News Stories

Coraline Blu-ray 3D breaks away from Panasonic exclusivity

11.17.2010

It’s a symbolic move demonstrating the Blu-ray 3D format is ready to stand on its own two feet.

Universal Studios’ Blu-ray 3D exclusivity deal with Panasonic has apparently expired, and as a result it will bring out its movie Coraline, previously only available through Panasonic 3D purchases, to everyone with a 3D TV.

Heretofore, it someone wanted the animated flick on the 3D format, they would need to have a Panasonic 3D TV or a Panasonic 3D glasses bundle, because the TV manufacturer had the exclusive rights to the product’s distribution.

However, Universal will make the movie available to everyone on January 4. So expect those high-priced Ebay auctions for Coraline Blu-ray 3D to disappear pretty quickly.

This is hopefully good news for other movies that were tied in with similar exclusivity offers. Monsters vs Aliens, Avatar, and How to Train Your Dragon all received similar deals as well.

The Blu-ray 3D format is finally starting to grow legs, as numerous titles are now appearing with the new stereoscopic 3D standard. It is still somewhat confusing to consumers to understand exactly how they can watch a 3D movie.

You need a 3D TV, a pair of 3D glasses designed specifically for that TV’s manufacturer (or a pair of newly-available universal glasses), any brand of Blu-ray 3D player, and a specific Blu-ray 3D movie.

Previously released “3D” movies on Blu-ray are not tuned to the stereoscopic 3D format but instead usually come with anaglyphic red-and-blue 3D glasses.

Yeah, it’s confusing.

There’s no word on whether or not any special 3D features will be available for this, or if it will be the exact same version as was packed in with Panasonic 3D products. It looks like the latter will be the case.

by MARK RABY

Source: http://www.tgdaily.com/games-and-entertainment-brief/52526-coraline-blu-ray-3d-breaks-away-from-panasonic-exclusivity

10 More 3D Blu-Ray Titles, Including ‘Clash of the Titans,’ Going On Sale

11.17.2010

“A Christmas Carol,” “Open Season” and “Cats and Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore” among the titles released Tuesday. /

3D Blu-ray stakeholders will no doubt be pleased that 10 titles in the new format go on sale Tuesday — the largest number to hit market in a single day, since the format was released less than a year ago.

That takes the number of 3D Blu-ray titles available through retail to 15, according to the Blu-Ray Disc Association. Four additional titles are available through bundling agreements with consumer electronics hardware makers.

“It becomes a chicken and egg situation,” said Andy Parsons — U.S. chairman of the BDA promotions committee and senior vp, product planning, Pioneer Home Entertainment Group — of the 3D Blu-ray rollout, pointing to consumer electronics equipment sales versus available content. “Having new content available for everyone who has already bought the players should be a very welcome thing.”

The 3D Blu-ray titles that will be released Tuesday include: Disney’s A Christmas Carol; Sony’sOpen Season; and Warner Bros.’ Clash of the Titans, Cats and Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore,and Robert Zemeckis’ 2004 film The Polar Express, which was an Imax 3D release. Three additional Imax titles go on sale tomorrow via Warners, which are Space Station 3D, Under the Sea 3D and Deep Sea 3D.  Paramount debuts The Last Airbender in 3D Blu-Ray, through a Best Buy exclusive. As well, Sony Pictures is releasing The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Film in 3D, a movie the encompasses the 3D lensed during the soccer World Cup, held last summer in South Africa.

“It is a content-driven business,” Parsons said. “When you have important titles coming out, it shows a real commitment on the part of the studios.”

BDA research suggested that as of September, roughly 25% of Blu-ray players sold in the domestic market had 3D capabilities. To view 3D at home, a 3D-capable TV is also required.

by Carolyn Giardina

source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/10-3d-blu-ray-titles-45490

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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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