News Stories

Versus (Sports cable net) to Launch 3D Saturday with Ducks-Bears

11.11.2010

Sports cable net Versus will make its 3D debut Saturday on Verizon’s FiOS TV systems with the clash between Oregon Ducks and the Cal Bears. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game marks Verizon’s first college football game in 3D. The telcoTV provider launched the format on FiOS this summer with the first-ever telecast of a Major League Baseball game in 3D. A National Football League match-up was carried in 3D on FiOS in March, and 3D movies on demand will become available later this month.

Versus will produce the 3D telecast with a separate production crew and equipment from the traditional HD game production. The network will have multiple 3D cameras placed strategically around the field, giving viewers camera angles not usually seen during 2D telecasts, as well as a completely different on-air team of announcers and reporters.

Wayne Larrivee, who calls games for the Green Bay Packers, will handle play-by-play duties for the 3D telecast. He will be joined by former NFL quarterback Erik Kramer in the booth along with Heidi Androl reporting from the sidelines. Versus will also produce an HD telecast of the game, with Ron Thulin serving as the play-by-play announcer, Glenn Parker providing color commentary and Lewis Johnson reporting from the sidelines.

The Versus 3D telecast will be available to all 3.3 million FiOS TV customers nationwide, but viewable in the format only by those with a 3DTV set and high-definition set-top box. The 3D version of the game will be carried on Ch. 1002; on Ch. 590 in HD and Ch. 90 in standard definition.

source: http://www.televisionbroadcast.com/article/109150

UPC Nederland starts 3D VOD

11.11.2010

UPC Nederland, the country’s second largest cable operator, has launched the first 3D titles on its UPC On Demand service. Customers can request 3D streams of Streetdance, Scar, My Bloody Valentine, Spy Kids: Game Over and Fly Me To The Moon.

Last September Ziggo, Holland’s largest operator, launched a dedicated 3D channel with SBS/Net 5, as well as well as its own 3D On Demand service last month. UPC has decided not to carry the Net5 3D channel, as this consist of programming made in 2D and up-scaled to 3D.

UPC customers who want to order 3D movies need to have an HD subscription as well as a proper 3D television set with the accompanying 3D glasses.

By Robert Briel

source: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/11/11/upc-nederland-starts-3d-vod/

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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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