News Stories

LG announces two 3D monitors (Flicker free visuals promised)

4.26.2011

[By Spencer Dalziel, The Inquirer]

KOREAN DISPLAY MAKER LG has announced two 3D monitors with updated three dimensional technology to reduce flickering.

We love it when vendors admit that most punters aren’t yet biting 3D technology despite the ubiquity of products on offer. LG marketing has admitted consumers aren’t chomping at the 3D bit due to concerns over price and performance. But LG reckons the Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) 3D technology in its upcoming D41P and D42P monitors will be enough to attract some customers.

LG claims the D41P and D42P monitors have entirely eliminated the nausea and headache-inducing flicker created on most 3D display thanks to its FPR technology. FPR apparently delivers clearer and brighter 3D images with lower cross-talk, which should reduce eye-strain.

Even if LG has addressed price and performance issues with FPR technology, its D41P and D42P 3D monitors still rely on 3D glasses. With glassless 3D already a reality, most people aren’t buying 3D displays because the technology is still in flux and no one wants to spend thousands on kit that will soon be obsolete.

That said, LG has given the monitors HDMI 1.4 support so you can hook them up to your consoles and bypass PCs or much more expensive 3D TV’s. Given the dearth of 3D content except for gaming, LG is also bundling 2D to 3D conversion software that converts on the fly. We haven’t seen any decent conversion software yet, however, so we’re not holding our breath.

LG hasn’t put prices on the monitors or provided full specifications but they will be out in the UK in June.

See the original post here: http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2045989/lg-announces-3d-monitors

Production begins on ‘Piranha 3D’ sequel

4.26.2011

[By Arienne Thompson, USA TODAY]

Don’t go in the water! That is, unless you’re brave enough to face off with even more piranha in the sequel to last summer’s surprise hit, Piranha 3D. Dimension Films announced today that principal photography has begun in Wilmington, N.C., onPiranha 3DD (yes, that’s the real title) and that audiences should know that “there’s something in the water . . . again.”

The original starred Ving Rhames and Jerry O’Connell, but the next incarnation includes a cast of unknowns who must save themselves from flesh-eating fish at the fictional Big Wet Water Park. Piranha 3DD will swim into theaters on Nov. 23.

See the original post here: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2011/04/piranha-3d-sequel-production-begins-/1

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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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