News Stories

Tactile Enhancement for Headphones (Immersive entertainment)

9.13.2010

A research group at the University of Electro-Communications is doing R&D on a device that adds a vibrational stimulus to headphones, as a tactile enhancement for audio.

“When you hear sound through these headphones, they deliver synchronized vibrations to the earlobes. This system makes audio even more fun.”

With conventional sensory audio equipment such as vibrating gaming chairs, the vibration is felt by the whole body, which naturally makes environmental noise feel very realistic. But the problem is, it unnaturally exaggerates voices. This device, because it delivers vibration to the ear, can enhance voices more naturally.

“When we tested this device, people said it felt just as if someone was whispering in their ear, and in games, they said it really felt like the heroine was whispering to them. They were also startled sometimes when their earlobes shook, so we think this could be used in conjunction with horror games as well.”

As well as making voices more realistic, the research group would like to focus on a wider variety of content and expand the range of opportunities to use this technology.

Sept. 13, 2010

link to original story at http://www.diginfo.tv/

Sony Unveils Prototype 3D Shoulder Camcorder at IBC

9.11.2010

Sony rolled out several new 3D production and workflows products at IBC this year, including a 3D shoulder camcorder prototype, as well as cameras, monitors and editing tools. The company provided a round-up:

Sony’s first 3D shoulder camcorder prototype
A new addition to Sony’s 3D workflow portfolio–currently just a prototype, this is being designed to offer increased mobility and flexibility for field use and provide high quality 3D content.

MPE-200, Software Upgrade and 2D-3D conversion tools
The MPE-200 was a vital component to the live 3D broadcasts, based on feedback from the World Cup and other trials. Consequently, Sony is offering three upgrades to the software that adds extra automatic alignment capabilities for the configuration and set-up of the cameras.
 Sony MPES-2D3D1 allows 2D to 3D image conversion
 Picture stitching technology allows three co-sited cameras to produce one panoramic image
 Graphic overlay

Sony’s MVS-8000X for 3D images and graphic overlay
Sony is showing the latest editions to the MVS-8000X range of vision mixers which can handle 3D images direct from camera and can be equipped with picture stitching software for panoramic 3D image processing.

Sony’s HFDA-200 optical fiber adapter
Sony’s HDFA-200 optical fiber transmission adapter will allow the transmission of two HD camera’s images over a single SMPTE link to a dedicated 3G CCU.

Sony Vegas 10 editing software
Sony’s latest editing suite which facilitates native 3D ingest and editing.

Sony Professional 3D monitors
…in 24- and 42-inch dimensions.

Sony HXR-MC2000E, an entry-level AVCHD camera
The new camera features Sony’s G-lens and Exmor R CMOS sensor, allowing wide-angle shots of up to 29.8mm.

Sony PMW-500 2/3-inch XDCAM shouldercam
Sony is rolling out its first 2/3-inch XDCAM HD422 memory shoulder camcorder. The camera combines the performance quality of the PDW-700 with the operational flexibility of recording to solid state memory.

Sony “35mm World” Vision update
Sony is reinforcing its 35mm acquisition line-up with new developments, including new features to the F35 that will enhance the dynamic range, tone and color gradation of the cameras. Sony has also announced that the SRW-9000PL has started shipping in volume. The vendor is also showcasing an R&D prototype of an affordable 35mm professional camcorder.

Sony Professional LCD Monitors
The latest professional 3D monitors (the LMD-4251TD and the LMD-2451TD) and high-grade HD 2D monitors (LMD 41W series, LMD-2341W and LMD-1541W, as well as the entry level LMD-2110W) use the same reliable technology as ChromaTRU and 10-bit signal processing as standard Sony monitors.

Sony Vegas Pro 10
Vegas Pro 10 includes an array of new features, including: Stereoscopic 3D editing; improved closed captioning; expanded multicam functionality; improved support for DSLR video; track grouping for a more efficient working environment; advanced transport controls for a more intuitive workflow; image stabilization; new video effects plug-in architecture based on the Open Effects Association Standard; GPU accelerated AVC encoding; a wider range of devices supported; more precise control of audio effects and the addition of VU meters and track meters.

Sony quad-layer write-once 127 GB disc for XDCAM
The quad-layer 128 GB disc has more than 2.5 times the capacity of the dual-layer 50 GB disc and 5.5 times the capacity of the single layer 23 GB disc, significantly enhancing the XDCAM system’s potential as an efficient technology option for long-term archiving.

Sony’s souped-up SxS memory card for XDCAM series
The new generation of SxS-1 memory cards have 50 percent faster transfer speed and twice the capacity of previous models.

link to original post at http://www.televisionbroadcast.com/article/106276

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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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