News Stories

Cord Cutting? Bah, Humbug! 3D TV mirrors HDTV adoption

Video is not a zero-sum game…at least for now and at least not for traditional TV broadcasts. DVDs continue to be most at risk from these new platforms, Magid says. The arrival of 3D TV is tracking slowly but not unlike the adoption curve of HDTV years ago, Magid says. Only 8% of those surveyed said they expected to buy a 3D TV in the next 12 months. Compared to a similar level of interest in the first year HDTV were offered, Magid finds that generally only 4% actually did follow through to buy the new technology in short order. The analysts say they expect 5% of U.S. households to have 3D TVs by the end of 2011. Moreover, consumers are not shoing great concern over the dearth of 3D content available. They appear to be ready to make 3D a future-proofing part of their next TV purchase.

The additional video services like 3D, streaming media, Web video, TV apps, etc. are likely to added to our existing HD screens and not necessarily divert business from that core of subscription services.

Full post here

Your Portrait in 3D (Toronto-based Photography house)

Momento Photoworks may be the first portrait studio in Canada if not in the world to offer a full product line of 3D portraiture to its clients!

It’s finally here! Your portrait in 3D! The latest trend in 3D technology isn’t exclusive to Hollywood studios or Queen Elizabeth II, alone. Momento Photoworks, a Toronto-based high-end portrait studio, have managed to create life-like, impressive, three-dimensional portrait art imagery for its clients. Passionate about photography, Tassos Makrakis, Momento’s lead photographer and co-owner, conducted extensive research and boldly added to Momento’s repertoire of fine portraiture a new line of 3D portraiture. “Researching the possibilities of 3D photography has opened my mind to a whole new aspect of character portraiture. Creating a portrait that comes alive in 3D is so different and rewarding. I feel that this may be the re-birth of something very promising!”

3D Photography has been around since 1838. While the technology has evolved on theatrical screens as more movies are increasingly being produced in 3D, photography studios have yet to venture beyond traditional 2D photography. Ahead of the competition, Momento Photoworks is now offering 3D portraits to its clients. With the equipment, expertise and the “know-how” to produce a dynamic and captivating 3D portrait, Momento is paving the trend for savvy consumers to come in and be among the rare few to experience a 3-dimensional portrait of themselves. “Moving closer towards a 3D portrait, opens up a new window of visual experience. In addition, it increases the appetite of the viewer to explore every detail in a unique way, not possible with traditional photographs. We love watching our client’s reaction, as they view themselves in a 3D portrait for the very first time!” highlights Tassos Makrakis.

Though typically reserved for the discriminating client, Momento offers 3D portrait services at reasonable prices. Momento knows 3D portraits are the next big thing in personal portrait art. Profile magazines like Vogue Italy have recently begun experimenting with 3D in one of their recent issues featuring high fashion models in futuristic 3D images with great success.

“I can’t think of anything that I see on a screen these days without thinking how much better it’d look in 3-D!” states James Cameron on the release of his latest 3D venture. “Seeing the results of our 3D portraiture line and the rave response of our clients, we agree with James Cameron that 3D is the highest level of visual content in the market today both on movies and in photography.” believes Makrakis.

In addition to 3D wall portraits, Momento photoworks will be soon offering a new line of 3D wedding albums and 2D to 3D conversions from client’s existing images.

Feel free to visit our Photography Studio web site at www.themomento.com.

Original post here: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Your-Portrait-in-3D-1361356.htm

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Specification for Naming VFX Image Sequences Released

ETC’s VFX Working Group has published a specification for best practices naming image sequences such as plates and comps. File naming is an essential tool for organizing the multitude of frames that are inputs and outputs from the VFX process. Prior to the publication of this specification, each organization had its own naming scheme, requiring custom processes for each partner, which often resulted in confusion and miscommunication.

The new ETC@USC specification focuses primarily on sequences of individual images. The initial use case was VFX plates, typically delivered as OpenEXR or DPX files. However, the team soon realized that the same naming conventions can apply to virtually any image sequence. Consequently, the specification was written to handle a wide array of assets and use cases.

To ensure all requirements are represented, the working group included over 2 dozen participants representing studios, VFX houses, tool creators, creatives and others.  The ETC@USC also worked closely with MovieLabs to ensure that the specification could be integrated as part of their 2030 Vision.

A key design criteria for this specification is compatibility with existing practices.  Chair of the VFX working group, Horst Sarubin of Universal Pictures, said: “Our studio is committed to being at the forefront of designing best industry practices to modernize and simplify workflows, and we believe this white paper succeeded in building a new foundation for tools to transfer files in the most efficient manner.”

This specification is compatible with other initiatives such as the Visual Effects Society (VES) Transfer Specifications. “We wanted to make it as seamless as possible for everyone to adopt this specification,” said working group co-chair and ETC@USC’s Erik Weaver. “To ensure all perspectives were represented we created a team of industry experts familiar with the handling of these materials and collaborated with a number of industry groups.”

“Collaboration between MovieLabs and important industry groups like the ETC is critical to implementing the 2030 Vision,” said Craig Seidel, SVP of MovieLabs. “This specification is a key step in defining the foundations for better software-defined workflows. We look forward to continued partnership with the ETC on implementing other critical elements of the 2030 Vision.”

The specification is available online for anyone to use.

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