Camera Accessories

Designed to complement the FinePix Real 3D W1 camera, Fujifilm's Real 3D V1 Digital Viewer looks a lot like many digital photo frames. With an 8-inch screen plus a clip-on stand and remote controller, it can display both 3D and normal 2D images. The frame is mains-powered and has a slot on the back that accepts SD/SDHC and xD-Picture Card cards. It also carries USB Type A and mini-USB sockets for direct playback of images from thumb drives, cameras or other devices.

The screen area measures 163 x 121 mm and there's a 23 mm wide black border down each side, a 14mm wide border at the top and a 20 mm wide border at the bottom. When first powered up, illuminated touch keys glow blue down the right side panel. They fade out if not used for a second or two.


Front view of the Real 3D V1 Digital Viewer. (Source: Fujifilm.)

The resolution of the screen varies with image type and is adjustable with the touch key that switches between 2D and 3D modes. The full 800 x 600-pixel display is only available for viewing normal 2D images.

When 3D pictures are displayed, the screen uses a Fujifilm-developed ‘Parallax Barrier System' technology, which appears to be a slightly more sophisticated evolution of the system used in the camera's monitor. The ‘Parallax Barrier' consists of a series of slits placed over the paired images.

The images are displayed in a series of alternating vertical strips from different angles, each set representing a resolution of 400 x 600 pixels. One eye sees one set of strips, while the other eye sees the second set. Combining them creates an illusion of depth.

This diagram shows how the ‘Parallax Barrier' enables the eye to see the different views in the 3D picture. (Source: Fujifilm.)

The frame is supplied with a clip-on stand, which can be tricky to fit as you must lie the frame face down and ‘screw' the ball on the stand into a rather tight socket. Once fitted, it's reasonably secure and adjustable enough to allow the frame to be set for standard horizontal or vertical display. A tripod socket is provided on the rear panel as an alternative mounting option.


Rear view of the Real 3D V1 Digital Viewer with the clip-in stand in place. (Source: Fujifilm.)

Also on the rear panel is a memory card compartment, which accepts SD/SDHC and xD Picture cards. The viewer can also be connected to a computer via a USB cable for displaying stored images and JPEG and MPO files can be stored in the 512MB internal memory. It can also receive image data from the FinePix REAL 3D W1 via high-speed infrared communication. 


The remote controller supplied with the viewer. (Source: Fujifilm.)x

Main power is required to operate the viewer and a connection is provided on the rear panel for the supplied AC power adaptor. A USB cable is also provided for connecting the viewer to a camera or computer and the viewer has both standard and mini USB ports.

Controls
Powering-up the viewer displays a welcome screen in 3D. This is followed by a slideshow of stored images, accompanied by background music (which can be turned off in the Slideshow menu). The viewer ships with a slideshow demonstrating the features of the device. If you insert a memory card triggers an automatic display of images and video clips on the card.

When the viewer is switched on for the first time, the user must choose the language and set the clock. These functions are found in the main menu, which also contains the slide show, image search, edit and setup functions.

Users can set up 3D and 2D slideshows and switch between single image and slide show playback. You can zoom in and out on selected images and navigate from one shot to the next with the arrows on the side panel - or remote control. Pressing the Disp/Back button toggles between single frame; current/previous and next frames, a nine-frame index and a 100 frame display.

For 3D images, the viewer provides a similar parallax adjustment to the control provided in the W1 camera so users can set up the images for easier viewing. The Image Search function lets you search by date, scene, folder or image type, making it easy to locate specific files. You can also choose the type of clock or calendar displayed by the viewer during slideshows or for single-image playback.

The Edit function only provides facilities for erasing pictures and video clips from the internal memory. In contrast, the Setup menu lets you adjust screen brightness, contrast, saturation, colour and display gamma; audio volume; slideshow intervals; 3D levels, and auto rotation of vertical images. You can also choose the aspect ratio at which widescreen pictures are displayed and set up IR communication, image sorting and 3D caution displays.

Performance
For the screen resolution, the Real 3D V1 Digital Viewer is a reasonably competent performer. 2D images appear to be as sharp and vibrant as you might expect from an 800 x 600 pixel display. 3D playback quality is highly influenced by the characteristics of the original shot and the viewing distance and angle - plus the ambient lighting in the viewing environment. In ideal conditions, the 3D illusion is compelling. In sub-optimal conditions, the screen presents a confusing picture that is difficult to resolve. 

The $699 asking price is high for a digital photo frame but, if you are buying the FinePix Real 3D W1 camera, this viewer will provide the optimal platform for watching 3D slideshows and video movies.

Display: 8-inch 3D/2D colour LCD screen with 4:3 aspect ratio
Resolution: 800 x 600 pixels for 2D; 400 x 600 pixels x 2 channels for 3D
Internal memory: 512MB
Interfaces: SD/SDHC card and xD-Picture Card;  USB Type A and mini-USB sockets; infrared data port for data transfer; infrared receiver for remote control
File format support: Stills - JPEG, MPO  multi-picture format; Video -  AVI, 3D-AVI
Power supply: AC 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz using supplied AC adaptor
Power consumption in use: 3D - approx. 15W; 2D - approx. 9W
Dimensions: Approx. 216 x 162 x 30.9 mm
Weight: Approx. 630 grams