Category Archives: Samsung

Tests Prove That 3D is Bad for Your Eyes

Posted on by
Reply

According to a study published by the Journal of Vision, 3D displays cause extra eye fatigue. This study was funded in part by Samsung’s R&D arm. A group of researchers from the University of California – Berkeley found that when test subjects watched 3D displays, they always reported more eye strain and fatigue and less vision clarity afterward than when they watched 2D video. The disparity of the depth of the screen and the depth of the 3D image caused the most problems, though researchers also found the relationship between image depth and nearness of the screen also played a role in eye strain. Really, it makes sense. When the human eye is used to images in 2D (on a screen, anyway), and it tries to see depth where it really isn’t there, the eye will have to focus more and use more energy in order to achieve a positive response. Thus, causing strain and fatigue, as well as lessening visual clarity.

Twenty-four participants were shown 3D and 2D video at various viewing distances in the study. Then, they were asked to respond to a questionnaire on their eye fatigue, neck and back pain, and vision clarity. In the video clips, the authors were varying the focal point, or the surface of the screen, and the vergence distance, which is where in the image the eyes are trying to focus on. For the 2D video, these points are always the same, but in 3D video the vergence distance is able to be altered while the focal distance remains the same, making the image either deeper in or in front of the screen.

The twenty-four participants responded that they all experienced more eye strain and fatigue from the video with different vergence and focal distances, a feature that 3D video carries and 2D does not.

Another part of the study found that even though 3D video caused fatigue, the participants had more problems with distant displays showing an image with a vergence distance deeper than the screen and with near displays showing images popping out of the screen. Basically, they didn’t like the feeling of being forced to be nearsighted or farsighted, in general terms.

This research done by the Journal of Vision is highly relevant to 3D content designers, who can now decide what to recess or pop out of the screen based on the expected viewer distance. The vergence distances can be further examined and perhaps better results can be found, resulting in less fatigue and eye strain. This study also means that 3D video isn’t more or less comfortable to view at a theater or in a living room, for it all depends on the vergence distances and the viewing distance. It really is up to the producers of the movies to produce the right distances at the right times, aiding in the experience. Hopefully when they try to “wow” us with this technology, they also help us and don’t hurt us in the process.

Ironically, the funding for a lot of this study came from Samsung, financial supporters of the study and manufacturing of 3D TVs. The research looks to have proved that Samsung may be hurting the eyes of their customers, causing them stress, fatigue, and eye strain while even reducing the visual clarity of the viewer. Samsung’s next move will be interesting, though my bet is to further study vergence distances.

Source: Tech Crunch

Microsoft Update = Fail

Posted on by
Reply

It has been said that Microsoft has an advantage over Google’s Android platform due to their ability to have universal updates. However, in order for the updates to be superior and beneficial over Google’s, I suppose they should be done efficiently and fluently. That was definitely not the case this time around.

On Monday, Microsoft sent out their first update to Windows Phone 7. It’s Microsoft, so it must have went very well, right? That’s 100% wrong. If you are one of the lucky people in which the update actually is visible, then you would more than likely run into one of two problems in the 10-step process to updating your phone.

The first problem you might have had is the phone freezing up on step 7. The phone would reboot, but would not contain the update. And the less common issue is happening on step 6, in which the update completely corrupts the existing firmware. That being said, quite a few are having their phones bricked, making them utterly useless.

There have been a few complex fixes to this issue, but these fixes take patience and only work for a remote percentage of users. Microsoft has released a statement that I received from Ars Technica, in which they stated:

“We are investigating reports related to the Windows Phone update process and will provide additional information and guidance as it becomes available.”

If this whole process isn’t catching your attention, it has come to the attention of the Microsoft Support forums that some carriers are actually blocking the update from happening, as more than likely all it will do is cause problems. Basically, the carrier has the ability to skip this update, but will receive the March update which contains the highly anticipated “cut-and-paste” feature.

Thus far, the problem with the update is mainly being observed on Samsung devices, so Microsoft has advised not to download the update if you are using a Samsung device, at least until they fix the problem in approximately three days.

By now, you must be asking what was in this update that people are willing to wait for? Well, it was an update to make sure you can update to the March’s update in March. Hopefully Microsoft gets this fixed pronto and is more careful in future releases.

Source: Ars Technica