First, 3D came to the movie theater. Then companies like Samsung started to make 3D televisions to bring the experience home. Tablets and phones like the Motorola Xoom and some Android devices from LG took 3D mobile.
Now, YouTube, Firefox and Nvidia are trying to bring 3D to the Web. Firefox 4 is using HTML5 and WebM to bring thousands of 3D YouTube videos to the Web while wearing Nvidia 3D Vision Hardware. The Web has been lacking 3D because it is a fundamentally different platform than the others, which are either distribution channels or specific devices. It is worth it to go get some Nvidia glasses to cruise YouTube in 3D?
Sponsor
The requirements for 3D video on the Web are pretty tight. You have to use the right browser, on one video platform and you need the glasses. I am using a three-year old MacBook to access the Internet, you may have the newest Dell and my friend uses an Acer Android tablet. Hence, the standard needs to come from the Web itself, not the device.
That is what Firefox is trying to do and may finally have the tools for it with HTML5 and WebM, both of which are emerging standards gaining traction within the last couple of years. Then there is the issue of the glasses. The Nvidia 3D Vision Hardware starts at $149, a price that is not conducive to novelty purchasing.
To find 3D videos on YouTube, search “yt3d.” You will need to set 3D settings in YouTube for the type of device you are using.
A 3D Web through HTML5 and WebM is a cool breakthrough from a technological standpoint, whether or not it is useful or practical.
Even without the glasses, check out a 3D YouTube video below.
0 Responses
Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.