News Stories

New Sharp HDTVs feature built-in Blu-ray

1.8.2009

Sharp was showing beautiful TVs – and thin, too (less than 2cm thick).  And, of course, they’re showing the 108″ LCD…

sharp108

Sharp introduced their first AQUOS LCD TVs with built-in Blu-ray Disc players this week.  Ranging from 32- to 52-inches, the 1080p AQUOS BD series combines HDTV with a side-loading slot for Blu-ray, DVD and CD content.

sharp_bd_lcdSharp is also showing the next version of AquosNet – their version of connected TV widgetry that they showed last year.

sharp_widget1

Unfortunately, the widgets, though simple HTML, only work on their TVs, and so there are few to choose from.  A good idea last year but it doesn’t appear that the product marketing folks have taken it seriously.  And compared with the newer entrants around the show this year such as Yahoo!, Sharp’s widgetry feels very 1.0.

Where to see it:

  • Central 11024, 12127

A Quick Snapshot of the Microsoft Booth

1.8.2009

Microsoft’s booth was BIG, as always, but precious little new to see in terms of entertainment.

Of course, they were showing off XBox Live, which is definitely an important platform for high-quality (HD) movie consumption, and Netflix on the XBox.

xbox-live-marketplace

Additionally, Microsoft was demonstrating “Mediaroom”, the STB version of Media Center, and the software behind AT&T U-Verse.  They’re saying that Mediaroom has 2.5M subs worldwide (up 1M from last year) – mostly from AT&T and BT in the UK.

mediaroom

Finally, Microsoft had a number of touch screens showing Windows 7.  Check out the Microsoft CES Virtual Pressroom for demos on Windows 7 and Windows Mobile, links to press releases and stories, and to watch the Steve Ballmer keynote address.

 

Where to see it:

  • Central 7144

 

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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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