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Entertainment Technology Report – CES 2011

11.5.2010

November is always an exciting time of year here at the Entertainment Technology Center.  With CES 2011 just two months away, the ETC’s Entertainment Technology Reporting Team is in full research mode identifying major trends and products that are sure to make headlines at the show and in the coming year.  Last year the buzz was centered on 3D to the Home, emerging tablet devices and Internet-connected televisions.  This year expect to see expanded offerings in each of these categories, plus look for 4G to make a big splash in the market as carriers announce expanded service and device manufacturers roll out 4G models.  Social Media will also be a big topic of discussion, and try to get past a booth at the show without hearing about their new smart device app!

As always, the ETC will be reporting live from the show floor, making sense of the madness and bringing insight from an entertainment technology professional point of view.  Last year we scoured every square inch to find the products mattered most and the gems you may have missed.  In addition, the ETC is expanding its pre-show reporting to bring you news and exclusive interviews with manufacturers and trendsetters.  To see last year’s report, visit: http://blog.etcenter.org/category/blog/ces2010/

Feel free to drop us a line at etreport@etcusc.org to let us know what interests you or what “hot product” we have to check out.  Also be sure to sign up for the daily report emails that we will be sending out during the show by visiting: www.etcenter.org/2011-et-report-sign-up/

We look forward to seeing you at CES 2011!

-KC Blake

Managing Editor

Entertainment Technology Report

Call of Duty(R): Black Ops Launches in 3D at Best Buy

11.5.2010

Record Number of Best Buy Stores to Open at Midnight For The Year’s Anticipated Release

Call of Duty(R) is going 3D and Best Buy is rolling out the red carpet for eagerly awaiting fans. The most anticipated entertainment launch of the year, Call of Duty(R): Black Ops will be celebrated at more than 700 Best Buy midnight openings nationwide on Tuesday, November 9 at 12:01 am. The midnight events will give fans the opportunity to be among the first to get their copy of the hotly-anticipated blockbuster title and experience it like never before.

“This is the hottest release of the year and we’re thrilled to be able to open more of our stores early to give customers the chance be among the first to own it — and in 3D,” said Chris Homeister, senior vice president and general manager of the home entertainment group at Best Buy. “Best Buy is the ideal place for fans to pick up the game and get everything they need for the ultimate Call of Duty: Black Ops 3D experience.”

To commemorate the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops, Best Buy is celebrating with:

A wide selection of 3D-enabled products, including the full range of available 3DTVs, as well as cameras, camcorders and now games Incredible home theater deals that allow fans to get into the 3D action without breaking the bank Best Buy Blue Shirts ready to help customers unlock the possibilities of 3D gaming to deliver an unprecedented view of the intense Call of Duty: Black Ops action.

Call of Duty: Black Ops gives the player the option to play in stereoscopic 3D on the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation(R) 3 computer entertainment system and Windows(R) PC. For Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system consoles, stereoscopic 3D features require a compatible 3D-ready HD TV and active shutter glasses. Pre-orders for the title are currently available. For more information on the title visit www.callofduty.com/blackops and also check Twitter via @JD_2020. The title is rated “M” for Mature (Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence and Language).

source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/call-of-dutyr-black-ops-launches-in-3d-at-best-buy-2010-11-05?reflink=MW_news_stmp

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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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