Compatibility problems found between some active 3D shutter glasses and 3D displays of different brands are being addressed by various eyewear makers. XPAND’s Universal 3D Glasses, designed to work seamlessly with the broadest range of 3D-ready 3D television displays, are now available on pre-order through Amazon.com for $108.

“While retailers have struggled with selling 3D glasses that are only compatible with a single brand of 3D-ready television, the XPAND Universal 3D Glasses are compatible with any 3D-ready display, regardless of brand,” says the company This technology is a tremendous benefit to retailers, as the Universal 3D Glasses will help drive sales of 3D-ready displays.

XpanD claims to have a 95% global market share of 3D active-shutter glasses and is the only company in the world to provide 3D active-shutter glasses for all of the following markets: cinema, home entertainment (including DLP-Link projector technology), broadcast, education, corporate and PC gaming.

3D projector manufacturer Optoma also offers its model of 3D glasses – BG-ZD101 DLP Link 3D Glasses that appear to work across a range of products. The glasses come with three interchangeable nose pieces to accommodate various facial physionomies. They sell for $88.

ViewSonic, another 3D projector maker, proposes its own brand of 3D eyewear – the $89 PGD-150 Active Stereographic 3D Shutter Glasses – for its DLP Link 120 Hz/3D-ready projectors.

For its part, Glass designer Oakley unveiled new 3D eyewear to coincide with the release of Disney’s forthcoming 3D film TRON: Legacy. Developed for 3D cinema theater viewing, Oakley 3D lenses utilise passive polarisation, the technology found in most 3D theaters. The company is pursuing partnerships with those manufacturers of home 3D systems that utilise passive polarization technology. This will allow consumers to use the same eyewear for home and cinema 3D entertainment.

The new “TRON” Limited Edition 3D Gascan glasses feature HDO-3D – a collection of proprietary lens innovations that have achieved the first optically correct 3D eyewear on Earth, the company claims.

Conventional non-prescription lenses that are designed and manufactured with inferior technologies may cause visual distortion due to deficiencies including refractive power, optical astigmatism and prismatic power. Oakley 3D lenses thus virtually eliminate the ghosting or “crosstalk” between images that reach each eye from one moment to the next.

A second key difference between Oakley 3D eyewear and conventional designs is the lens curvature. Greater curvature around the eyes provides a wider field of view, but without highly precise optics, even a mild curve can cause visual distortion. Oakley guarantees a wider field of vision minimizing distracting glare.

“TRON” Limited Edition 3D Gascan will be available in the US in November for $150 through select Sunglass Hut, Oakley stores and website.

Story filed 22.10.10