News Stories

Virgin Media vows to ‘build on’ 3D strategy

12.6.2010

Virgin Media has told TechRadar that it will continue to “build on” its 3D strategy in the coming year, with the imminent arrival of its latest set top box making it much easier to find content.

Like many others, Virgin Media’s 3D content has been limited so far, although the company is well aware of the strides being taken by rival Sky.

Sky 3D launched this year bringing an entire channel of 3D content from the worlds of film, sports and arts.

Virgin Media’s 3D content is available through its on demand service, and a strategic deal with Samsung “to bring its cutting-edge 3D TV viewing experience to the public”, which means that the company has not forgotten about those customers that want to have access to content to play on their expensive 3D equipment.

Building

“We’re still building on the 3D strategy that we put into place,” Virgin Media’s Cindy Rose told TechRadar.

“We have a collaboration with Samsung so we will be doing a lot of stuff around 3D.

“We are aware that some of our XL TV customers have spent a lot of money on 3D televisions sets and we want to make sure we give them content.”

Content is king

For the time being 3D content remains thin on the ground, with bidding wars over high profile films like Toy Story 3 and Avatar which boost company’s 3D line-ups.

Sky’s financial clout and its impressive investment in 3D content means that it is going to be in pole position for many of the high profile movies and other bits of content.

However, as 3D content becomes more common, it is important that the likes of Virgin Media can be viewed as an option for people who are looking to upgrade their television to a 3D set.

Viewers need a 3D capable television to watch the 3D broadcasts, but manufacturers like Virgin Media’s partner Samsung are putting huge amounts of money behind the push for 3D.

Full story here: http://www.techradar.com/news/television/virgin-media-vows-to-build-on-3d-strategy-913501

Fuji TV Readies 3D Content for New Year

11.18.2010

Two New Series Prepared for January Slots / Sony Fuji partnership /

Fuji TV is producing Japan’s first 3D drama series as the network ramps up its 3D content for the New Year.

To be broadcast on one of Fuji’s cable and satellite HD channels from Jan. 19,Tokyo Control is to be 10 episodes following the trials and tribulations of the capital’s air traffic controllers.

Starring Ayako Kawahara and Saburo Tokito, a regular 2D version will be broadcast on another Fuji channel.

Fuji will also launch a new midnight Sunday 3D slot on its broadcast satellite BS Fuji channel that will feature sports, documentaries and music programs. It will begin with three specials on Jan. 1, 2 and 3, and then commence regular broadcasts from Jan. 9.

The series will be titled 3D*3D – pronounced sande sande – a play on the Japanese word for three (san) and the English word Sunday.

Sony is partnering with Fuji, Japan’s biggest network, to produce the 3D for both series.

by Gavin J. Blair

source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fuji-tv-readies-3d-content-47052

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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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