News Stories

ERB-2 : the most expensive 3D camera

3.21.2011

[from StereoscopyNews.com, no author given]

The European Recording Binocular (ERB2) is a technology experiment camera which has been launched on 36P to the ISS in February 2010. The ERB-2 is a second generation stereoscopic camera. It will capture the entire ISS in a 3D film in the current HDTV standard (720p). ERB-2 is part of an experiment done this week in the ISS.

With the ability to perform live broadcast of stereo films and to downlink files of recorded video sessions using the station’s HRDL (High Rate Data Link) via the EDR, ERB-2 takes advantage of high-definition optics and advanced electronics to provide a vastly improved 3D video effect for mapping the Station.

The almost-like-real 3D images from ERB-2 take the viewers inside the ISS as if they were really there. These images can also be used in mission planning and to support operations inside the Station. Today’s activity should have produced about 30 minutes of footage in total.

Read the paper here in SpaceRef with the Voluntary Weekend Science project of the week and the ERB-2. [Phil Lelyveld comment: the link also gives significant events for the International Space Station into the future.  http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=36473 ]

 

See the original post here: http://stereoscopynews.com/hotnews/hotnews-1/hotnews-2/1356-erb-2–the-most-expensive-3d-camera.html

 

Nintendo 3DS might help out ID vision issues

3.21.2011

[By Edwin Kee, www.ubergizmo.com]

There has been a pretty strong debate going on concerning the Nintendo 3DS as well as its ability to affect one’s eyesight – for the better or worse, that rages on. We do know, however, that eye specialists in the US do welcome the Nintendo 3DS as they have already dismissed the manufacturer’s (that’s Nintendo) warnings that its 3D screen shouldn’t be used by children who are younger than 7 years old because it might affect their immature vision. Instead, optometrists in that part of the world tell kids to try the 3D screen (we wonder if they have some Nintendo stock in their portfolio) as it will help catch vision disorders earlier to make fixing those easier. We can see the “win-win” situation here – kids find problems in their vision, and they will need to go to eye specialists to get them fixed. But what if those problems are caused due to disobeying Nintendo’s warning in the first place? Now that’s certainly food for thought. What do you think?

See the original post here: http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/03/nintendo-3ds-might-help-out-id-vision-issues/

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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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