere.

I've read some blogs stating that 3D is not a big deal. I put some thought into this while viewing the display booths and have come to the conclusion that for many people 3D is big.

If you work in education, 3D is worth investigating. Anything you would like to learn without actually doing it, is right for 3D, from training photocopier repair technicians, engine assembly, to medical procedures.  The Texas Instrument website has some great background information on 3D in the classroom.

Product development and customization is ready for 3D. People who develop 3D Auto CAD illustrations can now view in stereoscopic form. Be it a widget or a custom virtual tour of a new building, 3D can help speed the product development and approval process.

Exploration can be assisted with the use of 3D. The oil and mining industries perform siesmic exploration and produce accurate 3D maps of the resources under the earth without drilling for samples. Going in the other direction, astronomy is using 3D to better understand space.

3D is happening now, I have personally been involved in several 3D projects in the last year.

I also have been asked how big should a 3D screen be? Larger than a regular monitor because the screen should encompass the viewers peripheral vision. Common 2D thinking recommends that a person should sit 3 times the height of the monitor away. To view 3D you need to be closer so bigger is better.

I'm sure I'll be posting more on 3D so I welcome any questions and comments you have!

Grant

Lounge to Videoconference Classroom

Grant's Perspective on ... turning a lounge into a videoconference classroom.

I was working on-site yesterday at a local university. We were going through the final audio tests making sure the system was working as planned. Everything went well and as I was ready to leave I surveyed the room and commented on how the room has changed in the last two months. What had been a "smoking" lounge (back when those types of things were allowed) has been transformed into a distance education classroom for nursing students.



It is amazing what positive change can happen with a little help from technology. Nursing students in Winnipeg will have some of their lectures delivered from a professor in Ottawa.

System Overview:

- HD Tandberg videoconference system.
- Additional Vaddio HD camera.
- Two 65" Sharp HD monitors (pictured) as well as an third ceiling mounted monitor for the podium presenter.
- Podium and wireless microphones for the presenter and a boundary microphone system for the students.
- Large 12" AMX touch screen panel that controls the videoconference system, audio system, DVD player, computer systems and room lighting. See the close up picture of the AMX touch screen below. Note that the picture of me in the top right hand is the HD camera focused on the podium.




I can't wait for the school year to start and see the technology in action. Another case of "Improved Communication from Technology Integration . . . and a lot of other cool stuff too !"

Grant