We compare the specs and features of both below.
Overall Findings
Lightweight and inexpensive.
No flickering, which means less discomfort or eye fatigue.
Lifewire
No power source required.
This may also present horizontal artifacts on screen.
Does not work with projectors or plasma screen TVs.
Uses shutters to rapidly alternate the view between left and right eyes.
Unlike passive polarized glasses, this allows for a full-resolution image for both left and right eyes.
Shutters mean dimmer image and subtle image flickering.
Bulkier and heavier than passive polarized glasses.
Up to three times the cost of passive polarized glasses.
Choosing between passive polarized and active shutter mostly comes down to how much you’re willing to spend.
Still, they provide a crisper, higher-resolution image.
1080p resolution presents at 540p.
Active shutter glasses provide a crisper, higher-resolution image.
They accomplish this by rapidly alternating the view from each eye through the use of shutters.
The downside is that the image comes across as dimmer and may have a subtle flickering appearance.
There are some differences in style that may affect the price, such as material and flexibility.
Whether or not the added price is also worth a bulkier system is up to the buyer.
Does not work with 3D projectors or plasma screen TVs.
Will work with any passive polarized display.
Common among Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sharp displays.
Compatible with 3D projectors and plasma screen TVs.
The TV model determines which throw in of glasses will need to be used.
However, both active shutter and passive glasses can be used with LCD andOLEDTVs.
(Plasma and DLP TVs have since been discontinued.)
LG and Vizio adopted polarized glasses for their LCD TVs.
Although Toshiba and Vizio mostly used polarized glasses, some of their LCD TVs required active shutter.
Sony mostly used active shutter but offered some TVs with polarized glasses as well.
Is 3D Possible Without Glasses?
These are referred to as AutoStereoscopic Displays.
If you have a projector or plasma screen TV, use active shutter glasses.
