CES 2013: The Resolution May Not Be Televised
...of the new technologies being offered, each offers something subtle in the way of improvement. But none is like the three seminal jumps in the modern era of TV, which should be remembered as: the birth of big screen projection sets, the development of DVD, and the dawn of the HDTV era. While the first of those actually pre-dates the others by quite a bit, it most certainly was re-energized by the latter two. And DVD, which never was a high-resolution format, actually helped sell HDTVs for several years because it looked so good on those new sets even before much true HD content was available.
See the full story here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/markrogowsky/2013/01/10/ces-2013-the-resolution-may-not-be-televised/
RealD vs. Imax Digital 3D: What’s the difference?
| Imax Digital 3D | RealD 3D | |
| 3D technology | Linear polarizing | Circular polarizing |
| Projector | Dual projectors | Single projector (with 3D lens) |
| Screen | Silver coated | Silver coated |
| 3D glasses | Large format (for larger screen) | Standard size |
| Audio | Uncompressed | Varies by theater |
Imax Digital 3D is an evolutionary improvement of the analog Imax 3D theaters that have been around since 1986. Its long history is evident even in the much newer Imax Digital 3D theaters since they still utilize the linear polarizing technology of its analog predecessors. Unlike RealD, Imax 3D movies are less tolerant of head movements. Viewers have to avoid tilting their heads, though some turning--probably unavoidable due to the massive Imax screen format--is possible. Also, Imax screens are curved to fill an audience member's FOV, which enhances immersion while giving those sitting at the sides a better view of the action. Imax Digital auditoriums also use two 2K projectors for 3D shows, which leads to a visibly brighter image through the glasses.
While many Imax theaters these days are digital, there are still auditoriums with the analog Imax 3D format in the US and some other countries. These auditoriums typically have a larger screen and correspondingly large projection equipment and tend to be used for documentaries instead of feature films, too. Omnimax theaters (recently renamed as Imax Dome) are a variation of this analog format, but have a dome-shaped screen.
See the full story here: http://asia.cnet.com/reald-vs-imax-digital-3d-whats-the-difference-62208932.htm
Digital Domain Media Group Sells 3D Patents to RealD for $5.45 Million
Tying up one loose thread from the bankruptcy of Digital Domain Media Group (DDMG) earlier this year, the company sold its portfolio of patents covering 2D-to-3D-conversion technology to 3D-exhibition specialist RealD for $5.45 million.
The 3D conversion patents represent the last major DDMG asset to be auctioned, bringing the most expansive chapter in the VFX giant's history to date to an awkward close. Longtime executive Ed Ulbrich is now heading up what he calls "Digital Domain 3.0" — the continuation of DD's core VFX services business on the West Coast, which is now owned by China's Galloping Horse and India's Reliance MediaWorks. DD's 37.5 percent equity share in Ender's Game, now in post-production, remains with DD 3.0.
The future of the Digital Domain Institute, which was set up in collaboration with Florida State University (FSU), is still up in the air, according to The Palm Beach Post, which reports that the city of West Palm Beach is considering kicking in additional financial support to help convince FSU to keep the classrooms open despite the collapse of plans to build a large VFX school there.
See the full story here: http://www.studiodaily.com/2012/12/digital-domain-media-group-sells-3d-patents-to-reald-for-5-45-million/
3D Printed “Vinyl” LP
Here’s a video showing the final results. As you can tell, the audio quality is nowhere near that of a traditional vinyl disc, but it’s still a darned impressive feat:
...the STL data files have been posted to The Pirate Bay’s “Physibles” section, which is a growing repository of 3D-printable object data.
See the full story here; http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/12/3d-printed-vinyl-lp/
The BBC’s first regularly scheduled 3D drama transmits tonight
Part of the BBC’s 3D trial, Mr Stink is a TV adaptation of the David Walliams book of the same name.
Unlike other BBC 3D productions such as Strictly Come Dancing and the 3D coverage of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, the 2D and 3D versions of Mr Stink were shot at the same time, with the 2D version being taken from one of the eyes of the 3D rigs.
The show was filmed using a 3ality Technica Atom rig and a P+S TECHNIK Freestyle rig was chosen for its light weight and mobility. Each were fitted with two RED Epic cameras filming at 5K resolution using a 16mm lens.
See the full story here: http://www.3dfocus.co.uk/3d-news-2/3d-broadcasting/the-bbc-first-3d-drama-transmits-tonight/11537
IHS: 3D Home Market ‘Thriving’
The study shows spending on 3D Blu-ray accounting for nearly 11% of overall 3D content spending in 2012, compared to 6% in 2011. For 2012, 3D Blu-ray spending accounted for $214 million out of $2 billion spent on 3D content in the home and in theaters, according to the report.
While the report has worldwide 3D-capable screens up four-fold since 2009 (9,000 compared to 43,000), and 3D box office receipts up significantly between 2010 and 2011 (from $6 billion to $7 billion), it’s the overall trend in 3D content in the home that should be encouraging, according to the report.
Spending by U.S. consumers on 3D Blu-ray is up 94% compared to 2011, with 3D Blu-ray unit sales expected to hit 9.9 million units for the year.
It’s not just 3D Blu-ray: According to the report, 37 dedicated 3D channels have launched worldwide since 2010, along with 38 dedicated 3D event broadcasts. The IHS report estimates consumers will spend $76.1 million for 3D VOD by 2016, up from $11.1 million in 2012.
See the full story here: http://www.homemediamagazine.com/3d/ihs-3d-home-market-thriving-29172