News Stories

Acer Aspire Z5763 has gesture-controlled 3D display, forgettable name

4.28.2011

[By Rory Reid (@rory79, Crave CNET UK]

A year ago, we thought controlling a computer by prodding a meat stylus at its touchscreen was the height of next-gen sophistication. Acer may just have reset our expectations, however, with the Aspire Z5763 — an all-in-one computer you control by flailing your arms about.

This ridiculously named device has a 2-megapixel webcam that, according to Engadget, can monitor users’ movements using a gesture-recognition system Acer has dubbed ZQ3318P10. Just kidding, it’s seen sense and called it something people will actually remember — Acer AirControl.

AirControl can detect the movements of your hand or fingers and can translate those into commands. “Just wave your hand in front of the desktop and the media control interface is launched,” says Acer. You can then move your hand over various icons to adjust volume, rewind, fast forward, play, pause or stop media.

Acer says the system can recognise gestures from up to 3 metres away, so it could make a good replacement for the old-fashioned remote control.

Those of you who aren’t convinced by the Minority Report-style parlour tricks can take solace in the fact the Aspire Z5763 features a 23-inch, Full HD 1080p display that churns out stereoscopic 3D. It’s not ‘proper’ 3D like you get in expensive tellies and the cinema, but when playing games it can make it look as if things are flying out of the screen towards your face, which is nice.

Beneath its sleek exterior, the Aspire Z5763 is packing some solid hardware. It’ll be powered by an Intel Sandy Bridge CPU of some description and enjoy Nvidia GeForce GT 440 or 435M graphics, a Blu-ray drive, 16GB of DDR3 memory and up to 2TB of storage.

If you want one, it’s yours for £1,000 from the middle of May. You may want to copy and paste the model number or else end up with an Acer sandwich maker or desk vacuum.

See this original post here: http://crave.cnet.co.uk/desktops/acer-aspire-z5763-has-gesture-controlled-3d-display-forgettable-name-50003616/?tag=mncol;txt#ixzz1KrQIf3G4

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Acer has unveiled the 3D-powered Aspire Z5763 all-in-one desktop, and it’s not often that the maker boasts that the computer will “open the doors” to plain old “fun.”

Sure, there’s some 3D power on this PC, but the real unique feature here is Acer’s own AirControl, a software program that works with the integrated cameras to detect hand gestures and motions. Why is that useful? Basically your hand is the remote control for when watching movies as this is mainly an entertainment and multimedia-focused machine.

Here’s some of the specs that make up the Acer Aspire Z5763:

  • 23-inch full HD 1080p display (16:9 aspect ratio)
  • Second-generation Intel Core processor options
  • Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
  • NVIDIA 3D Vision technology
  • Integrated IR emitter
  • Up to 2TB of hard drive space
  • Up to 16GB of DDR3 memory
  • Blu-ray Disc optical drive
  • 5W stereo speaker system
  • Dolby Home Theater v4
  • Optional TV tuner
  • 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • Optional Bluetooth 2.1
  • Eight USB ports

The Acer Aspire Z5763 will be available starting in mid-May for £999 ($1,663).

See this original post here: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetreviews/acer-aspire-z5763-all-in-one-sports-motion-gesture-detection/23987

 

Arri Alexa in the picture for Avatar 2

4.28.2011

[by TVBEurope]
After directing his previous two 3D movies with Sony cameras, James Cameron seems intent on lensing Avatar 2 using the Alexa M, currently being developed by Arri and the Cameron Pace Group (CPG).
“Cameron Pace have been searching for their preferred camera to use on 3D projects and saw the advantages of the Alexa platform,” said Arri managing director Martin Prillmann. “We’ve been talking to them for a long while about the M concept. They will have access to prototypes which we will deliver by the autumn.”
The decision to select the Alexa M (pictured) would be the logical outcome of CPGs joint venture with Arri to develop a new version of the camera more suited to Steadicam work and for integration with the Pace Fusion rig.
“The Alexa M camera is designed for mobile 2D and 3D camera configurations, offering the same image quality, reliability and workflow options as all other cameras in the Alexa product range,” said Prillman. “CPG will have exclusive commercial access to the first systems in September pioneering its use in a variety of exciting 3D productions during which the design will be enhanced and optimized with new 3D application features unique to the CPG/ARRI collaboration.”
The design of the Alexa M links the camera head to the transmission body by fibre. It employs the same sensor as the Alexa and weighs just 2.5kg without lens making handheld operation possible.
Cameron’s Ghosts of the Abyss and Avatar were filmed using Sony HDC-F950s.Avatar 2 is scheduled for release in 2014.

See the original post here:  http://www.tvbeurope.com/newsletter-3dmasters-content/full/arri-alexa-in-the-picture-for-avatar-2

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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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