How to watch a 3D video without a VR set. Simple and cheap.

[Uufflakke]

Is it possible to watch 3D videos on YouTube while not having a VR headset?

Without a Rift, Vive, Samsung headset or Google cardbox?

Yes it is.

 

Basically these videos are comparable to the classic stereoscope where each eye focuses on a separate image of the same scene. The brain merges the two images into one single 3D image.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereoscope

 

Instead of watching stereoscopic sepia images I will explain how to watch a 3D video with an alternative homemade stereoscope. For less than € 2,- and  done in 15 minutes.

What you need is a piece of cardboard (the lid of a shoebox will be sufficient), a paper knife, glue and a pair of reading glasses. In the local discount shop I bought the cheapest pair I could get.

 

free picture upload

 

 

The image below shows the dimensions of the cardboard parts. After having them cut out part A needs to be glued to part B.

 

uploadimagecertificity.com

 

 

 

The VR video on YouTube has to be decreased in size so that the distance between the middle of left and right image is approximately 5 centimeters.

This is the same as the distance between the eyes.

Decreasing is done by pressing Ctrl  –  a couple of times or by pressing Ctrl and scrolling the mouse wheel.uploadimage

 

 

Put on the reading glasses and place the cardboard device close to the screen in between the two images. The other small end of the cardboard is placed above the nose. Now each eye sees one image.

image hosting over 10mb

 

 

 

Here comes the “hard part”. Look with your left eye to the left and with your right eye to the right part of the video.

Look at it as if you are staring a bit. I don’t know how to explain it better.

The video gets a bit blurred and fuse into a 3D video. Every time that happens is fascinating.

In case you don’t see it becoming 3D it is recommended to pause the video. You don’t get distracted by the movements in the video anymore. When it turns to 3D press Play again.

 

Of course it is not to compare with a VR headset.

It does not fill up the entire field of view and since you watch the video small sized and upclose it is a bit pixeled. Like watching a 480 pixels video full screen size.

But it gives the possibility to view videos in 3D.

[mga]

Or you can just cross your eyes   Basically look at the two images and put a pen in between them. Focus on the pen and slowly bring it towards your eyes. At one point (when the pen is about half the distance) you will see the two images superimposed and in 3D. It takes a bit of practice but after a while you can do it without the pen, just cross your eyes until the two images will be on top of each other.