100,000,000 : 1 contrast ratio - a glimpse into the future

[Martin Weiss]

http://www.roadtovr.com/2012/09/26/augmented-reality-welding-mask-1344

The creators of the MannVis augmented reality welding helmet have come up with a set of complex algorithms which allow real-time processing of HDR videos at 120 frames per second — in stereoscopic 3D, no less. The process creates an effective contrast ratio of 100,000,000:1 which is far beyond natural human capability. This incredible contrast ratio is used in an augmented reality view to show the welder inhuman detail as they weld.
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They have a working prototype.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

That's almost 27 stops of dynamic range. Very impressive.
At some point the glass will be the limiting factor....

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

I saw it at Siggraph, although at siggraph the working prototype wasn't head mounted yet. Definitely a sign of things to come. Although their real-time localized tone mapping wasn't very good I was surprised they weren't using a more modern algorithm. Maybe it was for the sake of latency.