What 3D expert Torsten Hoffman expects from MIPTV 2012
... Torsten also operates a blog called www.3dcontentblog.com (3D Focus recommends signing up to his email letter) and recently launched a 3D content hub. ...
3D Focus: What about the marketplace? Are content producers beginning to make money with 3D content?
Torsten Hoffman: Obviously, we would wish for more large buyers (3D broadcasters). Instead I see more and more smaller players from non-core territories and/or VOD operators acquiring 3D titles. I will explore this topic more in my talk at MIPTV in Cannes (Tuesday 3.45pm).
3D Focus: Which new titles are you taking to MIPTV this time?
Torsten Hoffman: In total about 70 hours, mostly documentaries. I am most excited about:
- High adrenaline action sports, shot in “point-of-view” mode. Wingsuit Flying !
- FireAnts, exploring Macro 3D techniques that make the tiny insects appear huge on your screen.
- A documentary which films the ever-popular Meerkats from a completely new angle.
- A large global project that will follow one of Ferrari GT teams around the world, with a grand finale at the 80th anniversary race in legendary LeMans.
- 3D Travel films have not sold well in the past, but maybe with our new line-up that includes award winners that will change.
- We have just launched a 2-disc Blu-ray called “Best of 3D” with many interesting 3D titles covering many genres and production techniques. We will market and distribute globally and hope to find partners and buyers.
...
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Catching Up with 3net
3net, the 3D television network, celebrated its first anniversary last month. The network, a joint venture of Sony, IMAX and Discovery, is currently available to more than 19 million households in the U.S. and Canada on DirecTV (as well as BSkyB in the U.K).
TV Technology recently caught up with Tim Pastore, 3net’s vice president of development and programming at the 2012 Real Screen Summit in Washington D.C. Pastore spoke about 3net’s programming and growth strategy for the upcoming year. ...
TVT: What is your audience profile today?
PASTORE: As a general entertainment channel our demographic is very broad and evolving. We share a similar DNA with the flagship channel, but we’re also programming a kid’s block, premiering theatricals, music, sports, scripted shows, and even ran a short form comedy series, recently ...
TVT: Are there other external factors which may impact the speed and success of 3net’s growth in 2012?
PASTORE: The largest factor is the consumer market and the sale of 3DTV’s and 3D capable devices. The overall sales in 2011 far exceeded projections and continues to move at a breakneck pace for a two-year technology. 2012 and 2013 should also show massive growth with projections that 1 in 3 homes in the US will have a 3D capable TV by 2014.
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3DX: New 3D Technology Changing How Big Brands Advertise
[Philip Lelyveld comment: there are examples of 3DX phantaglyphs in the 3D Lab.]
...Los Angeles based tech company 3DX ... already made its mark on the advertising world. As 3DX CEO Ziggy Kormandel sees it, there isn't a place for old technology in today's world. "It amazed me that today's consumer - who is no stranger to voicing his or her opinion - was basically giving 3D a free pass," he said. "Yet these are the same people who line up to pay an extra $5-10 to see a 3D movie. We found that disconnect fascinating and aimed to bridge the gap between 3D expectations and actual performance." 3DX ventured into the print space with a direct mail test that featured its patented Phantaglyph® technology, and the conversion rates immediately told Kormandel that the hunger for a higher-quality 3D product was out there. "Our Phantaglyphs® are unreal; they're stunning 3D images that rise off a printed page, tablet, or mobile device like a holograph in a sci-fi movie. If someone wants their brand to literally stand out, we can make it happen." ...
To learn more about 3DX and receive a free pair of 3D glasses to experience the technology, visit www.Go3DX.com .
See the original press release here:
3D without the glasses, and more innovation at Microsoft TechFest
TechFest, an annual event that allows the Microsoft Research team to demonstrate what they are working on (see previous coverage here), is focused this year on two central themes: "virtualization" and "big data." ...
In one corner of the demo room, researchers are displaying screens that project in 3D without making you wear silly glasses. The technology works by figuring out where you’re sitting using a Microsoft Kinect camera, then guessing approximately where your right and left eyes are, and flashing images quickly on the screen targeted at each eye, which creates a 3D image in your brain. ...
Read the full story here
Toshiba Qosmio X870 3D gaming laptop revealed
Toshiba has revealed its latest 3D gaming laptop, the Qosmio X870, toting a 17.3-inch Full HD display and “next generation” NVIDIA GPUs. Packing Intel Core Sandy Bridge processors and up to 2TB of HDD or hybrid SSD storage, the Qosmio X870 is aiming its gaudy red and black color scheme at the dedicated gamer, with the promise of Resolution+ upscaling to turn lower-res content HD and convert 2D to 3D.
There’s a choice of Blu-ray or DVD drives, along with Harmon Kardon stereo speakers with virtual 3D sound support. Connectivity includes four USB 3.0 ports – two of which remain powered when the notebook is shut down, to recharge your gadgets – along with HDMI, gigabit ethernet, WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0. It’s also possible to continue to play music through the headphones socket while the notebook is in sleep mode.
The full-sized keyboard is backlit in red, as is the Qosmio logo on the lid, just in case you forget the branding. A full HD webcam – supporting face recognition – is included, as is a pair of NVIDIA 3D Vision glasses; unlike previous Toshiba 3D notebooks, the Qosmio X870 doesn’t use glasses-free 3D tech.
The Toshiba Qosmio X870 will go on sale in the UK sometime in Q2 2012, though the company is yet to confirm pricing.
Read the full story here: http://www.slashgear.com/toshiba-qosmio-x870-3d-gaming-laptop-revealed-07217158/
Toshiba Unveils Three New TV Ranges Including Passive 3D VL9 Models
TL9 Series
This range sits in the middle of the 3, offering higher specs and Active Shutter 3D. There will be two sizes available: 40-inch (£599) and 46-inch (£799). These models are also LED edge-lit and feature Toshiba’s Resolution + software for excellent upscaling of standard definition pictures.
VL9 Series
The VL9 series tops the three new ranges just announced by Toshiba, though it still sits below the company’s flagship WL and YL models. Three sizes are available in the VL9 series: 42-inch (£699), 47-inch (£899) and 55-inch (£1499). These models offer the flicker-free Passive 3D technology and 2D to 3D conversion, for which four pairs of 3D glasses are provided.
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EIT ICT Labs and MultiTouch Ltd. Present the First 3D Motion Sensing Multitouch Wall at CeBIT 2012
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) ICT Labs and MultiTouch Ltd. present an almost five-meter long interactive dual-action wall at CeBIT 2012. Reseachers have solved the problem how to attract people to use the multitouch display wall. The multitouch wall with 3D motion sensing cameras reacts to new potential users passing by and lures them to touch the wall and explore the content when they approach it.
On the interactive wall made of eight MultiTaction(R) Cell 55" modular multi-user touch displays and four Microsoft Kinect(R) 3D motion sensing cameras, visitors can playfully learn about EIT ICT Labs activities using a user interface developed by EIT ICT Labs researchers. ...
The goal of EIT ICT Labs researchers has been to learn more about and develop concepts for delivering information in public spaces using large interactive displays. MultiTouch Ltd. has provided researchers with support and information from real use cases from all around the globe. This cooperation enabled the scientific knowledge to be transferred immediately into this new business tool. ...
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3D in Digital Darkroom: Annenberg Space for Photography
[Philip Lelyveld comment: the current show at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City, CA. includes anaglyph 3D imagery, both in the gallery and on the website. ]
from the Annenberg website:
"Use the free 3D glasses you receive when you visit "Digital Darkroom" to enjoy content from the exhibit on our website - just look for the image above. Click here to view 3D images on our blog andhere to see the 3D images from our print show."
See the website for more information and gallery hours here:
Nintendo 3DS Dominates Handheld Market: Unit Sales Hit 4.5 Million
... The Nintendo 3DS has surpassed its predecessor, selling 4.5 million units during its first year. The DS, by contrast, sold 2.3 million units in its launch year. ...
Total US sales for the 3DS have topped $1.2 billion (including HW, SW and accessory), states Nintendo of America. DS sales hit $540 million in its freshman year.
Kid Icarus: Uprising will close out the 3DS launch year, hitting shelves on March 23, 2012.
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