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October 16, 2008 7:42 AM PDT

The View-Master of Webcams

by Brian Cooley

I'm a big View-Master collector, but even I never sat back and wondered aloud, "When will they come up with a Webcam that does 3D?" Then arrives the Minoru 3D Webcam.

Minoru 3D Webcam. The name means "reality" in Japanese.

Minoru 3D Webcam. The name means "reality" in Japanese.

(Credit: PDT, Ltd.)

The Minoru has two discrete lenses spaced at roughly human eye distance, but unlike a View-Master reel, it doesn't deliver two discrete images, rather it mixes both together into a blurry-looking mess that requires the goofy two-color glasses that have kept 3D on the launch pad since Day 1.

More encouragingly, you don't need a special Web platform or software for viewing: standard video IM clients or YouTube and its ilk are all compatible; the video will just look badly out of registration until you put the glasses on.

I can't help but wonder how much more satisfying the experience might be if the Minoru fed two discrete images to a viewer on the other end wearing video goggles.

The Minoru is supposed to ship December 2008 for less than $100.

Brian Cooley is an editor at large who keeps his fingers on the pulse of consumers' attitudes toward tech. His specialty is CNET Car Tech videos, but, frankly, most people have seen him on the TVs at Costco (or in one of his '60s Fords or Fiats).
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by Gouda--2008 October 16, 2008 10:14 AM PDT
Meh.
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by man_w_balls October 16, 2008 11:42 AM PDT
an important step in the world of cybersex
or tele-sex
lol
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by RFGauthier October 16, 2008 12:32 PM PDT
"It mixes both together into a blurry-looking mess that requires the goofy two-color glasses." Sounds more of a disservice, to ViewMaster, to compare it with the venerable View-Master.
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by mehap October 16, 2008 8:29 PM PDT
3D Digital Real Image System from FujiFilm (http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/topics/2008/0922_02.html)...
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by deanrdavis October 18, 2008 8:59 AM PDT
This would be much better if there were viewing options other than anaglyph. I prefer cross-eyed free viewing. The red and cyan colored glasses are an irritating compromise to view 3d images.
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by ranman54 January 8, 2009 7:37 AM PST
Geez, I think I'll buy stock in 3-D glasses and finally make it big! Come on!!! What the HELL are these people thinking? I want a job there... I'll be a god.
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