Russian film quotas

Russia will set minimum local cinema quota

Minimum local cinema quota proposed

Officials are looking to make Russian cinemas’ repertoire more patriotic by forcing them to show minimum percentage of domestic films. The measure is to support local production “of a higher quality,” according to Deputy Economic Development Minister Stanislav Voskresensky, and might result in giving a considerable amount of screen time to Russian movies. “Choosing between ‘Bad Teacher’ and a domestic comedy, distributors are to be motivated to pick a Russian film,” he told Kommersant. One-quarter local productions proposed Voskresensky proposed a minimum quota of 24 percent of all screening time in his letter to the Culture Ministry, Kommersant reported. The deputy minister said the document was submitted for further discussion. “On average, after the first weekend Russian films have been showing a slower decrease in box office sales than foreign pictures since the end of 2010, which denotes their better quality,” Voskresensky’s message read. The size of the quota is yet to be discussed, Voskresensky said. In France, the minimal quota is 43 percent, in Italy it is 21 percent, according to an appendix to his letter. Another way to back national film industry could be imposing limits for film imports, but the Economic Development Ministry doesn’t insist on this, the deputy-minister wrote. One-sixth of total local sales In 2011, local films earned nearly $193 million in box office sales in Russia together with other CIS member states except Ukraine. This sum amounts to 16.3 percent of the $1.2 billion in total film revenues in the region, according to industry trade magazine Byulleten Kinoprokatchika. Without any special support, the gains from Russian films are expected to grow up to $270 million, or 20 percent of the entire market, according to the Movie Research industry analysis company. And the introduction of quotas might result in a general income decrease, Sergei Kitin, general director of cinema chain Cinema Park, told Kommersant. The proposal might also not work, according to Rafael Akopov, president of the ProfMedia holding, which manages Cinema Park and owns Russian leading independent film distributor Central Partnership. “If an obligatory Russian film fails at the box office, cinemas will just screen it in a closet,” he said.

Saigon: 3D cinema complex for kids

City plans 3D cinema complex for children in Saigon

Hua Ngoc Thuan, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has submitted a plan to construct several 3D cinema complexes for children in the city. The city will provide funds to build the 3D cinema complexes for children in suburban districts and urban districts will use their own budget to construct a 3Dcinema in every Children House. The City People’s Committee also asked the Youth Union, the Department of Science and Technology, the Management of Saigon High-tech Park, the HCMC Union of Science and Technology Associations to submit feasible science and technology projects as gifts for chidren on International Children’s Day.

France kills off the Silver Screen and passive 3D systems

France votes to phase out the the Silver Screens and the use Passive 3D Cinema systems.

The CNC decided that all the theaters equipped with passive solution to remove all the silver screens in the 5 coming years. All the theaters are required to apply the AFNOR standard that stipulate that the maximum light tolerance between center and angles of the screen cannot be more than 20% - with silver screen it is more than 50%. The CNC, CST and Directors guild consider that silver screens highly damage the quality of films in 2D and that is no more acceptable. The exhibitors association has asked 5 years to proceed in order to amortize the investment.

India's 3D dance film "ABCD" - Any Body Can Dance

India's UTV 3D dance flick 'ABCD' goes on floors

3d to 2d conversion! Yes, really !

Montreal’s Sensio Technologies to license 3D TV technology to Samsung

Montreal’s Sensio Technologies Inc. announced on Wednesday that it secured a licensing agreement with Samsung for its technology to be used in 3D televisions. The company will sell Samsung – the world’s largest television maker – software that will allow 3D images to be converted back to 2D mode. The technology, known as Sensio S2D Switch, allows users to watch 3D programs in standard modes. This is useful for when there is a large group of people and not enough glasses to share, or if people are not comfortable watching 3D programs. “After licensing other manufacturers last year, signing this agreement with Samsung Electronics constitutes another major milestone and validates our S2D Switch patent licensing strategy on which we have worked for a long time now”, Nicholas Routhier, President and CEO at Sensio said in a statement. “For us, signing a patent licence agreement with the world leader of 3DTVs definitely enhances the value of our S2D Switch patent, and our overall patent portfolio, and demonstrates that leaders in the industry value our intellectual property. We expect this agreement to positively influence our ongoing negotiations with other TV manufacturers who have deployed or are considering integrating our S2D switch technology.”  

Oscar winners 2012

Best picture: “The Artist.” Actress in a leading role: Meryl Streep, “Iron Lady.” Actor in a leading role: Jean Dujardin, “The Artist.” Actress in a supporting role: Octavia Spencer, “The Help.” Actor in a supporting role: Christopher Plummer, “Beginners.” Directing: Michel Hazanavicius, “The Artist.” [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8K9AZcSQJE[/youtube] Cinematography: “Hugo.” Art direction: “Hugo.” Costume design: “The Artist.” Makeup: “The Iron Lady.” Foreign language film: “A Separation,” Iran. Film editing: “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” Sound editing: “Hugo.” Sound mixing: “Hugo.” Documentary feature: “Undefeated.” Animated feature film: “Rango.” Visual effects: “Hugo.” Original score: “The Artist.” Original song: “Man or Muppet” from “The Muppets.” Adapted screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, “The Descendants.” Original screenplay: Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris.” Live action short film: “The Shore.” Documentary (short subject): “Saving Face.” Animated short film: “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.”

LG reveals Optimus Max 3D in pre-MWC teaser

LG reveals Optimus Max 3D in pre-MWC teaser

LG has revealed another device it will display at next week's Mobile World Congress with a new high-speed 3D device. The Optimus Max 3D runs on a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and offers HSPA+ 21Mbps on 3G. It has a 8GB of internal storage, 1GB internal memory, a five-megapixel dual-lens camera and a 4.3-inch screen. It also features an HD converter, which offers high definition quality on a television connected through a mobile high definition link. It can also convert the likes of Google Earth and Google Maps into 3D. The device is 9.6mm thin and weighs 148g. It will launch in the Korean market in March and will head to Europe shortly afterwards. The Optimus 3D Max runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread but will be upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich shortly after launch. LG Electronics mobile communications president and CEO Jong-seok Park said: 'The Optimus 3D Max was born from LG’s constant efforts to bring user entertainment experience to a higher level. The introduction of the Optimus 3D last year ushered in a new era for smartphones and the Optimus 3D Max is real proof of LG’s commitment to portable 3D entertainment

Baftas 2012 winners

Star Wars 3D opens tomorrow, 9th Feb

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbf_wbbjfy4[/youtube]

Star Wars 3D opens tomorrow

THE epic adventure "Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace," from visionary filmmaker George Lucas, captivated global audiences when it first came out in 1999. The Force is back. But this time in 3D giving the fi lm an immersive dimension and turning it into an altogether richer cinematic experience. It's an experience that will inevitably be thrilling: watching "Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace" 3D on the big screen. The first Star Wars movie to be presented in spectacular 3D, all the exciting elements of the original remain, with added dimension and nuance. George Lucas, the pioneering and brilliant filmmaker behind Star Wars, has overseen the process with his renowned attention to detail. John Knoll, the visual effects supervisor for Lucas film's Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) was responsible for the actual conversion. He served as visual effects supervisor on all three of the Star Wars prequels. The remaining five Star Wars films will be converted to 3D over the coming years. "I think 3D makes the film more immersive," says Knoll. "The extra dimension makes the audience feel like they are more present in the Star Wars universe. I wanted to make sure that we were not turning this into a gimmick. It's something that should feel natural and not cause eye-strain or cheapen the product so I was not looking for places to poke stuff out of the camera. I went for naturalistic stereo as though the movie had actually been shot in stereo. I think the film looks better than it ever looked before." "Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace" was released in 1999. The movie starred Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn and Ewan McGregor as his apprentice Obi- Wan-Kenobi, a determined young Jedi Knight. Natalie Portman played Queen Amidala. Jake Lloyd starred as Anakin Skywalker. It is a fantastically exciting adventure set 32 years before the events of the original. The film follows Anakin's journey as he pursues his dreams and confronts his fears in the midst of a galaxy in turmoil. In between the production of Episode II (2002) and Episode III (2005), Lucas first began exploring the idea of presenting the entire Star Wars saga as 3D theatrical releases. Active 3D conversion work on "Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace" began in 2010. ""I'm really excited about the new big screen release of the fi lm. We've worked very hard to get the best quality 3D we could. The big screen experience is so much better than watching it on television. It was designed to put you in the environment and surround you with the sound and the picture. There is nothing like it. I'm so glad that we were able to bring this whole experience to the next generation. This will be the third generation that will be able to see it on the big screen and when you're young, it's an overwhelming and powerful event," relates Lucas on the 3D conversion of the movie. Lucas recalls that "Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace" underwent a painstaking frame by- frame conversion from a 2D film to a 3D experience thanks to the efforts of Prime Focus, a global visual entertainment services company, and ILM, the preeminent visual effects company that has produced the visuals for all the Star Wars movies. "Originally I was not a big fan of 3D. I really thought 3D was a gimmick. Then later on I was trying to get digital projectors into the theaters. I was doing a presentation in Las Vegas. Bob Zemeckis and Jim Cameron came up to me and said: 'We want to get 3D into the theaters. Would you join us in showing the theater owners that you can do 3D?' And I said: 'That'd be good because in order to do 3D you have to have digital theaters. So it would promote my idea of digital theaters.' Then when I saw the test that we did of Star Wars in 3D, I realized how great it was and how great it looked. I became fascinated with the idea of converting STAR WARS into 3D, which was easier said than done. It took us a long time to develop a structure in which we could actually do a really good conversion of a 2D film into a 3D film," further shares Lucas. "Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace" (3D) opens February 9 in cinemas from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

ULTIMATE FIGHT 3D !

Ultimate Fight Championship to Air Live in 3-D at Theatres

The Ultimate Fighting Championship, in conjunction with Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp. and NCM Fathom, announced that tickets for the first-ever live, 3-D broadcast of a UFC Pay-Per-View event on the Big Screen are on sale now. The championship fight card, UFC 143: DIAZ vs. CONDIT, airs live and in 3-D in more than 100 theatres nationwide on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The night’s main event pits the fiery and unpredictable Nick Diaz against hard-hitting knockout artist Carlos Condit for the interim UFC welterweight title. An exciting co-main event features heavyweight Roy “Big Country” Nelson battling submission ace Fabricio Werdum. Tickets for UFC 143: DIAZ vs. CONDIT are available for purchase now at www.ufc.com/3D, as well as at theatre box offices across the country. Fans can visit the website for information on which theatres will be carrying the event in their respective regions. “I know the fans love 3-D, so I’m happy to give them this championship fight live and in 3-D in theatres across the country,” UFC President Dana White said. “I cannot wait for this fight between Diaz and Condit to determine the interim UFC welterweight champion!”

NO ROOM FOR ROCKSTARS ... for one night only

Cinedigm to Present NO ROOM FOR ROCKSTARS as One Night Theatrical Event on March 1, 2012

Cinedigm Entertainment Group, a division of Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp., announced that it will release NO ROOM FOR ROCKSTARS in select theaters across the U.S. in an exclusive engagement on Thursday, March 1, 2012. Filmmaker Parris Patton's much-anticipated documentary chronicling the Vans Warped Tour, will have its World Premiere at the 2012 Slamdance Film Festival on Sunday, January 22 in Park City, Utah.

"We are thrilled to bring NO ROOM FOR ROCK STARS to the many avid VANS WARPED TOUR fans across the country," said Bob Fiorella, COO of Cinedigm Entertainment Group. "This documentary is the perfect candidate for the extremely targeted and efficient distribution model that digital cinema enables and we are confident that VANS WARPED TOUR fans will flock to theatres to support the exclusive engagement."

From the team responsible for the acclaimed DOGTOWN AND Z BOYS, NO ROOM FOR ROCKSTARS is a film that resonates beyond tour and punk rock fans to anyone seeking out the true stories of rock and roll. For 17 years, the Vans Warped Tour has been a punk rock juggernaut, a misfit circus crisscrossing North America every summer as a wandering minstrel show for youth culture. Warped has provided a launching pad for a dizzying array of talent, from Green Day and Blink 182 to Ice-T, Eminem and No Doubt, along with perennial punk legends such as Pennywise, All, Bouncing Souls and Bad Religion.

Theatre locations will be announced in the coming weeks at www.noroomforrockstars.com .

Following the one-night theatrical event, NO ROOM FOR ROCKSTARS will be released on iTunes on April 2 and DVD on May 8.

Scorsese honoured with Harold Lloyd Award for 3D

Martin Scorsese honoured with Harold Lloyd Award at International 3D Society Creative Arts Awards, February 1, 2012

'Hugo 3D' director, Martin Scorsese, follow in James Cameron's footsteps and be awarded  the 2012 Harold Lloyd Award at the International 3D Society in Hollywood on 1st February.

"Marty Scorsese has embodied Harold Lloyd's vision and passion for captivating movie fans around the world for his entire career," said Suzanne Lloyd, Lloyd's granddaughter and Chairman of Harold Lloyd Entertainment, who will make the presentation. "With 'Hugo' he has shared his love of filmmaking and filmmakers, in 3D, which would also have thrilled Harold,".

"For all of us involved in the 3D creative process, Mr. Scorsese's contribution this year with 'Hugo' is an artistic achievement we all celebrate," said Jim Mainard, Chairman of the Society of DreamWorks Animation.

The Award was established by the 3D Society and the Lloyd Family to annually celebrate filmmakers for groundbreaking artistic and technical achievement in 3D.

"Mr. Lloyd was a life-long advocate for 3D movies, although technology never allowed him to realize his dream. But in joining last year's recipient, James Cameron, Mr. Scorsese has not only realized that dream, but he has produced a work of art," said Jim Chabin, President of the Society. "Added to his dedication to film restoration and preservation, we simply can't imagine a more worthy recipient of our highest honor."

'Hugo,' Scorsese's first 3D feature, was shot in London and Paris and is based on the novel 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret.' The critically acclaimed film was called, by the Los Angeles Times, Scorsese's "valentine to the movies." Nominated for a Golden Globe for "Best Picture," 'Hugo' is also in the running for the Society's "Best Picture" Award.

The Society's Gold Lumiere(TM) statuette will be presented for distinguished achievement in fifteen categories, including film and television, at its annual Creative Arts Awards. The Society's Annual black-tie Awards Dinner will be held at the Beverly Hills Hotel Crystal Ballroom. Lloyd's great, great granddaughter, actress Jackie Lloyd, will assist presenters on-stage at this year's honors.

Lloyd wrote, acted in, directed and produced more than 200 films. In a 1923 interview, Lloyd predicted that "the person who produces perfect stereo motion-pictures will have accomplished the greatest achievement since the first motion-picture." He founded the Hollywood 3D Society in 1950 with Edgar Bergen and actor Sterling Holloway (the voice of Disney's Winnie the Pooh'). He served as its first President.

In addition to his films, the Harold Lloyd Archive contains more than 250,000 stereoscopic 3D photographs of Hollywood celebrities, events, people, and places Lloyd encountered while pursuing his passion for 3D photography.

Martin Scorsese wins Golden Glode for Hugo 3D

Martin Scorsese won a well-deserved Golden Globe for Hugo 3D. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKs5V_Sp1_0[/youtube]

Stephen Whitty of Star Ledger was fulsome in his praise Scorsese's deft use of 3D: "He uses it the way few filmmakers have. Now, when rude people push themselves at us in a closeup, they actually invade our space; long shots really are long shots, and when the camera rushes through a crowd, it grabs our hand and takes us with it."

Panasonic strongly committed to the future 3D

Panasonic makes strong commitment to the future of 3D

Following from Sony's positive comments about the future of 3D, Panasonic gave its full endorsement: "Avatar opened eyes to the immersive and captivating entertainment value of 3D in one's home, said Eisuke Tsuyzaki, Panasonic Corporation of North America Chief Technology Officer. "Panasonic is in the unique position of being involved in all areas of 3D, from production to what you see in your living room. We are 100% committed to the technology and confident in the knowledge that 3D TV is actually of to a faster start than the implementation of HDTV. For example there are multiple full time 3D channels available on cable and satellite, not to mention the large and varied content on 3D Blu-ray Discs. Also, the continuing popularity and number of theatrical releases can only bode well for the in-home acceptance." Panasonic is at the forefront of the industry and leads the way with Full HD 3D technology and High Definition televisions. It introduced its 2012 line of Smart VIERA Full HD 3D HDTVs and Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc players at the Consumer Electronics Show and  confirmed its commitment to 3D technology. Of the 17 models in the 2012 Plasma line-up 16 feature the 3D technology, while five of the 14 LED/LCD HDTVs provide 3D capability. Furthermore four of the six Blu-ray Disc players in the 2012 line are Full HD 3D. Panasonic has created an entire eco-system to create and display 3D images with the Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory (PHL) which sets the standard for authoring and mastering of 3D Blu-ray Discs with many of the current 3D titles now in the market coming from PHL.

3DGO!: SENSIO creates dedicated 3D VoD

SENSIO Announces Creation of Dedicated 3D Video-on-Demand Service: 3DGO!

5 January, 2012

SENSIO Technologies Inc. (SENSIO)today announced the launch of a 3D Video-on-Demand (VoD) store: 3DGO!, a unique product to boost consumer 3D adoption. With 3DGO! consumers across the US will benefit from a complete and user friendly 3D solution to access and view high-quality 3D titles in the SENSIO(R) Hi-Fi 3D format. Available in Spring 2012, 3DGO! will offer a wide variety of dedicated 3D content, ranging from blockbuster studio titles to must-see documentaries, to consumers whose 3DTVs support SENSIO(R) Hi-Fi 3D technology.

After installing the application on a connected 3DTV, consumers will simply need to select the 3DGO! service to immediately start enjoying 3D content. Neither subscription nor additional equipment is required.

"We committed ourselves to bringing added value to our SENSIO(R) Hi-Fi 3D clients and to keeping them one step ahead," said Nicholas Routhier, SENSIO president and CEO. "We know customers want more 3D content and easy/convenient access to it. This is exactly why we are launching 3DGO!. For the first time, consumers will get an easy access to the largest on demand 3D dedicated library directly from their 3DTV. 3DGO! is the simplest way to make a good use of any 3DTV."

German 3D Documentary "Pina" hits Theatres

German 3D Documentary "Pina" hits Theatres

A documentary called “Pina” is making a splash among viewers because it is one of only a handful of 3D documentaries available. It is about a German dance choreographer named Pina Bausch and has been available at select U.S. Theaters from Dec. 23. The documentary focuses on dance choreography and the life of Pina Bausch (1940-2009) who is credited with creating a dance expression called “Theatertanz.”. Judging by the trailer, it seems like a very surreal type of documentary and definitely different from the mainstream. The Wall Street Journal's Joe Morgenstern says: “A haunting elegy for choreographer Pina Bausch with a wondrously surreal evocation of her work. Takes unprecedented advantage of 3-D.”

Astra launches 3D showcase in Germany

Astra launches 3D showcase in Germany

A demonstration channel has been launched by SES. This channel on the orbital position 19.2° East has been launched for the telecast of 3D TV. The satellite channel aims around 19 million Astra households of Switzerland, Germany and Australia. It would provide 24 hour service. Astra Deutschland acclaims that the aim behind designing and launching of the 3D channel was to develop a presentation and test platform for the broadcasters, retailers and the manufacturers. It possesses the frequency range 12.574 GHz H (SR 22,000, FEC 2/3). The content of the channel would be set on a monthly basis. Initially only loops consisting of sports scenes would be shown. It would require a 3D TV set with 3D glasses apart from an HD receiver to watch the 3D programs.  

3D TV prices 27% lower

Flat-Panel TV Pricing Drops

According to a study released Tuesday by IHS iSuppli average pricing for LCD and plasma TVs dipped to $1,113.91, down 3.3 percent from the October level of $1,152.55, according to the IHS iSuppli U.S. TV Price & Specifications Tracker report.

Price declines were also measured in in 3D LCD TVs, with average pricing in November down to $2,201-a decline of 0.7 percent from October, and 27 percent less than the year-ago level, according to IHS.

Among plasma sets, average prices were down 4 percent in November to $1,533. Manufacturers are using 3D technology to keep prices and revenue higher, even as the category is phased out, altogether, IHS said.

Digital projectors No.1 in cinema market

12 December, 2011

TI says these latest figures mark a turning point in the cinema industry with more than 50% of the estimated worldwide commercial cinema screens converting to digital. The industry expects the shift to near completion by the end of 2015. To mark the event, DLP Cinema provided each of its licensees; Barco, Christie and NEC, with a commemorative DLP Cinema chip representing the 50,000th 3-chipset manufactured. These chips will be installed at three cinemas. Barco has selected the Cinemark El Tesoro in Medellin, Colombia, Christie has chosen the Shanghai Film Group Corporation (SFG) in China and NEC has picked the Majestic Cinema in Milwaukee, WI USA as the worldwide representatives of this 50,000th milestone. Christie said that it was responsible for shipping and installing more than 26,000 digital cinema projectors worldwide while Barco claimed more than 20,000 units bagging 40% of the total DLP Cinema based projector fleet across the globe. In the 12-month period between December 1, 2010 and November 30, 2011, the number of DLP Cinema screens worldwide grew to a total of 51,620 (up from 28,036) – nearly double the amount of such screens at this point in 2010 – for an increase of 84 percent. DLP Cinema 3D screens have risen 65 percent to 30,290 in total (from 18,367) during the same 12 month timeframe. The total DLP Cinema worldwide screens do not include IMAX digital powered by DLP Cinema, which separately grew to 410 sites globally. The EMEA region saw a 91% increase in DLP Cinema screens in the same 12 month period to reach 17, 670 installations. It saw a 56% increase with 3D to reach 10,848.

Taiwan market: 3D TV penetration rate to reach 14-15% in 2012

12 December, 2011 Chimei, BenQ and other vendors are expected to launch more 3D TV models in the Taiwan market in 2012 with the penetration rate of 3D TVs in the local TV market to reach 14-15% in the year compared to 3-4% in 2010 and 7-8% in 2011, according to industry sources. To capitalize on year-end demand, Chimei has recently launched a series of 3D LED TVs with sizes ranging from 42-, 46- and 55-inch, emphasizing its active 3D or 2D-to-3D conversion technologies. Sony recently lowered prices for its mainstream 40-inch 3D models to maintain its leadership in the local market, of which the Japan-based vendor is expected to capture a 20% share by year-end 2011, the sources estimated. BenQ has released 46- and 55-inch 3D TVs in China and plans to also introduce these two models into the Taiwan market in the first quarter of 2012. Meanwhile, the penetration rate of LED TVs in the local market is expected to top 45% by the fourth quarter of 2012 before reaching 50% in the first half of 2012 and 60% by the end of the year, said the sources.

Sony Pictures CEO: 3D Blu-ray Movies Not Enough to Drive Household Adoption

12 December, 2011

Hollywood’s marketing of 3D Blu-ray Disc movies won’t be enough to drive wider consumer adoption of 3D in the home, the head of Sony Pictures said. Speaking Dec. 7 in an investor call with William Blair & Co.in Chicago, Michael Lynton, CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, said in-home adoption of 3D has been stymied by a dearth of compelling content beyond movies. Our view is that this statement would appear to argue strongly in favour of high quality 2D to 3D conversions of movies. Lynton said greater availability of sports programming and video games in 3D would help jump start the format among consumers. Indeed, with many games already available in 3D and early attempts to broadcast college football — in addition to the 2010 Beijing Olympics and The Masters — well-received, the belief is that expanded sports coverage could help 3D clear remaining hurdles into the home. “It’s going to be based on what people want to watch,” Lynton said. “I don’t think that [3D] movies are going to drive [in-home adoption.]” The CEO said consumers want to watch 3D movies in the home, but he believes that sports and video gaming will be more of a “pull” for consumers compared with movies. Adoption would be driven by "sports, nature programming like what Discovery is doing, and gaming," he said. Sony, IMAX and Discovery Channel are partners in 3Dnet, the 3DTV channel carried by DirecTV and other multichannel video programing distributors. “I think gaming will be a major driver,” Lynton said. Sony is releasing seven theatrical movies in 3D in 2012, including reboots of the “Spider-Man” and “Men in Black” franchises. At the same time, domestic 3D viewership on new releases ranges from 40% to 60%, which is down from previous years, according to William Blair. Meanwhile, international 3D theatrical attendance is up 60%, due in part to the novelty of the format. “Part of the reason is that [3D movies] are newer [abroad] and you are continuing to see digital screens roll out more aggressively because there are fewer of them,” Lynton said, adding that Sony would only release titles in 3D if the format enhanced the quality of the movie.

Taiwan market: 3D TV penetration rate to reach 14-15% in 2012

12 December, 2011

Chimei, BenQ and other vendors are expected to launch more 3D TV models in the Taiwan market in 2012 with the penetration rate of 3D TVs in the local TV market to reach 14-15% in the year compared to 3-4% in 2010 and 7-8% in 2011, according to industry sources.

To capitalize on year-end demand, Chimei has recently launched a series of 3D LED TVs with sizes ranging from 42-, 46- and 55-inch, emphasizing its active 3D or 2D-to-3D conversion technologies.

Sony recently lowered prices for its mainstream 40-inch 3D models to maintain its leadership in the local market, of which the Japan-based vendor is expected to capture a 20% share by year-end 2011, the sources estimated.

BenQ has released 46- and 55-inch 3D TVs in China and plans to also introduce these two models into the Taiwan market in the first quarter of 2012.

Meanwhile, the penetration rate of LED TVs in the local market is expected to top 45% by the fourth quarter of 2012 before reaching 50% in the first half of 2012 and 60% by the end of the year, said the sources.

Sony Honoured for 3D Education and Advocacy

Sony Corp. of America will be honoured by the International 3D Society for its role in advancing the stereoscopic medium. The company will be presented with the Sir Charles Wheatstone Award for advocacy, technology and professional education. In addition to its long-standing support for 3D films and filmmakers, Sony is being recognized for the dedicated 3D Technology Center it opened in March 2010. “Sony put 3D production technology into the hands of professionals, educating thousands of content creators on how to get 3D production right,” said Lenny Lipton, 3D inventor and co-founder of the I3DS. Sony obviously makes 3D movies, and its Imageworks division helps filmmakers from any studio create in 3D. Among other things, the company also makes 3D broadcast equipment, 4K projection systems, home televisions and the head-mounted HMZT1 Personal 3D Viewer, and the PlayStation 3 supports full stereoscopic 3D gaming. Chris Cookson, whose official title is president of Sony Pictures Technologies, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and chief officer of the Sony 3D Technology Center, Sony Corp. of America, thanked the I3DS for the honor and for its efforts on behalf of professionals working with 3D. “Sony’s mission is to help industry professionals understand how to create effective and realistic 3D, so that they can tell amazing stories in 3D,” he said. “It has been our privilege to work with over 3,000 TV and film professionals who have participated in Sony 3D Tech Center classes and workshops in the last two years, all with the common goal of providing audiences the best possible 3D experiences.” The society chose the award’s name because Sir Charles Wheatstone is widely credited with the discovery of stereoscopic 3D in 1852. He explained how humans see in in three dimensions by mentally combining impression the two slightly different images seen by each eye, and was able to translate this knowledge into the creation of a viewer that could cause flat images to be perceived as though they had depth. Sony will be presented with the I3DS’ Lumiere statuette (pictured) at the Society’s 3rd Annual 3D Creative Arts Awards ceremony to be held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 1, 2012.

Peter Gabriel Rocks Glasses Free Mobile 3D with Spatial View

Spatial View, the Toronto-based 3D content and auto-stereoscopic display developer, is distributing Peter Gabriel's New Blood Live in London In 3Dimensions concert, in partnership with Eagle Rock Entertainment, an independent music program producer and distributor. The New Blood Live in London concert film, shot by Eagle Rock, is available for download for the iPhone 4/4S from Spatial View's 3DeeCentral site. New Blood Live in London concert film and tracks will also be available from the company's 3D content portal for 3D-enabled Android devices and Internet-connected 3D TVs. Once the concert is downloaded it can be seen in 3D, without glasses, by placing one of Spatial View's overlay screens, called a 3DeeSlide, on an iPhone 4 / 4S. The concert was staged at London's Hammersmith Apollo last March, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist Peter Gabriel performed a collection of orchestral reinterpretations of his songs. Captured for the first time in 3D, the shoot involved a crew armed with 3D cameras and related equipment. Produced by Eagle Rock production company EMP and directed by Blue Leach, the concert film is a visual feast with the drama of a 46-piece orchestra, conducted by Ben Foster. Producer Joss Crowley described some of the creative and technical challenges encountered on the shoot in correspondence with Mediacaster Magazine: "The technology is still relatively new and complex. It requires a lot of testing and prep time. The room for error is much smaller than in 2D production. If the left eye isn't aligned perfectly with the right eye or there is a different in exposure levels you can end up with unusable footage," he outlined. "Somewhere between the director, the producer, and the DoP, has arisen a new role: the stereographer! They play a crucial role in achieving good 3D stereo imaging and they advise on areas such as cameras, lenses, lighting, camera and stage positions." "It was a buzz seeing the way Spatial View turned something as small as the iPhone into a magical box:  a bona-fide 3D device. Capturing our own New Blood Live show in not one, not two, but three dimensions was no easy job," Peter Gabriel said in a statement. "I'm very pleased the way Eagle Rock and all the creative team managed to record the essence of the concert, a concert experience that can now be shared by many more people through Spatial View's cool technology." "One of the main barriers to 3D going mainstream is the lack of compelling 3D content," Al Lopez, COO, Spatial View added. "The addition of the New Blood Live in London in 3Dimensions concert to the 3DeeCentral online store is evidence of Spatial View's commitment to create a central location. We are thrilled to partner with Peter Gabriel and Eagle Rock on this project." Spatial View will also sell a limited edition Peter Gabriel New Blood Live in London branded 3DeeSlide, an iPhone 4/4S accessory that lets people watch 3D content, glasses-free. Founded in 2004, Spatial View provides software, services, and accessories for the creation, adaptation, and viewing of stereo 3D content on a variety of mobile devices, PCs, and Internet-connected TVs. Headquartered in Toronto, ON, Spatial View also has offices in the United States and Belgium. Eagle Rock Entertainment is a major producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and digital media. Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, high definition and 3D programmes, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.

Orange to expand 3D offering

French pay TV operator Orange is expanding its 3D content after striking a deal with broadcaster myZen.tv. The France Telecom-backed operator will launch a raft of lifestyle content from myZen.tv on Orange channel 30. The programmes will be available for free for HD subscribers that have 3D television and glasses. The two companies had previously worked together on a series of well being content distributed in 2D, but this is the first move into 3D programming. “With new projects including sport, cinema, royal weddings, nature, and now well-being, Orange is showing its capacity for innovation in terms of the development and broadcast of 3D content,” Orange noted in a statement.

3D TV Prices In China Reduced By Almost 50%

Plans are now afoot in China to introduce 3D TV channels, which also includes a trial broadcast of the Olympic Games all set to be held in London in 2012. As a result of this move and the predictable high demand the 3D TV makers in the country have already begun a belligerent price war. The future market scope as well as the present market of television in China is massive. As far as estimation goes about 95 percent of the people have at least one TV in their house. This approximated figure excludes the numerous offices, business organizations, bars and coffee shops where large LCD TV’s are extensively used for self-promotion and entertainment purposes. With there being such a huge market opportunity and scope for massive growth, big brand television manufacturers such as Haier, Skyworth, Haisense and Konka have cut down their 3D TV prices by a huge margin which is even almost 50 percent in some cases. As for example you could have got a 40 – 42 inch LED 3D TV at a cost of approximately 11,900 Yuan ($1871) around January this year; however with this aggressive price cut you can get an LED 3D TV of same dimensions at about 6,138 Yuan ($965). There are some domestic brands that have dropped their prices for a 40 inch 3D TV as much as 5000 Yuan ($786).

China to unveil its first 3D TV channel in January!

People of China will have an all new experience of TV viewing as China's first 3D television channel will unveil on a trial basis on Jan. 1, 2012. The channel will officially air its operation during the upcoming Lunar New Year Festival in late January as informed by the government authorities. Commenting on the occasion, Cai Fuchao, head of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, said, "We have officially started preparations for the country's first experimental 3D TV channel and have issued two technical guidelines on the production and airing of 3D television programs and 3D television signal transmission." Cai further added that, the channel will be unveiled with collaborated efforts of six TV stations, including China Central Television.

3D LCD TV Panel Shipments Grew 27% in Q3'11

3D LCD TV Panel Shipments Grew 27% in Q3'11

Shipments of 3D LCD TV panels reached 6.6 million units in Q3'11, accounting for 27% growth Q/Q. The pattern retarder type and shutter glass type are growing by 34% and 23%, respectively. According to NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Large-Area TFT LCD Shipment Report - Advanced LED + 3D, panel makers are targeting very strong 30% growth in 3D LCD TV panel shipments for Q4'11. Downstream manufacturers and brands are continuously promoting 3D, and end-user awareness and interest are growing. In Q3'11, 3D TV panel penetration in total LCD TV panel shipments reached 12%. "The TFT LCD industry has been in oversupply for six consecutive quarters, which has influenced the price premium for 3D panels. While there are still many questions about the lack of 3D content and services, as well as end-users' needs, LCD TV panel makers have been strongly promoting 3D through lower prices and the introduction of new, cost-effective technologies," noted David Hsieh, Vice President, Greater China Market for NPD DisplaySearch. While LCD TV panel shipments did not grow in Q3'11, 3D panel shipment growth was healthy, and panel makers are targeting 30% Q/Q growth for Q4'11. According to NPD DisplaySearch estimates based on panel makers' shipment targets, 3D LCD TV panel shipments will reach 21.5 million units in 2011, with 3D penetration in LCD TV panels of 10% (4% pattern retarder type and 6% shutter glass type). Furthermore, with the launch of a series of newly developed low-cost 3D solutions, panel makers are targeting 20% 3D penetration in LCD TV panels by Q3'12. This level of 3D TV penetration may lead to more content availability. In addition to 3D TV, panel makers are aggressively promoting 3D monitor panels, especially for consumer entertainment PC and game markets. In 3D LCD monitors, pattern retarder makers are more aggressive than shutter glass makers. Panel makers are targeting shipments of more than 1.5 million per quarter from Q2'12 onward. This is up from 250,000 units in Q3'11.

High TV 3D launches in Denmark

The international lifestyle and entertainment High TV 3D Channel is to roll out in Denmark via Canal Digital. The channel will be available in Denmark on the digital satellite platform from December 1. The channel’s content encompasses lifestyle and entertainment programmes such as far-flung exotic destinations, coverage of exclusive parties, celebrity news and gossip, and a slate of in-house productions such as reality shows. “It is indeed a major milestone for us, as an international 3D channel, to be present in Denmark on the leading platform with the highest reach,” said Eric Klein, CEO of High TV 3D. “We are excited to be bringing the very best in lifestyle and entertainment programming to an audience that embraces Entertainment as the very essence of their culture.” “We look forward to presenting High TV 3D eclectic programs to territories across the rest of Europe,” added Klein.

Scorsese gets 3D right, adding depth to "Hugo"

Just when moviegoers were ready to give up on the 3D revival as a gimmick used primarily to justify higher ticket prices, master director Martin Scorsese comes along with "Hugo" to show how it should be done. His brilliant family film employs 3D imaginatively, evocatively and judiciously, using it to add depth, both literal and metaphorical, enriching the story he is telling. "Hugo," based on "The Invention of Hugo Cabret," a Caldecott Medal-winning, 2007 children's novel by Brian Selznick, is in many ways a love letter to the movies and film preservation, the latter a long-standing cause advocated by Scorsese. Although it chronicles the adventures of Hugo (Asa Butterfield), an orphaned boy who lives in a Paris train station in the 1930s, the film is really about the power of movies to transform lives, allow escape and encompass our dreams. Hugo is the son of a clock and machine repairman (Jude Law), who died, but not before imparting his love of both movies and all things mechanical to his son. Hugo now lives deep in the upper reaches of a Paris train station, where he secretly keeps its clocks running, attempts in his spare time to fix a metal, life-like looking automaton his father once rescued from a museum, and tries to avoid the clutches of the station's overzealous police inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen, in a highly amusing turn). He is befriended by Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz), a bookworm who longs for the sort of mystery and adventure in real life that she encounters in the pages of books. Hugo also begins apprenticing for her guardian (Ben Kingsley), an embittered old toy seller and repairman who has a small shop in the station. The identity of this old man and his link to Hugo's father are at the heart of the story. Like any great children's tale, there are adult secrets to be learned, a mysterious key that will literally unlock the automaton as well as the identities of and connections between various characters, and perilous adventures aplenty. Along the way, Scorsese pays tribute to trailblazing filmmakers and performers such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and, above all -- and without giving away too much -- French silent film pioneer Georges MØlies (1902's "A Trip to the Moon"). While "Hugo" works splendidly as family fare, offering an involving tale, thrills (the police inspector's fearsome dog racing straight at you via 3D) and humor, it is ardent cinephiles who will want to see the movie repeatedly as there are likely new film references, homages and allusions to be gleaned from every viewing. Here's just one: Look for Scorsese himself in a cameo playing, appropriately, a photographer in the early 1900s who's taking a portrait of a famous filmmaker. In casting himself as both a historian and an artist, Scorsese perfectly sums up the duality of the vision that he brings to such vivid life in "Hugo."

Nat Geo Launches 3D Block in Turkey

National Geographic Channel is launching a 3D programming block in Turkey.

The international factual channel operator is launch the block as part of its National Geographic HD channel after striking a deal with technology provider Samsung Electronics.

This marks the first 3D launch in the country.

The block will air series including demolition series Blowdown 3D, nature and wildlife series Jewels of the Earth 3D, Deep Sea 3D, Under the Sea 3D, animal documentary Meerkats 3D and China 3D and The Eye 3D.

The block will be available on weekdays at 10:40pm and on Sundays at 7:45pm.

Adam Theiler, managing director, Fox International Channels Southeast Europe, said: "We are extremely delighted with the association between National Geographic Channel and Samsung Electronics for making possible the first launch of 3D TV content in Turkey. National Geographic has always supported technical innovations to better tell the world's stories from color and underwater photography to pioneering documentaries and now to a new revolution with 3D. We are proud to have a partner with the same commitment to quality and innovation."

Titanic 3D Trailer Released!

James Cameron's 'Titanic' in 3D Re-Release Official Trailer

Cinepolis to have 35% of 41 RealD 3D screens by year-end

The world's fourth largest cinema exhibitor, Cinepolis today said it targets to have 41 screens in India by this year end, of which, close to 35 per cent shall be RealD-3D screens for a better viewing experience. "Our RealD-3D screens are changing viewing experience for the movie buffs in India. We target to have 41 screens in the country by the end of this year, of which 35 per cent shall be RealD-3D screens" Country head and Managing Director Cinepolis Milan Saini told newsmen. "With today's opening, we have 26 screens in India and soon, we shall be opening screens in Surat (6), Managalore (5) and Jaipur (4), taking the tally to 41 screens by this year end," he said. Saini was here to launch the company's six screen multiplex, offering world class viewing experience, with better seating space, digital sound and 3-D viewing. The Mexico-based cinema exhibitor has set an ambitious target of having 500 screens in India by 2016. "Our overall target is to have close to 500 screens in India by 2016, and we have identified 40 cities for it to be a truly pan-India company," Saini said. "We invest close to Rs. 2.5 crore on setting up a screen and expect revenues of Rs. 2-3 crore per screen annually," he said. According to industry estimates, 3D viewing is fast catching up in the country. Around 20 3D-films are getting released annually in India, the latest one being 'Ra-One'. "Don-2, in 3D is expected to be released in December this year," Saini said.

Full HD 3D Projector Launched By Panasonic

Panasonic has launched a full HD 3D LCD home theatre projector, designed to deliver some of the best quality images in a home environment. The PT-AE7000E features enhanced image brightness, contract and quality to deliver smooth playback in both 2D and 3D environments. This is achieved with 2,000 lumens of brightness, a 300,000:1 contrast ratio and full 1080p resolution. When it comes to projecting images in 3D, the device is able to take 2D sources and convert it into five different 3D modes. Alternatively, original 3D material can also be displayed. Chris Maw, product marketing manager from Panasonic's business systems group, commented: “We believe this product is the ideal solution for those consumers who are after cinema-quality movie or sports viewing in their home on a super-sized screen of up to 200-inches.” He added that the device was developed in collaboration with Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory engineers who have played key roles in the establishment of industry standards for 3D. Meanwhile, viewers have the option of three HDMI inputs to help them switch easily between different HD sources, while the projector lamp will deliver an impressive 5,000 hours of viewing in eco mode.

Universal 3D Glasses On The Way

Panasonic, Sony, Samsung and Xpand 3D are throwing their weight behind a new 3D eyewear standard that took close to a year to establish. Now formally known as the "Full HD 3D Glasses initiative", the licensing program aims to standardize active shutter 3D goggles used by TVs, monitors and projectors. A test center will be set up later this month to certify infrared and Bluetooth 3D goggles manufactured to the program's specifications. All compatible products will carry the new logo (pictured right) to help consumers differentiate them from non-compliant models. While users can expect better interoperability for 3D glasses across different brands, the initiative does not address the high-costs associated with these goggles. Also noticeably missing from the alliance is LG, which has adopted a different 3D technology based on passive 3D eyewear. Lastly, there's Toshiba and its glasses-free 3D panels. As you can tell, there's hardly anything "universal" as far as 3D is concerned.

"Titanic 3D" - Cameron says "3D re-invents the re-release"

James Cameron showed off 18 minutes of footage from Titanic 3D in Los Angeles this week and took to the stage to explain how the technology can be used to supercharge retro releases. Speaking about the movie, which will celebrate its 15th birthday in 2012, Cameron explained that 3D is a great way to re-imagine classic movies for the 21st Century. "3D gives us an opportunity to re-invent the concept of a re-release," he said. "Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't but the 3D seems to be a turbocharger, a conceptual hook that allows people to say it will be different." Cameron seemed to dismiss the 3D naysayers, noting they are always going to be there, and instead focused on the money his movies make for the industry. "I don't care about them. If you could wave a magic wand and give everyone in the world an orgasm simultaneously, there'd still be cynics looking for a way to criticise that," said Cameron. "First of all, what's wrong with commerce? What's wrong with making jobs for people in movie theatres around the world? What's wrong with entertaining people? If people don't show up, then we were wrong. "If people show up, we're giving them what they want and if they show up again? We're really giving them what they want, because they're willing to pay for it twice. "So it's really just a gamble that the film has the same impact on audiences now. And that's an experiment. Every movie is. It's business. It's art and business put together and I have no problem with that whatsoever." Back in September Cameron said that, because of the amount of detail he was going into with the movie, converting Titanic to 3D was a 'mind-numbing' process.

3D robotic production coming to a theatre near you!

A THEATRE company hopes a new interactive digital production will help bring local theatre into the 21st century.

For the first time ever theatre company Cwmni’r Frân Wen will venture into the world of 3D with their production tour of Dividefaid. The multilingual production – in English, Welsh and Spanish – will be making appearances in Conwy, Betws yn Rhos and Llanrwst this month as part of their North Wales tour. Mastering robotic movements is not a skill many actors would expect during a career on the stage, but that’s the task facing Andrea Edwards as she gets to grips with playing a robot in Dividefaid. “It took me right back to my robotic disco dancing days in the 1980s,” said Andrea in a break from her rehearsals in robot costume. The Dolgellau actor plays the part of robot D-Ben in the show. “My character plays the friendly face of a futuristic cloning corporation that’s scouring the world for human beings that fit their cloning criteria. Quite scary really,” she said. Iola Ynyr directs the visual projection show which stars Andrea and renowned Welsh actor Dyfrig Evans. Ynyr describes it as a ‘mind-blowing visualisation that will encourage the audience to question the world they live in’. She added: “The audience will step into the realms of a 3D world, with light projections and visual explosions playing a big part in a magical theatre experience. “We are trying to ignite people’s perceptions and imaginations through creating a futuristic world using advanced projection technology.” The man behind the 3D visualisation is Colwyn Bay’s Rob Spaull from digital media company Mediapod. Rob, who has over 10 years experience of producing real-time 3D graphics and visualisations, and set designer Gwyn Eiddior have created a virtual world that sits within the maze-like structure of the set. “We’ve created digital visuals that question the audience’s sense of reality and space,” said Rob, who was involved with last month’s Blinc light festival at Conwy Castle. Dyfrig Evans added: “Dividefaid is a unique production. It’s more than just a show, it’s a phenomenal visual experience that will encourage the audience to question the world they live in.” Dividefaid will be performed at 6pm and 7.30pm at Conwy Civic Hall (November 20-21), Betws yn Rhos village hall (November 23) and Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy, Llanrwst (November 24). Tickets £4 on 01248 715048 or franwen.com

Martin Scorsese talks about the future of 3D and "Hugo"

Martin Scorsese is part film maker and part film scholar; he set out his view of 3D and the future of film making in a recent Q&A session in L.A. Scorsese talked about his new 3D film "Hugo" and the future of film making. Here are a few of quotes: Martin Scorsese on the future of film: “If everything moves along and there’s no major catastrophes, we’re basically headed towards holograms,” Scorsese said during a panel discussion Saturday. “Why can’t you have Hamlet in 3D who comes out to the audience and does ‘To be or not to be?’ I mean, they do in the theater. You have to think that way. Don’t let the economics, and fashion, inhibit you if you’re being creative.” Martin Scorsese on making "Hug0" “It was a lot of fun, and yes it was a headache,” he said to Anderson, who giggled as Scorsese struggled to get comfortable in a seat where the diminutive filmmaker’s feet didn’t touch the ground. “But it was a really enjoyable headache. It’s a discovery with each shot – it was a rethinking about how to make pictures, with of course the obvious element of 3D, but also of a boy’s memory of where he was in the past, and a sense of how to create a heightened impression of Paris in 1929 and 1930. It was arduous, but most of the time, a great deal of fun.” “The use of 3D is exciting, but it demands a respect,” "3D is not just a gimmick, but an important artistic tool which, like so many other advancements in moviemaking, will have to endure many growing pains before it’s fully embraced." Martin Scorsese on 3D's place in the evolution of film making: “The first time images started to move, immediately, people wanted color, sound, a big screen, and depth – and that’s just what we’re doing now,” Scorsese said. “Ultimately, it took until 1935 to get Technicolor right, and even then, until 1960 or so, color was only deemed appropriate for musicals, comedies and westerns, no serious, quote-unquote, films. But there was a mindset against color because there were so many attempts at color, from 1895 when they were all hand-tinted. And I think ultimately with the right people behind 3D the way it is now, there are people working in 3D, and other filmmakers who are even more inventive with 3D, for me it’s just another element to tell a story.” Martin Scorsese on the plain obvious (!): “As I’m sitting here now, I’m seeing you in 3D. Most people have stereo vision, so why belittle that very, very important part of our existence? There’s got to be for all of our technical expertise, a comfortable way of dealing with it. Why not use it?”        

Panasonic DMC-3D1 unveiled as world's smallest 3D camera

Panasonic has outdone the market unveiling the world's smallest 3D stills and video capable compact camera

Sky 3D prepares Christmas concert

The fundraising concert takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on November 23, with a line-up that includes everyone from Townshend to comedian Tim Minchin. The Sky cameras will be there to record the event, which will then air on Sky 3D and Sky Arts 1 on December 25 at 9pm. This is the 10th Trust Rock Gala and the second to be broadcast by Sky in 3D, following last year’s concert. “The Rock Gala is a celebration of the good work of The Prince’s Trust so it is easy to see why it was one of the most popular music programmes on Sky Arts and Sky 3D last year,” said Sky 3D director John Cassy. “It is an honour to be able to support the work of The Trust again this year using Sky’s innovative 3D technology to broadcast the Rock Gala’s sensational performers to wider audiences.”

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas Review

The third installment of these mildly successful stoner comedies finds the rapidly aging stoners going up against Christmas and all its traditions, all with an added dimension.

3DRigs Announces Pro Light Light Weight 3D Stereoscopic Camera Rig

Leading 3D Stereoscopic Rig manufacturer, 3DRigs.com, has announced the launch of their Pro Light 3D Stereoscopic camera rig. Following on from the success of the Pro Ultra Rig, the Pro Light is a compact, scaled-down version weighing in at only seven kgs in beam splitter mode. “We have maintained the rigidity of our Pro Ultra Rig in the new light weight version to ensure that cameras maintain their alignment during operation,” comments Russ Bowden, CEO 3DRigs.com. The Pro Light is compact for handheld and Steadycam operation, but can also be used in conventional modes, and is capable of carrying cameras up to five kgs each. The Pro Light introduces some great new features to our range of products including real time height, tilt, roll, IA and convergence adjustments. 3DRigs.com is introducing an optical reader that can be attached to any zoom lens and will allow the rig technician to calibrate the zoom lenses and feed focal length information back into the rig control system, information necessary to make real time correction of zoom tracking errors. The new Pro Light rig operating software is based on 3D Stereoscopic geometric formulas which allow control of parallax depth percentage, both positive and negative. Parallax depth percentage is the measurement of the ratio of separation, on the far and near points in your frame, to the width of the screen. The ability to control and monitor parallax percentages are fundamental tools for sound stereoscopic acquisition. The software controls and drives highly accurate inter axial and convergence motors that maintain set positive and negative parallax percentages even during live convergence pulls. While this may appear complex, the GUI is easy to understand and operate and quick to master. Operating software versions will be available for iPad, iPhone, tablets and smart phones running on Android. These systems will allow the rig to be run hard wired or wirelessly remote. The Pro Light comes packaged in two flight cases (rig and beam splitter) and can be set up in under five minutes. Once cameras have been locked onto the rig’s dovetail plates, the electronic quick alignment tools allow rig alignment to be achieved in under five minutes. Lens changes and realignment checks are really fast with the slide in, slide out beam splitter configuration, and should take no longer than three minutes. Another advantage of the Pro Ultra Rig is that it has been designed to take any camera up to the weight limits of the rig without needing additional adaptor plates, this is due to the unique design of the system. The Pro Light, like its big brother, the Pro Ultra, can be configured in beam splitter or side by side modes with a fast turnaround time. With all its capabilities, the Pro Light is the most cost effective rig on the market offering producers quicker shooting times and reduced rental or purchase costs. The first units will be ready for shipping in mid February 2012 and 3DRigs.com is now securing orders with clients.

Japan shows off world's largest glasses-free 3D display

Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications and JVC Kenwood recently demonstrated a 200-inch glasses-free 3D display that they touted as the world's largest auto-stereoscopic 3D screen. Aside from the enormous size, the system offers a full-HD resolution with 57 effective viewing angles. Hardware-wise, 57 projectors were deployed to render the 3D visuals, and these have to be individually tuned to maintain a uniform brightness and color consistency. The hefty 1,000-plus-pound screen is far from ordinary, either, and features a condenser lens and a diffuser film to smooth the transition between viewing angles. An improved version of this glasses-free 3D system with 200 viewpoints is in the pipeline as well. Unfortunately, according to Akihabara News, there's no indication this technology will make it way into consumer electronics as it was originally conceived for design and digital-signage applications. But that doesn't mean we can't drool. (Source: Crave Asia)

3D TV sales exceed expectations

German 3D TV sales 30% greater than expected

German consumer electronics association the GFU has upgraded its expectation for 3D TV sales this year by 30%. The GFU now expects 1.3 million 3D-enabled TVs to be sold by the end of the year. Some 79% of sales of screens with a size over 50 inches are now of 3D-enabled devices, while 3D units account for 57% of sales of models between 43-49 inches. According to the GFU, some 90% of the 50 inch-plus screens are internet-enabled, with 74% of screens in the 43-49 inch range being internet-enabled.

Tintin 3D opens strongly

Spielberg's 'Adventures Of Tintin' Opens Solid No. 1 Overseas

After months in the box office doldrums, the foreign theatrical circuit logged a  robust weekend thanks to the overseas introduction of Steven Spielberg’s The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, which registered a No. 1 foreign gross of $56.2 million drawn from 5,415 venues screens in 21 markets. Tintin’s offshore release of broke new ground because it is believed to be the first studio tentpole to enter the foreign theatrical marketplace under the aegis of two major Hollywood distributors at the same time. Tintin does not open in the US until 21 December. Also opening this weekend, DreamWorks Animation’s Puss In Boots, The 3D animation spinoff from Shrek, featuring Antonio Banderas as the voice of a swashbuckling feline. Total take for the Paramount release comes in at $17.2 million, ranking Puss In Boots as the weekend’s No. 2 title overall.

Bollywood Joins The 3D Revolution

HDMI 1.4 Added to Xbox 360

A while back, Eurogamer ran a report revealing that full-resolution stereoscopic 3D using the HDMI 1.4 standard was coming to the Xbox 360. Five months on, Batman: Arkham City is the first shipping game to utilise it. Previously there has been some confusion as to whether the Xbox 360 hardware is physically capable of carrying the HDMI 1.4 stereoscopic 3D signal. There was some concern that the older HDMI 1.2 standard supported by the Xbox 360 couldn't be extended in the same way that the HDMI 1.3 controller in the PlayStation 3 was repurposed to support the new standard. However, the release of Batman: Arkham City confirms that from a hardware perspective, any Xbox 360 with an HDMI port can offer the same level of support as the PlayStation 3. Our analysis of the game confirms that the two consoles are both outputting the same 1280x1470 60Hz signal. This comprises of two native 720p images, with 30 lines of blanking information between them. So how is HDMI 1.4 output possible on older consoles? It turns out that the new standard is rather conservative. A 1280x1470 framebuffer actually requires less bandwidth than native 1080p - and both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have supported that for ages. Even 3D Blu-Ray movies only run at with the equivalent bandwidth of 1080p at 48 frames per second - well below the 1920x1200/60Hz max of the interface. So HDMI 1.4 support on an HDMI 1.2 console boils down to making the hardware output a custom resolution and nothing more. In terms of Arkham City itself, the game uses the same TriOviz technology as Gears of War 3 - though the Epic title was restricted to the half-res side-by-side functionality we've seen on other 360 stereo 3D games. Curiously though, while both games seem to be operating at native 720p on both platforms - as we would expect - the Xbox 360 version seems to have a one pixel wide blur across the whole image.

3DTV: Sport continues to be main driver

The Ultimate Fighting Championship(R) (UFC(R)) will partner with innovative digital theatrical distribution company Cinedigm Digital Cinema (NASDAQ: CIDM) for the first ever, live 3D broadcast of a UFC Pay-Per-View event when it brings its Feb. 4, 2012 fight card to upwards of 120 theatres across the nation. The 3D broadcast will be the first of four annual Pay-Per-Views set to air in theatres via the partnership between UFC and Cinedigm.

"The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn" in 3D

Spielberg’s 3D adventures of Tintin premiers - 24 October, 2011 Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson’s animated 3D adaptation of Belgian comic book hero Tintin premiered on the red carpet in Brussels on Saturday. A parade of classical cars drove to the highly anticipated 3D epic and acrobats danced on the side of a giant poster advertising the boy reporter with the trademark quiff. Spielberg is known for a plethora of films including ‘Indiana Jones’, ‘ET’ and ‘Jaws’, while Peter Jackson, is known for the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.

Nintendo 3DS To Add 3D Video Recording

Nintendo's portable console, the Nintendo 3DS, will be coming out with a firmware update to add up to 10 minutes of 3D video recording to their device along with the capability to make stop motion films using the technology.

“We are always striving to bring fun new experiences to our fans and these new features and functions for Nintendo 3DS do just that" said Laurent Fischer, managing director, marketing and PR at Nintendo of Europe. Nintendo hopes to reinvigorate the console after slumping sales and a massive price cut that saw the 3DS go from £230 to £125. Nintendo is said to miss quarterly projections by big amounts and is doing everything it can to stay competitive in the industry. This firmware update will be bring yet another opportunity for the masses to tinker with 3D technology as we see it pop up more and more throughout different types of media.

BSkyB's Lenz quits

BSkyB's Lenz jumps ship

3D TV sage joining Malaysian feevee operator Astro

The exec who helped pioneer BSkyB's move into 3D is leaving Sky. Brian Lenz was Sky's director of product design and development and will join Malaysian pay TV platform Astro in December as chief innovation officer. Lenz joined BSkyB in 2007 from cable rival Virgin Media, and worked previously for Disney. BSkyB is seeking a replacement.  

"Tintin 3D" - Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson release trailer

"The Adventures Of Tintin: Secret Of The Unicorn" film trailer

A teaser for the highly anticipated Tintin film has been released, giving fans a glimpse of the 3D world that director Steven Spielberg and producer Peter Jackson have created.

 

Glasses-free, 3D laptop by Eon

Eon Offers Glasses-Free Laptop for Enterprise Users - 15October,2011

Interactive 3D solutions provider EON Reality just released a stereoscopic 3D laptop computer than doesn’t require glasses. The EON Artificial I uses its HD webcam to continually adjust in response to the user’s position in real time, which the company said eliminates the need to stay in the “sweet spot” in order to experience the 3D effect. That also means that more than one person can share the screen, an important consideration for business and educational uses like training, modeling and design.

3D release date for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

The eagerly awaited 3D version of the Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace will be February will be February 2012. The original 2D version has been converted to 3D and industry insiders say that it has greatly enhanced the viewing experience.  

NHK Launch 3D Video Bank

NHK Launch 3D Video Bank Hoping to take advantage of an expected demand for 3D video media, Japanese broadcaster NHK have launched a library of 3D video which includes 250 minutes of stereoscopic content. They have been engaged in the development of 3D HD since 1989 and are now offering 700 cuts of 3D footage for online distribution. Examples include Underwater (coral reef, tropical fish), Aerial (Hawaiian beech, city centre, Sydney coast line), Clay Animation (short story of funky mice), Science (Yoyo juggling, exploding cracker) and Japanese Culture (sushi, archery). During MIPCOM 2011 Jocelyn Shearer, Vice President of Discovery Access, showed 3dfocus.co.uk some CGI 3D clips. Rather than converting live action footage, Discovery Access is going back into the CGI archives to re-render the sequences into 3D.

Scorsese shows unfinished 3-D "Hugo" at New York Film Festival

Scorsese Shows Unfinished 3-D 'Hugo' at New York Film Festival Martin Scorsese, who once made a television commercial poking fun at his perfectionist reputation, screened an imperfect version of his new movie "Hugo" for an adoring crowd at the New York Film Festival. The Oscar-winning director received a standing ovation last night before showing an unfinished print of his first 3-D production at Avery Fisher Hall. Scorsese said the special effects, soundtrack, credits and other parts of the film must still be completed before it opens in theaters on Nov. 23. "This is a work in progress," he told the packed audience. "I hope that those of you who really do like it come and see the final film." "Hugo," based on Brian Selznick's novel about an orphan living in a Paris train station in the 1930s, marks a departure for Scorsese, who's best known for gangster movies like "Goodfellas" and "The Departed." It's a family oriented film with old-fashioned messages about friendship, independence and childhood wonder.

Asia leads the way in 3D

Asia's moviemakers embrace 3D revolution

In the world's fastest-growing movie market, with receipts rising by 61 percent to US$1.47 billion in 2010, China's cinema owners have embraced the 3D revolution. At the 16th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), audiences have been lining up to see the likes of multi-million dollar 3D productions "The Three Musketeers" and the re-imaged version of the local monster hit "The Host". But there's also been a groundswell of support for two debut features that use the same cutting edge digital technology to help entertain at a fraction of the price and a 3D horror movie set in a public toilet block is part of a revolution underway in the Asian film industry as low-budget 3D productions take on the big studios at their own game. Choo's edgy horror movie, which had its world premiere at BIFF -- Asia's largest film festival, was shot on a budget of around US$2 million. "Budget doesn't matter, it is story that matters in cinema and it's the same when you are using 3D," said South Korean Choo Sang-rok, director of the 3D feature "Persimmon." And while the James Cameron-directed extravaganza "Avatar" with an estimated budget of US$300 million may have awoken the world to what can be achieved with 3D technology, Choo has opted for a far more modest production. "Persimmon" follows the fortunes of five people who become trapped inside the toilet block and are left at the mercy of the ghost who has lured them inside. The director says it is based on a common urban myth in Korea and it was the confined space in which it is set that first made him think of using 3D. "Technically, when you are working with 3D it is better to work in a deep and narrow space rather than a wide open space so it is a medium that suits this story," said Choo. "I think 3D, in my film, brings the audience into the film. It makes them feel what the actors feel. And you don't need to have a big budget to do that. I wanted them to feel they were trapped in the bathroom with the actors." "You don't have to focus on the budget. You can focus on getting the audience involved in the movie and that's why the future of low budget 3D movies is looking good." Veteran Chinese filmmaker Tsui Hark has also been in Busan to collect the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award and he was quick to point out just how large the potential for 3D is in the region. Tsui, currently working on the 3D feature "The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate", told a press conference he estimated 4,000 of the nation's 10,000 cinema screens were geared up to screen 3D films. The IHS Screen Digest Cinema Intelligence report, released in August, said global 3D ticket sales soared to US$6.1 billion last year -- up from US$2.5 billion in 2009. That would have come as good news for South Korean director Park Hong-min. His debut 3D feature "A Fish" also made its world premiere at BIFF -- and it is a low-key film that ended up costing him only US$100,000 to make. The thriller, which follows a man?s search for the wife who has left him to become a shaman, uses the nuances of digital technology more than relying on any lavish, jaw-dropping effects. "When I first started thinking about making a 3D film I thought about all the special effects but I wanted to use it to exaggerate what people are seeing in more normal situations and to then blur the lines between fantasy and reality," said the director. Park said 3D technology was a format more independent filmmakers were exploring, even though in the beginning they might have to work through a process of trial and error. "At the moment, for small filmmakers, we don't have a lot of knowledge about how 3D films are made," said Park. "You have to figure it out for yourself. I spent nine months in post-production and I never really turned my computer off. I had to solve all the problems myself. "But this is my first 3D feature so I knew I had to take everything on -- and 3D is becoming more and more a part of the film medium."

3net: Original 3D TV content

3net Unveils 3D Original Series Schedule

3net, the joint venture 24/7 3D network from Sony, Discovery and IMAX will debut three all-new original programs and feature the world broadcast premiere of two hit theatricals during the month of October, it was announced today. The diverse premiere lineup includes the original “docu-fable” adult drama series SCARY TALES, the original lost civilization series THE ANCIENT LIFE* and the 3net original program INDY 500: THE INSIDE LINE, the world’s first 3D look at America’s Greatest Race. October’s premiere schedule also includes several additional world television premieres: the Sony hit animated theatrical release CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS, the IMAX space journey HUBBLE 3D, hosted by Leonardo DiCaprio, and the sophisticated travelogue series WORLD CITIES 3D. “We are continuing to break new ground by creating smart, revealing original series that feature a brave new way to tell stories,” said Cosgrove, CEO of 3net. “Our viewers truly expect an ‘eyes wide open’ experience, and we’ve rounded out our October schedule with a host of big event ‘firsts’ – immersive and inspired content that can only be fully appreciated in the in-home 3D environment.” 3net October Premiere Schedule: THE ANCIENT LIFE* – Sunday,October 9 (9PM ET/PT) – 3net Original World Premiere: “Cities of the Underworld” meets “Digging For Truth” as host Brit Eaton explores the intrigue and uncovers the mysteries of once dynamic and thriving world civilizations, giving viewers the opportunity to experience what it’s really like to stand before the Pyramid of Cheops or walk through the haunted landscape of Pompeii. Eaton, along with specially trained stereographers, reveal the ancient secrets of these long lost civilizations, capturing locations that have never been filmed or seen in 3D before. INDY 500: THE INSIDE LINE- Thursday, October 13 (9PM ET/PT) – 3net Original World premiere: The world’s first 3D coverage of the Indianapolis 500 gives viewers an in-depth look at the event preparations and the action of race day as seen through the eyes of today’s most dynamic drivers — Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves, Simona de Silvestro, Will Power and more. Unprecedented access to the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 – capturing the pageantry of the historic event and emotion and intensity of race day, brings audiences the most compelling 3D programming event possible. HUBBLE 3D – Sunday, October16 (9PM ET/PT) – World Television Premiere: Join the crew of the Space Shuttle as they make vital repairs to the Hubble Space Telescope. Narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, the film captures the five spacewalks needed to make the repairs and an unexpected problem that threatened to sabotage the mission. Produced by IMAX. CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS- Sunday, October 23 (7PM ET/PT) – World Television Premiere: Inspired by the beloved children’s book of the same name, this hit animated 3D feature follows Flint Lockwood,a young inventor who dreams of creating something that improves everyone’slives. But when his “food from water” device goes haywire and food starts following from the sky, Lockwood and a brainy weathergirl work togetherto avert the crises and rescue their small town from drowning in chow. Produced by Sony Pictures Television. WORLD CITIES 3D – Sunday, October30 (8PM ET/PT) – World Television Premiere: Barcelona native and presenter Solana Tixi introduces viewers to the rich histories, cultures and peopleof the world’s most magnificent destinations. 3D graphics and stereoscopic cameras offer viewers a unique, never-before-seen perspective of the vibrant sites and treasured monuments of great cities from across the globe. SCARY TALES – Sunday, October30 (9PM ET/PT) – 3net Original World Premiere: Unlike anything you’ve seen in 2D or 3D, Scary Tales is scripted series so weird and fantastic, it needs an extra dimension just to contain itself. There are marauding giants,ghost-plagued forests and human wolves… a place where cannibals feast, kidnappers terrorize and fiends lurk behind every tree. Inanimate objects come to life, and the innocent are punished. It’s a world that really exists if only in our own subconscious.

Toshiba's glasses-free 3D TV

Toshiba's $11,000 55-inch 3D TV 6th Oct, 2011

Disney release 3D phone

Disney release Sharp based DM010SH and DM011SH 3D Andorid Smartphone in Japan 1 Oct, 2011

Disney has announced the release of 2 Sharp built Android smartphone for its Japanese MNVO network: the Sharp based DM0011SH 3D Android and DM010SH. Yes, believe it or not, in Japan, Disney has its own mobile network and the release a string of kiddie friendly handset to its doting public. It was only a matter of time before they released a 3D phone. This news ties in with the Disney's runaway success with the re-released, 2D to 3D conversion of Lion King by 4 October had grossed $80m. Small wonder that 5 October, Disney announced plans to convert "Beauty and the Beast," "Finding Nemo," "Monsters, Inc." and "The Little Mermaid."      

"Michael Jackson Forever" concert given 3D cinema release

The Michael Forever concert will be given a cinema release in selected cinemas across the country.   1 October, 2011 The Michael Jackson tribute concert being held in Cardiff later this month will be shown in 3D at cinemas across the country. The Michael Forever show, which was slammed by fan-sites of the late Prince of Pop and major players of the Jackson family, takes place on the 8^th October and features the likes of Christina Aguilera, Smokey Robinson and The Black Eyed Peas among others. Fans who were unable to nab a ticket for the show will now have the chance to still get to see the concert with a special release in 40 cinemas in the UK that will screen the whole event in 3D. The film will also be shown in three cinemas in Spain.

Discovery Channel goes 3D

Discovery footage goes 3D - 2 October, 2011

Discovery Communications is making 3D footage available to outside producers through its library division Discovery Access, following a deal with CGI shop Pixeldust Studios. The 3D stereoscopic footage includes scenes of living cells, black holes and alien invasions. "Discovery Communications has long been a company of early adopters. We were among the first to embrace HD and later launched the first stereo 3D network. The addition of this new content solidifies our position as leader in the stereo 3D space," said Discovery senior VP Peter McKelvy.

London 2012 Olympic Games: Panasonic to provide 3D Screens

Panasonic Provides 3D Capable Plasma Screens for London 2012 Olympic Games

Sport is leading the 3D charge. Panasonic has already been supplying and installing huge 33.6m² ultra bright outdoor LED screens for the London 2012 Olympic Games countdown events taking place at London’s Trafalgar Square. Panasonic has now announced that it will install plasma screens inside various Olympic venues to supplement spectator experience with audience interactions, action replays, course overviews and other Olympic content.  

Sony's 3D Glasses row: - a threat to 3D box office?

Sony's 3D Glasses row: - a threat to 3D box office?

Sony sent a letter to cinema theatre owners on saying it planned to stop paying for 3D glasses and it has caused uproar amongst.   The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) criticized Sony for not negotiating with theater owners before sending a letter last week stating the new policy. Sony insiders counter the intent of the letter was to give plenty of notice so that it could work with exhibitors. Regal Entertainment, one of the US's three largest circuits, issued its own statement and warning. "To the extent that Sony seeks to change the current model in a manner that shifts the costs to exhibitors, we would be forced to evaluate this new economic model and program our screens accordingly. This could result in fewer screens exhibiting 3D films. We are amenable to alternative models for distributing 3D glasses as long as the economics remain the same for exhibitors and our customers," Regal CEO Amy Miles said. Sony has two high-profile 3D tentpoles in summer 2012: Men in Black III and The Amazing Spider-Man. NATO said moviegoers in North America have grown accustomed to being provided 3D glasses, and that it is an "established" part of the 3D experience that would be difficult to reverse. However, Sony and other studios are suggesting behind the scenes that exhibitors adopt an ownership model, whereby theater owners sell 3D glasses to customers. This may well just be posturing by both parties but whatever the outcome of these claims, it seems certain that the business model must change; at present, there 3 different models where: glasses are  given to viewers, sold to viewers or there is a discount given to viewers who bring back glasses. At the heart of this row is the fact that RealD, the company that provide the 3D systems also provide the glasses; although other 3D glasses may work perfectly well, everyone is effectively obliged to buy their glasses from RealD. Why? Because RealD will only guarantee the quality of the 3D viewing experience if people use RealD glasses or RealD-approved glasses. In practice, this makes it is hard for competitors to enter the market and drive down the cost of 3D glasses. The reality is that 3D glasses can be made for pennies ... so here's a thought, why don't Sony, Fox, Disney, Universal and the other studios should join forces with Regal and other members of NATO to address the core issue: why the glasses are so costly when they can be made for next to nothing ?  

3D Breast Cancer Scan improves detection rates

3D Breast Cancer Scan improves detection rate

Hospitals in the US are starting provide 3D mammographies, also called breast tomosynthesis, for breast cancer screening because they have the potential to improve cancer detection and reduce false-positive findings.

Breast tomosynthesis generates a 3D image of the breast and gives clinicians a clearer look through the overlapping structures of breast tissue. This more comprehensive view increases the ability to detect and diagnose small tumors.

Moreover, 3D scans can help radiologists rule out abnormalities that may have looked suspicious in a 2D mammogram, reducing the need to call women back for additional imaging or biopsies.

The technology, Selenia Dimensions digital mammography system, improves images by digitally combining multiple X-rays to reduce distortion created by tissue overlap or density. As a result, the radiologist is able to target the size, shape and precise location of a lump or tumor; the image is not flattened like a conventional mammogram. Tomo- synthesis also screens the complete breast, not only the region of interest which is important because 15 percent of women with a tumor in their breast also have another cancer in the same or other breast.

 

 

Sky 3D jumps at "Horse of the Year Show"

Sky 3D jumps at "Horse of the Year Show" Sports fans love 3D because it gets them more involved and now The Horse of the Year Show will get the treatment from Sky 3D. To add to the build up, Sky have announced that they helped design a special jump that will maximise the 3D depth effect. 'Horse of the Year Show in 3D will give audiences a totally fresh perspective on the art of showjumping' claims director of Sky 3D, John Cassy. 'It will give viewers a greater sense of the incredible skill and control that riders need to win this event than ever before'. This latest announcement follows on from a rash of similar sporting 3D announcements for the NFL, baseball and the US Open Tennis.

US Open Tennis is a big, fat 3D success

US Open Tennis is a big, fat 3D success For the second year that American viewers have had the opportunity to watch the US Open in 3D, bringing a unique sense of "being there" to viewers of one of the world's premiere sporting events. The event was available to a wide audience because this year 3D coverage was available on DIRECTV's n3D Powered by Panasonic; Comcast Xfinity 3D; Cablevision's iO TV; and Verizon's FiOS system. In addition, the men's and women's finals were also available in 3D via the Internet on the USTA's web site.

"We've always said that sports bring out the best in 3D, and the strong response from system operators and the public proves it," said Eisuke Tsuyuzaki, Panasonic's Chief Technology Officer. "When you are watching a match in 3D in your home, the sense that you are actually there and a part of the action simply can't be beat."

Viewers responded enthusiastically to the expanded coverage. "This was one of the most-watched 3D events on the DIRECTV 3D platform," said Steven Roberts, Senior Vice President of Programming, Strategy and Development for DIRECTV.  This year's production consisted of 48 hours of 3D programming over seven days.

Fans want to be as involved as possible and this latest 3D TV offering comes hot on the heels of other sporting 3D announcements regarding the NFL and baseball.  

Disney Expo: "3D TV dramatically better than 2D"

Disney Expo: "3D TV dramatically better than 2D" A survey conducted during last month's Disney D23 Expo has revealed that consumers are being won over by 3D TV technology. More than 500 visitors to the House of Mouse's annual event were quizzed about 3D TV – and 71 % of them who have seen it reckon it is 'dramatically better than 2D' TV. Furthermore, 27 per cent claimed the 3D experience was 'fabulous' and 50 per cent said 'I wish I had this in my home' and a whopping 99 per cent agreed that 3DTV was 'somewhat better' than regular old flat-o-vision. The survey was carried out by independent researchers and commissioned by Panasonic. Eisuke Tsuyuzaki, Chief Technology Officer at Panasonic, said the results back up his company's belief that people will always respond favourably to 3DTV once they've seen it. "We've always said that, just as with HDTV, once consumers experience 3D TV they will want it. This survey proves it. We couldn't be happier with the results."

Baseball stadiums brought to fans in 3D

Baseball stadiums brought to fans in 3D - 24th Sept, 2011 For the many baseball fans who have never been lucky enough to visit Fenway’s famous Green Monster, watch a game at Wrigley Field, or eat an original Dodger Dog at Dodger stadium, DIRECTV is launching the perfect 3D series just for them. Beginning this Saturday, DIRECTV is giving fans an unprecedented view of America’s national pastime with its new, original 3D series, On Deck with Jamie and Mike. “What makes real baseball fans so passionate about the game is so much more than just the players on the field” On Deck with Jamie and Mike, hosted by two spirited sports fanatics, Jamie Kaler and Mike Bunin, who are also known for their roles on TBS’ sitcom, My Boys, is giving viewers an in-depth look at famous ballparks across the country, the cities that house them and the fans that bring them to life. The series will premiere in 3D on Sept. 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT and is available exclusively on n3D, Powered by Panasonic (channel 103). The show will also air in 2D on DIRECTV’s Audience Network (channel 239) beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. “What makes real baseball fans so passionate about the game is so much more than just the players on the field,” said Chris Long, senior vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. “It is the smell of the stadium, the feel of the seats, the taste of the food they have waited all year to eat and the familiar faces that greet them when they walk through the gates. On Deck with Jamie and Mike in 3D will bring that same nostalgia to our 3D baseball fans and give them the best baseball road trip of their lives without having to get up from their couch.” The featured cities and stadiums will include: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles - Jamie and Mike visit Dodger Stadium and announce to all, "It's Time for Dodger Baseball!" Join the boys as they go Hollywood and try to get on the VIP list. AT&T Ballpark, San Francisco - Jamie and Mike head to San Francisco to celebrate Grateful Dead Night at AT&T Ballpark. The summer of love returns for one night as the boys enjoy some gourmet food, batting practice from McCovey Cove, and a chilly dip in the bay. Comerica Park, Detroit - The Motor City rolls out the red carpet as Jamie and Mike catch a Tigers game at Comerica Park. A Segway trip around downtown and fireworks from the dugout show why Detroit is as strong as ever. Wrigley Field, Chicago - Jamie and Mike take a behind-the-scenes look at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Riding on the Cubs trolley, kayaking the Chicago River, and taking some swings in the cage highlight this magical day with the Cubs. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia - Jamie and Mike get some playing time at the home of the Philadelphia Phillies, Citizen's Bank Park. Grilling cheesesteaks with Tony Luke, hanging with the Philly Phanatic, and running with "Rocky" highlight their trip to the birthplace of America. Fenway Park, Boston - Jamie and Mike "park their car" at Fenway Park for a wicked awesome day with the Red Sox, which includes following the Freedom Trail through Historic Boston as they make their way to the park’s Green Monster.

66% of Stereo 3D TV owners opt for 3D content

66% of Stereo-3D TV Owners Watch 3D Shows at Least Once per Week. August, 2011 Watching television shows in 3D has become a regular activity for the majority of stereo-3D TV owners, according to the latest research from the Strategy Analytics. The research demonstrates that owners of stereo-3D TVs are not only interested in S3D content, but even manage to find it despite of rather scarce availability. Apparently, two-thirds - or 66% - of 3DTV owners across the US and Europe are watching at least one show in 3D on a weekly basis. 41% of 3DTV owners claim to be watching shows in 3D at least once a day or several times a day.

PC World and Currys announce 500% growth in 3D TV sales

3D TV Sales At Currys & PC World Saw 500% Annual Growth August 2011 Dixons Retail Group this week revealed that sales of 3D TV displays in its network of stores have increased dramatically over the last quarter. The British consumer electronics retailer, who owns Currys and PC World, said that 3D-capable HDTV sets accounted for 20 percent of all televisions sold between April and June this year. Dixons also stated that like-for-like 3DTV sales are up 500 percent on twelve months ago. The retailer attributed this to lower prices, greater availability of 3D content, and the fact that 3D capability is increasingly found on a wider range of flat-screen TVs (even entry-level and midrange ones). Currently 40 percent of the company’s stock of televisions are made up of 3-dimensional sets. There has been heightened interest in 3D display technology in both the company’s online ecommerce websites and highstreet shops over the past three months. Competitive pricing plays a part, with prices as low as £499 boosting the appeal of extra-dimensional home entertainment displays among consumers. Equally important is the growing selection of 3D material – ranging from movies to sports and documentaries – this will soon be bolstered by the arrival of the new Barclays Premier League 2011/12 football season, as well as the 50 3D blurays scheduled for release during the next 12 months.

Samsung launches 3D VOD service

 

Samsung launched a 3D video streaming service in Korea with roll out in the US and Europe to follow shortly.

The 3D video streaming service will be available through Samsung’s Smart TV 3D application and will initially see movie trailers, commercials, concerts and music videos coming online with full-length feature films to follow. The announcement was made on Samsung’s Korean website and while the translation of the announcement is not crystal clear, it does confirm the roll out to Europe and the US later this year with a global roll out also planned. It also mentions a content collaboration with Dreamworks Animation which sounds like it could bring some interesting content to the platform. Sony and the All England Lawn Tennis Club announced a multiyear partnership Monday. HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

8:50 PM 3/7/2011 by Carolyn Giardina

Wimbledon fans can get ready to enjoy a 3D final with their strawberries and cream.

Sony and the All England Lawn Tennis Club on Monday announced a multiyear partnership to bring Wimbledon to 3D-ready digital cinemas around the world. The live 3D production, in partnership with Wimbledon host broadcaster BBC, also will be offered to broadcasters.

On the theatrical side, Sony will work with SuperVision Media, its theatrical distribution partner. The tennis will be shot in high-definition 3D and be offered to rightsholders and interested global broadcasters.

Apr 1, 2011

3D TV selling more than HD TVs

07-03-2011

As per Panasonic, 3D technology has crossed the “laserdisc threshold” and now is poised for entry at the “early mass market” stage. Comparing to HD TV sets 3D TV has reached near equal status as far as sales are concerned. About 2 million Full HD 3D enabled TV sets have been pushed into the market just nine months after its launch. The figures have been quoted by none other than EisukeTsuyuzaki who is the chief technology officer of Panasonic. "This is a significant milestone. It means we have already surpassed what I call the laserdisc threshold. We have already taken 3D from geekdom to an early mass market. He further added: “This is a significant milestone. It means we have already surpassed what I call the laserdisc threshold. We have already taken 3D from geekdom to an early mass market. Compare this to the rollout of HD TV. The industry sold less than half a million HD sets in five years.” This means that 3D TVs are selling TWENTY FIVE times faster than HD TVs sold As per him the consumers who have purchased home Full HD 3D are not just the early and affluent videophiles, but also young gamers and (surprisingly) young families. From the research that Panasonic have conducted, he mentioned about the number of equal male and females who are actively involved in the purchase decision. He stated that the 3D technology has to cater to all genders and demographics.

3D home projectors: huge leap forward with Digital Projection TITAN Quad 3D

Baseball stadiums brought to fans in 3D

Baseball stadiums brought to fans in 3D Following on from the news that the NFL will be available in 3D, baseball fans now have reason to give 3D cheers. For the many baseball fans who have never been lucky enough to visit Fenway’s famous Green Monster, watch a game at Wrigley Field, or eat an original Dodger Dog at Dodger stadium, DIRECTV is launching the perfect 3D series just for them. Beginning this Saturday, DIRECTV is giving fans an unprecedented view of America’s national pastime with its new, original 3D series, On Deck with Jamie and Mike.

“What makes real baseball fans so passionate about the game is so much more than just the players on the field”

On Deck with Jamie and Mike, hosted by two spirited sports fanatics, Jamie Kaler and Mike Bunin, who are also known for their roles on TBS’ sitcom, My Boys, is giving viewers an in-depth look at famous ballparks across the country, the cities that house them and the fans that bring them to life. The series will premiere in 3D on Sept. 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT and is available exclusively on n3D, Powered by Panasonic (channel 103). The show will also air in 2D on DIRECTV’s Audience Network (channel 239) beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. “What makes real baseball fans so passionate about the game is so much more than just the players on the field,” said Chris Long, senior vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. “It is the smell of the stadium, the feel of the seats, the taste of the food they have waited all year to eat and the familiar faces that greet them when they walk through the gates. On Deck with Jamie and Mike in 3D will bring that same nostalgia to our 3D baseball fans and give them the best baseball road trip of their lives without having to get up from their couch.” The featured cities and stadiums will include:

• Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles - Jamie and Mike visit Dodger Stadium and announce to all, "It's Time for Dodger Baseball!" Join the boys as they go Hollywood and try to get on the VIP list.
• AT&T Ballpark, San Francisco - Jamie and Mike head to San Francisco to celebrate Grateful Dead Night at AT&T Ballpark. The summer of love returns for one night as the boys enjoy some gourmet food, batting practice from McCovey Cove, and a chilly dip in the bay.
• Comerica Park, Detroit - The Motor City rolls out the red carpet as Jamie and Mike catch a Tigers game at Comerica Park. A Segway trip around downtown and fireworks from the dugout show why Detroit is as strong as ever.
• Wrigley Field, Chicago - Jamie and Mike take a behind-the-scenes look at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Riding on the Cubs trolley, kayaking the Chicago River, and taking some swings in the cage highlight this magical day with the Cubs.
• Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia - Jamie and Mike get some playing time at the home of the Philadelphia Phillies, Citizen's Bank Park. Grilling cheesesteaks with Tony Luke, hanging with the Philly Phanatic, and running with "Rocky" highlight their trip to the birthplace of America.
• Fenway Park, Boston - Jamie and Mike "park their car" at Fenway Park for a wicked awesome day with the Red Sox, which includes following the Freedom Trail through Historic Boston as they make their way to the park’s Green Monster.

 

3D TV viewing improvements "planned for 2012"

Microsoft Sees Xmas Debut for Xbox TV

Microsoft Sees Xmas Debut for Xbox TV

Microsoft Corp. 's broadband-fueled Xbox 360 console wants to be your next set-top box. Crucially, it will be capable of streaming 3D. Speaking at a Microsoft financial analyst conference last Wednesday, company CEO Steve Ballmergave a preview of Xbox TV, an update that will enable the console to deliver not just on-demand content but a number of live TV channels, as well. Microsoft plans to launch Xbox TV in time for the 2011 holiday season. Ballmer reportedly didn't offer much detail about pricing, content or who its initial partners will be but did note that Microsoft would be working with "dozens or hundreds of additional video content suppliers." Microsoft will also let users navigate for video using Xbox's motion-based Kinect system and use Bing to help users find and discover content. Why this matters? It will make it easier for many people to access 3D content. With a an Xbox Live user base in the tens of millions, Microsoft probably has a customer base that's large enough to support a trimmed-down video subscription service that would be appealing to potential cord-cutters, but that's not what Microsoft has in mind. Instead, it appears that the plan is to integrate the Xbox 360 with MSOs and other pay-TV operators so their subscription video services can be delivered to the gaming console over IP  essentially replicating what Samsung Corp. and Sony Corp.  are already trying to do with cable operators via their new line of connected TVs. Cable MSOs have incentives to strike such deals as they look to avert AllVid, a "notice of inquiry" at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that's threatening to become a rule-making effort that would succeed today's CableCARD rules and apply to all domestic pay-TV operators. Microsoft and the Xbox 360 have some experience in the live TV arena, having already done some similar kind of work with Sky TV in the U.K. and with FoxTel in Australia that lets the Xbox stream a limited number of linear channels.  

Sony Launches a Set Top Box Capable of 3D Streaming

Sep 17, 2011

Sony Launches a Set Top Box Capable of 3D Streaming

It's not a Google TV device, but a player using Sony's own interface. The new SMP-N200 media player from Sony is, well, a media streamer and player. It does pretty much what every other set-top does, like stream movies, play back files from a USB drive and browse the web. One thing that it does that sets it apart from most other streamers though is the ability to stream 3D content. There aren't many, if any places to get that content, but we assume that's something that Sony is working on with the Sony Entertainment Network. Also of note is that Sony doesn't mention any streaming audio or video sources specifically aside from their own. Usually we see Netflix, Pandora and other services turn up in these press releases, but Sony doesn't mention them. They'll almost certainly be there, or the SMP-N200 will be looking a lot less compelling.

3D-capable, large TFT, LCD panels increased to 5.2 million units in Q2

3D-capable, large TFT, LCD panels increased to 5.2 million units in Q2 Shipments of 3D-capable large-area TFT LCD panels increased to 5.2 million units in Q2, growing by 124% Q/Q. Shipments of 3D panels were primarily for LCD TVs, reaching 4.9 million units in Q2’11, 118% Q/Q growth, and pushing the 3D penetration in LCD TV panels from 4.5% in Q1’11 to 9.3% in Q2’11. According to the DisplaySearch Quarterly Large-Area TFT LCD Shipment Report, panel makers are targeting 53% growth in 3D LCD TV panel shipments for Q3 as both shutter glass and pattern retarder technologies are maturing and costs continue to fall. “The LCD TV panel industry has been in oversupply for more than a year, and panel makers are motivated to develop new features like LED and 3D to increase value. Although there are still doubts about whether the market is ready for 3D, 3D penetration is increasing due to falling prices and the ability to produce panels.” noted David Hsieh, Vice President, Greater China Market, DisplaySearch. “3D is not only for high-end products; we are starting to see panel makers develop cost-effective 3D, such as 60 Hz refresh rate with signal simulation or lower frequency with blinking backlight units, which are targeted at affordability and will be critical in encouraging 3D adoption.” In addition to TV, 3D monitor panel shipments are growing rapidly, from less than 80,000 units in Q1’11 to more than 250,000 in Q2’11, thanks to adoption in gaming and other special application monitors. The mainstream 3D technology currently used in desktop monitors is shutter glass, but pattern retarder and switched cell solutions are emerging rapidly too. Panel makers expect to double shipments in Q3’11. Volumes of 3D panels for notebook PCs are still relatively small, with less than 100,000 units shipped in Q2’11. However, panel makers are promoting shutter glass, pattern retarder, and autostereoscopic solutions to the gamer and entertainment- focused notebook users. Shipments are expected to grow by 126% in Q3’11. For LCD TVs, larger panel sizes are seeing faster penetration of 3D, as the benefits are clearer. In 40” and larger LCD TV panel shipments, 3D penetration increased from 12.7% in Q1’11 to 21.7% in Q2’11. TV panel makers are aiming to reach 28.2% in Q3’11. Table 1: 3D Penetration in LCD TV Panels

Source: DisplaySearch Quarterly Large-Area TFT LCD Shipment Report- Advanced LED + 3D In terms of 3D LCD TV technologies, shutter glass is still dominating the market, with 61% in Q2. However, pattern retarder panels are growing rapidly, with 271% Q/Q growth rate in Q2, compared to 74% Q/Q growth of shutter glass type panels. According to panel makers’ production plans, pattern retarder panel shipments will be reach those of shutter glass panels in Q3’11.

London 2012 Olympic Games: Getty Images to Capture in 3D

London 2012 Olympic Games: Getty Images to Capture in 3D

Getty Images first used 3D photography when shooting the Royal Wedding in April and believe the technology will give a new dimension and unprecedented insight to the world's greatest sporting event; ensuring customers experience a unique perspective of all the action.

In addition to their 3D offering, Getty Images will also have a team of photojournalists covering all aspects of the London 2012 Olympic Games, providing near instant access to the magical moments as they unfold. Utilising the very latest technology and transmission, this high quality content will be uploaded to the dedicated site www.gettyimages.com/olympics within seconds of the action happening.

"Getty Images photographers will capture the very heart and soul of every emotion and action, enabling us to supply customers with the widest possible range of images to meet their needs - and the fact that we now have an additional 3D stills offering is testament to our mission to offer innovative, ground breaking content," said Jonathan Klein, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Getty Images. "The Olympic Games is the most respected sporting event in the world and has made an indelible impression in our collective memories with its visually rich history and Getty Images will help ensure this is once again the case at London 2012."

With an elite roster of award-winning photographers and an unrivalled heritage of capturing both the Olympic Games and other high profile sporting events in London, this will be Getty Images', formerly Allsport's, 13th consecutive event as the official Photographic Agency to the IOC.

Getty Images will be deploying a team of approximately 60 renowned and award-winning sports photographers working around the clock to capture a record 30,000 images at the Games.

For further information on Getty Images' involvement as the official photographic agency of the IOC visit www.gettyimages.com/olympics .

Our photographers have hung from the rafters, gone right to the heart of the action and have been that extra mile to capture sport's most iconic moments. Click here to read a few of their stories.

Click here to view imagery from previous Olympic games - from Beijing to the 1896 games in Athens

With less than a year to go, people around the world are coming together to celebrate the countdown to London 2012. A selection of imagery showcasing these milestones can be found here.

Images and interviews with Getty Images' Olympic photographers available on request.

About Getty Images

Getty Images is one of the world's leading creators and distributors of still imagery, video and multimedia products, as well as a recognized provider of other forms of premium digital content, including music. Getty Images serves business customers in more than 100 countries and is the first place creative and media professionals turn to discover purchase and manage images and other digital content. Its award-winning photographers and imagery help customers produce inspiring work which appears every day in the world's most influential newspapers, magazines, advertising campaigns, films, television programs, books and websites. Visit Getty Images at www.gettyimages.com to learn more about how the company is advancing the unique role of digital media in communications and business, and enabling creative ideas to come to life.

NFL 3D: ESPN's $14 Billion, 8yr, NFL Extension Includes 3D

Sep 8, 2011

NFL 3D: ESPN's $14 Billion, 8yr, NFL Extension Includes 3D

Sports are the main driver for 3D in the home (check out recent articles on baseball, US Open Tennis and Horse of the Year). “Monday Night Football” will remain on ESPN through the 2021 NFL season under a new 8-year rights extension between the sports network and the National Football League. The multiplatform agreement begins in 2014. It covers eight full seasons of “MNF” telecasts, expanded NFL studio programming, highlight rights for TV and ESPN.com, the Pro Bowl, the NFL Draft, enhanced international rights and distribution in 3D. ESPN and ABC Sports President George Bodenheimer and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the extension, which has a reported value of between $14 billion and $15 billion. ESPN’s extended NFL rights package will include telecast rights to 17 Monday Night Football games per season for eight additional seasons--2014-21--and more than 500 new hours of NFL-branded studio programming per year, starting this week. ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” pre-game show now expands to three hours, “NFL Live” expands to one hour year-round, “Monday Night Countdown,” “NFL PrimeTime,” and “NFL Matchup” will continue, and ESPN will create more NFL-branded studio programming, including, “NFL 32” and “NFL Kickoff,” both debuting this week. The TV and digital deal covers the Pro Bowl, the NFL Draft, simulcasting “Monday Night Football” and the studio shows on tablet devices, and 3D distribution, contrary to recent reports that the network would give up on 3D. Internationally, ESPN will make Monday Night Football and other regular season games, playoffs and the Super Bowl available to 30 million homes in 144 countries and territories on five continents. Among them: Brazil, the Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Israel, Australia-New Zealand, and Continental Europe. Monday Night Football debuted in 1970. After a 36-year run on ABC, the series moved to cable sister net ESPN in 2006 as part of an eight-year agreement. During the past five seasons, Monday Night Football has become the most-watched series on cable, registering eight of cable’s 10 all-time biggest household audiences and 16 of the top 20 (excluding breaking news), according to ESPN.

NASA Stereo 3D Camera Rig Offers New Horizons for Film and Television

NASA Stereo 3D Camera Rig Offers New Horizons for Film and Television

School Safety Summit announced today that a new panoramic 3D motion picture camera rig developed at MIT under 2 NASA contracts, and capable of producing stereoscopic 3D cinema spectacles that completely surround the audience, will be tested by Colorado education leaders and community partners to visualize the schools of tomorrow.

The Summit's 3D Task Force invites filmmakers and 3DTV producers worldwide to join the experiment and develop scriptwriting and directing approaches that take full advantage of the 360-degree stereo 3D experience made possible by the new system.

Participating industry leaders will have a first look to evaluate applications in theatrical and home entertainment, special events, education, and enterprises that would benefit from omnidirectional robotic vision and depth perception as well as an unprecedented level of image and sound processing.

Interested parties may sign up at www.3DTaskForce.org for an orientation kit and schedule.

The stereoscopic imaging system, invented by Eric Prechtl, Ray Sedwick and Eric Jonas, synchronizes a large number of cameras to generate a high resolution, wide field of view image database from which images can be combined in real time.

New image blending techniques take image data that is transmitted wirelessly and provide an extended panoramic view in which the combined images form a full circle, or movie cyclorama. Images can also be combined so that the cycloramic view extends upwardly or downwardly to create a continuous, unobstructed, omnidirectional image that extends a full 4 pi steradians.

A user can be embedded into a scene to achieve a feeling of actually being on site. The user can scan around the scene or zoom in and out. Multiple users can access the data simultaneously and can independently look in different directions if desired.

According to the inventors, who are working directly with the 3D Task Force, an obvious application for NASA is the control of robots on planetary surfaces to collect samples or build permanent structures. The system offers enhanced communication between astronauts and ground personnel, and shuttle monitoring on lift-off. The system would also allow astronauts in space the ability to exercise or relax in realistic simulations of Earth environments.

Non-NASA applications are numerous. For schools, the system can be used to create intense crisis simulations to train school safety teams. The system can also be used to control firefighting drones, or allow the ability to quickly and realistically monitor a school building or campus. Other applications include event filming, and dramas that place the audience at the center of the story -- content areas to be formally explored by the 3D Task Force.

James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment:agreement with Christie to accelerate development of Next-Generation 3D cinema technology

Sep 12, 2011

James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainmentsigns agreement with Christie to accelerated development of Next-Generation 3D cinema technology.

James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment signs agreement with Christie to accelerated development of Next-Generation 3D cinema technology. The collaboration will include Christie's technical assistance for Production of Avatar 2 and 3! In a move designed to accelerate the development and adoption of next-generation 3D digital cinema, Christie® and James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment, Inc., have signed a milestone, five-year agreement to exchange research, testing, development and technical support on the industry's most exciting new technology. The cooperation between two of Hollywood's digital cinema powerhouses heralds a significant shift in how movies will be made and shown in theaters. "I selected Christie for this 'journey of discovery' because the company is fully committed to my vision and shares my dedication to continually push the boundary of digital cinema," said James Cameron. "Lightstorm is committed to realizing the full potential of 3D and high frame rate technology to fully immerse audiences in the world of the movie before them," said Craig Sholder, vice president, Christie Entertainment Solutions division. "This alliance promises to spark a new wave of excitement, creativity, and innovation in film-making that will provide audiences with an unparalleled sense of total immersion in the movie-viewing experience." Expertise, Equipment & Intellectual Capital to be Shared by Lightstorm and Christie As part of its agreement with Lightstorm, Christie will supply the latest Solaria Series of 3D-capable projectors, ongoing access to emerging research and development on 3D, and input into Lightstorm's mission-critical engineering related to 3D and high frame rate innovation. Christie will also assist in outfitting Cameron's new production facilities, including two screening rooms that will serve as virtual production sites for the next two installments of Avatar, the most successful film in history using ground-breaking 3D technology from Cameron. In exchange, Lightstorm will share with Christie its findings into 3D, high frame rates and the enhancements, format, and color space requirements for achieving the optimal viewing experience. This knowledge in turn will be used to enhance Christie's 3D technology as it relates to desirable projector and server functionality, as well as help Christie create market-leading tool kits for exhibition and post-production markets and applications. Lightstorm will provide sample content for testing and demonstration of technical enhancements, for the overall promotion of Christie's 3D technology. Added Cameron: "At CinemaCon, Christie projectors were critical in helping me to demonstrate higher frame rates of up to 60 frames per second (fps) which dramatically improves the viewing experience. Most importantly, Christie engineers share the same passion for perfection, for continuously raising the standard of excellence that I do. I have full confidence that this collaboration will yield exceptional results." "With the right server technology, our Series 2 projectors are already fully capable of being upgraded to deliver higher frame rates. Further collaboration will provide us with a wealth of information from Cameron's award-winning production studio that will allow us to rapidly advance our pace of innovation in the development of 3D," added Sholder. "Cameron demands - and delivers - nothing less than perfection in all of his movies, which do more than break global box office records. They are true cultural phenomena that mark new milestones in visual entertainment." The Lightstorm and Christie agreement also provides Lightstorm with 24/7 access to the Christie Network Operations Center (NOC), call center support, and replacement parts that are included in all of Christie's warranty services to all exhibitors.

James Cameron: "tablets will push 3D into the home"

James Cameron: "tablets will push 3D into the home" Tablets, laptops and desktop PCs are the key to 3D becoming mainstream in the home, according to director James Cameron, who sees these as the devices to deliver glasses-free 3D content which will become part of our daily lives. Speaking to TechRadar at IBC, Cameron explained that while movies had done their job to get 3D recognised as a viable format for content, glasses-free 3D on tablets and other portable devices will show consumers that 3D shouldn't always be associated with glasses, and these will fill this role until autostereoscopic TVs finally make their way into homes. Talking about the eventual mass adoption of 3D, Cameron said: "We can't wait for glasses free 3D TVs. We can't wait for auto-stereoscopic displays, because right now the quality on them is too poor. "There is a lot of technology that has to be worked out before we have high quality, full resolution auto-stereoscopic screens that are big screens, in the 40, 50, 60-inch range. "Now smaller screens that are in the desktop, laptop, tablet size, where it is basically a single user model, you can do those right now. And you are going to see a lot more of those products coming to market over the next year and so. "Then people will realise that 3D doesn't equal glasses, 3D only equals glasses in certain circumstances. And I think ultimately the tablets and laptops, people can toggle between 2D and 3D, and it will just become part of their diet." In addition, it is likely that 18-30 year old gamers will give 3D in the home major impetus.

First 3D music video for the Middle East premiers in cinemas throughout the Arab world tonight.

First 3D music video for the Middle East premiers in cinemas throughout the Arab world tonight. JULY 27th, BEIRUIT, Lebanon. In close collaboration with W and P Productions, the premier Middle Eastern production outfit, and renowned director Waleed Nasif; Najwa Karam's new video is the first music video to be shot in 3D in the Middle East. Produced for Sony and Rotana, The 3D company provided the full 3D production --- stereographer, the DOP, the rig technician, the cameras, lenses, the 3D rig, the Qtake and full 3D video assist. A bolt on 3D package to suit the most demanding of locations and the most frenetic of shooting schedules. The stereoscopic 3D project was post produced out of our London offices -- where the production was taken from raw files, to depth graded 3D, all the way to a 3D DCP and 3D bluray, as well as 3D YouTube and other online 3D feeds.