Nintendo 3D warning.

[Tim Hole]

I hadn't heard that the companies were publishing possible concerns on their sites. I understand the possible childhood development issues that relate to 3D but I think a 3D DS is potential worse than other 3D applications due the amount of time kids stay locked onto these things. Mind you kids stay locked onto the TV for far too long too...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12101504

 

[Michael Olsen]

It said specialists had warned of possible damage that could be caused by 3D games which present different images to the right and left eye.

I'm curious...which specialists?

What kind of damage do they think could occur?

What is the likelihood of that damage occurring?

And what studies underlie those beliefs?

I poked around a bit and couldn't find anything, so I'm interested. Is this a real concern, or is Nintendo basically talking to it's lawyers, who shrug their shoulders and say "Better put a disclaimer on it anyway!"?

 

[Christian Tanner]

the problem they MIGHT referring to is the problem that your eyes turn slightly inwards for closer objects to converge on it. when it comes to 3d devices that's causing a problem as your lenses still have to focus on the screen, NOT the object that appears closer, to prevent blurring. this effect occurs stronger with time and smaller distances to the screen. (such as tv's and hand held devices).
so far though, tests only showed symptoms of nausea.

 

[Michael Hastings]

I've been playing some 3d material at our dive trade show and you might be surprised at the number of people that tell me 3d movies - even well done, understated 3d like Avatar, bother them.

There isn't much scientific research - but once you start really getting into it and think about sensor sync and all the rest it is pretty obvious that there is significant potential problems as we start watching a lot of stereo3d material.

Our depth vision simply doesn't work the same as watching dual 2D photos - so by it's very nature today's 3D-ish material is using a trick. It remains to be seen what affect watching a lot of that trickery will have.

I am making 3D underwater systems and underwater is a pretty stereo3D friendly medium because a lot of the things that cause 3D artifacting aren't an issue. I have been telling people that the long range isn't clear but at least for the next year or two it should help to grab people at a trade show or whatever, since everybody has a regular video now.

 

[Ace]

Its only a warning for the 3DS . The 3DS screen projects the left and right images into each of your eyes when your positioned dead center, without the need to wear 3D glasses.

Of-course the downside is that if you tilt the device or aren't dead center, the image starts to fuck with your eyes. I'm guessing that can lead to some sort of pandemic of cross eyed toddlers.

 

[Kevin Wild]

Yup...then they'd owe every one who purchased one $1.09!!!

Ha ha. Know the reference?

 

[Ace]

Whats the reference??

 

[Kevin Wild]

It's a movie...someone needs to get this. A class action lawsuit after people go cross-eyed from the opti-grab glasses? Don't disappoint me, People!

 

[paulherrin]

the potential problems with stereographic "3D" (or S3D) are bigger than just this particular system, and just for children under six. like michael noted, it's not so much about your vision as it is your brain.

no conspiracy, but this is nintendo and other corporations protecting themselves from litigation, whilst still reaping profits. if they made no warning, they'd get sued. if they made any more severe warnings, they would not make enough sales. after they make a lot of sales, they may at least issue more stringent warnings. i'm not entirely convinced they shouldn't be sued, at least for negligence.

i may post some more information and research when i have time, luckily we don't have wide access to s3D content. so until then, I seriously recommend not subjecting yourself to any kind of habitual stereoscopic 3D material (i.e. daily) REGARDLESS OF AGE. Under no circumstances, however, allow your children to be at risk. Going to an occasional movie is one thing, and doesn't appear to have any noticeable long-term effects. It's the daily viewing that could potentially cause problems for children and adults alike.

more to come later on this subject. i am by no means an expert, but feel free to PM me with any immediate concerns you have (not concerns as in, "I think what you said is stupid" but something like "I'm worried about my child"). Thank you.

 

[Ace]

The Jerk!

 

[paulherrin]

The Jerk!

I don't appreciate the name-calling.

haha, i knew i was forgetting something... i got distracted from the real issue of movie references...

 

[Chris Nuzzaco]

I've seen health warnings for 3D TVs that use glasses as well, I think Samsung was the first to put one out, then I believe Panasonic.

I don't think its good for your eyes no matter what your age. I personally always get irritated looking at 3D images, even if only for a short period, it's hard to describe how it feels, but it's enough to make me not care much for 3D. Once I started to understand how 3D films are shot, the more I learned how it can seriously mess with you. A good example are films that have a lot "pop" and objects that appear in front of the screen, they tend to to be shot with much larger inter ocular distances. To be brief, what happens is your brain is being fed images that make it think the eyes are physically crossing, yet the eyes are actually looking straight ahead. Not a good thing to expose yourself to for long periods.

I'm personally not terribly thrilled at the idea of spending a few months shooting a 3D film... that would require daily exposure to it for a very long time :x

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

1. Child is looking at a two 400x120 pixel images, lacking detail
2. Child is spending much time focusing onto close object and iris does not have regular exercise (as with any longer staring at the screen)
3. Simulated 3D image does not have same characteristics as natural 3D perception and mind has to re-combine the picture, by adapting the complex visual system starting from iris, over optic nerve to "assembly".
4. Small FOV used does not require eye muscle exercise and prevents eye muscle from developing (as with any smaller screen usage)
...
...
...

In an age where eye sight still develops...

 

[Kevin Wild]

Ha ha...you got it Ace. I love that scene when Navin Johnson is handwriting a million checks as they remove everything from around him. Classic movie...great scene.

 

[Michael Olsen]

I noticed an article yesterday about this subject.

Turns out the American Optometric Association believes the 3DS could be used to diagnose (or at least give an early warning sign) of optical/neurological issues.

I thought this was, in particular, interesting:

Nintendo has issued a warning that children under 6 should not use the 3DS in 3D mode. While studies on the effects of prolonged 3D viewing on young children remain to be done, leaning toward the side of caution is advisable in guiding children to use these devices in moderation. Since vision develops from birth, it is crucial to uncover the type of vision disorders that may interfere with Nintendo 3D viewing at an early age. Although success can be attained in treating conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (eye turn) beyond age 6, the outcome is always better when children are treated as soon as signs of these problems are detected. Accordingly, children younger than 6 can use the 3DS in 3D mode if their visual system is developing normally.

So the warning does seem to be cautionary, rather than reactionary. Doesn't seem we've ruined anyones vision with 3D. At least not experimentally! :beer: