[IndieWire]

…we are plunging headlong into the fray to take a look back at what 3D did for 2011 at the movies, and what 2011 did for 3D.  …

Beginning And End Of Year Snapshots
Firstly, it should be noted that we leave 2011 in much a much better frame of mind towards 3D than we entered it: January’s big 3D release “The Green Hornet” was a mess, and displayed the worst excesses of both a post-conversion cash grab, and a substandard generic January release. Spin forward twelve months and we get Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo” — everything ‘Hornet’ was not — shot in 3D, lovingly designed for the format, and a celebration of its dramatic potential that detractors (like us) hadn’t really glimpsed. While perfect for grandeur and spectacle, even “Avatar” arguably didn’t immerse us in the dramatic texture that Scorsese demonstrated in “Hugo.” Perhaps this is why James Cameron himself started doing the press rounds with Scorsese, clearly impressed with what a true artist and auteur could bring to the medium.

The Emergence of Arthouse 3D …

Let’s Not Get Too Excited …

(Credit) Crunching The Numbers
If such additional revenue is actually to be had. And here’s where we get into the choppy waters of trying to analyze 2011’s 3D box office stats without our heads exploding.  …

Sequels Make Money, 3D Or Not
So bearing in mind that there exist more sophisticated matrices of market analysis than ours (which consists of Box Office Mojo, a calculator and a tub of mango yogurt for sustenance), what is the 3D bottom line for 2011? As far as we can make out, 3D movies, year to date, brought in approximately $3.175 billion domestically: a little over a third of 2011’s $9.244 billion domestic overall total.  …

Michael Bay To The Rescue …

National Treasure Declares Format Dead …

Cynical Casher-Inners Cash In, Cynically
Maybe it’s a hangover of the sense of possibility that “Hugo” left us with, and to a lesser extent, Spielberg’s “The Adventures of Tintin” and the last ‘Harry Potter,’ but even we have to admit grudgingly that on rare occasions, 3D can genuinely add something to the filmgoing experience that might be worth a few extra quid (though maybe not the further added charge for glassesthat Sony is threatening us with). Absolutely not, however, in the case of the aforementioned goddamned reissues. “Top Gun 3D”? Really? And let’s not forget to lay a wreath at the graveside of George Lucas’ integrity, as he goes back to the “Star Wars” well for the gazumpteenth time to 3D-imify and re-release those hideous prequels.  …

The Nostalgia Cash-In …

We Can’t Beat Them, So We Join Them (Sorta)
If you sense a certain resignation in our demeanor, you’d be right. While we’re as wary about some of the mooted 3D projects as ever (we’re um, curious to see how Baz Luhrmann makes longing and heartbreak boing off the screen into our laps in “The Great Gatsby 3D,” for example), we’ve also been given more reason than before to be hopeful that the format may yet yield a few further gems (Alfonso Cuaron’s epic spacy odyssey in 3D, “Gravity,” we’re looking at you and to a slightly lesser degree, “The Hobbit”). And since we can’t expect ‘Avatar’s 2 and 3 until 2014 and probably 2015, it’s unlikely we’ll see anything like a cessation in 3D moviemaking before then (never, ever bet against Cameron). So, you know, we have serious reservations, but also a dose of cautious optimism that we absolutely didn’t feel this time last year. Yes, we no doubt have yet to suffer the worst that 3D is going to literally throw at us …, but maybe for every ten bad/mediocre efforts, we’ll get a good one. That ratio, after all, is not so very different from that of the standard-format movies that we deal with every day, and it hasn’t dimmed our enthusiasm for those, now has it?

See the full story here: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/2011-the-year-in-3d

[Mashable]

1. The Next Generation of Consoles

This year introduced tons of new consoles and systems. Nintendo launched the 3DS, a handheld system that provided glasses-free 3D visuals, as well as the Nintendo Wii U, a console that features a tablet-like controller and asynchronous play. Nintendo has always pushed the boundaries of gaming and is almost always successful (cough, Virtua Boy). The Wii U will let users interact with a screen by using the tablet interface or pair the tablet with Wii controllers. One example had players throwing digital stars from their lap to the screen and another showed a golf game controlled by placing the tablet on the ground like a tee and swinging the Wii controller like a club.

The 3DS was a bit of a bust, sales-wise, for Nintendo. This might be due to the high sales of the DS and the pending launch of Sony’s PlayStation Vita, a powerful handheld with two touchscreens, an array of internal sensors and a graphics engine that can trounce any other mobile device.

…

See the full story here: http://mashable.com/2011/12/29/video-games-2011-review/

[Luton Today]

NEW technology that allows police to take a 3D image of a motorway crash scene is coming to Bedfordshire.

…

It is estimated the closure time will be cut by almost 40 minutes, as a 3D image of the site can quickly be created, rather than investigators painstakingly surveying multiple sections of the scene.

This digital image of the site can then be viewed on a computer screen remotely, allowing investigators to take measurements of where vehicles are in relation to each other and examine other important evidence.

In partnership with Hertfordshire Constabulary, Beds Police will receive £158,270, which will pay for two scanners.

…

Read the full story here: http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/local/3d_scanners_will_cut_crash_delay_times_1_3374492

[Reuters]

…

In many ways, we think of 3D as just another special effect. But “Hugo” doesn’t treat it like that at all. It uses 3D to say, “Come into this space where our story is happening.”

Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. Marty does bring you into the world, and he uses 3D to surround you with that world: the railway station and the toy shop and the apartment and the little hole in the wall where Asa lives. He pushed 3D round a very important corner, I think.  He’s done it.

Did shooting in 3D change how you did your work?

Yes. Every gesture you make has to be linked directly to the narrative. Nothing can be arbitrary. Nothing can be explained. I learnt a long time ago, you must never explain anything to the camera, because it doesn’t need it.  All it needs is to see the behavior of the character. It doesn’t want to see any acting. The camera is allergic to acting, it hates it. But the 3D camera has such x-ray capacity that you almost have to modify your acting to a terrifying degree.

…

Read the full story here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/30/idUS321792856920111230

[Wired]

After Hollywood made the jump to 3D, the rush was on to give everything an upgrade ( 3D TV! 3D opera! 3D fashion shows!). Clubbing appeared safe — until Novak, a collective of Newcastle-based creatives, launched 3D Disco, a high-tech, globally-touring party.

Clubbers in red-and-cyan shades watch 3D visuals on 3.5m-diagonal screens at eye level around the dancefloor — but with pre-rendered graphics, images can’t react in real time.

Andrew Nixon, a 34-year-old partner at Novak, turned to Unity, the software used in games such as Marvel Super Hero Squad. With Unity, visuals can be altered on the fly. “It’s built to react instantly,” says Nixon. “It’s like playing an instrument live, rather than playing back sections of recorded music. For every beat, say, we could have a circle getting bigger.” If 3D graphics operators can immediately alter the imagery, they can react to the crowd and potentially create new shows with other acts. And to think, people used to take narcotics to have 3D visions in discos.

See the original post here: http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/01/play/music-in-3d

[Broadband TV News]

Canal+ is to end its experimental 3D channel as of January 24, 2012. Reports in the French media indicate the channel had only managed to derive some 30,000 subscribers.

Initially launched in June 2010, the French premium channel had always taken a softly, softly approach to 3D broadcasts, running a single movie and one live event every month. It was also able to draw on 3D content produced in the UK and Spain.

Transmissions were receivable on Canal’s range of PVRs, including Le Cube, as well as IPTV Networks Free and SFR.

Local website Planet CSAT indicated that Canal might return to 3D when it is able to provide subscribers with a better experience.

See the original post here: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2011/12/30/canal-to-cease-3d-broadcasts/

[Market Saw]

Here’s my annual look at the best of the best 3D movies of 2011! Of course it is solely my opinion and I am seeking your thoughts in the comments.

I wanted to distinguish a few things, like the best native 3D, converted 3D, animated 3D and then combine them all into one top ten list that ALSO considers how well the story was delivered. We may be a 3D site, but a bad movie made with great 3D is still a bad movie.So hopefully these lists help a bit!

Oh and I put them in reverse order to add some dramatic flare…

Here’s my list of the 6 best native 3D movies of 2011 (not considering story):
6. DRIVE ANGRY
5. THE DARKEST HOUR
4. THE THREE MUSKETEERS
3. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES
2. TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON
1. HUGO

My list of the 6 best 3D animation movies of 2011 (not considering story):
6. HAPPY FEET 2
5. CARS 2
4. RIO
3. KUNG FU PANDA 2
2. PUSS IN BOOTS
1. THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (it’s hard to place a category on this!)

My list of the 6 best 3D conversion movies of 2011 (not considering story):

…

So here’s my ALL-IN TOP TEN LIST (CONSIDERING THE STORY):

…

And special distinction for CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS as the best 3D documentary.

…

Read the full story here: http://marketsaw.blogspot.com/2011/12/jim-doreys-best-3d-movies-of-2011.html

[High Def Digest]

Among the new designs is a pair of clip-on lenses and one designer frame.

LG has announced a few new styles of 3D glasses for 2012 and each brings something a little different to the mix.

The F310 is a more standard pair of passive 3D glasses but with an added curve to better match the wearer’s face. It’s also 20 percent lighter than last year’s model, putting it at just 13.5 grams.

LG’s F360 boasts a half-rim frame thanks to designer Alain Mikli. Like the 310 model, these are curved for better vision and comfort.

One boon for glasses-wearers is the F320, a set of clip-on lenses that turn your regular glasses into 3D glasses. It’s a really nice new product and will – assuming the price is right – almost certainly sell to those watching 3D movies in theaters and not just home theater buffs.

See the original post here: http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Passive_3D/3D_Glasses/LG/LG_Intros_New_3D_Glasses_for_2012/8392

[TV Technology]

It was one of the most riveting keynote speeches I had ever heard. 

“Who are the real Hollywood stars?” Scott Ross asked the packed crowd filling Salon 1 of the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel during October’s annual SMPTE Technical Conference.

Then he put a list of the top 20 highest-grossing box office films of all time on the screen in front of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers audience.

“Notice that, in this whole list, only one franchise featured an established star,” Ross said. “But all of them, without exception, were powered either by massive digital visual effects or computer-generated animation.”

…

The demand for visual effects will not go away, of course. So Ross envisions a future VFX industry built around a hub-and-spoke paradigm, which is being accelerated by broadband Internet connections.

…

“We need a major change in the industry,” Ross finished up. “The people who own and operate visual effects facilities have to understand that they are not the tail that wags the dog. They are the dog!”

After all, as Ross told the SMPTE audience, “It don’t mean a thing if it can’t go ka-ching!”

Read the full article here: http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/just-who-are-the-real-hollywood-stars/211050

[TV Technology]

Panasonic recently announced pricing and availability for its latest professional 3D camcorder, the HDC-Z10000, delivering in December at a suggested list price of $3500. 

The Z1000 achieves the industry’s nearest close-up of approximately 17.7 inches (45cm) for a twin-lens 3D camcorder, while maintaining an equivalent 32mm wide angle of view. It records close-up images that would be conventionally difficult to capture in crisp detail.\ 

The Z10000 is Panasonic’s first integrated twin-lens 2D/3D camcorder that is fully compatible with the AVCHD 3D/Progressive standard. Based on the AVCHD format, this new standard has been upgraded to AVCHD 3D, which uses Multiview Video Coding to record and play 3D images via the Frame Sequential Method (each frame is full resolution). AVCHD 3D/Progressive is the latest format in the 3D domain and assures frame-by-frame results. 

Its imaging system combines two large-diameter F1.5 lenses featuring a special Nano Surface Coating; two independent, high-sensitivity 3MOS sensors and a newly developed Crystal Engine Pro II for high-speed processing and noise reduction.

Read the original post here: http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/panasonic-announces-pricing-on-handheld-d-camcorder/211115