News Stories

Toshiba Previews Glasses-Free 3D Laptop

1.7.2011

Toshiba is displaying a very cool prototype for a glasses-free 3D laptop that converts from 2D on the fly. The unit features facial tracking software that operates through the screen-mounted camera to ensure that if a user shifts position the 3D sweet spot follows (so no “dead zones”).

The 3D laptop technology is being demonstrated on a custom-built Toshiba Qosmio laptop.

The 3D was crisp, with lots of depth detail in gorgeous 1080p on an expansive 15.6-inch LED backlit LCD display. It’s expected to be available in the US market within a year, according to Toshiba, which already has an active shutter laptop (sold with NVIDIA glasses) that converts 2D to 3D.

BDA Update: Recordable Blu-ray to Support 3D?

1.7.2011

The capability for a recordable Blu-ray Disc to support 3D content may be in the format’s future, according Andy Parsons, US chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Association’s promotions committee and senior vp, product planning, Pioneer Home Entertainment Group.

“I would expect that (3D camcorder companies) will be making a proposal to the BDA to take the format that they are recording be brought in to the Blu-ray spec,” he said. “It just needs to be brought to the BDA as a proposal. If it makes sense and looks like it is something that can be done with a minimum of disruption, then I think it is something that we would consider doing.”

On UltraViolet, Parsons said that it sounds encouraging, though he added that it was too soon know how it will be implemented.

Parsons also released updated information on the Blu-ray rollout:
— Software sales increased by 75% over 2009 sales. [Adams Media Research]
— In 2010, the number of Blu-ray capable households grew by 57% (this is the number of households, not the number of players). [FutureSource]
— BD sales were up 64.2% in 2010 (versus 2009). [Screen Digest]
— BD rentals were up 105.5% in 2010 (versus 2009). [Screen Digest]
— In terms of video content distribution (physical and electronic sell through and rental), packaged media accounts for 88% of consumer content consumption in 2010. [Screen Digest]
— 3D BD players now account for more than 20% of the Blu-ray set-top players currently in households. Including PS3, the percentage of 3D capable players in the installed base jumps to over 60%.
— FutureSource projects that by 2015 3D TVs will be in more than 60% of US households and 3D Blu-ray players will be in more than 75% of U.S. households.

< 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.