News Stories

Sony Digital Cinema 4K projection system information: The Facts

5.31.2011

[Philip Lelyveld comment: Sony created this fact sheet in response to recent stories (original here and a follow-up here) critical of the Sony digital projection experience in theatres.  Thanks to Wendy Aylsworth for the link.]

[by Sony]

Sony projection systems are designed to deliver a bright image, with stunning resolution, for the moviegoer.

Hopefully, the below information will clarify the inaccurate information that is currently circulating on the web.

General:

  • Sony projection systems are capable of both 2D and 3D projection with a 3D lens or 2D with a 2D lens.
  • 3D projection utilizes RealD technology.

Lens technology:

  • Sony projectors do not rapidly alternate two images. Our system displays both left and right eye images at the same time, all the time.
  • Polarized glasses allow the viewer to continuously see the left image with the left eye and the right image with the right eye, thereby mimicking the way our eyes naturally see in 3D.
  • Some other systems alternate the images, but Sony systems do not.
  • Sony 3D systems are not the only ones with two beams of light. Any double-stacked system would have two beams, as would a RealD XL cinema system on other projectors.

Lens change:

  • It takes less than 20 minutes for a trained technician to change the lens.
  • Sony has a system in development to make the change even simpler.
  • If there are cases where it is not possible to change the lens, the 3D lens will play back 2D content.
  • If the system is setup for 4.5fL (studio recommended) in 3D, it will play 2D content at about 14fl without glasses and filters, which falls well within the SMPTE spec of 14fL +/- 3flL.
  • RealD filters for Sony systems only reduce the light by about 20%, because light out of the Sony projector is already polarized, unlike our competitors.
  • Removing the 3D glasses has the most effect on the visible light.
  • Changing a lens does not require entering the projection system. Lenses are changed from the front of the projector.
  • There is no security risk, nor is there danger of shutting down the system.
  • Projector operators are required to login, on all digital cinema systems, by the DCI Specification.

Financing:

  • While we are not at liberty to discuss the details of specific customer transactions, most of our customers work with integrators, using the well-known Virtual Print Fee (VPF) model.
  • We sell our projectors to those integrators.
  • Sony is also an integrator, offering VPF agreements directly to exhibitors.
  • We do not negotiate the exchange of projectors for pre-show advertising.

See the original web post here: http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/mkt-digitalcinema/resource.solutions.bbsccms-assets-mkt-digicinema-solutions-SonyDigitalCinema4KTheFacts.shtml

Zecotek Granted U.S. Patent for 3D Autostereo Display System

5.31.2011

See the full text of the patent here: http://patents.com/us-7944465.html

[Press Release]

Zecotek Photonics Inc. (ZMS – TSX Venture, W1I – Frankfurt),a developer of leading-edge photonics technologies for medical, industrial and scientific markets, today announced that patent number 7,944,465 has been granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its glasses-free 3D auto-stereoscopic display system.   The U.S. patent grant adds to a growing number of global patents and patent applications which serves to significantly strengthen Zecotek’s worldwide patent position in its innovative photonics technology.

“Protection of our intellectual property is of the highest priority to Zecotek and receiving the U.S. patent for our glasses-free 3D display system represents a key step in the commercialization of this unique technology,” said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek Photonics Inc.  “With a number of significant technical barriers preventing the development of a true 3D display, the U.S. patent protects our innovative glasses-free approach to 3D display technology.  Our 3D auto-stereoscopic display offers a real volumetric 3D viewing experience with one of the widest viewing angles and the highest resolution compared to competing technologies.  We will continue to pursue full commercialization of this technology with a strategic partner.”

The new patent covers the use of equipment for the reproduction of static and moving 3D stereo representations with the capability of recording and transmitting stereo representations of 3D scenes.  Zecotek’s “patented” Real-Time 3D Display System is based on the auto-stereoscopic principle, but with substantial innovative.  It has the capability of simultaneously presenting to multiple users both 3D and 2D images on the same screen with separate views and at different viewing angles.  The 3D display system provides comfortable conditions for viewing a volumetric representation without eye strain.  The viewing of such 3D images does not require the use of any supplementary means such as glasses, does not drastically limit the position of the viewer with respect to the display, and allows simultaneous viewing of the 3D display by many viewers from a sufficiently wide field of view.

Patents have now been granted to Zecotek for its 3D display system in the United States and Australia. Patents have been filed and are pending in Japan, China, Korea, India, Russia and major countries in Europe.

About Zecotek’s Real-Time 3D Display System 
Zecotek’s 3D Display System is based on the auto-stereoscopic principle, but with substantial innovative and patented improvements and represents a new and unique generation of 3D displays. It has the capability of simultaneously presenting 3D and 2D images on the same screen, and for separate views at different viewing angles. Zecotek’s true, auto-stereoscopic 3D2D display system requires no eyewear and has an effective viewing angle of 40 degrees with 90 concurrent perspectives allowing for multiple views at the same time. Another unique feature of the Zecotek system is constant motion parallax within the viewing angle. Motion parallax eliminates the sense of imbalance and dizziness during normal observation which can occur with polarized and shutter glasses used with other commercial systems.

About Zecotek 
Zecotek Photonics Inc (TSX-V: ZMS; Frankfurt: W1I) is a photonics technology company developing high-performance crystals, photo detectors, medical lasers, optical imaging and 3D display technologies for commercial applications in the medical diagnostics and high-tech industry.  Founded in 2003, the company has three distinct operating divisions: medical imaging, medical lasers and 3D display and labs located in Canada, Singapore and Russia.  Zecotek commercializes its novel, patented and patent-pending bio-photonic technologies directly and through strategic alliances and joint ventures with multinational OEMs, distributors and other industry leaders.  For more information, please visit www.zecotek.com.

See the press release here: http://www.usetdas.com/TDAS/NewsArticle.aspx?NewsID=17602

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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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