3D display technology comes in many forms and can be categorized differently depending on the perspective. Here’s a breakdown:

1. By Image Format (left and right eye images):

    - Parallel 3D Display: Both left and right eye images are shown simultaneously within the same frame. It maintains the original frame rate (usually around 60Hz) but reduces image resolution.

    - Serial 3D Display: Left and right eye images are displayed sequentially, frame by frame. This method requires a higher frame rate (above 120Hz) to maintain image resolution.

2. By Whether Glasses are Required:

    - Glasses-Based 3D: Includes shutter glasses 3D, polarized glasses 3D, and anaglyph (red-blue) glasses 3D.

    - Glasses-Free 3D: Includes parallax barrier 3D and lenticular lens 3D.

3. By the Static or Dynamic Nature of Optical Components:

    - Passive 3D: Typically seen in polarized glasses 3D like FPR (Film Patterned Retarder). It reduces image resolution and offers a limited 3D viewing angle.

    - Active 3D: Examples include PCP (Polarization Controlled Panel) which maintains image resolution and offers a wider 3D viewing angle but requires dynamic backlight scanning.

    - For glasses-free 3D, parallax barriers formed by a black matrix are passive, while those controlled by an electric field are active. Similarly, lenticular lenses are passive unless controlled by an electric field or combined with a polarization control panel, making them active.

4. By Light Splitting Method:

    - Time Division (Temporal): Left and right eye images are transmitted sequentially. Shutter glasses 3D falls into this category.

    - Light Division (Optical): Both images are displayed simultaneously, differentiated by polarization or wavelength (e.g., polarized and anaglyph glasses).

    - Space Division (Spatial): Optical devices (like parallax barriers or lenticular lenses) are added to the display, directing different images to each eye. Parallax barrier and lenticular lens-based glasses-free 3D use this method.

    - Time/Space Division Combination: Images are shown sequentially and appear in different spatial positions. Directional backlight 3D technology uses this method.