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NVIDIA bridges format gap between computer 3-D, 3-D TV

11.10.2010

Bridges incompatibility in TV and computer 3D formats /

Heretofore a lot of consumers with 3-D TV sets are using them for computer games. Recognizing this, NVIDIA, a pioneer in computer graphics technology, has unveiled 3DTV Play software, which allows gamers with an NVIDIA-powered, 3-D-enabled computer to stream 3-D content to a 3-D TV set.

Currently, the format of 3-D on computers and TV sets is slightly different, making them incompatible. If a home viewer has a 3-D movie on a PC and tries to stream it to a 3-D TV, it won’t work. However, any compatible NVIDIA GeForce GPU-powered system running the 3DTV Play software can be connected to an HDMI 1.4 3-D HDTV, the company said, allowing users to view 3-D photos and videos on a larger 3-D TV screen.

Users will also be able to play some 500 games in 3-D on their TVs. When the compatible video playback software is employed, users can also watch Blu-ray 3-D movies in full 1080 stereoscopic 3-D, along with HD digital surround sound with an HDMI connection to a compatible audio/video receiver.

Game titles currently include “StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty,” “Mafia II” and “Call of Duty: Black Ops.” There are, however, some PC applications allowing for 3-D output that aren’t available on TV.

A new line of Dell XPS laptops recently came to market that is bundled with the NVIDIA 3DTV Play software. The multimedia laptops, ranging from 14in to 17in, also come with NVIDIA’s GeForce 400M GPU and Optimus technology.

The new NVIDIA 3DTV Play software is now available as an upgrade for PCs that have an NVIDIA GeForce GPU and Microsoft Windows 7.

NVIDIA’s 3DTV Play software overcomes incompatibility issues and allows gamers to play some 500 games in 3-D on their TVs.

by Michael Grotticelli

source: http://blog.broadcastengineering.com/3-D/2010/11/03/nvidia-bridges-format-gap-between-computer-3-d-3-d-tv/

Are Internet-connected TVs stealing 3-D’s thunder?

11.10.2010

Nearly a year ago, at the CES trade show in Las Vegas, the “next big thing” was said to be 3-D TV. Now, new research shows that another technology has usurped 3-D’s thunder in “a quiet revolution” that is stealing sales from the nascent technology.

More than 40 million Internet-connected TV sets will be shipped worldwide in 2010, with the number growing to 118 million by 2014, according to market research firm DisplaySearch. 3-D TV sales, on the other hand, will equal only 3.2 million sets sold worldwide this year. That means 3-D TV sales will end the year with only 2 percent of all flat-panel TV shipments.

The hotter technology in 2010 has been Internet-connected TV, which will split between more basic connected units and so-called “smart TVs” that will have configurable apps, sophisticated search and navigation engines and advance user interfaces.

While most marketing efforts have focused on 3-D TV, Internet TV has taken off quietly and will likely heat up the competition between multichannel programmers such as cable and satellite vendors against Internet providers of video programming.

“It’s an exciting time for the connected TV sector,” said Paul Gray, DisplaySearch’s director of European TV research. “It’s a battleground where TV set makers, Internet video companies, free-to-air broadcasts, pay-TV and the IT industry are all rushing to stake their claim … I think most of the TV supply chain senses that this is a seismic shift in the usage of TV that will be far more significant than 3-D, which will not alter TV function or usage patterns.”

On the negative side, DisplaySearch analysts cautioned that consumers around the world remain confused about the technology. A recent DisplaySearch report found that only 10 percent of the connected TVs sold in Japan have actually been hooked up to a network.

“It has been a long, challenging journey so far, especially with new competitors like Google TV joining the battle,” Gray said. “Set makers will have to acquire new skills such as negotiating content deals in order to succeed.”

A limit on 3-D sales has been the need for glasses for each home viewer. Prospective buyers have said in survey after survey that the use of glasses is a negative in the home 3-D experience.

by Michael Grotticelli

source: http://blog.broadcastengineering.com/3-D/2010/11/08/are-internet-connected-tvs-stealing-3-ds-thunder/

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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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