News Stories

CineXPlayer Brings 3D and Social Movie Viewing to the iPad

6.7.2011

[PR Newswire]

[Excerpt]

Furthermore, CineXPlayer now lets users watch videos in 3D on their iPad, even without special glasses. The software supports viewing with anaglyph (red/blue) glasses, and through a partnership with GRilli3D(TM), users can also watch “glasses-free”. This is enabled by the unique combination of CineXPlayer with the GRilli3D protective film on the device’s screen that delivers a glasses-free 3D experience on any iPad device. Video content can be original 3D Side-by-Side or 2D content. For 2D content, CineXPlayer includes a real-time 2D-to-3D conversion generating a 3D effect for any Xvid video.”

Read the full story here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cinexplayer-brings-3d-and-social-movie-viewing-to-the-ipad-123358563.html

In the TV Test Labs: More active, passive 3D TVs, Smart TVs (Consumer Reports)

6.7.2011

We expect to post the latest results of these tests in our TV Ratings (available to subscribers) in about two weeks, so check here for an update announcing when they’re available.

[by James Wilcox, Consumer Reports]

Our TV engineers are once again hard at work testing 16 new LCD and plasma TVs, including a new passive-3D LCD TV from LG, and the first active-3D LCD TV from Sharp that we’ve reviewed. We also have a new active-3D LCD set from Samsung, plus two new 3D plasmas from LG.

Also in the labs are several new Smart TVs from LG and Samsung; these can connect to online services including streaming movies. There are also a few models that let you use your iPhone or Android phone as a remote control via a downloadable app.

Here’s the complete list of the TVs now being tested in our TV Test Lab:

LCD TVs

JVC LT-46E910, $1,400. A 46-inch 1080p LCD TV with an edge LED backlight and 120Hz technology.

LG 47LW5600, $1,700. A 47-inch 1080p passive-3D LCD TV with an edge LED backlight with local dimming, and 120Hz technology. It comes with a Wi-Fi adapter and includes the company’s Smart TV Internet platform, the Magic Motion gesture-based remote, and four pairs of passive 3D glasses.

Panasonic TC-L42U30, $800. A 42-inch 1080p LCD TV (Panasonic’s largest LCD screen size) with 120Hz technology and a built-in SD card slot.

Samsung UN55D8000, $3,600. A flagship 55-inch 1080p active 3D LCD TV with 240Hz technology, built-in Wi-Fi, the company’s Smart TV Internet platform, and an edge LED backlight with local dimming. The TV comes with two sets of active-shutter 3D glasses and is Skype-ready for use with an optional camera.

Sharp Aquos LC-46LE835U, $2,000. A 46-inch 1080p active 3D LCD TV with the company’s four-color Quattron technology, built-in Wi-Fi, and 240Hz technology. It has an edge LED backlight, plus Internet services including streaming movies.

Sony Bravia KDL-46EX523, $1,100. A 46-inch 1080p LCD TV with an edge LED backlight and access to Internet services, including streaming movies. It’s Skype-ready for use with an optional camera, and you can use an iPhone or Android phone as a remote control.

Sony Bravia KDL-40EX520, $900. A 40-inch 1080p LCD that has an edge LED backlight, and access to Internet services, including streaming movies. It’s Wi-Fi-ready for use with an optional adapter and is Skype-ready for use with an optional camera. You can use an iPhone or Android phone as a remote control.

Toshiba 32C110, $450. A fairly basic 32-inch 720p LCD TV without a lot of features.

Viewsonic VT4210LED, $700. A 42-inch 1080p LCD TV that has an edge LED backlight and 120Hz technology, but not a lot of other features.

Westinghouse LD-3260, $370. A fairly basic, low-priced 32-inch 720p LCD TV that has an edge LED backlight.

Plasma TVs

LG 50PZ550, $1,300. A 50-inch 1080p active 3D plasma TV that will accept an optional Wi-Fi adapter. It’s an Internet model that has access to online content, including streaming movies.

LG 42PW350, $800. A lower-priced 42-inch 720p active-3D plasma that doesn’t have a lot of extra features.

LG 50PT350, $800. A fairly basic 50-inch 720p plasma TV.

Panasonic TC-P50S30, $1,100. A 50-inch 1080p plasma TV with Internet access to online content, including streaming movies. It also has a built-in SD memory card slot.

Panasonic TC-P42X3, $600. A lower-priced 42-inch 720p plasma TV with Internet access to online content, including streaming movies. It also has a built-in SD memory card slot.

Samsung PN43D450, $600. A lower-priced 43-inch 720p plasma TV that doesn’t have a lot of extra features.

We expect to post the latest results of these tests in our TV Ratings (available to subscribers) in about two weeks, so check here for an update announcing when they’re available.

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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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