News Stories

NAB: Canon Upgrades Its’ 3D Video Cameras – Full Details Revealed

4.9.2011

[By Dave Gales, www.gadgetsandtechnologynews.com]

Canon today announced significant enhancements to its Canon XF305 and XF300 professional camcorders including the ability to configure two units for 3D HD video capture. Canon’s new firmware upgrades the XF300-series camcorders to include Canon’s 3D Assist Function that allows two units to be easily set up for 3D HD video, as well as an updated Scan Reverse function, Double Slot Recording for instantaneous backup, and the option to disable Relay Recording. Canon will be demonstrating a range of professional applications for the Canon XF305 and XF300, including the new prototype firmware, at the company’s booth C4325, at the 2011 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in the Las Vegas Convention Centre, 11th-14th April 2011.

[Philip Lelyveld comment: MSRP $7,999 each camera]

  • New Firmware Enables 3D HD Video Capture Assist and a Host of New Features

3D Shooting Capability with Axis Shift
Canon’s 3D Assist Function facilitates the setup of two XF305 or XF300 Professional Camcorders when used together to capture 3D HD video. The new firmware includes the ability to perform OIS Lens Shift to aid in optically aligning two XF305 or XF300 camcorders and a Focal Length Guide to display the zoom position of each camera in relation to each other and help calibrate zoom settings. This adjustment can be done through the menu system while the camcorders are mounted to a rig or tripod.  Once aligned, the amount of the angle-of-view change is displayed after zoom adjustment, preventing camera misalignment and simplifying adjustment.  This is similar to the 3D shooting functionality found in the Canon’s XF105 and XF100 model professional camcorders.

Scan Reverse for 3D Rigs
The new firmware updates the Scan Reverse functionality of XF300-series camcorders to allow for recorded images to be flipped on the horizontal axis, vertical axis, or both simultaneously to facilitate recording with 3D mirror rigs.

Double-Slot Recording
This new function allows the camcorders to record footage simultaneously to both card slots for instant backup of important footage and files.  Ideal for use in production environments to ensure multiple copies are secured for each take.

Relay Recording On/Off
Relay Recording, an innovative feature to aid ease of use, where footage is seamlessly recorded to the second CF card as the first fills up, can now be turned off to prevent capture data from automatically being recorded to the second card. This allows the second card to be protected from recording and used only when designated or to allow the user to only copy or back up select takes to the card.

About the XF 305 and XF 300
The XF300-series camcorders employ the XF Codec, an MPEG-2 4:2:2 50Mbps codec for native 1920 x 1080 HD video recording onto affordable, universally available Compact Flash (CF) cards. Uniting video, audio and metadata into a single file, the Canon XF305 and XF300 use an MXF (Material eXchange Format) File Wrapper, a widely supported open-source format, to maximize compatibility with existing industry infrastructure and non-linear editing (NLE) systems.

The Canon XF305 and XF300 professional camcorders include a genuine Canon 18x HD L-series lens, three Canon developed and designed native 1920 x 1080 CMOS image sensors, and Canon’s own XF Codec that delivers the extreme colour detail required for accurate chroma-keying, colour-grading and compositing for digital filmmaking.  In addition, the XF305 model features industry-standard HD-SDI output, genlock, and SMPTE time code (in/out) terminals for multi-camera, broadcasting or 3D production.

The new firmware is expected to be available for download from in Q3 2011.

 

See the original story here: http://www.gadgetsandtechnologynews.com/canon-upgrades-its-3d-video-cameras-full-details-revealed/2812537/

 

Get in on action with first-ever 3D broadcast of match here

4.9.2011

By using the Sky 3D pub finder, supporters could find the nearest venues to Lansdowne Road which are showing the match in such high quality.

[By Laura Butler, www.herald.ie]

Leinster fans who missed out on tickets can feel like they’re pitchside tonight thanks to the first ever 3D broadcast of a rugby match in Ireland.

Sky Ireland were rolling out the innovative new technology for the Heineken Cup quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium this evening.

A crowd of over 50,000 was expected to swarm the refurbished stadium to cheer on the team in their campaign to win back the European crown.

It is the first time for a rugby event to be shown in 3D, an added bonus for those watching the game in the surrounding pubs.

Mark Deering, Director of Sky Ireland, told the Herald how delighted he is to introduce the revolutionary technology to Irish screens.

“HD pictures provided an enhancement to our rugby coverage but 3D is a whole new perspective that captures the dynamic of the sport in a very dramatic way. We hope that our viewers will enjoy the first ever rugby match on Irish soil to be broadcast in 3D.”

In a rerun of the 2009 Heineken Cup final, Leinster were set to do battle against the Leicester Tigers in their bid to reach the semi-final.

By using the Sky 3D pub finder, supporters could find the nearest venues to Lansdowne Road which are showing the match in such high quality.

See the original post here: http://www.herald.ie/national-news/get-in-on-action-with-firstever-3d-broadcast-of-match-here-2614816.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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