SchoolSAFE Network Combines the Impact of 3D Television With the Power of Two-Way Radio to Make School Safety a National Priority

[by MarketWire]

School SAFE (www.schoolsafecom.org) announced today that it will launch a 3D television campaign during National Safe Schools Week, October 16-22, 2011, as part of a comprehensive school safety network that includes two-way radio interaction during school emergencies.

SchoolSAFE has selected School Safety Partners (www.SchoolSafetyPartners.org) to produce the 3D campaign, which will use live action stereoscopic scenes and stereoscopic 3D animation. School Safety Partners will shoot and edit the programs in Los Angeles.

The SchoolSAFE Network is dedicated to all aspects of school safety — prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. However, at its core, the network provides a unique technology that allows instant communications between all radio-equipped school staff and any first responders who may be called in to a school crisis. SchoolSAFE currently maintains a statewide interoperable communications network for schools in Colorado, and is implementing a communications management system for a national network.

According to SchoolSAFE, the 3DTV content will first be used for a public awareness campaign designed to honor teachers and school staff who provide a safe learning space for students. The campaign will show how schools today must plan for a broad range of incidents and emergencies including: active shooter, animal threat, blast, bomb threat, bus accident, chemical spill, earthquake, fire, flood, food contamination, gas odor, intruder, lightning, noncustodial parent, pandemic outbreak, power outage, sports injury, substance abuse, suicide threat, tornado, violent student, and winter storm.

SchoolSAFE will also use 3D video scenes to train schools in crisis response. By viewing brief 3D scenes, trainees can quickly experience a level of stress that will test their ability to take action. Within the SchoolSAFE Network, that action will likely involve interoperable communications with first responders.

The school safety technology supports broadly adopted standards for first responders, including the National Incident Management System, the Incident Command System, the National Emergency Communications Plan, and SAFECOM, the Federal platform for interoperable communications for public safety.

The SchoolSAFE Network infrastructure in Colorado was built with funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of the Army, and local public safety agencies.

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Panasonic Europe’s chairman and chief executive has predicted 2011 will be the year that 3D TV lives up to its potential and gains truly mass-market appeal.

Laurent Abadie noted an increasing amount of 3D content has become available over the past 12 months and new broadcast channels have been launched, paving the way for a surge in take-up of the innovation.

“It is clear that 2011 is the year this revolutionary technology will become mainstream,” he commented.

Mr Abadie’s remarks echo the findings of recent research from IHS iSuppli, which claimed 23.4 million 3D TVs will be shipped worldwide by the end of the year – up 463 per cent on the total sold throughout 2010.

Triple-digit growth will also be seen in 2012, iSuppli said, with sales of 3D sets expected to pass the 100 million mark by 2014.

According to the analyst, this rapid rise in uptake can be attributed to three main factors – new and improved promotional strategies, falling hardware costs and the availability of more programmes in 3D.

The company said sports-related events have proven especially popular with 3D subscribers, while demand has also been high for documentaries, films and primetime entertainment.

In order to ensure there is sufficient high-quality content to persuade viewers to make the switch to 3D, Panasonic has announced a partnership with Eurosport and other broadcasters across the world.

The first fruits of this link-up have already been announced, with the electronics giant and Eurosport revealing they will air the 2011 French Open tennis championship from Roland Garros in 3D.

Explaining the move, Mr Abadie said: “The French Tennis Open is a perfect example of how these partnerships can work to deliver exceptional content.

“We are the official suppliers for the tournament and our end-to-end 3D product suite will be showcased, from our 3D broadcast products to our state-of-the-art 3D Viera screens.”

See the original post here:  http://www.cable.co.uk/news/panasonic-europe-boss-backs-3d-tv-to-take-off-in-2011-800524577/