Frequently asked questions

 

 

How do I view images in stereo?

To view something in stereo, your need two images displayed simultaneously to create the illusion of depth, the third dimension. This is normally achieved by using a graphics card which transmits a stereo signal, and then by displaying the image generated either in an active or passive stereo solution. The Cyviz .xpo series of Stereo 3D converters are passive systems.

 

How do I connect my SUN computer to the xpo.1 / xpo.2 when there are no 13W3 connectors?

To output the signal from a SUN computer to a monitor/projector/xpo.1/xpo.2 with a HD-15 pin connector, you need to use the X3872A video connector adapter from SUN. Using any other 13W3 to HD-15 adapter (e.g. from SGI) will not work. The video connector adapter HD-15 female to 13W3 male is needed for the SPARCSTATION 5 Model 7, ULTRA 1 Model 170, and TurboGX, PineApple 2 graphics, UPA graphics X-options, and any other SUN computer with a 13W3 connector.

 

How connect the stereo sync cable to a SUN?

Most SUN computers have 7 pin stereo sync connectors, while the xpo.1 / xpo.2 has a 3 pin mini DIN connector. When ordering, state that you are using a SUN computer and want the additional 7 to 3 pin mini DIN stereo sync cable.

 

Can I view interlaced video in 3D using the xpo.1/xpo.2?

In theory yes, but due to the low resolution in a TV-signal, the final result would be very poor. A video-signal has a maximum resolution on 768 x 576 (PAL) pixels, and an interlaced video-frame blown up onto a 1280 pixels projected image will not look good. As for the moment, Cyviz has decided not to implement this feature in the xpo.1/xpo.2.

 

Can I use a projector without lens shift?

It is not necessary to have lens shift in the projectors to use them for stereo 3D, but it is an advantage to have this feature. Due to the stacking of the projectors, they will not fully overlap unless you adjust the lens, but it’s not crucial in order to view stereo 3D. Your may notice that the projectors are not properly aligned at the edges, but in stereo 3D this becomes less noticeable.

 

Can I view any presentation in stereo 3D?

You have to make sure that the software you are using supports stereo 3D. It is not sufficient that the program is able to create 3D-models; it also has to be capable of stereo output. The graphics card has to support frame sequential stereo output as well.

 

Can I extend the serial cable for the xpo.1/xpo.2?

The signal in any cable weakens the longer the cable becomes, but it all depends on the quality of the cable. Cyviz has successfully used cables up to 40 meters/130 feet long without noticeable loss of signals.

 

Can I use both the VGA and DVI output of the xpo.1/xpo.2 at the same time?

Yes, both the VGA and DVI outputs are active at the same time.

 

Why doesn’t the xpo handle all signals from SUN stations?

It worked in one resolution, but not when I changed it to a different one.

If you are not using the X3872A video connector adapter from SUN, you might experience problems in some resolutions. This is because the sync changes in different modes on the SUN, and not all cables can handle this. The xpo.1/xpo.2 both accept all sync modes from a SUN computer, and will work in any resolution up to the specified maximum for each product. (1024x768/120Hz for the xpo.1, and 1280x1024/120Hz for the xpo.2). If you’re using the right cable and it still does not work, please contact Technical Support at support@cyviz.com

 

What is 3D?

In everyday life, 3D is the term used when you see that objects have more than one side or dimensions. In the computer world this usually means that you can rotate an object in a 3D-program and view it from all angles. This is, however, not quite technically correct, as we need a third dimension to give depth to pictures and view real 3D. When watching images on a regular 2D screen or flat surface, depth is simulated, hence 2.5D would be a more accurate expression of what we see.

 

Stereoscopic imaging (or "real 3D"), however, requires a minimum of two pictures, simulating our two eyes. This can either be accomplished by using traditional photography (stereo photography), computers (for example Virtual Reality) or Lasers (Holography).

 

What is Stereo 3D?

Stereo 3D means that you can see two 3D-images put together as one. In everyday life, most humans see things in 3D. Each eye captures a picture, and our brain puts it together and interprets it as one image. Since a monitor or projector displays the image on a flat 2D screen, we need to find a way to give depth and thus make the picture 3D, which is why we use the Cyviz xpo series of Stereo 3D converters.

 

What is an xpo Stereo 3D Converter (xpo.1 / xpo.2)?

xpo.1 / xpo.2 converts an incoming stereo 3D signal to two monitor signals, one monitor signal for the right eye and one for the left eye. The signals are then routed to two projectors, which are stacked and project images in register. To obtain a 3D effect, a polarised filter must be fitted in front of the lens on each projector, and the images must be viewed through polarised 3D glasses.

 

Which are the best projectors to use with your xpo.1/xpo.2?

Any LCD/DLP projector will work fine with the xpo.1/xpo.2 converter. Every projector has its own qualities and features, and with the broad variety available, it all comes down to your own personal preference and taste. In general, we recommend XGA/SXGA projectors with high light output, lens shift possibilities and rear/ceiling mount capabilities. These projectors are the most flexible, allowing for stereo 3D in a lot of different situations.

 

What is an active stereo system?

The term "active stereo" refers to the use of glasses with liquid-crystal shutter lenses. In conjunction with compatible software, these glasses ensure that the frames specified for the left and right eye respectively, are correctly displayed. With each eye seeing a different perspective, objects create an illusion of depth and physical presence.
The frame rate required for stereoscopic viewing is gauged as a refresh frequency per second. This frequency must be above 96 Hz, or rather 43 fps (frames per second) per eye to achieve flicker-free viewing. The solution is expensive to use due to the high cost of the shutter glasses.

 

What is a passive stereo system?

"Passive stereo" is a different display method using two projectors. These are placed on top of each other, providing two slightly different projections of the 3D software model.
The light from one projector is then polarised 45 degrees, and the light from the other projector is polarised 135 degrees. By using special glasses that let through 45 degrees of polarised light to get through on one eye and 135 degrees of polarised light on the other, a stereoscopic image is achieved.
The effect is similar to the one created by "active stereo", though there is no flickering experienced on these glasses.

 

What is the difference between the projector displaying “No signal”,
and the xpo.1/xpo.2 displaying the “No signal   -> www.cyviz.com <-“?

If your projector displays the “No signal” warning, there are no incoming signals to the projector. Make sure you have connected all cables properly and chosen the correct input channel on the projector. If the xpo.1/xpo.2 displays the “No signal” warning, there are no incoming signals to the xpo.1/xpo.2. Make sure all the cables are connected, and the PC is outputting a signal (make sure there are no screen savers running).

 

What is wrong? I’ve connected the xpo.1/xpo.2 to my SGI stereo 3D graphics output, but there is still no stereo.

Make sure that all the cables are properly connected, the xpo.1/xpo.2 turned on, and the resolution on the SGI is set to stereo 1024x768 maximum if you’re using the xpo.1, and stereo 1280x1024 maximum if you’re using the xpo.2. You should also make sure that the signal does not have to pass through many splitters before it connects to the xpo.1/xpo.2, as this weakens the sync-signal, and may render your signal unusable. If there is edge-blending on the SGI, make sure to turn this option off. Remember that your application has to be OpenGL stereo enabled in order to display Stereo 3D.

 

What is wrong? The projector outputs a black signal.

Make sure you have an output from the computer, if necessary connect a monitor to verify. If the outputs are black, the xpo.1/xpo.2 has most likely locked to the sync, but the internal settings may be bad. Enter the on-screen-display menu on the xpo.1/xpo.2 to see whether it is garbled or not. If it is garbled, please reset the xpo.1/xpo.2. If the same problem still occurs, please contact Technical Support at support@cyviz.com.