News Stories

Hatsune Miku: Japanese HOLOGRAPH Plays Sold Out Concerts; Science Fiction Comes To Life (VIDEO)

11.12.2010

(Phil Lelyveld comment: just a 2D projection, but an interesting cultural phenomenon.)

In what is surely a terrible omen not only for musicians but also the continued existence of the world as we know it, holographs are now playing sold out concerts in, where else, Japan.

Holographic idol Hatsune Miku is the creation of the group Crypton Future Media, using software from Vocaloid, and the group has put the avatar on tour with a live band. The sight of thousands of screaming fans waving glow sticks while the the holograph “performs” on stage is straight out of a science fiction novel.

The avatar is huge and incredibly realistic. Check out “her” concert performance below. More videos can be found here.

by The Huffington Post |  Nicholas Graham

source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/11/hatsune-miku-japanese-holograph-_n_782442.html?ref=fb&src=sp

Black Friday Sales Do Not Feature 3D TV

11.12.2010

It seems like 3D is the big Technology news of 2010 but they are not featuring in the Black Friday TV sales 2010. There is always a wave form to technology, the cutting edge items that only a few people will buy are always at the top.

3D TV is currently at the top of that wave and that means that the companies are still pushing for the highest price they can get for each item. It is almost certain that the sales in 2011 and 2012 will feature many different models of 3D TV, and all the extra items that go with them. However for the 2010 black Friday sales the main focus is size.

Target and Best Buy have already had their Black Friday ads released onto the internet and both of them feature 40 inch, 46 inch and even larger TV’s at bargain prices. They are selling both lCD and Plasma models and they do feature HD, but there are not promoting any of the 3D models.

This could either mean that the companies are not sure whether 3D will take off with the consumer or it means they have warehouses full of stock that they need to move. What it does mean is that anyone who has been holding off on purchasing a new TV may well feel that now is the time.

Buying a TV that is going to be “last years model” soon during the Thanksgiving sales will let shoppers save a lot of money while still getting a very high level TV. This makes a lot of sense in these financially difficult times.

by Paul Mahon

source: http://www.thenewsforyou.com/black-friday-sales-do-not-feature-3d-tv/11959/

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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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