Comparing immersiveness and perceptibility of spherical and curved displays.

Abstract Curved displays are believed to create a feeling of immersiveness similar to virtual reality. However systematic studies are needed to demonstrate that this is, in fact, true and under what conditions. In an experimental study 24 participants compared five different displays (concave, convex, hemisphere, sphere and a flat display) in terms of their immersiveness and perceptibility, and they also rated their overall preferences. Both immersiveness and perceptibility affected overall preference ratings. Participants gave higher preference ratings to the convex and concave displays, which were rated high in immersiveness and perceptibility, but gave lower preference ratings to the hemisphere/spherical display which had high ratings on immersiveness but low ratings on perceptibility. The study results imply that curved displays do indeed create a feeling of immersiveness. Concave and convex displays were rated highly favorably and should receive more attention for applications where visual experience and a feeling of immersiveness is particularly important.