Beyond Tupac — the future of hologram technology
The term “hologram”, (“holos” meaning “complete” and “gram” meaning “message”) has long been used to refer to both the technique of wavefront reconstruction (by interference, diffraction and reflection) and an image genre – a virtual encounter between an immaterial, usually-3D image of an absent human and living humans.
By contrast, the technologically advanced HD video rendition of Tupac, created by Musion Systems Ltd., employed the principals of something known in the trade as Pepper’s Ghost. By employing this technique – which dates back to the 16th century – Musion reframed the holographic genre in real-time for a live audience.
But holograms and related technologies are used for much more than just films and live performances.
Beyond Tupac
Tupac’s performance came a week after the release, by Zebra Imaging, of a public web interface for uploading 3D data to produce full-colour, 360-degree ZSCAPE 3D holographic prints.
Unlike Tupac’s performance, Zebra Imaging’s ZSCAPE™ 3D prints are actually holograms. They combine 3D imaging concepts and methods developed over the past century, with processes of synthetic hologram generation developed by the Spatial Imaging Group at MIT.
These hologram prints are made from arrays of holographic pixels know as hogels, which contain three-dimensional information about how the scene should appear from a range of perspectives. ...
As these can be displayed horizontally and viewed from above, they lend themselves to applications which require spatial precision, such as:
-- geo-seismic and terrain modelling
-- scientific visualisation of abstract data sets
-- medical pre-visualisation, and
-- architectural models. ...
Read the full story here: http://phys.org/news/2012-04-tupac-future-hologram-technology.html
Former MakerBot exec launches Solidoodle sub-$500 3D printer
...MakerBot has made some significant strides toward tearing some of those barriers, and now Solidoodle, led by that company's former COO Samuel Cervantes, is looking to take the trend even further. The company's current self-tilted model starts at just under $500. The printer, which is now up for pre-order, can print plastic pieces up to 6" x 6" x 6", and "all you need to supply is a computer and power." Also, interestingly, "a 200-pound man can literally stand on top of the machine while it's printing. " ...
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Pixar’s Brave to debut new Dolby Atmos sound system
Cinema sound system provider Dolby has announced that its new audio format will receive its premiere in June with the release of Pixar’s movie Brave.
The Disney-owned animation studio’s film will use the format in a limited number of “premium” cinemas in the US.
Dolby plans a wider international release in 2013.
It says the addition of speakers on cinema ceilings and new software lets sounds be moved and positioned more precisely in theatres.
The San Francisco-based firm’s senior vice president, Ioan Allen, said the innovation would give audience members “the illusion of there being an infinite number of channels… all the way around you and over your head”. …
It says each speaker needs to be individually wired back to the cinema’s amplifiers to create up to 128 distinct, but simultaneous, audio feeds. In the past, mixers had assigned the same output to groups of speakers in large theaters. …
The firm adds that its Atmos tools can also generate mixes for its 5.1 and 7.1 speaker systems, meaning that sound technicians who adopt the format can save time when creating different versions of their soundtracks.
The firm has yet to release a price guide to equip or upgrade cinemas, but Forbes reports that the cost of fitting it in a medium-sized theatreis likely to be $25,000-$30,000 (£15,500-£18,600). …
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‘Hobbit’ preview divides CinemaCon auds
The "Hobbit" reel looked distinctively sharper and more immediate than everything shown before it, giving the 3D smoother movement and crisp sharpness, while losing the cinematic glow of the industry-standard 24 fps. The realism gave CG characters a distinct presence, but human actors seemed overlit and amplified in a way that many compared to modern sports broadcasts (as high as 60 fps in HD) and daytime television. ...
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The truth about ‘hyper-realistic’ video games as war simulators
While video game simulators are increasingly used to augment real-world training of fighting forces, the technology behind them includes the sorts of advancements that would be impossible to replicate in a person's home. And the minutia of detail they rely on is often shed when a game is created for entertainment. ...
Special Forces units at Fort Bragg, for instance, use the Laser Shot Virtual Shoot House. The building is designed to allow soldiers to blow in doors, fire live ammo at life-sized enemies and feel the thump of shots being fired back. The latest version of these shoot houses, designed by Texas-based Laser Shot, include smell emulators and a new technology that can project in the middle of a room, moving, life-sized holograms that can react to being shot.
The holograms are created by projecting video onto a fine wall of mist sprayed into a specific spot in a room. A complex 3D algorithm then tracks bullets fired by training soldiers, determining when a round has pierced the image and the avatar reacts accordingly, said Kevin Bass, director of software development at Laser Shot. Other enemies appear on the building's interior walls, which are high-tech video screens that can self-seal after a bullet passes through them.
"The hologram stuff is still in its infancy," Bass said. "The idea is that instead of looking into a screen of characters, you become part of that virtual world."
In California, some of the shoot houses are designed to increase the interior temperature to more than 100 degrees during training.
"Military training is about how to do what you need to do under the fatigue and cognitive strain you will be under," Herz explains.
But both forms of military simulator concentrate on teaching things like the rules of engagement or how to tactically approach a specific conflict. Video games, at their best, deliver not a realistic experience, but a hyper-realistic one, Herz says. ...
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CinemaCon 2012: Panel Says Opportunities Surround Live and 3D Alternative Content
Alternative content will see growth and account for an estimated $315 million globally during 2012, projected IHS Screen Digest senior analyst for cinemaDavid Hancock, Monday at CinemaCon.
During an alternative content panel, stakeholders discussed potential opportunities in genres from sports to opera, and Brad LaDouceur, vp of alternative programming for Cineplex Entertainment, emphasized that “we truly believe live in 3D will be a game changer.” ...
Sony and All England Lawn Tennis Club have a three-year partnership aimed at bringing Wimbledon to 3D-ready digital cinemas around the world. Live 3D coverage, in partnership with Wimbledon host broadcaster BBC, is also offered to broadcasters. ... Sony is targeting at least 400 screens worldwide for the live finals....
Dan Diamond, senior vp, NCM Fathom Events, which had roughly 19,000 screens in its in-theater network, said, “We need to create diversity. Showing opera over and over again is not enough.”
Fathom broadcasts a 3D Metropolitan Opera series that resulted in nearly 900,000 tickets sold during its 2010-11 season.
Diamond reported that Fathom is also working with Hollywood studios to turn ”classic movie anniversaries into events.”
In sports, upcoming Fathom events including the Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Miguel Cotto fight, May 5 in Las Vegas. ...
An estimated 75,000 digital cinema screens are now installed worldwide, with roughly 40,000 offering 3D capabilities. ...
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The LG Home Theater 3D Sound Campaign You’ll Actually Want to Look At
The ad campaign LG put out for their new Home Theater 3D Sound is really pretty brilliant. To convey the idea that you'll be hearing your movie from every angle, they've recreated iconic movie posters, juxtaposing the original with their alternate angle view. Check the gallery.
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Cameron tapped for China’s 3D film
James Cameron's 3D team, behind the worldwide success of 2009 sci-fi blockbuster ‘Avatar’, is being tapped to assist in shooting ‘The Art of War’, a film about ancient Chinese strategist and philosopher Sun Tzu.
Cameron's team is expected to provide technical support to the 3D shooting. Other details of the deal were not disclosed.
According to previous media reports, 'The Art of War', produced by an international team, is estimated to cost between $80 million and $100 million. ...
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Target offers 3D body scanner to measure customers
$1 million 3D body scanner in Target store
Machine will take customer's measurements
Results can be used to buy clothes online
Alvanon Group chief Janice Wang said the 20,000 scans would be analysed to determine the most common shapes and produce size charts. Target will use the information to make clothes.
Those scanned will receive their measurements to take home, which can be used to buy clothes online.
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Apple Invents a Killer 3D Imaging Camera for iOS Devices
Apple has invented a killer 3D imaging camera that will apply to both still photography and video. The new cameras in development will utilize new depth-detection sensors such as LIDAR, RADAR and Laser that will create stereo disparity maps in creating 3D imagery. Additionally, the cameras will use advanced chrominance and luminance Sensors for superior color accuracy. And if that wasn't enough, the new cameras will not only include facial recognition but also facial gesturing recognition. Intel discussed the coming 3D revolution back in 2010 and it appears that Apple wants to be one of the first to introduce this killer 3D camera. While others may have beaten Apple to market first, the technology described in today's invention will definitely provide iOS devices with the ability to view killer 3D images that could only be appreciated on Apple's "Resolutionary" Retina Display. Apple's resolutionary experience has only begun. With the ability to view stunning 3D imagery, photos and videos on our new iPad displays, the resolutionary experience is only going pop our brains even further. ...
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