News Stories

Bonus AVATAR Blu-ray 3D Disc Available With Purchase of 2011 Panasonic Blu-ray 3D Disc™ Player or 3D Home Theater System

4.25.2011

[Philip Lelyveld comment: Panasonic is added more products to their Avatar promotion.]

[Press Release]

Panasonic, a worldwide leader in Full HD 3D technology, announced today that the Blu-ray 3D Disc™ version of the critically-acclaimed movie AVATAR by director James Cameron will be available as a bonus with purchase of a Panasonic Blu-ray 3D Disc Player or 3D Home Theater System.  The 3D version of this popular title is not available on retail shelves, but only through this and other Panasonic promotional offers such as Panasonic’s Essential Kit (3D Avatar Blu-ray Disc plus two pair of 3D eyewear) and on-going bundles with purchase of select Panasonic Full HD 3D Plasma TVs.

Consumers who purchase a Panasonic Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc Player (DMP-BDT310, DMP-BDT210, DMP-BDT215, DMP-BDT110, DMP-BDT115) or a Panasonic Blu-ray 3D Home Theater System (SC-BTT770, SC-BTT370, SC-BTT270, SC-BTT268, SC-BTT273) between March 1, 2011 and February 29, 2012 will be able to receive the Blu-ray 3D title via mail-in coupon.  Complete details on the offer are available on the Panasonic website athttp://www.panasonic.com/promos/avatar/index.asp.

“As a leader in Full HD 3D technology, Panasonic is proud to offer this exclusive bonus designed to give consumers the opportunity to bring the immersive world of 3D and AVATAR 3D into their homes,” said Richard Simone, Vice President of Panasonic’s Entertainment Group. “We are confident that a Panasonic Blu-ray 3D Disc player or system is the best possible way to fully appreciate the added dimension of this stunning movie while in the comfort of one’s home.”

Panasonic’s Full HD 3D technology offers consumers the highest possible quality visual experience. To enjoy Full HD 3D programming users wear stylish and lightweight active-shutter eyewear. Featuring Panasonic’s renowned Full HD 3D Playback, the new Blu-ray 3D Disc players and systems not only deliver powerful 3D images with dramatic effects, enhanced depth, luster and texture, but allow the user to tailor the image display as desired. The 3D Effect Controller adjusts the amount of the depth effect for more expansive images and enables the viewer to enjoy 3D movies with exactly the preferred level of 3D effects.

Panasonic’s range of Full HD 3D VIERA Plasma HDTVs, when coupled with Panasonic’s Blu-ray 3D Disc Players and Blu-ray 3D Home Theater Systems bring a new era of immersive visual entertainment into consumers’ homes by creating a 3D experience that easily rivals the best that can be seen in cinemas.

See the original press release here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bonus-avatar-blu-ray-3d-disc-available-with-purchase-of-2011-panasonic-blu-ray-3d-disc-player-or-3d-home-theater-system-120596419.html

Orange County Production Company, Digital Cut, Inc., Produces Stereoscopic 3D Presentation for Subaru Press Event

4.25.2011

[Press Release]

Digital Cut, Inc. (http://www.digitalcutinc.com), a leading visual effects production company based in Irvine, CA, was tasked with producing over seven minutes of stereoscopic 3D content for Subaru of America’s press event at the 2011 New York Auto Show on April 20, 2011. Hired by Subaru’s event production vendor, Studio Creative (a division of EWI Worldwide), Digital Cut was responsible for producing a six-minute “countdown experience” and a 90-second opening video for the event.

Studio Creative selected Digital Cut for the job based on their experience with producing automotive content and stereo 3D programming. “We were under a tight schedule, had very specific budget constraints, and we wanted a production company with 3D experience. Digital Cut fit that bill to a ‘T.’ We’ve worked with them before and were confident they could deliver for us,” said Studio Creative Executive Director Michael Hansen.

“The biggest challenge we faced was that Subaru didn’t have any stereoscopic content,” said Digital Cut’s President, Brandon Key, “and the budget didn’t support an entire running footage shoot in 3D, but they wanted a complete 3D experience.” Digital Cut’s solution was to use existing 2D footage in a computer generated 3D environment that gave the feeling of a complete 3D world. “The end result works quite well, and gives the viewer a feeling of a completely immersive 3D experience,” said Key.

Subaru’s use of stereoscopic 3D at an automotive press event is a first, according to Key. “There have been several manufacturers that have had 3D in their public booths over the years, but this is the first time I’m aware of it being done at an event geared to the press.”

“The demand for 3D production continues to increase,” said Key. “It’s not just for big budget films anymore. Corporations are demanding it, too, at all levels, and we have to respond to that in a cost-effective manner.”

See the original press release here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/orange-county-production-company-digital-cut-inc-produces-stereoscopic-3d-presentation-for-subaru-press-event-120594889.html

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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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