So, we’ve now got solid, solid products in the world of 3D TV, 3D cameras, and 3D computers. The next place for industry-wide adoption is in the mobile space, and a company called Movidius has just launched what it thinks will be the solution to that.
The company has launched a new platform called Myriad 3D today. Movidius calls it “the world’s first out-of-the-box HD 3D platform for mobile devices, with a range of unique 3D features enabling a whole new level of 3D experience for users.”
The mobile market is obviously a very different animal. People aren’t going to wear 3D glasses when they use their phone. And to replace mobile displays to get everyone to adopt to the same kind of technology would create a massive headache.
So the industry is turning to sophisticated softwaresolutions. Movidius’s package allows graphics to appear as though they have depth, on existing mobile display technology, though the end result is still somewhat limited.
If the market of autostereoscopic 3D, glasses-free 3D technology that’s currently being used in 3D photo frames and Nintendo’s 3DS system, takes off then mobile phones would be the next big logical step for a hardware overhaul.
But for now, companies like Movidius are doing all they can to bring the 3D mania to mobile phones. Check out a video of Movidius technology below: (PhilNote: The video doesn’t contain any useful info, but it is an extremely over-the-top ad for the mobile 3D experience.)
The USC ETC has co-produced the 3D Lounge at the 3D Film Festival (www.3DFF.org) taking place this Thursday thru Sunday at the Los Angeles Film School and nearby clubs and spaces. The festival includes workshops, filmmaking challenges/contests, a large number of 3D feature screenings, and “3D” parties. The USC ETC is a Supporting Sponsor of the event.
Here are some photo’s of the ETC’s 3D installation. The 3D Lounge is right next to the registration area, so everyone attending the festival will see our installation.
Hollywood, CA, September 24, 2010 — The Dream Factory has announced the films selected to screen at the inaugural 3D Film Festival, Hollywood. Hosted by Thomas Jane, the festival runs September 30 thru October 3, showcasing a mix of studio 3D films as well as independent 3D shorts and features. The festival’s opening film is the US Premiere of STREETDANCE 3D from Vertigo Films. The festival closes on October 3 with Joe Dante’s critically acclaimed film, THE HOLE.
“Since its inception in 2007, 3DFF has been dedicated to driving innovations in the 3D stereoscopic Industry and with the advent of our new RealD 3D theater at the Los Angeles Film School, we can now share our home with pioneering indie 3D filmmakers all over the world who have long since needed a place to showcase their creative vision to a global audience,” said Christopher Crescitelli, Festival Co-Director. “3DFF is committed to supporting both studio fare and independent filmmakers, thus the programming mix,” said Karen Annarino, Festival Co-Director. All screenings at the 3D Film Festival will take place in the theatre at The Los Angeles Film School (LAFS), which is sponsoring the Festival.
The LAFS theater will also function as a classroom for 3DFF’s 3D Academy educational programs offering intensive training classes for 3D stereoscopic filmmakers and technicians. The highlight of the 3D Academy program will be the “72 Hour 3DFF Short Film Festival” in which LAFS students will be given 72 hours to create a 3D short film.
3D Film Festival Premiere sponsors are Sony Electronics, which is providing its digital cinema projector, RealD – the exclusive 3D technology provider for the festival screenings and Marchon 3D Eyewear. Other sponsors include Oasis Imagery, Avalon, Stella Artois, Artesa Wineries and PAMA Liqueur.
FEATURE SCREENINGS:
STREETDANCE 3D (Directed by Max Giwa & Dania Pasquini) – US Premiere & Opening Night film. In order to win the street dance competition, a dance crew is forced to work with the Royal dance school in exchange for rehearsal space. Starring: Charlotte Rampling, Rachel McDowell and Nichola Burley. Screening Thursday September 30th at 7pm.
DARK COUNTRY (Directed by Thomas Jane) – LA Premiere. A couple, en route from Las Vegas, are forced to deal with a body out in the desert, making their honeymoon one hellish ride. Starring: Thomas Jane, Lauren German and Ron Perlman. Directed by Thomas Jane.Screening Saturday October 2nd at 10pm.
IRON DOORS (Directed by Steven Manuel) – World Premiere. A young man must escape from a mysterious locked vault before he dies of dehydration. Starring: Axel Wedekind, Aungano Nyoni. Screening Friday October 1st at 6pm.
THE HOLE (Directed by Joe Dante) – Closing Night film. THE HOLE was named the best 3D film at the Venice Film Festival in 2009. Two brothers stumble upon a mysterious hole in their basement which leads to the darkest corridors of their nightmares. Starring: Teri Polo, Nathan Gamble & Chris Massoglia. Screening Sunday October 3rd at 6pm.
KIDS AND FAMILY FILMS:
Despicable Me (Directed by: Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud) – When a criminal mastermind uses a trio of orphan girls as pawns for a grand scheme, he finds himself profoundly changed by the growing love between them. Screening Saturday October 2nd at 12pm.
How to Train Your Dragon (Directed by: Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders) – A hapless young Viking, who aspires to hunt dragons, becomes the unlikely friend of a young dragon himself, and learns there may be more to the creatures than he assumed. Screening Sunday October 3rd at 12pm.
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (Directed by Zack Snyder) – Soren, a young barn owl, is kidnapped by owls of St. Aggie’s, ostensibly an orphanage, where owlets are brainwashed into becoming soldiers. He and his new friends escape to the island of Ga’Hoole, to assist its noble, wise owls who fight the army being created by the wicked rulers of St. Aggie’s. The film is based on the first three books in the series. Screening Sunday October 3rd at 4pm.
MIDNIGHT HORROR FILMS:
My Bloody Valentine (Directed by: Patrick Lussier) – Tom returns to his hometown on the tenth anniversary of the Valentine’s night massacre that claimed the lives of 22 people. Instead of a homecoming, however, Tom finds himself suspected of committing the murders, and it seems like his old flame is the only one will believe he’s innocent. Screening Friday October 1st at MIDNIGHT
Piranha 3D (Directed by: Alexandre Aja) – After a sudden underwater tremor sets free scores of the prehistoric man-eating fish, an unlikely group of strangers must band together to prevent themselves from becoming fish food for the area’s new razor-toothed residents. Screening Saturday October 2nd at 7pm and MIDNIGHT.
SHORT FILMS:
3D Sun (Directed by: Melissa Butts) – Stand above the artic circle and witness the most brilliant auroras on Earth. Take a ride on a solar blast from Sun’s surface to Earth’s Magnetosphere. Witness the most powerful explosions in the solar system – equal to the force of a billion megaton nuclear bombs. Screening Saturday October 2nd at 11am.
African Adventure (Produced by: nWave) – Join zoologist Liesl Eichenberger and wildlife filmmaker Tim Liversedge as they explore the Okavango Delta, one of the most spectacular wildlife reserves on earth. Screening Saturday October 2nd at 10am.
The Butler’s in Love (Director: David Arquette) – The love story between a butler and a guest during a fancy party one night in 1912. Screening Saturday October 2nd at 5pm.
Extreme Nature of Bats (Director: Greg Passmore)- The Extreme Nature of Bats explores not only the truths, but the myths and dark legends that have been associated with bats for hundreds of years. Bats. The film contains never-before-seen footage of some of the largest bat caves in the world and explores Central Texas, Romania, Transylvania, and the deep jungles of Mexico to capture footage of the infamous vampire bat and expose vampire lore. Screening Thursday September 30th at 9pm.
Microworlds (Director: Greg Passmore) – An educational exploration of the micro-worlds around us. Produced in 3D with specialty microscopes, the viewer discovers the hidden world of snails, ladybugs, worms and butterflies. Screening Thursday September 30th at 9pm.
Monsters of the Deep (Produced by: nWave) – If you think that the great white shark is the scariest creature in the sea, you’re in for a serious reality check! Screening Saturday October 2nd at 10am.
Natural Mystic (Directed by: Joseph A. Zaki) – Screening Friday October 1st at 4pm.
Physics of Surfing (Director: Greg Passmore)- Through the magic of 3D technology, audiences will explore the science of ocean waves and learn about surfing’s deep influence on modern culture. While following professional surfers Julie Cox and Kyla Langen as they surf around the world. Locations include Hawaii’s breathtaking North Shore and California’s greatest surf spots.Screening Thursday September 30th at 9pm.
Safety Geeks (Directed by: Roger Tonry) – The comic adventures of a semi-elite force of safety experts; the P.O.S.H. (Professional Occupational Safety Hazard) team. Obsessed with making the world safer, the CSI-like team investigates accidents. Their involvement causes far more damage than they prevent, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction in their wake. Screening Sunday October 3rd at 2pm.
SOS Planet (Director: Ben Stassen ) – Deforestation, the green house effect, shrinking polar ice caps, polluted air, overfishing – SOS Planet lists the standard crimes committed by humans against our fragile planet. Screening Saturday October 2nd at 10am.
Turtlevision (Produced by: nWave) – Experience the ups and downs of life on land and sea in this coming-of-age story starring the cutest sea turtle on the big screen. Screening Saturday October 2nd at 10am.
The Viewer(Directed by: Graham Reznick) – Participate as an observer in the telepathic interrogation of a murder suspect. New technology allows you to see through the eyes of the prisoner – but be warned: higher levels of telepathic viewing can cause unpredictable psychological damage. Screening Friday October 1st at 4pm.
MUSIC VIDEOS:
By The Sword- The 5-minute rock music video, “By The Sword,” is the first single off the album and the first video ever from Slash to be released in 3D. It features the vocals of Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother, and the ever-present blistering guitar work from Slash. Screening Friday October 1st at 10pm.
We are the World – Stars came out to re-record the powerful song to help relief efforts in Haiti. Artists include Tony Bennett, Justin Bieber, Toni Braxton, Celine Dion, Wyclef Jean, Pink, Barbra Streisand, Kanye West, The Jonas Brothers and many more. Screening Thursday September 30th at MIDNIGHT and Friday October 1st at 4pm.
For tickets to the festival, please log on to the Facebook page or twitter and sign up. Tickets are free for people who register online. For more information on the 3D Film Festival, please go to:www.3dff.org.
Outcry visceral and widespread; will they boycott rerelease?
Like a lightsaber to the midsection, reactions to news that George Lucas is planning to rerelease 3D versions of the “Star Wars” sextet have been swift and, more often than not, deadly.
But when the Force actually is with them, will fans be able to stay away?
For every “I’ll be first in line,” there are another 20-30 Web comments along the lines of “SW is just a machine now,” “I’ll stay away in droves,” “Lucas is beating a dead horse” or “Never have I seen something so amazing be systematically destroyed.” The outcry has been visceral and widespread.
Waves of complaints and other cris de coeur in the past 24 hours have attacked everything from Lucas’ perceived greed to the fear that he’ll further “ruin” the hallowed original trilogy, from his choice of “Episode I: The Phantom Menace” to start the 3D series as lunatic to the bandwagon glut of 3D films as already too much of a bad thing to, of course, the declaration that anything that brings Jar Jar Binks or the Ewoks back to life should be considered a crime against humanity.
The Hollywood Reporter broke the news Tuesday that Lucas and Fox plan to rerelease the “Star Wars” franchise in state-of-the-art 3D conversions beginning in 2012. The rolling theatrical releases inevitably would set up 3D DVD versions that would facilitate the ultimate home-viewing experience once 3D-capable televisions have become fixtures in four to six years.
A specific date for the first release has not been announced, but sources said Fox and Lucasfilm are looking at a mid-February launch in 2012. Lucas hopes that releasing the film early in the year, outside of summer blockbuster season, will give it an open run at the box office and set up the opportunity to sell merchandise through the balance of the year. The plan under discussion would make the release of the subsequent films in the series an annual event on the film calendar.
On paper, the news should be every fanboy’s dream. The groundbreaking nature and scope of Lucas’s original trilogy, launched in 1977, have practically begged for a 3D treatment to match its ambitions. But for many of the die-hards, that starship has long since sailed.
A lot has happened in the three decades between the theatrical release of “Return of the Jedi” in 1983 and what will be the first of the new 3D versions. For one thing, Lucas made three other movies in the saga, which were almost universally panned. He also has already done several rereleases and recuts of the original trilogy that updated the effects and added new or deleted footage in ways that many found sacrilegious (see: the widespread “Han Shot First” campaign, or Alexandre O. Philippe’s documentary “The People vs. George Lucas,” which had its world premiere at SXSW this year).
For those with a negative view of the post-1983 “Star Wars” output, the idea of yet another iteration — especially using a conversion process many have found lacking in recent releases such as “Clash of the Titans” and “The Last Airbender” — is cause for great despair.
“People are just too down on conversions,” said Jeremy Smith, West Coast editor of Ain’t It Cool News. “It doesn’t even matter what the film is — with the exception of animation. The conversations have gone from ‘Fuck conversion’ to ‘George Lucas is a money-grubbing whatever.’ ”
There has been some enthusiasm for the new development. A lot of parents, who grew up during the original fever, are excited for their kids (and grandkids) to see the original films in the theater. And some just can’t get enough “Star Wars,” no matter what the reservations.
For those on the fence, their loyalty remains partially intact but devoted only to the original trilogy. (NotMalcolmRee’sd comment on Ain’t It Cool News is typical: “i will not sit thru the prequels again even in 10 dimensions.”)
Many wish Lucas would do something new rather than keep futzing with the existing movies — even make a seventh film in the series or a whole new trilogy with new characters, in 3D or otherwise. But in the absence of that, just how many fans would be willing to bypass the chance to see what Lucas would do with 3D?
“My gut feeling is that it will do well, on the level of what the ’97 releases did,” Smith said. “They’ll get the die-hards out, they’ll get people taking their kids. These kids are as into ‘Star Wars’ as their parents. And kids don’t have the hatred toward ‘Star Wars’ as people in my generation.”
The 1997 “special edition” rereleases of “Star Wars,” “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” grossed $138 million, $68 million and $45 million, respectively. Notable is the decline in interest as the trilogy progresses (most loyalists place the first two as the only genuine classics), with the second trilogy — the prequels — drawing limitless derision despite having grossed more during release.
Returns on a 3D rerelease of “Phantom Menace,” the first scheduled, are likely to be significantly less than a 3D rerelease of “Star Wars” or “Empire” and thus a questionable test case for future conversions.
By Jay A. Fernandez and Borys Kit
original post: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i39345a5f3df4c124cfcc2d671804b91f?imw=Y
Fabless mobile video chip company Movidius Ltd. has launched the MA1133 video processor as the first chip in its Myriad 3-D range, capable of capturing and manipulating stereo imagery on a mobile phone.
Movidius (Dublin, Ireland) claims the chip is the first to be optimized for a 3-D image and stream in high definition (HD) on mobile devices. The chip enables preview, capturing and processing of user-generated 3-D video and images; converting 2-D video to 3-D in real time, with upscaling and playback of content in HD. The same technology will process 3-D images for the best viewing experience on a 3-D display without glasses.
The MA1133 was preceded by the MA1100, the world’s first coprocessor to enable advanced real-time video editing on mobile phones, and MA1101, the Android OS compatible version of the MA1100. These chips are sampling to customers today.
The 3-D capture, image and display processing on the MA1133 benefit from a proprietary multicore processor that delivers 20-GFlops of processing power but at reasonable power consumption suitable for a mobile device.
Movidius’ original chip, launched in 2009 when the company was known as Movidia, was set to be made by TSMC on a 65-nm manufacturing process.
The MA1133 is thought to be substantially, if not entirely, the same core processor as the MA1100 but with different software to extend the software-hardware system to address 3-D and twin video streams, in a manner similar to PicoChip’s use of a multicore processor plus software to create a variety of baseband processors.
“Mobile phones are the place where 3-D technology will gain real adoption the fastest3D entertainment may have started in the cinema, but the phone is something people experience every day,” asserted Sean Mitchell, CEO of Movidius, in a statement. Movidius also argues that smartphones are typically held at a distance that makes them suitable for use with auto-stereoscopic screens and without the need for 3-D glasses.
by Peter Clarke
original post: http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4208956/Mobile-video-processor-goes-3-D
The venue was an AMC Theatre in New York’s Time Square and the presentations were shown with Sony 4K digital projection on what, to my eyes, appeared to be a 40-foot or larger screen.
I started the day with the preconceived notion that shooting native stereoscopic 3D is always better that 2D-3D conversion and ended the day with a different point of view.
Barry Sandrew, founder of Legend 3D, whose company did the conversion of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, made the case that, whether you like conversion or not, it is and will likely remain a necessity if the 3D business is to thrive and grow. He called that idea, “essential to this industry.” He said there are advantages to the idea of experienced directors shooting in 2D: “It’s what they’re comfortable with.” There is no need for big rigs on set and conversion can save as much as thirty percent of the overall budget. Sandrew and others argued that more could be done in post in 3D than even in 2D.
Speaking in a different panel, James Stewart, 3D producer and director of Geneva Films, made a similar case. “The audience doesn’t care how you get there,” he said, and for those who are adamantly opposed to conversion he cautioned: “We’re about to see a lot of very bad live action natively shot 3D.”
Here in no particular order are other highlights from the event:
David Naranjo, Mitsubishi’s director of product development and Eric Anderson, vice president of content & product solutions for Samsung both made the case the television manufacturers will be offering stereoscopic 3D as simply one other feature available in TVs, much like picture-in-picture or Internet capability is now. If you want to watch a program in 3D your TV will have it. They both predicted that, at least in the near term, 3D will be an event-based concept in homes.
Echoing that idea, Pierre Routhier, Technicolor’s vice president of 3D strategy, said, “If you put everything ever made in stereoscopic 3D on television it would run for about two weeks.”
Speaking about glassless 3D for the home, Phil McKinney, vice president and chief technology officer for Hewlett-Packard, said there is a working 24-inch by 24-inch display in the lab today. The downside? The monitor currently requires a room full of electronics. There is more work to be done.
Dianne LaGuardia, Sony’s senior manager for digital cinema marketing, estimated there will be 21,000 3D screens in movie theatres worldwide very soon and said the 15,000-screen mark will be reached by the end of this year.
Steve Schklair, founder and CEO of 3ality Digital Systems, and a true stereoscopic pioneer, said it’s time to realize that the world has changed. “We’re now longer showing this to [just] the true believers,” he said, adding that arguing about which technology is better and fighting over native versus conversion is pointless. “The technology exists to create good 3D,” he concluded. “We should be focused on creativity. On telling a good story.”
BY NICK DAGER
original post: http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=208446767&gid=1843970&type=member&item=30663156&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2Findiefilm3d%2Ecom%2Fblog%2F5&urlhash=AvPU&goback=%2Egde_1843970_member_30663156
Everything you need to know about entering the third dimension
Get your glasses on and prep the popcorn because today marks the launch of Sky’s new 3D service, including films, sport and a range of original programming. If you’re thinking of taking the plunge into the the third dimension, but you’re not quite sure where to start then have a read of this first…
Do I need a new TV?
Yes, you’ll need to get a 3D-capable TV, currently only available from a handful of manufacturers including Sony, Panasonic, LG and Samsung. Most of the 3D TVs on the market are already fully set up for 3D images, but some are only 3D-ready meaning that you’ll need to buy a separate 3D tuner and glasses to make the jump into the third dimension. Be sure to check with the retailer when you buy.
What’s the difference between active and passive 3D technology?
Passive polarized 3D systems use cheap glasses that are similar to the ones that you get in the cinema. This means that each eye sees a slightly different picture, which your brain then combines into one image, creating an illusion of depth.
Active shutter 3D glasses are battery-powered and cost around £60-100 per pair. The idea here is that the display for each eye flickers quickly so that each eye sees alternate frames of 3D content.
Although down to personal choice, active 3D systems are widely considered to offer superior picture quality. Passive 3D tech is currently only offered by LG (on its 47LD950), while all of the other sets available use the active shutter system. Sky’s 3D TV service will work with both formats.
Will I need a new Blu-ray player?
Yes, if you’re planning on watching any of the new Blu-ray 3D discs then you’ll need to get yourself a 3D-capable player. You can play 3D Blu-rays on a standard deck, but they’ll only play in the conventional 2D format.
Will I need a new HDMI cable?
As long as you’ve got a high-speed HDMI version 1.3a cable, then you should be fine. Although the latest HDMI 1.4 cables have been designed for 3D compatibility, Sky’s hardware doesn’t currently support them so it wouldn’t make any difference anyway. HDMI 1.4 will probably take some time to roll out, so that most AV equipment won’t be compatible for a while yet. If you can, it’s probably best to save your pennies for now and stick with your current HDMI lead.
Do I need to buy the glasses separately?
Most 3D TVs will be supplied with at least one or two pairs of compatible glasses and for those that are not, most retailers will probably be offering a deal to bundle these with the TV. If you need extra glasses, either for when friends come round, or to keep the whole family happy, then you can buy these separately.
Where can I get 3D stuff to watch?
As of today (1 October), you’ll be able to watch 3D broadcasts on Sky with a line-up including sports and movies. We picked out some of the highlights that you can expect to see and the good news is that if you’re already signed up to Sky World with an HD subscription, then you won’t need to pay any extra for the new 3D channel. If you’re a newbie then you can get the Sky World pack with Sky+HD from £61 per month.
Virgin Media has also just announced the launch of its 3D Movies on Demand service, available to anyone with a Virgin HD or HD+ box. There’s only one film on offer at the moment – StreetDance 3D – with more titles coming soon. It’ll cost £5.99 for a 24-hour rental.
Not at the moment. There are currently no plans to introduce free-to-air 3D broadcasts, but this could be a possibility in the future depending on the success of Sky and Virgin’s 3D platforms.
Can I use my 3D glasses to watch my friend’s TV?
It depends on which TV they’ve got. If your pal has LG’s 47LD950 – the only passive 3D TV currently available – then you’re in luck. Chances are, they’ll have a spare pair of specs for you anyway as the TV comes with four sets. If not, then you can pick up a pair yourself for next to nothing.
When it comes to active 3D tech, you can only use glasses that match the brand of TV that you’re watching. So, for example, you can’t use a pair of Sony specs on a Panasonic screen and vice versa. Most of these TVs only come with one or two pairs of glasses, so you might have to buy extra (around £60-100 each) if you and mates intend to descend mob-handed on your new best friend and his lovely new telly.
There are also a few brands, including Xpand and Monster that have launched universal 3D glasses that will supposedly work on any manufacturer’s set. Out advice is to try before you buy.
Will older films be converted to 3D?
Yes – just as many older films have been given a high-def makeover, it is also possible to convert them to 3D. However, not everything is well suited to three-dimensional viewing so while some things could look great, a film with a lot of fast cuts and rapid shifts between long shots and close-ups probably won’t fare so well.
Lucasfilm has just announced that all six films in the Star Wars saga are set for a 3D release, starting in 2012. As the films will be released in order to match the narrative timeline, Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace will be first. Following a cinema release, it’s only a matter of time before the films turn up on Blu-ray 3D.
Can I watch 3D TV without special glasses?
Not yet, no. Although glasses-free (autostereoscopic) 3D is already in use in some hand-held devices such as the Nintendo 3DS, it’s not really suitable to TV in it’s current form as you need to be perfectly central to the image to get the 3D effect and the image quality tends to be quite low. If the boffins at the big manufacturers do manage to come up with some way of displaying 3D images effectively on a TV, it certainly won’t be ready for use in the home for some time yet.
Panasonic Canada announced this week that it will sponsor CBC’s popular Hockey Night in Canada broadcast in the upcoming NHL season, which will include two 3D broadcasts: Montreal versus Toronto on Saturday, Dec. 1, and the Heritage Classic from McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011.
Panasonic will be the official 3D and HDTV sponsor of CBCs Hockey Night in Canada starting this October, and Panasonic production equipment including rigs, Panasonic Professional Full 3D HD cameras and Panasonic 3D production monitors will be used in the 3D production. “We are very pleased to partner with Panasonic on this unique and ground-breaking initiative,” says Scott Moore, Executive Director, CBC Sports and General Manager, CBC Media Sales and Marketing. “Together we will be bringing an experience to Canadian hockey fans that has never been done before. This is a Canadian first and a very exciting time for television and hockey in Canada.” CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster.
“Hockey Night” is among television’s highest-rated programs in Canada and is the world’s oldest sports-related television program still on the air.
MSG Media, the New York-based production company, telecast the first-ever NHL hockey game in 3D on March 24, 2010 during the Rangers-Islanders matchup from Madison Square Garden. \
original post: http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/107142
AIX Media Group in Los Angeles, an independent record label and media production company specializing in the development of DVD-Audio/Video and Blu-ray Discs, recently shot the first 3-D concert albums with Grammy-winning pop artist Rita Coolidge, multiplatinum country artist Mark Chesnutt, classical pianist Bryan Pezzone, the jazz/classical group Free Flight with James Walker and The Old Towne String Quartet.
Previously, AIX has gotten widespread recognition for its attention to audio fidelity and surround sound from customers, reviewers and equipment manufacturers. The company’s tracks have been licensed and used by Intel, Microsoft, Creative Labs, Acura and others to show off the advancement of audio technology and ultimate reproduction of music.
“I believe we’re the only label on the planet to create HD ‘albums’ of music that are not ‘live’ concerts but rather private performances intended for one’s own media room,” said Mark Waldrep, AIX’s founder. “The idea is to have an artist play and sing directly to you from across the room, not come blasting through a couple of speakers from a PA system.
“The next challenge for us was to add a third dimension to our HD albums,” he said. “I planned a project where I would shoot source material for these 3-D music Blu-ray Discs — personal, intimate performances with great surround sound and HD video shot in 3-D.”
For the 3-D production, shot during three days at Los Angeles’ Colburn School for the Performing Arts’ Zipper Auditorium, Waldrep used four new Panasonic 3DA1 camcorders and four preproduction Panasonic BT-3DL2550 3D monitors. The AG-3DA1, which became available in August, is a fully integrated HD 3-D camcorder that records to SD card media.
“The consequence was that I was able to simplify production on a tightly orchestrated shoot, speed up the workflow, have ultimate confidence in what we were seeing on the 3-D monitors and increase efficiencies in post production,” Waldrep said.
The workflow during post included logging and transferring (converting) the AVCHD files through Final Cut Pro 7 into Apple ProRes 422 HQ files for editing and then maintaining files in the ProRes 422 HQ format all the way to the encoder.
Waldrep said the new Panasonic cameras dramatically lowered the cost of the 3-D production when compared to more expensive 3-D production methods and, in fact, made the album projects possible. He finished the music mixes, video edit and convergence tweaks on “Goldberg Variations Acoustica” in June and released it on Blu-ray 3-D as one of the world’s first 3-D concert albums.
AIX plans to make up to six 3-D concert albums available over the next four months and to have an audio calibration and sampler disc available by the time the Consumer Electronics Association does its “3D Demo Days” campaign this month.
“The 3DA1 camcorder represents a success story for the little guy,” Waldrep said. “It’s making it possible for a small company such as ours to produce a suite of 3-D products of audiophile quality for a diverse, potentially large-scale public.”
by Michael Grotticelli September 27th, 2010
original post: http://blog.broadcastengineering.com/3-D/2010/09/27/first-3-d-concert-albums-produced-in-los-angeles/
I just came back from CEDIA, and was of course at CES last January. 3D is coming, whether anyone likes it or not, or likes the glasses. Studios want it, and the manufactures need it as CE companies do not know how to keep margins up without offering new widgets. It will come to a point where 3D sets will be VERY close to the process of middle to higher end standard HD sets. We have seen it all before. What retailers cannot do is bury their heads in the sand because they do not like change. CE is about change; always has been and always will be. I have not missed a CES show since 1972. And the amount of 3D content is almost unlimited, unlike HD was when it launched, as a product does not have to be shot in 3D to get good 3D.
The theaters also have made a huge investment. The glasses in the theaters are passive, so the screen you are looking at is a very expensive polarized screen. Big money going into this all around.
There are two types of 3D, active and passive. By far the passive is better as it does not use shutters. It is brighter because the LCD shutter glasses which are required in the active model whack the heck out of light, almost 70%. That’s why passive can be viewed in normal room lighting, BUT, passive is polarized. That is a big issue because you must have a polarized screen, like the JVC monitors, or if you are using front projection (prices REALLY FALLING HERE) your screen must be polarized. They you need a dual roller screen, one for 3 D and one for standard……opportunity for custom installers.
So the shutter glasses are taking the lead as the price is lowers and less complicated than passive. They work quite well actually, BUT the 3D TV MUST have some horsepower to substantially increase the light output to compensate for the glasses. In the case of one of the projectors from Digital Projection, light output on one for their units is roughly 5500 ANSI and in the 3D mode goes to 10,000. This is a big unit, but the drawbacks are the same no matter what size projector or flat screen you are dealing with.
Bottom line – stuff always gets better and cheaper, that’s the way CE works, and deep down we all know it. So folks, buckle up, and figure out how to hop on the train. This is a PERFECT product for the small retailer and custom installer as I can guarantee the folks at Wally World will not know how to sell it.
Mike Schroeder
original post: http://www.ftaconcept.com/showthread.php?p=316952
Italy’s two principal pay-TV providers will this weekend both commence a series of transmissions in the 3D format. For Sky Italia the starting point is the Ryder Cup golf, already the centre of BSkyB’s consumer 3D launch, while Mediaset has a package of films ready to roll.
In common with other 3D launches, both Sky and Mediaset are relying on an installed base of HD decoders in order to reach their audience.
Rather than offer a linear channel, Mediaset will be distributing 3D as part of its Premium On Demand service, featuring around 50 movies and TV series at any one time. The first 3D movie will be The Legend of Beowulf, available from October 3, and followed by a version of Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth.
Sky Italia viewers will be able to watch the culmination of the Ryder Cup on October 3. The 3D version will be available at no extra cost to Sky Sport subscribers.
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, with a range of unique 3D features enabling a whole new level of 3D experience for users.”
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