News Stories

Jonathan Takiff: New 3-D products may help buyers embrace next dimension

11.22.2010

THE GIZMO: 3-D Blu-ray discs, XpanD Universal 3-D glasses, Fujifilm FinePix REAL 3-D W3 Camera.

GETTING OVER THE HUMP: What’s keeping people from biting the bullet for a 3-D TV? Fear of nothing to watch on that expensive set ranks high in consumer surveys. Issues with those “active-shutter” 3-D glasses also loom large.

But this week, we’ve got glad tidings – new problem-solving accessories sure to make the holiday season brighter for those early adopters with 3-D TV sets planted under (or near) the Christmas tree.

XPAND YOUR VISION: Until now, there’s been a compatibility issue with the 3-D active-shutter glasses sold as set accessories. Panasonic glasses don’t work with Samsung 3-D TVs. Sony’s can’t be used with LG models.

Full story discusses universal glasses, new 3D Blu-ray disc releases, and Fuji 3D camera.

Utopia (Benelux) installs 45 MasterImage 3D systems

11.22.2010

New 3D Deal with Utopia / Utopolis for FTT

The Benelux-based group is planning to boost its 3D business with 45 MasterImage 3D installations.

As the very first exhibitor to have projected digital 3D at its main sites in the Benelux countries, Utopia / Utopolis Group, one of the major cinema circuits in Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg, entered into a deal with FTT Benelux S.A., youngest member of the FTT family, for the supply and installation of 45 MasterImage 3D digital cinema systems. Moreover, FTT also won the bid for the supply and installation of all silver screens for the group.

Thomas Rüttgers, Managing Partner of FTT group said: “We are very happy that our new subsidiary will implement its first long-time project together with Utopolis. They have been our customers for such a long time already and we are delighted that they have expressed their confidence in us one more time.”

Nico Simon, General Manager of Utopia S.A. added: “Having tested different options we think that the MasterImage 3D solution is the one that suits our requirements best and look forward to co-operating with FTT once again. For us it was surely a crucial factor that they have a relevant experience in digital 3D installations and branch offices close to our cinemas.”

Brian Kercher, Managing Director of MasterImage 3D Europe Cinema concludes: “3D is one of the important drivers of digital cinema and it surely stimulated the demand for digital cinema equipment. We are proud to work with FTT and Utopolis on this project as they are both renowned companies in their respective markets.”

The roll-out for Utopolis will start in December with the installations in Luxembourg and will then be carried out step by step in several waves. However, at least 4 to 6 screens will be equipped by the end of this year.

source: http://www.dcinematoday.com/dc/pr.aspx?newsID=2106

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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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