Researchers demonstrate, as they describe it, “A large-size and full-color three-dimensional (3D) display system without the need for special eyeglasses.” After drooling over the description for a while, we take a closer look and find all is not as it seems.

3D is, as far as I am concerned, the next big step in display technology. But current-generation 3D technology need not apply—you can take your 100” LCDs, plasma displays, and OMNIMAX theaters and shove ‘em. Nothing less than full color, in-my-living-room 3D displays for me. I want to be able to stand beside Alan Rolland when he pings Richie McCaw for hands in the ruck. I want to be able to wince in sympathy because I was right there when Sebastian Chabal took his revenge by stomping on Richie’s face.

Rugby inspired violence aside, a recent Optics Letters paper tells us just how far away that dream of mine is—maybe that LCD wouldn’t be so bad after all.

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