One possible definition of AR has three characteristics: it combines real and virtual; it's interactive in real time; and it's registered in 3D. This definition is regardless of the display hardware. It applies equally well to visuals that are optical see-throughs or rendered on monitors. A movie such as Jurassic Park is not AR since it's not interactive for viewers.

Since this definition requires 3D integration into a real environment, 2D overlays on live video are also excluded from AR . Some writers consider this as AR as well, calling it TV AR . Augmenting live video with digital information for a sports game or a weather report would be considered TV AR .