News Stories

ASUS has just introduced the World’s First Glasses-Free 3D Gaming Laptop. Will this new technology finally bring 3D into the mainstream?

6.8.2011

[Philip Lelyveld comment: see Toshiba’s similar localized 2D/3D display laptop announcement here.]

[by PR Web]

ASUS, with their Republic of Gamers (ROG) laptops, have constantly been pushing the boundaries of computer gaming. Now, at the latest Computex in Taipei, they have created some collective buzz around one of their latest offerings – the ASUS G53SX, the world’s first “glasses-free”3D gaming laptop. Asus is calling this a Naked Eye 3D system, which will feature some unique technology with the ability to instantly convert existing 2D visuals into glasses-free 3D content.

This 3D laptop even has a “mixed mode” where you can view in one window, a 2D display and a 3D display – all at the same time. And Asus, in a recent press release, is claiming all this can be accomplished without “compromising brightness, contrast or color fidelity, exceeding the output of older 3D technology that relies on glasses.”

This glasses-free technology and devices may just be the push 3D needs at the moment, especially with gamers where the jury is still out. It could also conceivably open up a much larger consumer base or marketplace for this new technology and finally bring 3D into the mainstream.

“Getting rid of those awkward glasses will be the key to the success or failure of 3D technology,” states Titus Hoskins, a former teacher who now runs http://www.3D-gaminglaptops.com, a highly ranked site on 3D gaming laptops. “Besides the extra expense, many people find wearing the 3D glasses uncomfortable and a real pain to use.”

The 15-inch Full HD G53SX also sports some other ground-breaking features and specs, which will turn more than a few heads in the gaming world. The laptop is powered by a 2nd generation (Sandy Bridge) Intel® Quad Core i7 CPU and discrete DirectX® 11 compatible Nvidia GeForce® GTX 560M graphics, which has a massive 2GB of GDDR5 video memory. It also has a solid state hybrid drive at 10,000 rpm, which can cut down boot times by up to 52%. As you probably know, most high-end gaming laptops currently run at 7200 rpm speeds.

In addition, this ROG gaming laptop comes with a whole suite of 3D content creation and editing software, which will let owners use advanced authoring tools and they will also have 3DTV Play connectivity. Sound performance will be increased with both THX (next generation surround sound) and EAX 5.0 3D, giving gamers up to 128 additional sound effects at once when compared to conventional gaming notebooks.

The laptop’s design also includes two fans which will draw cool air in from the front and then push the warm air out through large twin exhausts or vents at the rear of the device. As gamers know, keeping any high-performance machine cool and quiet, are two of the biggest obstacles to enjoyable gaming. Asus made devices have had great success in this area and hopefully the G53SX won’t be an exception.

However, it is the Naked Eye or glasses-free 3D feature which makes the ASUS G53SX a true groundbreaker. This new technology opens up a whole new spectrum for 3D gaming laptops without the glasses. It could also pave the way for a whole new industry for Naked Eye 3D gaming laptops and other devices. Regardless, the ASUS G53SX will definitely have many gamers smiling, look ma – no glasses.

For more information on 3D Gaming Laptops go here: http://www.3D-gaminglaptops.com or download our comprehensive laptop buying guide here: http://www.laptopcomputerguide.org
All products/companies mentioned above are registered trademarks of their respective owners and companies. We are not associated with these owners or companies.

See the original post here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/worlds_first_naked_eye/3d_gaming_laptop/prweb8534857.htm

Wimbledon Finals To Be the First 3D Broadcast on the BBC

6.8.2011

[by Stan Schroeder, Mashable.com]

Like it or not, 3D is coming. The BBC has succumbed to the latest trend, announcing its first 3D broadcast: this year’s Wimbledon finals.

The broadcast will include both men’s and women’s singles finals, which are taking place over the first weekend in July, and will only be shown on the BBC HD channel — free to cable or satellite subscribers, as well as customers with Freeview HD boxes.

Of course, users will need a 3D-enabled TV, as well as 3D glasses to be able to watch the finals in their full glory.

This is just a trial for the BBC, but the company has high hopes for 3D. “This is a hugely important experiment for us and I’m pleased that we have the opportunity to show some of our stunning sports coverage to our audiences, in 3D for free,” said BBC’s George Entwistle in a statement.

It’s becoming more common to air 3D TV broadcasts in the UK; Sky 3D has been showing live sporting events as well as movies and entertainment in 3D for some time now.

See the original post here: http://mashable.com/2011/06/08/wimbledon-3d-bbc/

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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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