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ETC and Hollywood Studios’ request for industry feedback covered by Businessinsider, Ameritrade, Congoo and others

The Entertainment Technology Center @ USC (ETC@USC), www.etcenter.org, announced that it is seeking broad multi-industry feedback for the Interoperable Master Format (IMF) draft specification. Over the last year, the ETC@USC has hosted the IMF project seeking to develop a voluntary specification for an interoperable set of master files (and associated metadata) to enable the interchange and automated creation of downstream distribution packages within the motion picture and television production and post-production industries. The participants in the IMF project, which include Disney, Fox, NBC/Universal, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Warner Bros., will create a specification that can be proposed to SMPTE with the intention of initiating a formal standards-setting process. The goal is to create an interoperable, high-quality set of master files suitable for a variety of distribution packages that can be used to output an arbitrary number of versions for varying screen sizes, resolutions, bit rates, codecs, service providers, etc.

For more information, email: info@etcenter.org.

For more information contact:
Shana Starr / Jason Kirshner
LFPR (for ETC@USC) 949.502.7750 x 209/210 Email Contact

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Business Wire picks up Research & Markets story on CEA and ETC’s groundbreaking 2009 3D Study.

DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/17f41b/3d_in_the_home_wh) has announced the addition of the “3D in the Home: Who, What, When and Where” report to their offering.

3D TV was one of the biggest themes emerging from the 2010 International CES, but is it a viable home entertainment technology? While we’ve had 3D in some form for over 100 years, it is now pushing into the living room. Can it survive and will it make a difference? CEA and Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) present a second year follow-up report to their groundbreaking 2009 3D study.

Among the topics covered are:

  • The current state of 3D
  • What segment of the population is interested in learning more about 3D
  • What segment of the population is most interested in bringing 3DTV into their home
  • The forecast for 3D TVs over the next three years

This report is a must read for anyone involved in the manufacturing, marketing and merchandising of 3DTV and 3D content.

Topics Included In Study: Content; Digital Television; Gaming; Video

Measurements: Awareness; Expenditures (Future); Interest; Purchase Intentions; Satisfaction

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/17f41b/3d_in_the_home_wh

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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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