Entertainment Technology Center @ USC

[by Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter]

“Glee Live! 3D!,” featuring the North American tour, will be released Aug. 12.

See the original post here:  http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-release-3d-glee-concert-185348

[by tvtechnology.com]

Sony, Discovery and IMAX have put together a show for their 3D network about 3D shows. 3Net, the 3D programming channel the trio launched in DirecTV in February, will debut “In the Qube” this Sunday, April 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. 

The network’s purveyors say the one-hour show is a “first-of-its-kind entertainment news program dedicated entirely to the emerging world of 3D.” It will appear once a month and be hosted by Nicole Dabeau, a host and senior editor for “Entertainment Tonight” online and a correspondent for “E! News.” The show is being produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with Chomp Productions and Jump! Creative. 

The first episode will go behind-the-scenes of this summer’s 3D feature films with celebrity interviews and 3D trailers. It will include an interview with Sony Music artist Avril Lavigne about her latest album; a look at the latest 3D Blu-ray players, still cameras TVs and video games. It will feature clips of extreme skiing and “the making” of the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Calendar.

See the original article here: http://tvtechnology.com/article/119596

[by TV Technology.com]

DirecTV and public broadcaster WNET-TV, are teaming up to provide the U.S. debut of “Treasure Houses of Britain” in 3D. The series will premiere Saturday, March 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on DirecTV’s n3D channel. The series comprises five, one-hour episodes exploring some of Britain’s most tony estates.

“This is the first time that WNET has collaborated on a project shot in 3D, which showcases public media’s continued journey toward the future of television programming which our viewers have come to expect,” said Neal Shapiro, president and CEO of WNET. “We are excited to work with our friends at DirecTV, who will provide viewers an opportunity to experience this great series.”

See the original story here: http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/116292

DIRECTV and Scripps Networks Co-Produce First Food Show in 3D, Available Exclusively on n3D™, Powered by Panasonic

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.–Just in time to satisfy all of those holiday food cravings, DIRECTV and Scripps Networks will serve up the first food show to be broadcast in full 3D, exclusively on DIRECTV’s 3D channel, n3D™, powered by Panasonic. Premiering on Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, the co-production features Food Network star Guy Fieri, who will take food fans’ taste buds into a brand new culinary dimension with his hit show Guy’s Big Bite in 3D.

n3D™, powered by Panasonic, will offer six new episodes of Guy’s Big Bite, produced specifically for 3D. These episodes will feature mouthwatering signature recipes such as, Andouille and Clam Crostini, Sloppy Joes with Maui Onion Straws, Hoisin Chicken Fold Ups, Braised Pork Shoulder and Garlic Parmesan Crab. In addition, beginning on Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. ET, DIRECTV will offer a selection of The Best of Guy’s Big Bite episodes, available in 2D on DIRECTV’s The 101® Network. These episodes will feature some of Guy’s most memorable episodes where he is paired with his son Hunter, as well as guests from his other hit show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, which currently airs on The Food Network.

“If there is ever a time when you want to see programming in 3D it is watching Guy Fieri work his magic in the kitchen,” said Chris Long, senior vice president, Entertainment, DIRECTV. “Guy’s Big Bite looks amazing in HD so in 3D it will literally have viewers drooling in front of their 3DTVs. This is the first time that we have worked with a programming partner like Scripps Networks to develop new 3D content and the experience has been fantastic.”

“We’re interested in seeing how viewers react to our content in a 3D environment,” said Lynne Costantini, executive vice president, affiliate sales and marketing for Scripps Networks. “As our distribution partners begin to explore this new format, it’s important for us to be involved and support them with our powerhouse brands, helping them strengthen their connections with their subscribers and to grow their businesses. DIRECTV is an ideal partner in this pilot because they had assets they could bring to the production process.”

Guy Fieri competed on and won season two of The Next Food Network Star. In addition to Guy’s Big Bite, he hosts a variety of popular shows on Food Network, including Ultimate Recipe Showdown; Diners, Drive-ins and Dives; and Tailgate Warriors.

DIRECTV’s exclusive 3D channel, n3D™ powered by Panasonic, is available at no additional cost to millions of DIRECTV HD customers. In addition to the 2010 MLB All-Star Game, the 2010 U.S. Open Tennis and ESPN’s 3D coverage of the Summer X Games 16, n3D customers also have access to exclusive, original 3D programming such as Guitar Center Sessions with Peter Gabriel and Jane’s Addiction.

DIRECTV HD customers received a free software upgrade that enables them to have access to the 3D channels on DIRECTV. DIRECTV HD customers will need a 3D television set and 3D glasses to view 3D programming on DIRECTV.

See the original Nov. 18, 2010 press release here: http://www.hughsnews.ca/directv-serves-up-guy’s-big-bite-in-3d-0013965

3D TV sales are expected to pick up over the next few years as content creators such as Time Warner and Disney continue to increase their 3D TV offerings.  Video includes lengthy statements by Chris Brown, VP High Def Marketing at WB.

See the original post of the video here: http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/video/11009605/3d-tv-and-content-to-spike-in-2011.html?cm_ven=YAHOOV&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA&s=1#791729347001

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2011 issue with cover model Irina Shayk was released today to the cheers of men everywhere. As part of its arrival, a video chronicling the issue’s creation is potentially heading into your house via an unusual source.

Sports Illustrated and Sony have released ‘Swimsuit in 3D’ exclusively for Playstation 3 owners via the Playstation Store. A 2D version is also available for the majority of PS3 owners that do not have a 3D setup in their homes.

To take advantage of the 3D version you’ll need a PS3 console, a 3D-compatible television, a 3D-compatible a/v receiver and at least one pair of 3D glasses. It’s a pricey setup few have taken advantage of yet, but those that have will have the opportunity to see how the latest Swimsuit issue came to be jump out of the screen.

Also available now are 12 hours worth of various Sports Illustrated Swimsuit videos available via the Playstation Store. This will include the official hour-long ‘Making of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2011′ video, four videos that spotlight the shoot’s locations, and a ‘Making of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’ video. All this content will be available in 2D only.

For those who want to try before they buy, Sony is offering a free three-minute preview of ‘Swimsuit in 3D’ to anyone with a PS3 console and Playstation Network ID as well as new PS3 themes featuring SI Swimsuit models.

See the original story here: http://www.thehdroom.com/news/Sports-Illustrated-Swimsuit-2011-in-3D-Only-on-PS3/8427

DirecTV is planning an exclusive 3D special of Formula Drift’s “Round 7: Title Fight Event.” The telecast will be carried on DirecTV’s n3D stereoscopic entertainment channel 103, Feb.4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. It will comprise two, one-hour specials with extensive race coverage, behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews, all in 3D.

The 3D coverage will be produced by the direct satellite broadcaster and Formula Drift, the drift racing association based in Long Beach, Calif. The 3DTV special features the action of the final event in the sport’s 2010 season, culminating at the Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif., last October.

The footage will include complete coverage of the “Title Fight” season finale, with two-time Formula Drift champion Tanner Foust going head-to-head with Vaughn Gittin; driver interviews; behind-the-scenes and off-track coverage.

“This was a very ambitious project given that it is the first of its kind for the sport of drifting, and also taking into consideration the sheer nature of 3D filming and the nature and physics of the sport,” said Ryan Sage, vice president and co-founder of Formula Drift. “Viewing Formula Drift in 3D is probably one of the most visceral and exciting things to view in the 3D genre right now.”

DirecTV launched its 3D channels last July and has since carried stereoscopic coverage of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the 2010 U.S. Open Tennis Championship and other specials and events. n3D is sponsored by Panasonic.

Original post here: http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/112872

Ready or not, the Internet-connected TV set has emerged as the next big thing in consumer electronics after 3-D TVs failed to capture mainstream consumers’ attention to any large degree. At the 2011 International CES, the marriage of TV and the Internet was a key message as industry giants Samsung, Sony, LG andPanasonic, as well as smaller players such as Vizio, all highlighted the latest versions of their connected TVs.

The research firm Parks Associatesexpects connectable models to make up 76 percent of global TV sales by 2015. This is despite concerns about whether the current broadband infrastructure can cope with such a massive boost in simultaneous online usage.

The most apparent use to home viewers may be as a simpler way to access sports, movies and standard TV content. The sets substitute the cable, satellite or game consoles that many households now resort to for streaming video.

Time Warner Cable CEO Glenn Britt (left) and Comcast CEO Brian Roberts at the Samsung press event during CES revealed plans to bring live programming to Samsung’s Internet-connected TVs and tablets without the need for a set-top box.

Sony and Samsung announced content deals with Time Warner Cable at CES, and Samsung made public a deal with Comcast. These alliances may be influenced by the cable companies’ need to protect their customer base against growing threats from the Web, where viewers watch many programs for free.

Executives from Time Warner Cable and Comcast joined Boo-Keun Yoon, Samsung’s president and general manager of visual displays, on stage during his CES keynote. They discussed plans to bring live programming to Samsung’s Internet-connected TV and tablets without the need for a set-top box.

Glenn Britt, CEO of Time Warner Cable, said his company would allow customers to access its full lineup of live channels on Samsung Internet-connected TVs this year.

“If you buy a video subscription from us in your home, our goal is to make the video available on all your devices,” Britt said, echoing the goal of the “TV everywhere” concept espoused by his and other companies. “People don’t see PCs and phones and tablets and TVs as different things; they are all just video display devices.”

Comcast will do the same. “We’re radically changing the way our customers interact with their televisions,” said Brian Roberts, CEO of Comcast.

One of the interesting aspects of the TV-Internet phenomenon is that it’s so unpredictable. It can go anywhere, despite corporate attempts to define the trend.

“What makers are realizing is that there’s no way to predict what the next phenomenon will be, so it’s best to open it up to third parties,” said Kurt Scherf, a principal analyst at Parks Associates.

Samsung, LG and Panasonic are all set to offer third-party applications on their television sets, similar to one used on smart phones and tablets.

With so many electronics makers vying to differentiate themselves, none has yet come out as a clear leader, and several are finding it difficult to make profits from TVs at all.

What is still lacking, in large part, is consumer education about Internet-connected TVs. Sony’s chief executive, Howard Stringer, said last week that Sony would start a worldwide advertising campaign called “Television Redefined” this year.

“The next evolution is upon us: the marriage of the television and the Internet,” he said.

Original post here: http://broadcastengineering.com/news/internet-connected-tvs-build-momentum-ces-20110113/index.html

Luxury lifestyle and entertainment cable TV network WealthTV is using PanasonicHD 3-D camcorders to develop content for its current 3-D VOD service and future plans for proprietary 3-D broadcasts in 2011. WealthTV’s 3-D VOD program is already available nationwide to Verizon FiOS TV customers who have a 3-D TV set, 3-D glasses and an HD set-top box.

Having recently purchased six AG-3DA1 camcorders, WealthTV’s crews have been shooting at exotic destinations in Cannes, Monaco, Ibiza, South Beach and San Simeon, CA. Segments include travelogues in the network’s “Takeoff” and “WOW!” series; exotic car programming on its “Wealth on Wheels” series; haute couture under its “What to Wear” umbrella; and nature programming.

To manage the logistics of shooting on different continents, the fledgling network has retained a number of outside production companies that are also shooting with Panasonic 3DA1 camcorders. These include Randall Dark Productions (Austin, TX) and Corkscrew Media (Calgary, Alberta).

Robert Herring, WealthTV’s founder and CEO, said the 3DA1 is the primary camera for all 3-D production, and producers sometimes have eight or more 3DA1s in the field simultaneously.

“We value the Panasonic camcorder for its small size and simplicity of operation,” Herring said. “The 3DA1 is more reliable than beam-splitter rigs, and it carries a very affordable price tag.”

Herring said that WealthTV has 10 3-D-capable edit bays at its 40,000sq-ft facility in San Diego and plans to expand as needed. The network is using the Dashwood Cinema Solutions’ Stereo3D Toolbox and CineForm’s Neo3D editorial tools.

Charles Herring, WealthTV’s president, said the network needed an economical solution for 3-D production to bring 3-D programming to a mass cable audience.

The AG-3DA1 is a fully integrated, HD 3-D camcorder that records up to 180 minutes on dual 32GB SD cards in Panasonic’s AVCHD PH mode. It weighs less than 6.6lbs and comes equipped with dual lenses and two 1920 x 1080 2.07-megapixel, three-MOS imagers to record 1080/60i, 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) as well as 720/60p and 50p in AVCHD. The camcorder also provides a number of professional interfaces including dual HD-SDI out, HDMI (v1.4), two XLR connectors, built-in stereo microphone and twin-lens camera remotes.

original story here: http://broadcastengineering.com/products/wealthtv-captures-lifestyles-rich-famous-3-d-20101214/