News Stories

HPA Opens With 3D Supersession; Offers DirecTV Update

2.16.2010

HPA_logoThe Hollywood Post Alliance Technology Retreat kicked off today in Palm Springs, during which attendees got an update on the plans of DirecTV.

With Panasonic, DirecTV is readying to launch three, 3D ready channels beginning in June.

Hanno Basse, VP broadcast systems engineering , DirecTV offered an update.

The three channels will include one linear 24/7 3D only channel, which will use “all the content we can get, top movies, concerts. We have several content deals in place with top names in the industry.” Panasonic will sponsor this channel.

The second channel is dedicated to live events, notably sports and concerts. The third channel is a video on demand model, offering movies, concerts and other entertainment.

Basse reported that DirecTV will broadcast 3D in a frame compatible, side by side format—which he said supports most if not all 3D TVs, as well as both interlace and progressive.

In the DirecTV model, content would be captured in separate left eye/right eye streams. As part of the workflow, those streams need to be multiplexed into the side by side format.

Basse also reported that set top boxes will need modification.

3D Industry Anxious For Standards

2.21.2009

A need for standards remains on the minds of many 3D stakeholders, and that message was restated at an HPA Tech Retreat panel on  stereoscopic 3D, moderated by Warner Bros.’ Wendy Aylsworth.

During the session:

–HDDC’s Peter Wilson discussed 3-D acquisition and the work of BBC Research (www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/virtual/).

–In-Three CEO David Seigle discussed hybrid/multimode 3D creation, including the In-Three Dimensionalization process.

–TDVision’s Ethan Schur included his company’s work toward development of a 3D encoding process, with features including 2D/3D compatibility.

–Steve Banaszek addressed 3D exhibition, with Sony’s development of a single projector/dual lens system using Sony’s soon to be released 3D adaptor and 4K pojector.

–Pia Maffei discussed Alioscopy’s technology for autostereoscopic display.

Where will 3D in the home come from? Said Wilson: “SMPTE needs to urgently nail down the master, after that I think it is going to be the traditional consumer standards bodies.”

Schur emphasized the importance of creating a distribution format, noting that SMPTE is working on the mastering standard and the CE industry is exploring the consumer side. “There is a lot of confusion; that’s the biggest problem for the 3D industry,” he said.

Noting that UK broadcaster Sky recently demonstrated that its set top box could deliver 3D to the home, Wilson said the industry needs to start getting the sets out to the market. He added: “We need 3D-ready (consumer electronics), but there has to be an education program for retailers as well as for us.”

< PREVIOUS ARTICLES NEXT ARTICLES >

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.

Oops, something went wrong.