News Stories

Sony 3D pro camcorder gets new video demo

11.26.2010

Sony has been showing off its latest professional 3D camcorder prototype, and it certainly looks like it could beat Panasonic’s AG-AF100 in a fight. DigInfo caught up with the twin-lens shoulder mount camcorder in Japan recently, and while Sony are playing coy with the full specifications, they have suggested it will be ready in time for a 2011 release.

The few hardware specs we have right now suggest the prototype has four SxS memory card slots, left and right channel HD-SDI outputs and manual controls for adjusting the point of convergence of the 3Dlenses. Of course, all that might change before the commercial release.

It’s not clear how much has been carried over from the Sony EX3 3D prototype shown earlier this year, which had six CMOS chips – three for each lens – taken from a pair of PMW-EX3 studio cameras, each capable of recording 35Mbps 1080p 4:2:0 MPEG-2 video. As then, Sony isn’t talking pricing at this stage.

Find the full story here: http://www.slashgear.com/sony-3d-pro-camcorder-gets-new-video-demo-24116097/

3D Display Maker Planar Also Delivers a 3D Keyboard

11.24.2010

While 3D displays are hardly a new concept, it seems that makers of computer components and peripherals are starting to bring the 3D factor to other products as well, something Planar has shown with its latest keyboard.

Just a short time ago, it was revealed that Planar did something more or less out of character and released a new monitor for the consumer market.

Said monitor is known as the SA2311W and is a Full HD display with support for 3D (has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz).

What was even more uncommon, one may say, is that the company also released what can be seen as a 3D keyboard.

Dubbed ProGlow, this peripheral was specifically designed to be easily used while wearing active shutter glasses.

As far as functionality goes, the keyboard features 105 keys, distributed according to a QWERTY design, and connectivity via Universal Serial Bus (USB).

The real asset, however, is that it boasts seven adjustable light levels and can even have the light turned off completely, depending on user need and/or preference.

It is this lighting system that allows the keys to be seen clearly through the aforementioned type of 3D glasses.

As one would expect, Planar recommends that this peripheral be purchased alongside the SA2311W, preferable in a bundle with the NVIDIA 3D Vision kit.

Availability, however, is not slated to come for a while, with the earliest shipment schedule set to begin sometime during December.

When it does finally start to show up in stores, those interested will have to part with the sum of $185.

Of course, its maker has already added a so-called product page to its official website, located here, through which one will be easily able to set orders when the time comes.

full story can be found at http://news.softpedia.com/news/Planar-Also-Delivers-a-3D-Keyboard-165082.shtml

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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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