The Official 3D Thread - Page 11

Author: ERIK GRUENWEDEL
egruenwedel@questex.com
Posted: July 8, 2008
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Determined to mine more than incremental revenue from 3-D theatrical releases, DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. and Intel Corp. July 8 said they have formed a strategic alliance aimed at expanding the format’s filmmaking capabilities.

DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg has made no secret his desire to repurpose the top grossing Hollywood movies into premium-priced 3-D releases.

The publicly held animation studio previously said, beginning next year, it will produce all of its new titles in stereoscopic 3-D.

In the alliance, DreamWorks will work with Intel software engineers using advanced computer-generated moviemaking technologies such as future chips with multiple processing cores.

“Our objective is to significantly heighten the movie going experience,” Katzenberg said, in a statement. “Technology plays a significant role in enabling our artists to tell great stories.”

The CEO last March said he doubted Blu-ray would evolve beyond “a videophile business,” and questioned whether there existed a “big enough delta between standard DVD and next-generation” to generate widespread consumer adoption.

Katzenberg said he wanted to re-release the top 45 films from the past three years in 3-D to generate significant incremental revenue.

“This is the first thing that has come along since I’ve been in the movie business that actually creates a premium experience for the moviegoer,” Katzenberg said. “It creates variable pricing. The movie business is the only business in the world where there is no variable pricing. That’s ridiculous.”

Separately, Intel is developing and promoting next-generation 3-D viewing technologies beyond the theater, and into the home theater, PCs, video games and online platforms.

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 8th 2008 at 7:04PM

When Mitsubishi admitted that it was holding hands with NVIDIA and Aspen Media for no other reason than to prove that they all three hearted 3D, we must say, we were miffed. Now, however, it seems that plans are finally coming to light, and everything is starting to make a whole lot more sense. Reportedly, the three firms are gearing up to showcase how well they can work together to produce eye-pleasing 3D PC gaming results in select retail outlets this July. At first, none of the components will be sold together per se, but bundle deals are definitely in the works

RealD to implement almost 100 extra screens for bow
By Carl DiOrio

July 9, 2008, 08:27 PM ET

"Journey to the Center of the Earth"

Every little bit helps.

Expediting installations in dozens of sites during the past several weeks, 3-D vendor RealD will implement almost 100 additional screens in time for Friday's bow of the adventure film "Journey to the Center of the Earth." That should help speed "Journey" along, but the pace of the global 3-D rollout remains glacial.

Like Paramount's 2007 release "Beowulf," "Journey" was intended to play mostly on 3-D screens when the project was first conceived at New Line. Also like "Beowulf" -- which grossed about $200 million worldwide -- "Journey" surely will boast much better grosses on its 3-D screens than in conventional venues.

Yet it's been clear for some time that "Journey" distributor Warners, which now handles all of New Line's releases, would have to rely heavily on those conventional venues in trying to mount a decent theatrical run. So the film's extra-dimensional aspects have been more muted in recent marketing materials for the Brendan Fraser starrer.

But nobody is claiming that the situation is ideal.

"3-D is the future, so why is exhibition dragging its feet?" Warners domestic distribution president Dan Fellman asked Wednesday. "I'm pleased 'Journey' will be the biggest digital 3-D release to date. But it is disconcerting that since November, the 3-D screen count has only gone up from 660 (for 'Beowulf') to 854 noncompetitive locations for 'Journey.' "

Beverly Hills-based RealD operates more than 90% of the world's 1,400 3-D screens, including more than 1,100 RealD screens in the U.S. and Canada. But the close proximity of some of the domestic installations means a couple hundred or so are unfeasible to use on "Journey" or likely any other single release.

Double-screening in some locations means that "Journey" -- a roughly $60 million production set for more than 2,800 total engagements -- will play on about 950 3-D screens. Yet that's still a couple hundred lower than producers New Line and Walden Media envisioned as recently as March.

Partly as a result of the limited 3-D platform, "Journey" is expected to open only in the teen millions and likely will finish its first weekend midtable in the weekend's ranking of top grossers.

A handful of foreign territories will get "Journey" day-and-date with its domestic bow, but the international 3-D situation is even more of a blur.

RealD also has 220 international installations, including 126 in Europe, and recently struck a contract to equip 600 screens in the U.K. and elsewhere once they are equipped for digital projection.

And there's the rub, particularly for Europe.

Except in the Imax format, you can't have 3-D without digital projection, and the digital rollout in Europe has been agonizingly slow. Hollywood has proved less generous in its approach to helping exhibitors there shoulder the costs of digital installations, which average about $100,000.

The U.S. has almost 5,000 screens equipped to project movies digitally, whereas estimates of Europe's installed base of movie-quality digital screens run as low as 1,000 screens.

Many of the European installations feature lease-to-buy arrangements with systems vendors, and others were financed with government subsidies. A pair of d-cinema companies recently inked financing agreements with studios that could lead to thousands of additional European installations during the next several years if exhibitors agree to participate and carry up to one-third of the costs themselves.

Asia's digital-cinema rollout is more fully progressed at about 6,500 digital screens, though many of its digital installations offer resolution quality that would be deemed insuffcient in most territories outside the region.

In the U.S. -- where the digital rollout continues even as financing discussions drag on between studios and major circuits -- RealD has struck pacts with Regal, Cinemark and others to install thousands of 3-D systems during the next few years. That can't happen too soon for Hollywood studios, which collectively have slotted a dozen 3-D films for 2009 release.

"We are waiting like everybody else for digital to be installed," RealD chairman and CEO Michael Lewis said. "In multiplexes where there is digital capability, RealD (has at least one screen) in 90% of those."

The show will be available on cable's On Demand on July 27.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (July 10, 2008) -- Starz this month will offer a Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus concert in 3D High-Definition On Demand.

The concert, called Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert, originally played in 3D in movie theaters last year. The program will first debut in 2D and HD on Starz on Saturday, July 26th at 9 p.m. ET.

But then a day later, it will be available on cable's Starz HD On Demand in 3D. To experience the special 3D effect, viewers can go to starz.com/3D for a step-by-step guide on how to make your own 3D glasses.

"The ‘Hannah Montana’ phenomenon has such a loyal and passionate fan base, that this concert film offers us a valuable platform for showcasing all of the great things we have going on at Starz – offering all versions including HD, 3D and on-demand,” said Jonathan Shair, vice president, network group, Starz Entertainment.

The concert film is also expected to be available in 3D HDTV on Blu-ray high-def disc on August 19.

Originally Posted by rezzy

I kept my Real3D glasses from the HM movie. But don't think they'll work for this presentation at home.

NEC, RealD, Ballantyne/Strong Bring 3D Capabilities to Multiple US Theaters in Anticipation of Warner Bros. Pictures/New Line Cinema’s, Walden Media’s Journey to the Center of the Earth

NEC Corporation of America, RealD 3D, and Ballantyne of Omaha’s Strong Digital Systems and Strong Technical Services units have recently teamed to provide the latest in digital 3D projection capability to multiple US theaters. This latest wave of upgrades to RealD digital 3D was driven by theater owners wanting to capitalize on the introduction of the July 11, 2008 release of Journey to the Center of the Earth from Warner Bros. Pictures/New Line Cinema and Walden Media. Journey will be the first live-action narrative 3D film and the widest RealD digital 3D film released to date. While the film will also be screened in 2D cinemas, exhibitors are looking to the increased attendance and revenue delivered by RealD 3D–equipped screens.

“Ballantyne of Omaha /Strong Cinema Products is an industry leader in projection systems and trusted partner of Great Escape Theatres,” said Chance Ragains, chief operating officer, Great Escape Theatres. “They have partnered with NEC to provide top-quality, NEC STARUS digital projectors and with RealD 3D to provide state-of-the-art digital 3D cinema. As we started the transition to digital projection with 3D capability, it only made sense to go with a company with a history of delivering a first-class product with the service, support and technology partners to back it up.”

NEC and RealD 3D contributed to the cinema experience at the premiere of Journey to the Center of the Earth. Held at the Mann Village in Los Angeles on June 29, 2008, the premiere was shown using an NEC STARUS™ NC1600C digital cinema projector and the RealD Cinema system with RealD XL technology. NEC STARUS digital projectors deliver superior quality with precise 2K resolution and high contrast images. RealD XL is the only digital 3D technology which can reach screens as large as 60 feet with a single projector.

“RealD is a global leader in 3D cinema and NEC has a legacy of creating world-class, award-winning digital display, projector and server technologies,” said John Wilmers, president and CEO, Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. “Partnering with RealD and NEC allows us to deliver a turnkey, state-of-the-art digital cinema and 3D solution within very stringent timelines to meet our customers’ exhibition needs. We’re proud to play a role in enabling theater-goers to visit the center of the earth in an immersive 3D experience.”

Today’s digital 3D, created by RealD 3D, is a next-generation technology which has been hailed as the most important innovation in cinema since the advent of sound and color. Leading filmmakers, including Robert Zemeckis, Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, and George Lucas, have embraced 3D as an integral part of making movies today. In March 2008, DreamWorks Animation SKG announced that its entire future film slate would be made and released in 3D, beginning with the March ’09 release of Monsters vs. Aliens. Disney/Pixar announced the following month that all future animated films from the studio would be 3D as well.

NEC's STARUS product line is based on advanced DLP Cinema® technology from Texas Instruments® to enable theaters to deliver stunning digital images, regardless of screen size, while simplifying theatre management and reducing costs. All NEC's digital cinema projectors meet Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) specifications for performance and reliability, meeting the requirements of the cinema industry today.

“RealD’s role as a 3D innovator maps directly to NEC’s overall heritage and commitment to innovation, particularly in the digital cinema market,” said Jim Reisteter, general manager of Digital Cinema Division, NEC Corporation of America. “And, Strong’s dedication to this market as well as technical knowledge make them a critical partner to NEC’s continued growth in the North American digital cinema market.”

“NEC’s ability to provide a comprehensive suite of high quality, innovative solutions to the theater industry and Strong’s consulting and installation expertise are key components of the RealD 3D platform,” said Joe Peixoto, president, Worldwide Cinema, RealD. “We’re excited about our ongoing relationships with NEC and Strong. They’ve contributed significantly to our ability to supply exhibitors – and moviegoers – with the absolute best 3D cinema experience.”

The Digital Cinema Division of NEC Corporation of America leverages NEC’s world-class expertise in visual display products, IT infrastructure and integration services to develop specialized solutions for the delivery and management of digital content. By combining the expertise of movie-making professionals with the technological innovation of NEC, the Digital Cinema Division delivers all-encompassing digital cinema and in-theatre advertising solutions that meet the requirements of the entertainment industry.

RealD 3D, the world’s leading 3D experience, brought in 55% of the total box office for Warner Bros. Pictures/New Line Cinema’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, which earned an estimated $21.02M in its opening weekend.

“We are ecstatic with the performance of Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D. The success of this film is propelling 3D to new heights and RealD has been a great partner and once again proven its power at the box office,” said Dan Fellman, President of Warner Bros. Distribution.

Michael Lewis, CEO RealD said, “This is a fantastic success for our colleagues at Warner Bros. and for our exhibitor partners with RealD 3D theaters. Journey to the Center of the Earth in RealD 3D took in an amazing and unprecedented 3.7 times the revenue of the 2D screens. It’s clear that audiences sought out the premium RealD 3D experience to enjoy this great summer movie. With over 5,500 RealD 3D screens committed to be installed in approximately the next two years, RealD has quickly established itself as a force in contemporary filmmaking and exhibition

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

Theaters Prepare for 3D Journey' with New Technology Installations

http://www.dcinematoday.com/dc/pr.aspx?newsID=1160

By Danny King -- Video Business, 7/21/2008
JULY 21 | A film-technology standards group hopes to establish basic film-mastering standards within two or three years that will create a consistent format allowing for 3D films to be played on home-theater delivery systems, ranging from DVDs to Internet streaming.

The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, which has established more than 600 standards related to film exhibition since its founding in 1916, said a task force designed to establish parameters of so-called stereoscopic 3D mastering will have its first meeting next month in Los Angeles. The task force looks to have a document outlining challenges, minimum standards and other issues related to 3D home entertainment within six months.

“There are a lot of companies in the entire food chain that see the possibility of this being a good market,” SMPTE engineering VP Wendy Aylsworth said. “The fact that there is more 3D content showing up in theaters certainly makes it easier to translate those movies to the home.”

Theatrical releases such as last year’s Beowulf and the upcoming Avatar as well as with chains such as Regal Cinemas including 3D systems in hundreds of theaters are helping what some analysts say is the rebirth of 3D, which briefly reached iconic status in the ’50s.

Some studios, though, say 3D is more likely to remain a novelty than grow into a substantial part of home-entertainment sales. Although viewing 3D in the home without wearing glasses is a possibility, that technology is at least five years out, Aylsworth said.

“We don’t have much 3D in the pipeline,” said Bill Mandel, VP of broadband technology at Universal Pictures, during a content-delivery conference in La Quinta, Calif., in March. Mandel estimated that 3D could capture about 10% of the home entertainment market.

Aylsworth declined to estimate how big the 3D home entertainment industry could become once industry standards are set. Still, some studios and hardware makers view 3D as having enough potential to warrant forming a consortium in April dedicated to facilitate industry standards that would eventually cut the price of 3D home entertainment. Members of the group, called the 3D@Home Consortium, include Walt Disney, IMAX and Corning.

“3D is taking a lot of my time,” said Benn Carr, VP of new technology at Walt Disney, during the content-delivery conference in March. “It’s amazing how that effort ramped up from a novel idea into something serious.”

Originally Posted by mbg10484

I am

this question is only in regards to the sammy/mitsu 3d ready dlp's w/active stereo glasses.

when using the 3d kit with the active shutter glasses for the above mentioned tv's.... do you, or do you not need a pc to watch pre made 3d content? (NOT talking about watching a regular dvd and having it converted to 3d in real time)

according to 3-D ready dlp info, you have to Plug the transmitter into the HDTV VESA sync port. I originally thought you had to plug the glasses into the computer to coordinate the shutters in the glasses to the movie being played... but since the tv takes care of that, why do you have to involve a pc? Unless of course you were real-time converting 2d->3d

I am getting a 61" samsung dlp that is 3d ready (HLT6187SAX) I downloaded the spec sheet and doesn't say anything about having a HDTV VESA sync port, what is that?

My main concern is... if you do need to have a pc, one of the requirements are having a video card with DVI/HDMI output (according to seller, tri-def). I only have a laptop, which has the processing power, but only has VGA and S-video output. and I highly doubt you can buy a video card of that sophistication for a laptop.

can anyone clarify this for me?

Originally Posted by GI Joe Sixpack

The 3D-ready DLP sets have a "3D Sync Out" port. You connect it to the 3D IR emitter in the 3D kit. You need to connect the emitter to the TV because it has this special port and PC's don't (although that could have been designed otherwise) ...

Originally Posted by GI Joe Sixpack

The 3D-ready DLP sets have a "3D Sync Out" port. You connect it to the 3D IR emitter in the 3D kit.

The only reason you need a PC is because (AFAIK) there is no other source today for 3D content delivered to the DLP set in the required format (interleaved pixels for odd and even eye images). If (when) 3D compatible BD players appear they will likely support the sets directly, then no need for the PC.

Originally Posted by mbg10484

I get the part about the (interleaved pixels for odd and even eye images) but seing that the tv handles that (when you put your tv in 3d mode, thats what it does), and now that i know that the glasses plug into tv and not the pc, and the tv also "syncs" the glasses with the tv not the pc, so i still am not getting why you need a pc. If you have ORIGINALLY made 3d content, and the tv interleaves the images, then what is the pc even doing?

24 July 2008 10:36 AM, PDT | From Studio Briefing | See recent Studio Briefing news

Jeffrey Katzenberg, who is a major advocate of theatrical 3-D films, has disclosed that George Lucas is investing in a technology that could turn all of his Star Wars movies into 3-D features that could be given new releases. Katzenberg told the website ComingSoon.net that he now has the technical resources to begin the conversion process. Previous attempts to turn 2-D movies into 3-D have produced mixed results and reactions -- mostly negative -- but Katzenberg remarked in the interview that Lucas "isn't going to put a product out, I think, that isn't anything other than first rate."

Originally Posted by mbg10484

... now that i know that the glasses plug into tv and not the pc, and the tv also "syncs" the glasses with the tv not the pc, so i still am not getting why you need a pc. If you have ORIGINALLY made 3d content, and the tv interleaves the images, then what is the pc even doing? now if you wanted to watch a regular 2d movie and then have it converted to 3d in real time, it would make perfect sense to have to use a pc.

Originally Posted by Wesley5

Simple enough reason, there is not much 3D content out there except for PC. Even on PC there are not a lot true 3D applications (mostly scientific/engineering visualization). There are software that turn 2D games into 3D ( link in my post above), it does work to some degree, I have run MS flight simulator in 3D, though current CPU/GPU not really powerful enough to run it at reasonablely high frame rate.

It used to be TVs were limiting factor, but it seems opposite now with all 120 Hz TVs flooding the market, displays are ready, it's contents

Originally Posted by GI Joe Sixpack

The DLP doesn't interleave the pixels itself. The source does that and presents the DLP with a "complete," interleaved image. The DLP then shows half the pixels in the image in the first 1/120 second and the remaining pixels in the next 1/120 second. Agreed that the DLP _could_ have been designed to take in a set of left and right images in succession (from a DVD player, say) and do the interleaving itself, but that's not how the "powers that be" designed it. :-/

Originally Posted by Wesley5

It seems to be a bandwidth issue. I guess DLP's 3D capability is designed to accommodate sources from DVD or HDM. Given that true 3D doubles bandwidth requirement, I doubt even BD's higher bandwidth is enough. So it remains to be seen what 3D standard will eventually come out. Hopefully, there will be not too much compromise over quality.

PC sources, on the other hand, are not affected by doubling bandwidth burden. DVI/HDMI can handle 1080p120

Originally Posted by trbarry

Can they? What is the bandwidth of DVI/HDMI these days?

- Tom

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

...It isn't an issue of bandwidth. It is an issue of how to get the alternating L & R images from the disc into the 3D "processor" in the display.

BD has the spec of DS1080 - Dual Stream 1080. So it can provide seperate L & R images. The problem is that you lose 1/2 of the disc's storage. That would be a limiting factor when you consider run time of the movie. Each stream would be sent to the display as 1080x60 so there is no chance for flicker...

Originally Posted by Wesley5

...TVs just need to display what's coming in at sufficiently high refresh rate to avoid flickering. The only trick is for left eye to see left image only and right eye right image, for this to happen, the source (PC, not TV) sends out a sync signal to LCD glasses. ...

Originally Posted by Steve P.

That already exists!

I have a HMD (head mounted display) with built in LCD display and I can watch perfect flicker free 3-D on it. I am tethered to a DVD player though when I do.

Originally Posted by trbarry

If you need the PC sending a signal to the glasses anyway it kinda makes you wonder if it would be better to just bypass the TV completely and have 2 LCD displays right in the glasses. Of course then you'd probably be tethered with an HDMI cable. ...
- Tom