Posted by Phil Lelyveld on August 31, 2011
[TVB Europe]
Director James Cameron and his business partner Vince Pace will deliver a conference session at IBC evangelising 3DTV production methods just as they did at NAB earlier this year.
The CAMERON-PACE Group, which launched at NAB targeting the 3DTV market is looking to secure a base and partnerships in Europe. Cameron will also use the occasion to pitch his belief in high frame rate capture and projection for 3D movies. …
3D Live at the Big Screen considers what it takes to deliver good live 3D sport, music or theatre including depth budget management and how to avoid dwarfism in the company of 3ality Technica CEO Steve Schklair.
The debate moves on to the challenges that multiple screens add to the 3D production process. If your programme is going to be seen on everything from a tablet to an Imax screen, what fine tuning do you need for each resolution, and how practical is this work? …
 No Comments » |  3D Communities, 3D Conferences, 3D News, Database |  Permalink
 Posted by Phil Lelyveld
Posted by Phil Lelyveld on August 31, 2011
[Press Release]
Panasonic today announced the development of a twin-lens 3D digital camera, complete with 3D HD video capability. The new LUMIX 3D prototype will be on display at IFA 2011, one of the world’s largest electronics shows, from September 2-7, 2011, in Berlin, Germany. IFA conference attendees can visit the Panasonic booth at Messe Berlin, Hall 5.2
The new 3D digital camera will also shoot 2D photos and HD video. With its 3D still and video capabilities, the compact camera will allow users to take 3D photos and 3D HD videos, while further expanding the world of consumer 3D entertainment.
The LUMIX 3D camera’s compact size was achieved by employing two recently-developed 4x zoom lenses with thin, folded optics, which allow users to capture crisp and clear photo and video footage even from afar. The optical zoom system enables highly-versatile 3D shooting from wide angle to telephoto while the Optical Image Stabilization works during both 2D and 3D shooting to produce high-quality photos and videos with minimal blurring. The unique, twin-lens design further helps in providing stunning, high-resolution 2D photos while shooting 2D videos instantaneously. Using the side-by-side method, the camera can also capture 3D HD videos in AVCHD format.
The versatility of the 3D capture technology allows users to quickly go from shooting photos and videos to viewing them. Working synergistically with other Panasonic products, the new camera allows photos and videos to be easily viewed on a VIERA 3D TV with the simple insertion of the SD memory card into the TV’s SD card image viewer slot or by connecting the camera to the TV with an HDMI cable.
For more information about Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix. This Panasonic 3D camera is expected to be available in Winter 2011-12. Further product specifications will be announced at a later date.
See the original post here: http://www.dpreview.com/news/1108/11083110panasonic3dcamera.asp
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Posted by Phil Lelyveld
Posted by Phil Lelyveld on August 31, 2011
[CNET - Sony Press Release below]
…Here are the main specs:
- two 0.7-inch OLED panels with HD resolution (1,280×720)
- 45-degree horizontal viewing angle / “virtual viewing” distance of 20m for the aforementioned 750-inch virtual screen
- 5.1 surround sound coming from speakers integrated into the HMD (Sony’s Virtualphones)
- processor unit with two HDMI interfaces (input and output) for connecting TVs, consoles or Blu-ray players
- size: 180×168×36mm, weight: 420g
Read the full story here: http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/31/sony-3d-oled/
______________________________
[Sony Press Release]
Tokyo, Japan - August 31, 2011 – Sony Corporation (“Sony”) today announced the launch of Head Mounted Display “Personal 3D Viewer” ‘HMZ-T1’, a device that offers a spectacular new style for viewing both 2D and 3D content. Simply slip the device onto your head to experience the movie theater-like virtual screen (equivalent to a 750-inch screen*2) expand before your eyes.*3
It is equipped with the newly-developed 0.7-inch (diagonal 18.0mm) high definition OLED panel (1280 x 720), which have been realized through Sony’s unique expertise in both OLED display and semiconductor silicon drive technologies. The ‘HMZ-T1’ achieves HD picture quality that makes full use of the OLED display’s high contrast, color reproducibility, and fast response. In addition, the device adopts the ‘Dual Panel 3D Method’ which consists of separate panels for the left and right eye in order to display independent HD picture quality to each eye, which realize 3D vision. The viewer can enjoy natural and bright 3D picture quality that is crosstalk-free. Furthermore, we have achieved a wide horizontal viewing angle of 45 degrees by incorporating an optical lens that thoroughly suppresses unwanted elements such as aberration and distortion. Viewers can now enjoy watching video on a movie theater-like big-screen (750-inch virtual screen, virtual viewing distance approx. 20m)*2. Sony has also adopted its original virtual surround signal processing technology. Combined with the high-resolution 3D picture quality, viewers will be able to fully enjoy powerful acoustics equivalent to a maximum of 5.1ch through the left and right headphones alone.
Sony group has offered a wide range of 3D products and 3D content production systems, from industrial 3D filming and editing equipment and movie theater systems through to its “BRAVIA” LCD TVs, home projectors, Blu-ray™ Disc devices, Personal Computer VAIO and “PlayStation 3” while its “Handycam” and “Cyber-shot” cameras even enable people to film 3D video themselves. And now, this new 3D viewing style provided by ‘HMZ-T1’ will enable users to enjoy the movie theater-like experience whilst relaxing on their living room sofa, thus further expanding Sony’s 3D world.
Main Features
- (1)
- The high definition OLED panel delivers HD picture quality.
- (2)
- The ‘Dual Panel 3D Method’ delivers natural and bright 3D picture quality that is crosstalk-free.
- (3)
- Optical lens which realize wide 45-degree horizontal viewing angle (750-inch virtual screen, virtual viewing distance approx. 20m)*2 which is equivalent to a movie theater screen, while the shielding construction creates a deep feeling of immersion.
- (4)
- ‘5.1ch Virtual Surround Technology (Virtualphones Technology)’ for realistic and expressive sound.
- *1
- As a 3D-compatible Head Mounted Display for consumer product (announced on August 31, 2011).
- *2
- Virtual screen size experience may vary between individuals.
- *3
- This device must be connected to the supplied processor unit via supplied cable, and the processor unit must be connected to a playback device such as a Blu-ray disc™ device via the HDMI cable.
Main Features (Details)
(1) High definition OLED panel delivers high picture quality
It realized 0.7-inch, high definition OLED panel (1280 x 720), through Sony’s unique expertise in both OLED display and semiconductor silicon drive technology. The display’s high contrast, color reproducibility, and fast response give added depth, allowing the viewer to enjoy smooth and high picture quality. For more information about high definition OLED panel
- High contrast： The self-illuminating OLED panels achieve a powerfully high contrast that transcends the limits of measuring equipment. The display’s ability to render true ultra-deep black tones results in beautiful and stunningly crisp contrasted images, even for bright light such as fireworks or twinkling city lights against the night sky.
- Color reproducibility： Sony developed a new signal processing circuit in order to maximize the features of OLED, particularly the bright, highly-pure colors and smooth gradation expression. Sony’s own proprietary ‘Super Bit Mapping Video (SBMV) technology’ has been incorporated to convert the 8-bit video of terrestrial digital broadcasts and Blu-ray discs™ for reproduction as a gradation expression equivalent to 14-bits. Even the faintest color differences are faithfully reproduced.
- Fast response： The OLED panel illuminates as soon as electrical current is passed through it, giving it superior fast response (response time: less than 0.01ms) for video. This enables the panel to display smooth, natural video, even for fast-moving activities such as sports and games, without any blurry afterimages.
Interchangeable lens camera “α77” and “α65”, as well as “NEX-7” are equipped with 0.5-inch (diagonal 12.7mm) and XGA electronic viewfinder (EVF). (Announced on August 24, 2011)
(2) The ‘Dual Panel 3D Method’ delivers natural and bright 3D picture quality that is crosstalk-free
Displaying 3D images using a single screen generally requires either the Frame Sequential (FS) method, in which the screens for left and right are switched rapidly, or the Line by Line (LBL) method, in which the video for left and right is displayed alternately on the scan line. The FS method tends to generate crosstalk phenomenon, which occurs when the left and right video frames do not switch completely, resulting in mixed images. Under the LBL method, the number of pixels is halved.
‘HMZ-T1’ adopts the ‘Dual Panel 3D method,’ which utilizes separate panels for the left and right eyes, each with its own dedicated 3D video. Therefore, it does not generate crosstalk. Furthermore, as the HD quality video is displayed separately on each of the panels, viewers can now enjoy high resolution 3D video that is natural, bright and extremely pure, to an extent that had not been possible until now.
(3) Optical lens which realize wide 45-degree horizontal viewing angle equivalent to a movie theater screen, while the shielding construction creates a deep feeling of immersion.
From Sony’s optical lens technology developed through the projector, the adopted optical lens realize the wide 45-degree horizontal viewing angle, which enables the viewer to enjoy a movie theater-like atmosphere with wide vision experience of 750-inch virtual screen (virtual viewing distance 20m)*2. In addition, it realizes low aberration and distortion which reproduce the primary movie theater picture quality. The viewer can easily read small subtitles whilst experiencing the intensity of 3D as the video images expand before their eyes.
The design of this device is such that it covers the maximum possible field of vision (approx. 200 degrees), surpassing the video viewing range of 45 degrees. Any information unrelated to viewing is isolated, resulting in a feeling of deep immersion. The supplied light shield (shade plate) can intercept the light from below, which further enhances the feeling of immersion for the viewer.
(4) Equipped with ‘5.1ch Virtual Surround Technology (Virtualphones Technology)’ to enjoy realistic and expressive sound
‘HMZ-T1’ incorporates Sony’s unique expertise in surround signal processing technology ‘5.1ch Virtual Surround Technology (Virtualphones Technology)’, which is developed especially for headphones. “Virtualphones Technology (VPT)” creates a sound field that naturally reproduces the sound to make it seem as though the sound source is emanating from speakers placed all around the viewer (including front and back). The viewer can enjoy sound equivalent to a maximum 5.1ch multi-channel audio, thus further enhancing the spatial effects of 3D, whilst simultaneously experiencing a very realistic feeling of actually being there.
- Equipped with 4 surround modes
It is equipped with 4 surround modes which one can select depending on the content. Aside from ‘Standard’ mode, the user can also select from ‘Cinema’ for authentic movie theater-like acoustics, ‘Game’ for reproducing a clear sense of direction, which can be vital for game-playing, and ‘Music’ for those times when the viewer simply wants to enjoy the original sound, such as might be heard in a recording studio.
Other Features
1. Convenient operation
The device’s control key (located behind the front) is used to control the volume and basic operations (such as playback, pause, fast forward, rewind, previous chapter, next chapter) of any connected devices with HDMI CEC control function. Settings for the picture quality and audio quality can also be performed via menu screen.
2. Convenient functions
It is equipped with a wearable sensor, which automatically turn off the panel if the viewer is not wearing the product. It is a convenient function and environment friendly. If the viewer is not wearing the product for a fixed period of time, it will automatically switch to standby mode.
3. Processor Unit for connection to other devices
-
Head Mounted Unit (left)
Processor Unit (right)
The processor unit is equipped with one socket for HDMI output and another for through output. The built-in HDMI output switcher enables both the Head Mounted Display and a television to be connected to the processor unit at any given time, thereby allowing the user to switch between devices for their desired output destination.
Furthermore, the processor unit and the HMD can be connected together with a single cable, which integrates the audio and video signals with the power source.
Health Consideration
- Age restrictions
Considering the protection of the growth and development, we ask children (age 15 and younger) to refrain from using this product.
- Cautionary matters when using the device
In any rough or unstable environment with a propensity for travel sickness to occur (such as in a vehicle), we ask our customers to refrain from using the device.
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Posted by Phil Lelyveld
Posted by Phil Lelyveld on August 30, 2011
[Stereoscopy News .com]
Are you living on the US east coast this week-end? If yes, try to shoot some “Hurricane Irene” 3D stereoscopic videos! Follow the four steps guide here under and publish your movie on YouTube 3D!
…
3) Start shooting one or two minutes sequences. Alternate between shots with a fixed viewpoint and slow pans following the wind direction. If your camera has a zoom, try various settings, but don’t zoom too far as the 3D will suffer.
4) Edit your videos with your favorite editing sofware; keep the length around three to five minutes; …
Read the full story here: http://stereoscopynews.com/hotnews/3d-movies/arthouse-a-amateur/1810-how-to-shoot-hurricane-irene-in-3d.html
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Posted by Phil Lelyveld
Posted by Phil Lelyveld on August 30, 2011
[TechRadar]
Big, bulky and brilliant, rear-projection TVs were among the first show-off TVs, but died-out in the UK a few years ago when the TV world went flat. Now it’s back – and set to deliver the best 3D pictures yet from a far thinner design.
Using new laser tech, Mitsubishi is about to put its home cinema laser display (a variant of which is available in the US) in front of the watching world at IFA 2011 in Berlin. The Japanese company hopes to gauge interest in its technology, and has tentative plans to launch a laser display in Europe in 2012. …
Can laser displays cope with 3D?
Oh yes – and we’ve already seen the US versions come up trumps with 3D at January’s CES. “The big advantage for 3D is that laser displays are very bright,” says Hinkel. “The main problems with 3D are that it is often very dark, and it needs a bigger screen to be life-like.”
A 75-inch size assures the latter, while energy efficiency is also an ace-card. “Laser displays use 85W in operation and 0.5W in standby. That’s a lot less than plasma or LED, and if you do watch 40,000 hours of TV it will make a huge difference!” …
Read the full story here: http://www.techradar.com/news/television/what-is-a-home-cinema-laser-display–1005495
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Posted by Phil Lelyveld
Posted by Phil Lelyveld on August 30, 2011
[Philip Lelyveld comment: this is associated with the Variety 3D Gaming Summit and Variety 3D Entertainment Summit]
[Gamasutra]
The S-3D Gaming Alliance (S3DGA) is the first and only non-profit and non-proprietary organization focused on making the 3D gaming market successful for both game developers and the end consumer. S3DGA is pleased to announce Alan Price as the association’s new president. As an event sponsor for the upcoming 3D Gaming Summit and 3D Entertainment Summit taking place on September 20 th through 22nd in Hollywood, California. Price will be speaking at S3DGA’s next annual meeting to be held at the end of the show on the 22nd.
“S3DGA was founded by 3D gamers, and now we have real game development expertise on the board of directors. We are proud to announce that Alan Price, former CTO of Electronic Arts Canada, and now an interactive entertainment entrepreneur, is serving as S3DGA’s President,” said Neil Schneider, Executive Director of The S-3D Gaming Alliance.
Alan Price’s experience at Electronic Arts Canada dates back to January 2000, where he most recently served as CTO for over four years. His experience in game development, leadership, and business sense makes him the perfect candidate for this role. …
See the full story here: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/76506/The_S3D_Gaming_Alliance_Welcomes_New_President_AnnualMeeting_Announced.php
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Posted by Phil Lelyveld
Posted by Phil Lelyveld on August 30, 2011
[Seattle pi]
…
The original “Halo” was released in November 2001. Now, after five more games, Microsoft is re-releasing the classic title for the Xbox 360, with better graphics, expanded multiplayer and support for 3D televisions. “Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary” will launch on Nov. 15.
This weekend, Microsoft also celebrated the 10-year-old franchise with a big “Halo Fest” at the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle. The company’s “Halo” unit, 343 Industries, set up a giant exhibition as part of the video-game conference at the Washington State Convention Center. …
Read the full story here: http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/2011/08/29/microsoft-celebrates-halo-with-3d-remake-big-pax-exhibit/
No Comments » | 3D Content, 3D News, Database, Games | Permalink
Posted by Phil Lelyveld
Posted by Phil Lelyveld on August 30, 2011
[TechRadar]
Nearly 17 per cent of homes will have a 3D ready television by 2016, although only a third of those homes will actually be using them to access 3D content, according to the latest predictions from Informa. …
“Public reaction has been mixed – due to both a lack of content but also a simple failure of the public to engage with what is, essentially, a new type of viewing experience,” states Informa. …
“By depicting 3D as the cutting edge of technology, CE manufacturers can use it to attract TV set buyers to replace their sets by convincing them that a compelling 3D environment will eventually be in place, so they should equip themselves for it now.”
Of course, as the report points out, this isn’t just cynicism from the manufacturers but also the fear that their own wares will not sell if rivals have an extra edge – like 3D – even if that isn’t what people are desperate for.
Read the full story here: http://www.techradar.com/news/television/17-of-homes-to-have-3d-ready-tvs-by-2016-1005886
See the Informa webpage describing the study and pricing info below and here: https://commerce.informatm.com/reports/global-3dtv-2nd-edition.html#pricinginfo
Overview:
Informa’s 3DTV forecasts and analysis tracks the technology’s progress to date and up to 2016. Early adoption has been driven by its status as a novel technology attractive to early adopters. To move into the mainstream it now has to deliver compelling content combined with a high-quality viewing experience. 3DTV benefits from the backing of many key industry players: set manufacturers, content owners, broadcasters, platforms and operators. These parties have sufficient collective clout to create consumer momentum.
Several high profile 3D movies have already appeared in the cinema, which has helped to generate consumer awareness and demand. The slate of 3D productions is expanding. The Studios want to transfer this demand to DVD, especially using blu-ray. At the same time, games console manufacturers and publishers are developing 3D games, further pushing overall demand.
Sport is one of the main genres benefiting from 3D. Associations are always keen to exhibit their sports in new and compelling ways to viewers. There are a huge number of high-profile sporting events which will provide a great showcase for 3D programming.
3DTV programs and channels can broadcast via most existing HD set top boxes – so benefiting from a large installed base. Set manufacturers also report that the additional 3D component necessary is relatively cheap to install.
Key issues addressed:
- Track how key industry players are driving 3DTV take up
- Find out how key sporting events like the World Cup have driven penetration
- Learn how Operators are promoting their 3D Services
- Identify investment opportunities in new countries and across platforms
- Analyse what the impact of falling equipment prices have on 3D penetration
- Understand the impact and influence of the film industry, DVDs and games on 3DTV
Covers 53 countries and each country includes forecasts:
- TV households
- 3DTV active homes
- Digital TV households
- DTT households
- Digital cable TV households
- Pay DTH households
- Paying IPTV households
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Posted by Phil Lelyveld
Posted by Phil Lelyveld on August 30, 2011
[IBN Live (India)]
Dangerous Ishq, Sher Khan, Joker, Ra.One, Raaz 3 and Don 2. What’s common in all these films? Well, apart from boasting of big stars, these films are especially being made to suit the 3D multiplexes.
Made at a moderate budget, Haunted was considered hit by any standards. The grand success of Haunted has inspired Bhatt to go for more. His upcoming Raaz 3, with Emraan Hashmi and Bipasha Basu in the lead, is expected to hit the theaters in 2012. Several other films with mega star casts are also slated to release before December, next year.
Is the Hindi film industry banking too much upon the 3D phenomenon? …
The transition to Eastman colour films from the black and white films had happened over a period of several years, till the time the audience had got used to the new technique. So, the bombardment of 3 D films on Friday after Friday is not going to condition the Indian mindset. It will take time to adjust, particularly in semi-urban centers and single screens. No producer would like to see his films released only on urban centers. …
Read the full story here: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bollywood-3d-still-early-to-predict-the-future/179629-8-66.html
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Posted by Phil Lelyveld
Posted by Phil Lelyveld on August 30, 2011
[Philip Lelyveld comment: this can be both a content production and monetization tool.]
[Help Net Security]
Neurotechnology announced SentiSight 3.0, a Software Development Kit (SDK) for universal object recognition.
The object recognition algorithms now enable an even broader range of recognition capabilities for applications as varied as manufacturing, artificial intelligence, searches for identifiable marks and even place recognition.
SentiSight provides enhanced 2D and 3D object recognition quality using still or video images from most digital cameras, including Webcams. It can detect and recognize whether a particular rigid object, such as a product, logo or building, is in a scene and identify its specific location in that scene. …
It can handle occlusion of up to 50% as long as enough unique edges of the object are still visible. …
The new tracking algorithm provides enhanced tracking of objects in front of complex backgrounds and performs automatic, reliable tracking of fast-moving objects after they have been recognized. …
Read the full story here: http://www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=11534
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Posted by Phil Lelyveld
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