What is the Difference Between 3D Active and 3D Passive?

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The main difference between 3D Active and 3D Passive technologies lies in the way they display 3D content and the type of glasses required for each method. Here are the key differences:

3D Active:

  • Uses battery-operated shutter glasses that rapidly alternate between open and closed.
  • Each eye gets the full 1080p resolution of the source.
  • The 3D video footage is presented at 120 times per second, with a left image and a right image flickering on the screen.
  • The lenses of the glasses turn from opaque to transparent in sync with the images on the screen.
  • Some users may experience flickering and crosstalk or ghosting of fast-paced content.

3D Passive:

  • Combines two frames in one and only alternate between the horizontal lines of the frame, which consequently halves the vertical resolution.
  • Passive glasses are made of polarizing lenses and do not require a power source or batteries.
  • The TV itself has a 3D filter that polarizes even lines for the left eye and odd lines have an opposite polarization for the right eye.
  • Passive 3D TVs offer a better 3D experience overall, producing less crosstalk, having no inherent flickering, and providing a better perception of depth.

In summary, the main differences between 3D Active and 3D Passive are the technology used to display 3D content and the glasses required for each method. 3D Passive generally offers a better 3D experience but halves the vertical resolution, while 3D Active maintains the full resolution but may cause flickering and crosstalk issues for some users.

Comparative Table: 3D Active vs 3D Passive

The main differences between 3D Active and 3D Passive can be summarized as follows:

Feature 3D Active 3D Passive
Type of Glasses Battery-operated shutter glasses Polarized glasses
Resolution Full 1080p per eye Half the resolution
Crosstalk More crosstalk Less crosstalk
Flickering May have inherent flickering No flickering
Motion Poorer perception of depth in fast movements Better perception of depth in fast movements
Glasses Cost Expensive Affordable
Glasses Battery Requires batteries Does not require batteries
Compatibility Requires a specific TV that presents the image in 120 frames per second Works with a wider range of TVs and projectors
Use Case More suitable for home use More suitable for theaters and amusement park rides

In summary, 3D Active technology uses battery-operated shutter glasses, provides full 1080p resolution per eye, but may have issues with crosstalk and flickering. On the other hand, 3D Passive technology uses polarized glasses, has half the resolution, but offers better crosstalk and no flickering. Passive 3D is generally considered to provide a better overall 3D experience, especially in terms of motion and depth perception.