Abstract: A portable viewing apparatus having a plurality of associated pairs of left and right optical modules, each pair of which can be selectively used to provide a user with a different viewing effect when viewing objects such as video monitors. Exemplary viewing effects include uniform two-dimensional magnification over a variety of ranges and disanamorphic magnification for wide-screen and three-dimensional viewing of special programming material. The selected pair of optical modules are removably attachable to mounting shoes, and separate control assemblies are configured to allow the user to manually adjust the interocular spacing and convergence/divergence of the selected optical modules.

Abstract: A stereoscopic viewing apparatus and a related method for providing a three-dimensional effect for a viewer based on a side-by-side display on a conventional video screen of related left and right images that are each horizontally compressed, and a stereoscopic video recording for providing such a side-by-side display. The apparatus transmits the displayed left image to the viewer's left eye and the displayed right image to the viewer's right eye, while horizontally expanding the compressed images and returning them to their original, natural proportions. The displayed side-by-side images both extend along the screen's entire vertical length, such that a three-dimensional effect is provided having the same two-dimensional proportions as the conventional video screen.

Abstract: A viewing apparatus for use in providing either a three-dimensional image when used to view a side-by-side display on a conventional video screen of related left and right images that are each horizontally compressed, or alternatively for use in providing a wide-angle image when used to view a single horizontally compressed image displayed on a conventional video screen. In providing the three-dimensional image, the apparatus transmits the displayed left image to the viewer's left eye and the displayed right image to the viewer's right eye, while horizontally expanding the compressed images and returning them to their original, natural porportions. The displayed side-by-side images both extend along the screen's entire vertical length, such that a three-dimensional effect is provided having the same two-dimensional proportions as the conventional video screen.