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NAB Exhibition: DCPs and 3D

The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits showed its easyDCP software, which runs on a standard PC or Mac and is designed as a simple system for the creation of Digital Cinema Packages. easyDCP and easyDCP+ (which includes stereoscopic 3D support) is now available. A version with hardware acceleration will be available in the fall.

Fraunhofer also showed its new DCPplayer, a JPEG2000 decoding software that enables real-time playback of 2K DCPs and JPEG2000 image sequences on a standard PC with Nvidia graphic card.

— TD Vision  showed integration of its technology with Magnum Semiconductor encoding chip sets. TD Vision reported it would enable Full HD 3D in real time at a bit rate that fits into a broadcast channel. It supports 1080P/60fps per bit.

–DVS is previewing version 3.0 of its Clipster post system. Scheduled new features include: The ability to create a 3D DCP, 3D timeline editing, and real-time full quality 4K decoding and debayering of Red material.

NICT Shows Research

Japan-based research organization NICT may have been one of the most talked about stands at NAB. The research on display included: 

–A multi-sensory interaction system—for some NAB goers, this was their top demo. The user wears 3D glasses to see a virtual object. In space, one can “touch” the object and hear the object. Suggested future applications include museums and education.

–A floating touch display allowed one to virtually “play a piano.” Suggested apps include smart phone control, without requiring actual touch.

–A glasses free HD 3D display

–Interactive panoramic video technology.

–4K content capture

–A hologram (see separate post)

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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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