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Broadcast Engineering on 3-D
Archive for April, 2010
by Michael Grotticelli April 27th, 2010
Last year, Zero Creative launched its 2-D to 3-D conversion service for autostereoscopic 3-D displays (glasses free), such as its own xyZ 3-D display. Now, the company has introduced the capability to convert any existing 2-D content into full stereoscopic 3-D.
The service is divided in three different quality levels: basic, high and extreme. In all cases, video content is converted on manual frame-by-frame bases instead of automated processes. This approach results in a highly accurate 3-D conversion and reduces errors, according to the company. The quality levels determine the differences in 3-D perception, and, at the extreme quality, extra optical handmade image correction or additional special 3-D effects can be employed. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 3D conversion, 3DTV, autostereoscopic, file format, stereoscopic, Zero Creative
Related Topics: Broadcast, Film, Post Production, Products |
by Michael Grotticelli April 27th, 2010
 The prototype PACE Shadow-D rig is mounted on top of a box-style lens and allows a single operator to shoot both 2-D and 3-D simultaneously. As more live productions begin to be shot in 3-D, the issue of where to place the cameras around a venue so as not to interfere with the existing 2-D positions — and not block any fan seating — is being looked at from several angles. Several live sports and entertainment productions to date have provided invaluable experience in how to make 3-D look its best (e.g., 3-D cameras should be positioned as close to the field as possible to immerse the viewer in the action).
At the 2010 NAB Show, there were “beam splitter” rigs, with one camera shooting horizontally from the back of a dual-lens configuration and the other shooting vertically from the top or bottom. Some refer to it as the “half-mirror, 90-degree approach.” The latter, displayed in the Ikegami Electronics booth, is designed to maintain the lowest profile for the camera position (and save some sight lines). Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 3Ality Digital, 3DTV, autoscopic, beam splitter, cameras, Element Technica, Pace, positions, Stereoscopic 3D
Related Topics: Acquisition, Application, Broadcast, Products |
by Michael Grotticelli April 27th, 2010
Now that many have figured out how to make beautiful 3-D images, solutions to the numerous challenges of getting them to digital cinema and consumer home screens in the most efficient way are being discussed in earnest.
The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) is currently working on a 3D Home Master standard that will provide high-level image formatting requirements for the source materials authored and delivered by content developers. It will also provide requirements for the delivery of those materials to all distribution channels, from physical media to terrestrial, satellite, cable and other streaming service providers. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 3DTV, autoscopic, content, delivery, distribution, Dolby, production, SMPTE, Stereoscopic 3D
Related Topics: Application, Broadcast, Film, News |
by Michael Grotticelli April 27th, 2010
 Aside from movies, DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg thinks sports and gaming will be the most popular drivers of 3-D content in the home. As CEO of DreamWorks Animation, Jeffrey Katzenberg is afraid that his fellow Hollywood motion picture executives are going to kill the goose that laid the golden egg. The proverbial goose is 3-D technology, and Katzenberg says Hollywood is now at a “genuine crossroads” as to the future of the new medium.
He was critical of Warner Brothers’ 2-D to 3-D conversion of “Clash of the Titans,” which he termed “cheese ball.” The critics almost universally agreed with him, although audiences are coming in large numbers to see the film, which is currently in movie theaters. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 3DTV, DreamWorks Animation, Jeffrey Katzenberg, production
Related Topics: Acquisition, Broadcast, Film, News, Post Production |
by Michael Grotticelli April 27th, 2010
 John Honeycutt, executive vice president and head of international business operations for Discovery International, described the Panasonic AG-3DA1 3-D camcorder as a tool to be used extensively (and cost-effectively). He also called a new concept camera from Sony “the future.” From the vendors selling 3-D equipment to buyers on the fast track to purchase it, NAB came back to life this year after last year’s economic meltdown. Whether 3-D succeeds in the long term or not, major broadcasters are fearful of being left behind.
One example is Turner Broadcasting, who is “moving full speed ahead” on 3-D technology, said Ron Tarasoff, Turner’s vice president of broadcast technology and engineering. He said Turner sees 3-D as a viable way of transmitting TV in the future.
Today, most of Turner’s work involves equipment testing as the 3-D standards bodies consider setting future standards. “There are many different possibilities in how you produce and distribute content in 3-D,” Tarasoff said. “We need to look very carefully at what will help us with 3-D delivery. We’re almost at the same point we were many years ago with HD. There’s this big push toward 3-D, and there’s very little 3-D equipment out there. There are still many different possibilities in how you produce and distribute content in 3-D.”
Also checking out 3-D gear was ESPN, who is committed to airing 85 events this year. Kevin Stolworthy, the network’s senior vice president of technology, said that at NAB he was looking for vendors with whom he was not familiar. “We think there’s going to be a lot more people out there with new 3-D equipment, software and production tools,” he said. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Miranda Technologies, NAB, networks, Panasonic, production, Sensio, Sony
Related Topics: Application, Broadcast, News, Products |
by LT Martin April 15th, 2010
NAB 2010 has been an absolutely fantastic experience, and I leave Las Vegas tired of foot but thrilled of mind. The days have been jammed by encounters with new technology and, more importantly, new thinking about a new medium — stereoscopic 3-D broadcasting and its home display. My skepticism about its ultimate acceptance as a mainstream medium that will someday replace 2-D has not dissipated, but that is truly skepticism, not just cynicism. The electric excitement about tackling a new medium has sparked this year’s whole NAB convention from exhibit booth to meeting room to conference hall, and there is no doubt some brilliant minds are devoting their best efforts to give 3-D TV every chance of success. Read the rest of this entry »
Related Topics: News |
by LT Martin April 14th, 2010
 TVLogic TDM-150W I saw the future yesterday, and it is spectacular. TVLogic had the world’s first 3-D organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen on display, and with a contrast ratio of 100,000:1 and brilliant colors, it looked downright delicious. Sure, it was only a 15in screen, but from little acorns mighty 3-D oaks grow. Even Sony had an OLED monitor, its PVM 740, in a darkened niche next to critical evaluation CRT and LCD designs at its exhibit, but it was only 7.4in. Apparently the manufacturing technology for making larger OLED screens is still being worked out, but many think these glorious gems of a display will be the future for not only the most demanding production work, but also as lightweight portable displays for the consumer market. Read the rest of this entry »
Related Topics: Acquisition, News, Post Production, Products, Professional video |
by LT Martin April 13th, 2010
There is a bit of a joke starting to circulate through the press gatherings and cocktail parties at this NAB convention where everything is supposed to be about 3-D. While we all knew that professional 3-D screens almost universally are designed to work with cheap polarized lens glasses (the kind you get in movie theaters), it is starting to become apparent that the home sets will require much more expensive active shutter glasses. In addition, each manufacturer is making them proprietary to their own systems. So if you own a Sony home 3-D set, you cannot take your glasses over to a neighbor’s house and use them with their Panasonic or Samsung set to watch the Big Game. Sure, they all have flicker lenses, but the triggering mechanism each uses is different. So unless you are willing to shell out in the range of $150 for another pair of fancy specs, watching 3-D in the home will really mean watching 3-D only in your home. Read the rest of this entry »
Related Topics: Broadcast, News, Post Production, Professional video |
by LT Martin April 12th, 2010
I was a bit disappointed when arriving at the Las Vegas Convention Center this morning that I was not handed a set of 3-D glasses when coming through the entrance of the Central Hall. Oh well, I guess they are waiting for some victorious standard to emerge out of the format wars.
One of the great pleasures of being at NAB is galloping around the press conference circuit with the other members of the press corps. If you are ever looking for certainty in your life, the gallant cavaliers of the media overflow with it. Sunday’s round of press conferences filled their quivers with plenty of arrows to fire at the future of 3-D broadcasting, but the conclusion of their conjectures only spews out a cacophony of confusion. Read the rest of this entry »
Related Topics: News |
by LT Martin April 11th, 2010
 HDI plans to show its laser-driven 100in 3-D TV at NAB 2010. Arriving in Las Vegas, I was somewhat disappointed not to see the halls of the Convention Center floating above the desert skyline like the Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar. The preshow hype of “This is the year of 3-D” has become a mantra for NAB 2010 with the hope of revitalizing equipment providers’ bottom lines with a rush into home-delivered 3-D as powerful as the HDTV onslaught. Maybe, maybe not. Read the rest of this entry »
Related Topics: Acquisition, Broadcast, News, Products |
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Michael Grotticelli is writer and editor of Broadcast Engineering’s “Beyond the Headlines” and “Sports Technology Update” e-newsletters. Each week, he provides a fresh perspective on the latest in 3-D technologies and innovations as well as report on real-world applications of 3-D in the broadcast, professional video and film industries.
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