We could all be digging out those 3D glasses if YouTube’s latest tech takes off.
- Remember these?
As a motivation technique (usually called Innovation Time Off), all Google engineers are encouraged to spend 20% of their work time (one day per week) on projects that interest them.
One Googler, ‘Pete’, spends his 20% working on a new function of YouTube that will allow 3D video playback.
Users can see his early work by tagging their videos with the code yt3d:enable=true. The result to the viewer is that your videos will play back in a special stereoscopic video player:
Stereoscopy, stereoscopic imaging or 3-D (three-dimensional) imaging is any technique capable of recording three-dimensional visual information or creating the illusion of depth in an image. The illusion of depth in a photograph, movie, or other two-dimensional image is created by presenting a slightly different image to each eye.
From Wikipedia
Video shot from a 3D video camera looks like this before processing is applied:
- Two slightly different angles of the same cat, filmed in 3D
Using the special tag, YouTube will render the two separate but parallel videos into an anaglyph – a common 3D effect seen through red and blue glasses:
- A red or blue tint is applied to each image, then they are merged
It doesn’t stop there, however. YouTube offer a full range of 3D imaging options (including, crazily, cross-eyed?!):
The most impressive video I’ve seen to date I can’t show you here, because 3D isn’t enabled for embeds yet, but do go and check this HD video out.
If you don’t have a pair of 3D glasses there’s a pretty good walkthrough on how to make your own with a CD case from the Wired Wiki here.
So what do we think? Will 3D video have a rebirth through support from a big gun like Google? Or is the onus on manufacturers to provide 3D options in order to build the audience for it? Hell. Is any of this even viable these days? What does 3D add to the user experience barring a “that’s cool” moment? Does anyone mind that this is a total gimmick? With more movies being shot in 3D will we soon be able to enjoy the IMAX experience at home? Or will this iteration of 3D suffer the same fate as Virtual Reality, in its reliance on wearable hardware?
Time will tell, but it’s never been easier to be a content creator, and now it’s even easier to be a content creator in 3D. The only question I think matters, is ‘Who is the audience for these limited 3D experiences, and what does the medium add to the message?’.
I bet YouTube are wondering the same thing.