News Stories

Sony puts 2 different images on the same HDTV with 3D ‘dual-view’

(Philip Lelyveld comment: this approach is already in some cars; the driver sees auto controls and the person sitting shotgun can watch a movie.)

Gamers who played “Goldeneye 007″ on the N64 know all too well about screen looking — surreptitiously gazing at your friends’ quadrants in order to glean their locations. Screen lookers typically earned a punch on the shoulder for their effort, or – far worse – were kicked from the gaming session. Video games are serious business, after all.

Sony, pushing both 3D TVs and 3D gaming, recently revealed an interesting technology that could end screen looking once and for all.

Dubbed “Dual-View”, the technology changes what two players in the same room see on-screen depending on where they’re seated. Essentially, the game screen would no longer need to be divided into smaller sections to accommodate multiple players each doing their own thing. No more screen looking. No more split-screen. No more squinting. “Dual View” would offer each player the entire screen.

Sony showed off ‘dual view’ using the new game “Killzone 3,” reports pocket-lint. The mode is entirely dependent on each player’s position. Otherwise, both players’ screens appear simultaneously – something which sounds quite jarring and possibly deal-breaking, since it demands players sit still and keep their heads relatively steady. What type of gamer plays like that?

Another entry hurdle is price. While the feature itself could be included in a game without additional cost to the consumer (thanks to the PlayStation 3s inherent 3D capabilities), 3D TVs are still quite pricey.

We contacted Sony for more details, including whether or not ‘dual view’ would require 3D glasses, as the original report is ambiguous. This post will be updated if the company responds.

“Killzone 3,” the sequel to the critically-acclaimed 2009 shooter, includes a 3D mode. Sony also published “The Sly Collection” last November with a similar option. “Call of Duty: Black Ops” is yet another title that supports the technology.

Is this new mode enough to push 3D-curious gamers over the stereoscopic fence they’re straddling? Let us know what you think in the comments.

See the original post here: http://www.myce.com/news/sony-puts-2-different-images-on-the-same-hdtv-with-3d-dual-view-40598/

Sony Requests Developers to Look at Move, 3D Support

Killzone 3 is a shining example of what’s possible graphically on PS3 (even though it doesn’t max out the console), and it’s also a title that reinforces two important PS3 technologies: 3D stereoscopic visuals and PlayStation Move support. This is the kind of support that Sony would love to see in most of its big PS3 titles.

IndustryGamers asked PlayStation software senior brand manager Scott McCarthy if there’s an actual “mandate” for Sony’s internal development studios to look at adding support for 3D and Move, and while Sony isn’t literally forcing it on its developers, it’s definitely something that’s strongly suggested.

“Whenever we come out with new technology, whether it’s Move or 3D, there is always the request that goes out to the [development] teams that says, ‘Hey it would be great if you could implement it.’ We know that adds to the layer of not only the marketing message we have access to but it also adds to the availability of different Sony channels that we can broadcast our message out to,” he explained.

Using the upcoming MLB The Show 2011 as an example, he further elaborated, “So if we weren’t 3D [with The Show], we wouldn’t be on Sony’s 3D channel. It allows us to have a broader voice within the PlayStation Nation itself.”

While some third parties are embracing both Move and 3D, it really is up to Sony to push the technologies forward on PS3, and as McCarthy alluded to, it has the extra benefit of allowing for a wider marketing message throughout Sony’s divisions.

See the original post here: http://www.industrygamers.com/news/sony-requests-developers-to-look-at-move-3d-support/

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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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