Future is specs-free

3D pioneer James Cameron, director of the film Avatar, said consumers would not enjoy a full 3D experience in the home until manufacturers abandoned 3D glasses for 'autostereoscopic' displays without glasses.

The report, on technology website Pocket-lint, said 3D would reach a mass market and the 'last threshold' would be autostereoscopic displays.

A number of frame manufacturers have launched or announced 3D eyewear collections including Marchon, Luxottica, Safilo, Polaroid and Tom Davies.

Cameron expected specs-free 3D to arrive in 8-10 years but Japanese, manufacturer Toshiba has already previewed the technology. It is rumoured to be launching a 3D TV in December that doesn't require viewers to wear glasses. Toshiba's technology is said to use an imaging system called a 'light field' display to create the 3D effect which is purported to reduced eye fatigue and makes the 3D image change depending on the position of the viewer watching the screen.