10:00

Barry Sandrew, Ph. D.

See the original thread here:  http://weblogs.variety.com/technotainment/2011/04/chat-live-with-david-s-cohen-and-legend-3-ds-barry-sandrew.html

[Philip Lelyveld comment: 3D image is constructed that feeds into a 3D printer!]

[by Max Eddy, www.geekosystem.com]

Georgia Tech researcher Grant Schindler has come up with a pretty clever use for the iPhone 4: Use it to create 3D models. It’s a simple process that proves that while there are over 350,000 apps, there’s still plenty of new ideas for the iPhone platform.

Schindler’s app, called Trimensional, works by shining light on a person’s face from four directions, and recording the results. These are compiled into a single image that users of the advanced version of the software can export to a 3D printer and create a model of their face, or whatever they scanned. Cleverly, Trimensional does not require any additional equipment to perform the scan, such as a light kit. Instead, it uses the iPhone’s screen as a light source, and records the images with the front-facing camera.

Schindler describes the scanning process as answering a series of questions. From the Georgia Tech Digital Lounge:

If I take a scan of my face, the app asks ‘what does the image look like if I shine the light from the left side, what does it look like from the right side,’ and so on. There’s one three-dimensional answer per pixel, and combining all those answers results in the full 3-D model[.]

See the original post here: http://www.geekosystem.com/trimensional-scanner-iphone/

[By DENA POTTER, Associated Press]

The investigator presses a button and a 3D image of two bodies on a front lawn pops up on the screen. He scrolls to the left and can see nearly 1,000 feet down the street, even though the scan was taken in total darkness. He scrolls on around and checks out a couple SUVs parked in the driveway.

With a few clicks, he can measure how far a body is from a light pole, isolate the basketball goal in the driveway to check it for bullet holes or arrange the view to check if the witness really could have seen the murder from the window in a house down the street.

It’s not a scene from the latest CSI show. It’s Virginia State Police’s newest investigative tool, and Lt. Joe Rader is showing a group of special agents how it works. The “bodies” are two family members he posed on the lawn.

Police have always documented crime scenes through photographs and meticulous measurements, but the agency’s newest gadget allows investigators to make instantaneous and permanent documentation of an entire crime scene like never before. It’s not a picture, but a high-definition, 360-degree scan that is accurate to within a quarter of an inch.

State Police Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty said the laser scanner is “revolutionizing the documentation of crime scenes.”

“This technology practically stops time,” Flaherty said. “It allows investigators and prosecutors to come back days, weeks, and even years later to evaluate and examine a crime scene in exact detail as the crime scene originally appeared.”

The machine, a ScanStation C10, uses a high-speed laser and a built-in digital camera to capture a scene. The scanner measures 50,000 points per second – or 3 million measurements per minute – and completely digitizes the crime scene.

“If you took 1,000 measurements, we’re going to get 3 million,” Rader told the special agents.

It produces a 3D model that is uploaded, and investigators can take measurements, isolate items for in-depth review or put in the height of the witness or suspect to see exactly what they saw at the scene.

While the scanners have been used in high-end engineering for several years, more and more law enforcement agencies are starting to use them, said Tony Grissim, who handles public safety and forensic accounts for Leica Geosystems, which makes the C10. Still, he said fewer than 100 police agencies nationwide have laser scanners.

They’re also starting to show up in courtrooms as a way to place jurors in the middle of a crime scene. Scan data has been used in more than 100 cases nationwide, Grissim said.

The technology negates the so-called CSI Effect, where jurors expect sophisticated technology shown on popular forensic-themed television shows, he said.

“For the past 20 years these dramatic shows have been on television inventing forensic technology that doesn’t exist,” he said. “So jurors … come to court with these TV shows in their brain and they want to see something that’s cool.”

Grissim said defense attorneys also are starting to use the scans. In the future, pictures and floor plans on easels aren’t going to cut in it court.

“In five years if a cop shows up in court and he’s got a sketch that he did with pocket tape and then the defense shows up and they’ve got an exhibit that was created from scan data, the prosecutor’s going to get his lunch handed to him,” Grissim said.

The scans haven’t been used in Virginia courts yet, but likely will soon, Rader said.

State Police are the only Virginia agency that has a laser scanner. It used asset forfeiture money to cover the $220,000 cost, which included training, licensure, software and accessories.

“Equipment isn’t cheap,” Rader said, but “it really comes out to what you get versus what you pay for.”

The agency got the scanner in September, and Rader is one of eight investigators statewide trained to use it. They’ve used it to document more than a dozen crime scenes. It has been used to document the area around the University of Virginia where Morgan Harrington disappeared and the field where her body was found, a mid-air collision and the Vansant scene in March where a man killed two deputies and injured two others before being shot by police.

“It opens up the doors for investigators, prosecutors and potential jurors to see the scene as it truly was during the investigation,” he said. “Really, there is no limit to what this machine can be used for.”

See the original post here:  http://www2.wsls.com/news/2011/apr/30/state-police-3d-scanner-captures-crime-scenes-ar-1005746/

[BY: BRAD BREVET, Rope of Silicon . com]

This year two films will be presented in 3D at Cannes, one is Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, but the other, more fascinating film will be Takashi Miike’s Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (Ichimei), a remake of the 1962 feature directed by Masaki Kobayashi based on the novel by Yasuhiko Takiguchi.

Today an international trailer for the Cannes competition title has arrived via the film’s official site.

The story is set during the 17th century and centers on Hanshiro (played by Ebizo Ichikawa), an honorable, poverty-stricken samurai seeking a noble end as he requests to commit ritual suicide at the House of Ii, run by headstrong Kageyu (played by Koji Yakusho). Trying to dismiss Hanshiro’s demand, Kageyu recounts the tragic story of a similar recent plea from young ronin Motome (played by Eita). Hanshiro is shocked by the horrifying details of Motome’s fate, but remains true to his decision to die with honor. At the moment of the hara-kiri, Hanshiro makes a last request to be assisted by Kageyu’s samurai, who are coincidentally absent. Suspicious and outraged, Kageyu demands an explanation. Hanshiro confesses his bond to Motome, and tells the bittersweet tale of their lives. Kageyu will soon realize that Hanshiro has set in motion a tense showdown of vengeance against his house.

This weekend Miike’s latest film, 13 Assassins, hit limited theaters. It’s said to be the most audience friendly of the director’s career and unfortunately I have not yet seen it yet, though I was considering making that my morning project. It still hasn’t screened here in Seattle and doesn’t arrive here until May 20, which at that time I will be in Cannes and will have missed it, so I will definitely have to check it out via On Demand before I leave for France next Monday. From what I’ve been told, it’s worth it.

As for Hara-Kiri, I won’t have to wait. I’ll be on hand in Cannes with my 3D glasses in Cannes’ Grand Theatre Lumière… It should be quite an event, and to give you a taste, here’s the international trailer.

See the original post here:  http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/trailer-takashi-miikes-3d-cannes-entry-hara-kiri-death-samurai

[By Richard Lawler, senior HD editor, engadget]

ESPN has released some of the broadcast details for Summer X Games 17, scheduled to occur between July 28th – 31st, and it’s increasing from eight hours of 3D coverage last year to a planned 18 hours this time around. Interestingly, the HD schedule has been shortened slightly from 31 hours to 25, but there’s still plenty of sports action to catch, including a new Enduro X motocross competition and a move to the streets of downtown Los Angeles for the Rally racing competitions. Check all the details currently available in the press release after the break, we’re going to go find and wash our Travis Pastrana jersey.

See the original post here:  http://hd.engadget.com/2011/04/29/espn-x-games-17-returns-with-more-than-double-the-3d-coverage-t/

[By George Wong, Ubergizmo.com]

The Sony Bloggie 3D camera that was unveiled at CES, and then put up for pre-order a few weeks later is now available for purchase online. The consumer-level camera introduces 3D video recording and image capture to users who are looking to dip their toes into the 3D image market without wanting to fork out tons of cash for a high-end 3D camera.

The handy little camera can shoot 3D videos at 1080p and take 3D still shots at 5 megapixels. Its Exmor- CMOS sensor ensures beautiful pictures even in low light conditions and has the ability to capture photos while you’re shooting a video at the same time. It even packs a 2.4″ glasses-free 3D screen so you can preview your masterpieces on the spot. The Sony Bloggie 3D has 8GB of internal storage for you to record up to 4 hours of footage and HDMI output lets you share your videos and images on the big screen.

The Sony Bloggie 3D is available now on Amazon for $249.99.

See the original post here: http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/04/sony-bloggie-3d-camera-available-now/

[by  Rachel Cericola, Big Picture Sound . com]

The filmmakers of our future have been out in full force during the 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, which is wrapping up this Sunday, May 1. You can check out our resident cinema snob, David Kempler’s reviews of many of this year’s films in our movie reviews section. However, at a little side party, thrown by festival sponsor LG last night, these future film-makers weren’t just representing the future of film, but also showing off their chops with 3D technology.

At LG’s exclusive soiree, 3D short films from students at Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy were showcased on LG Cinema 3D TVs. The idea behind the presentation was to show how future filmmakers can make an impact using 3D.  According to school officials and the students themselves, LG’s sponsorship has proven to be invaluable for these budding young film-makers to experiement and hone their 3D skills.

“Our students and faculty are very pleased to have the rare opportunity to work with the latest in digital film and 3D technology,” said Howard Tullman, CEO of Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy. “This experience will give them an edge as they begin their careers outside of the classroom.”

One of the films shown was The Flying Wallendas Highwire Family, which used 3D to display the excitement and tension of a live high-wire performance. Another one, The Universe of 3D, transformed the LG logo into an animated, 3D experience.

“For those of us in the film industry, it’s exciting to see young filmmakers break ground with emerging media like 3D,” says Jon Patricof, Tribeca Enterprises COO. “LG’s relationship with Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy has given these students an opportunity to learn more about a rapidly growing technology in their field, and we’re very happy with their work that is being shared with the broader film community at the Tribeca Film Festival.”

Not only did the experience inspire the Tribeca Flashpoint students; LG says it will pave the way for more 3D content that can be viewed at home. LG also used the opportunity to show off its Cinema 3D HDTVs, which use 3D  technology that’s similar to what’s going on at your local cineplex. Boasting better horizontal viewing angles and brighter screens than active 3D sets (according to LG), the new sets also use inexpensive, passive 3D glasses instead of the more expensive active shutter glasses used by some competitors.

“We hope that our alliance with Tribeca and the Tribeca Flashpoint Academy will inspire more young filmmakers to create 3D content for consumers to enjoy,” said John Weinstock, LG’s VP of marketing. “The 3D films created by these students capture the exciting possibilities of the 3D experience, so it’s only fitting that their debut is on the next-generation 3D TV, LG Cinema 3D.”

LG plans to demo its Cinema 3D HDTVs at other upcoming festivals, as well as various theater venues, including the Chelsea Clearview Cinemas and AMC Lowes Village 7.

See the original post here: http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/LG-and-Tribeca-Flashpoint-Media-Arts-Academy-Show-Student-3D-Shorts-at-Tribeca.shtml

[Philip Lelyveld comment: this podcast is a deep dive into autostereo.  It is free to SMPTE members.]

The “glasses versus no glasses” debate is on-going, especially when it comes to 3D in the home. A solid understanding of autostereoscopic displays can help understand the challenges associated with 3D without glasses. During this SMPTE PDA Now educational webcast, Gregg Favalora, of Optics for Hire, will discuss autostereoscopic displays including theory of operation for various types (including spatially-multiplexed, volumetric, holographic / quasi-holographic displays, and more recent varieties). Mr. Favalora will also share his opinions on the fundamental requirements of a good autostereo display and what technologies might enable an engineer to develop display systems that meet those requirements.

The podcast and pdf of the presentation is here: http://www.smpte.org/education/SMPTE_PDA_On-demand/

[by David Sanchez, Gamezone]

Nintendo 3DS owners, mark your calendars for August 9 because Cave Story 3D will be launching on Nintendo’s new dual screen handheld this summer. Fans of the original are sure to be excited about the game. Even if you have yet to play Cave Story for PC or WiiWare, you should watch out for this title.

Cave Story rose to prominence as one of the most popular and well-known indie games ever created. Developed by one man who called himself Studio Pixel, Cave Story offered a deep and touching story with plenty of humor and dialogue. The formula lent itself to that Metroid/Castlevania style of side-scrolling action-adventure gameplay that so many gamers adore.

Cave Story 3D was recently announced for the 3DS, and we’ve been learning new details about the game little by little. Aside from being on a snazzy 3DS game card and featuring some pretty sweet box art, Cave Story 3D will also feature revamped visuals. But the graphics aren’t just 3DS-style 3D—the levels themselves have actually been revamped to rotate slightly as you progress through the game.

Indie game fans are sure to be watching out for this one. But any gamer with a love for good titles should have their sights set on Cave Story 3D. It’s just an incredible, iconic adventure, and gamers would be doing themselves a disservice if they passed up the opportunity to play this game.

See the original post here:  http://www.gamezone.com/news/item/cave_story_3d_releasing_august_9/