In 2011-2012, about 80% of new TVs supported 3D, and in the specifications of 3D-enabled TVs, you can find support for various 3D video formats, including S/S, T/B, C/B, and F/S. While these acronyms may seem technical, they have little impact on the viewer’s experience. What ultimately matters is the ability to view a 3D movie on screen, regardless of the format in which it was recorded. Usually, the TV itself will convert the video to the format it supports.
How TVs display 3D video
Different manufacturers use different technologies to create 3D images:
Samsung TVs use active 3D technology, where two frames are alternately displayed on the screen – one for the right eye and one for the left. The included 3D glasses darken the lenses of each eye in sync with the displayed images, creating a 3D effect.
LG TVs use passive 3D technology, where an interlaced image is displayed for the left and right eye. A polarizing film on the screen, combined with specially designed glasses, allows viewers to see separate images for each eye.
Both technologies had their drawbacks, such as reduced image brightness, because, in essence, a person was always watching a 3D movie with one eye.
Regardless of the original format of the 3D content, the TV’s processor converts it into a compatible format. The presence of formats such as S/S, T/B, C/B, and F/S indicates that the TV can convert and display different types. In general, the more formats a TV supports, the easier it is for viewers to choose a 3D movie without worrying about compatibility.
3D Format Overview
S/S (Side-by-Side): In this format, a 3D image is created by horizontally alternating two frames – one for each eye. Each line of the image alternates between the left and right eye, which halves the horizontal resolution. This format is widely used in LG TVs.
T/B (Top-and-Bottom): In this format, 3D images are transmitted using vertical interlaced scanning. However, the vertical resolution for one eye is halved, making it similar to the S/S format.
F/S (Frame Sequential): In this format, frames are transmitted sequentially – one frame for the left eye and one for the right eye. This alternation preserves full resolution for both eyes, which is a significant advantage. Samsung TVs use this format in their active 3D technology.
C/B (Checkerboard): In the Checkerboard format, frames are interlaced as squares, dividing the image into squares like a checkerboard. Active glasses are required for viewing, and although this is an older format, it was primarily used in DLP (Digital Light Processing) projectors. Many modern projectors can handle different formats but still use this technology.
In general, while the specific formats (S/S, T/B, C/B, F/S) may vary, they once allowed 3D video to be shown on a TV. Now, of course, 3D is obsolete, and you won’t find new TVs that support 3D.
