DUAL MONITOR VIEWING OF DIGITAL STEREO PAIRS

The idea is simple and extremely effective.   

1)  Construct a stereo pair by horizontally flipping  the left image of a Left-Right parallel pair.  The latter can be made by 3D Image Factory, Pokescope, Photoshop, PaintshopPro, or other stereo authoring tools.  An example of what you want is:

2)  Output the modified pair to a full screen dual display.  The image can be as big as 4096 x 1556! (with current 2002 technology).

3)  Set up the two monitors for viewing with a single front surface mirror system as diagramed below.

Top view of the dual monitor system.  The composite image is viewed by a simple mirror system.  The mirror is placed on the diagonal between the monitors as shown.  The viewer looks directly at the right screen, with the right eye just to the right of the leading edge of the mirror.  Typical values are:  Monitor width W ~ 14" (e.g. a standard 1600 x 1200, 19" monitor), D ~ 16 ", q = 45 degrees.

4)  View by looking straight ahead at the right monitor.  Adjust mirror and use monitor resizing controls to get perfect overlap.

NOTE:   Use the 3D Control Box to select DUAL-MONITOR display.  The default setting or Orientation = Normal has the mirrored image ON THE RIGHT (opposite to the figures above).  This is more effective because normally the expanded screens will spread the browser across as you read a book - from left to right.  If you want to use the mirror as shown above, with the MIRRORED IMAGE ON THE LEFT, choose Orientation = Reverse in the Control Box.

Summary of Equipment Recommendations:

   Two 1600 x 1200  FLAT SCREEN color monitors (75Hz) or LCD panels.  The system works pretty well  with 1280x1024, and is even better with 2048x1556....  For ease of alignment and good stereo quality the two monitors should be same make and model.

    A Dual Head (dual VGA connectors) graphics card (Matrox Parhelia, Gainward MX440, Xtasy MX440, etc.)   Note:  Matrox G450, while under $100, won't do 1600 x 1200 on the second screen.

    Front-surface mirror (commercial or hobby grade). Try Stained Glass Warehouse and search on mirrors.

    Adjustable support for mirror (3-way head, ball head, stand made out of wood, etc).

VIEW AN EXTENDED WRITEUP OF THIS METHOD WITH MORE DETAILS ON CONSTRUCTION, ETC.

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