What Are the Different Types of 3D Goggles?

The different types of 3D goggles include red and blue glasses, polarized lenses, shutter glasses, and personal viewers. These products require the use of a 3D image to function properly, whether a movie, television, or computer image that is designed to appear in 3D. They may be purchased at specialty electronics stores or through Internet ordering.

3D imaging works by presenting the brain with two images of the same thing taken from slightly different angles. The brain then resolves these two images into one single picture that gives the illusion of coming up off of the page, or out of a movie screen. The most commonly used form of 3D goggles which makes this technology possible are viewing glasses coded with a red lens and a blue lens. The corresponding images meant to be viewed using these goggles provide two separate pictures, one outlined in red, and the other in a contrasting color, like blue. These two differently colored pictures can be seen with the naked eye separately, however, when viewed through the color filters of the glasses which only allows one picture to enter each eye, they merge into one page-popping image.

Updated versions of these original 3D goggles use polarized lenses instead of color differentiated ones. Red and blue lenses limit the amount of color that can be transmitted through each lens, causing the filmed images to lose some of their clarity. Polarized lenses can achieve the same effect of only allowing one type of image to enter each eye, but through corresponding image polarization rather than color differentiation. These glasses are typically styled to resemble thick, plastic sun glasses, and each lens is somewhat tinted or opaque in appearance.

This image differentiation can be achieved in shutter styled 3D goggles without using image overlays. Shutter glasses are clear LED lenses which are blacked out separately from one another in a sequence. This allows each eye to see only one image at a time, allowing the brain to make the connections without risking the potential for image blurring which can occur with overlays. The sequencing is synchronized with the viewing content using a signal emitter attached to the 3D viewing device.

A personal 3D view screen may also be considered a type of 3D goggles. This headset is designed to sit over both the ears and the eyes, providing full picture and sound in high definition. Each eye lens of the goggles provides unique content, allowing the image overlay technology of 3D to be rendered for the user. These goggles may also be referred to as OLEDs, which stands for the organic light emitting diodes inside the glasses which make the pictures possible.

Once the user has placed these 3D goggles on, he may view television shows or movies in high definition or 3D privately. A virtual screen is created inside the goggles that appears to the user in a manner similar to a projection screen movie. Images may give the illusion of coming out of the screen towards the user, depending on the way in which the content was filmed. The goggles surround the head and may extend between six and eight inches (15.24 to 20.32 centimeters) beyond the face when worn.