Panasonic announced at NAB 2010 that it is joining a consumer-oriented 3D project at the Entertainment Technology Centera @ USC, which is part of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.  The goal of the ETC 3D Project is to continually evaluate everything related to 3D  in an effort to provide insights to content providers and, in the end, hopefully make 3D better for the consumers.

More details about the 3D Project and Panasonic’s involvement can be found in the press release below.

Panasonic Press Release

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Entertainment Technology Center @ USC, (ETC@USC) (www.etcenter.org), a non-profit consortium that brings together top entertainment and consumer electronics companies to listen to and evaluate consumer mindshare towards future technologies, is pleased to announce that Panasonic has joined the ETC@USC as a 3D Project sponsor. ETC’s ongoing 3D Project is looking at all things related to 3D, including the challenges faced when selling 3D products, guidelines for producing and displaying comfortable stereoscopic imagery, opportunities for marketing and advertising in 3D, education and demonstrations for the creative, equipment and retail industries, and more.

“It goes without saying that 3D is here to stay, in the theater, in the home, and in special venues everywhere. Through its many 3D-related projects and initiatives, the ETC@USC has played a key role in fostering an on-going dialogue about the best approach to furthering the success of 3D across many platforms,” said Eisuke Tsuyuzaki, chief technology officer for Panasonic Corporation of North America. “For this and numerous other reasons, we are pleased to join the ETC@USC’s efforts to further the success of 3D.”

Panasonic’s sponsorship will contribute significantly to the Center’s 3D initiatives, including its Consumer 3D Experience Lab and a number of research and industry education efforts. Among these, Panasonic’s participation will help ETC undertake research studies that further explore human factors issues related to viewing 3DTV and the impact of stereoscopic technologies as they relate to the human visual system. The results of this work will be shared with the content creation community to provide insights and guidelines as it continues to produce immersive and visually comfortable 3D content.

In addition, Panasonic will participate in ETC@USC’s other initiatives, including acquiring consumer feedback on 3D products in ETC’s 3D Lab and research on consumer 3D product and service adoption.

“We welcome Panasonic to the ETC@USC as a 3D Project sponsor. As the consumer demand for 3D content becomes greater, content producers and CE manufacturers are going to be faced with many difficult questions about the future of this burgeoning industry. With the help of active participation from sponsors like Panasonic, the ETC@USC will continue to help address the questions facing this industry,” said David Wertheimer, CEO and executive director of the Entertainment Technology Center @ USC.

At NAB 2010, Level 3 announced a number of collaborative efforts to move forward in providing on-demand and live streaming of 3D content to both PCs and 3D TVs.

Full details in the press release below.

Level 3 Press Release

BROOMFIELD, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) today announced its collaboration with Microsoft Corp. to deliver live and on-demand high definition (HD), three-dimensional (3D) streaming for both PC and television using the Level 3 content delivery network (CDN), Microsoft Silverlight for playback and Internet Information Services (IIS) Smooth Streaming for delivery. The technology will be demonstrated at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in Las Vegas on April 12-15 at the Microsoft booth # SL220.

The demonstration will show how 3D content can be made available quickly as IIS Smooth Streaming content and delivered via Level 3’s CDN over the Internet and watched on a PC (with Anaglyphic glasses) using Silverlight. It will also show how 3D live or on-demand content being played back in Silverlight can be delivered via HDMI to the new generation of 3D TVs and viewed with Polarized or Active Shutter glasses.

A number of companies collaborated to enable this demonstration, including:

• Film and TV production company, TVN GROUP, which captured live HD 3D content in Germany.
• Digital media preparation company Inlet Technologies, whose Spinnaker^TM real-time streaming appliance encoded the HD-SDI 3D output into IIS Smooth Streaming.
• Microsoft, which developed IIS Smooth Streaming and Silverlight.
• THX Ltd., whose THX^® Media Director™ drives switching between 2D and 3D playback settings automatically. NAB demo will also feature complete THX Certified Display and home audio system.
• Level 3, which will deliver the content using its London Broadcast Encoding Center and global CDN during a live demonstration at NAB.

“This technology opens up a world of content to 3D streaming and offers new possibilities for event delivery starting as early as this year – major live sporting events or concerts streamed right to your television or computer in 3D,” said Peter Neill, senior vice president of Content Markets at Level 3. “Combined with the work of our partners, Level 3’s broadcast encoding and content delivery experience and significant network scalability have helped make this delivery possible.”

“Microsoft is pleased that Level 3 has invested support in Silverlight and the next-generation application development platform,” said Brian Goldfarb, director of the developer platform group at Microsoft. “Companies like Level 3 help developers use their existing skills to create unique experiences that run across many and varied devices.”

For more information on Level 3’s Media services, please click here or visit www.Level3Delivers.com. Level 3 will be at NAB in Las Vegas on April 12-15 to discuss its broadcast delivery capabilities. In addition to the demonstration in the Microsoft booth, Level 3 will have a booth in the South Hall – SU9506Z in the Destination Broadband Pavilion.

Comcast will be launching Final Destination 3D via its On Demand service on the same day as the DVD release of the movie.

PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Comcast, one of the nation’s leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services, today announced that The Final Destination, the fourth film in the occult-horror franchise, is now available On Demand exclusively in anaglyph 3D and HD the same day as the DVD release and Blu-ray release. The Final Destination follows other recent hit movies available On Demand in 3D including My Bloody Valentine, Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience and Coraline.

“Our 3D plan is to always have the most 3D content, just like we do in HD and just like we have done in every category since we launched On Demand.”

“Comcast On Demand is the best way to watch The Final Destination…in 3D and HD the moment it’s available,” said Derek Harrar, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video and Entertainment Services for Comcast. “Our 3D plan is to always have the most 3D content, just like we do in HD and just like we have done in every category since we launched On Demand.”

With The Final Destination in 3D available On Demand the same day as DVD, Comcast continues to build on its breadth of 3D and day-and-date offerings. Comcast customers can scream and duck as lethal objects fly from the TV screen right in their own living rooms with The Final Destination, described by John P. Meyer of Pegasus News as “the perfect platform for showing off the latest in 3D cinema magic.” 3D anaglyph glasses are available at Comcast payment centers and mall locations while supplies last. In addition to The Final Destination, Comcast is offering the Final Destination movie collection featuring all four movies in the franchise available in HD. This movie collection can be found On Demand under “Movies”>”Movie Collections”>”Final Destination 3D.”

In addition to The Final Destination, Comcast has a total of nine major movies available the same day as DVD this month including:

* Post Grad (1/12)

* Fame (1/12)

* The Hurt Locker (1/12)

* The Invention of Lying (1/19)

* Whiteout (1/19)

* Gamer (1/19)

* Surrogates (1/26)

* Whip It! (1/26)

In a recent online survey* that polled 1,000 HDTV owners to quantify as well as qualify their opinions on 3D technology, Comcast was among the top three trusted 3D brands and the only video service provider in the top three. Comcast’s 3D initiative is part of Project Infinity, the company’s commitment to innovation and the delivery of exponentially more quality content choice on TV, including more HD. Comcast’s signature On Demand program library currently offers 17,000+ entertainment programs with more than 2,600 choices in HD each month. With 14 billion views and counting, Comcast’s extensive On Demand library features everything from movies, music and top TV shows to the most popular kids, sports, lifestyle and local programs available anytime, anywhere.

ESPN announced yesterday, January 5, 2010, that it will launch a 3-D network this year and feature at least 85 sporting events over the course of the network’s first year.

The first live 3D event will be the 2010 FIFA World Cup match between South Africa and Mexico on June 11, 2010.  Other 3D broadcast events will be:

• 2011 BCS National Championship Game
• College Basketball Games
• Up to 25 World Cup Matches
• Summer X Games

[ESPN]

As if we needed more confirmation that 3D is growing as a viable entertainment product, the 3D Entertainment Summit doubled in size this year.  In attentence were major players like Sony, RealD, Dreamworks, Panasonic and IMAX.

You can get more details about some the latest developments from these players in the press release below.

3D Entertainment Summit News Release

MILFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The 3D Entertainment Summit in association with Variety, co-produced by Bob Dowling and Unicomm LLC, and presented by The Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) @ USC announced today attendance and sponsorship of the 2009 show doubled last year’s tally. This year’s event, which was held at the Hilton Los Angeles in Universal City September 16 and 17, attracted more than 500 attendees representing the “who’s who” in 3D from top brands and all aspects of the entertainment community, while drawing international media coverage. Major sponsors included Sony Digital, Sony Electronics, RealD, 3ality, DreamWorks, Panasonic and IMAX.

Summit Co-Producer, Conference Chairman and former Editor-in-Chief of The Hollywood Reporter Bob Dowling opened the 3D Entertainment Summit, highlighting the tremendous growth realized by the 3D industry since the last Summit was held this past November. Dowling provided perspective on the international growth of 3D as well, having just returned from South Korea where Mr. Dowling also spoke about the 3D industry.

“The common theme among attendees this year is that the 3D industry has grown at a rapid pace and will continue to grow amid a very trying time for most businesses and industries,” said Bob Dowling. “We are looking forward to the future as the credit markets open and continue to support this record-breaking growth.”

Wednesday’s keynote was a discussion between David Cohen, Features Editor, Daily Variety, Director and Screenwriter Henry Selick and Academy Award-winning Visual Effects Supervisor Brian Van’t Hul for the LAIKA/Focus Features 2009 breakout 3D animated hit film Coraline. The trio focused their discussion on the creative side of 3D. Day two featured a conversation between Mr. Dowling and Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chief Executive Officer & Director of DreamWorks Animation SKG. Mr. Katzenberg highlighted to Dowling the tremendous opportunity 3D continues to present the entertainment community.

Other highlights at the show include:

* RealD announced the availability of designer 3D glasses in select markets prior to the opening of the 3D film Avatar
* TrioScopics3D President and CEO John Lowry premiered his 3D system, which requires no investment in equipment from exhibitors, and also works with today’s DVD/Blu-ray players
* IMAX announced Tron: Legacy will be released to theatres in IMAX 3D
* 3ality Digital partnered with Nagravision to introduce the Nagra Media Guide for 3D, which was developed for set top boxes to enable the 3D at-home viewing experience
* During “The Business Case for 3D” panel, Screen Digest Senior Analyst Charlotte Jones illustrated that 3D remains a strong revenue driver for features, especially for this summer’s pics. “Without 3D premium pricing, the summer would not have registered as positive”
* Cinedigm Entertainment and 3ality Digital announced an agreement to bring a minimum of 8 live 3D alternative entertainment events to cinemas over the next two years
* Technicolor leveraged the 3D Summit to announce to the industry the organization’s celluloid 3D solution

“One of the strongest indicators that the 3D market continues to grow from our own perspective is our attendance and sponsorship levels, which both doubled from last year,” stated John Golicz, CEO of Unicomm, the event’s producer. “This enthusiasm for the 3D industry will drive Unicomm to schedule an additional show focused solely on the 3D video game industry next year.”

Alioscopy develops 3D TVs that don’t require glasses.  However, Alioscopy is currently focused on commercial, rather than consumer, applications of this technology.

In Alioscopy’s latest move, they’ve developed a template-based User Generated Content platform that allows users to drag and drop content for no-glasses 3D creations in real-time.

More details in Alioscopy’s news release below.

Alioscopy No-Glass 3D News Release

AMSTERDAM–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Alioscopy® USA, a 3D visualization technology provider, today premiered a new User Generated Content (UGC) tools platform for its Autostereoscopic ‘No-Glasses’ LCD displays. Located at the Autodesk booth (RAI Amsterdam Booth 7.D21), Alioscopy is showing IBC show attendees how its new template-based User Generated Content platform allows its customers to create and/or edit 3D content easily on any template, adding or removing information in real-time for ‘attention-grabbing’ autostereoscopic ‘no-glasses’ 3D results.

Powered by Ignition, a real-time interactive engine from Applied Ideas, Inc., the User Generated Content platform allows any Alioscopy customer to create or add text, 3D models, and even 2D video for instant playback and display on pre-created Alioscopy-ready templates. The benefits of being able to add and remove 3D or video content and information to an Alioscopy 3D template allows customers to take creative control—in real-time.

“Alioscopy is constantly offering its customers a way to create and edit autostereoscopic 3D content quickly and efficiently,” said Philippe Roche, CEO of Alioscopy USA. “Along with our preferred content producer and template programs, the User Generated Content tools are a strategic way for us to help our customers further extend their ability to quickly create, customize and edit their own 3D autostereoscopic 3D content.”

The User Generated Content platform features an easy-to-use palette of 3D objects in a non-intimidating environment so artists can edit or create high-quality and eye-catching autostereoscopic content in real-time. By adding text, photos, and/or video, customers can realize a much faster and cost effective solution over waiting for an artist or agency to provide final work.

“We realized that the development process for any 3D environment can be intimidating—and autostereoscopic 3D adds a further dimension to that process,” said Dr. Kenneth Maffei, CEO of Applied IDEAS. “We wanted to create easy-to-use tools so customers can achieve their creative ideas by directly generating or modifying their own 3D content for playback within an intuitive and interoperative interface,” added Maffei.

Learn More

To learn more about Alioscopy, the autostereoscopic 3D process, or how to join the Preferred Content Producer community program, visit: http://www.alioscopyusa.com.

The Fuji REAL 3D W1 is a 3D digital camera and is part of the larger Fuji FinePix REAL 3D System.  Fuji is touting the breakthrough of its REAL 3D System and highlighting the ability to view 3D images without the need for clunky 3D glasses.

Along with the REAL 3D W1, which offers twin 10-megapixel sensors, Fuji is releasing a companion REAL 3D V1 viewer, which is essentially an 8? digital photo frame.  Finally, Fuji has developed a 3D Print service, which allows you to print your 3D images.

The Fuji FinePix REAL 3D System will be available September 2009.

More details on the Fuji FinePix REAL 3D W1 below.

July 22, 2009 – Fujifilm is extremely proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking new imaging technology: the “FinePix REAL 3D System”. The world’s first three dimensional (3D) digital imaging system that lets you enjoy three dimensional images without the need to wear special 3D glasses. The FinePix REAL 3D system incorporates a 3D digital camera “FinePix REAL 3D W1?, a 3D digital viewer “FinePix REAL 3D V1?, and 3D prints.

As a pioneer in the digital imaging sector, in 2009, Fujifilm will be able to offer the complete 3D package: from digital photography, to digital prints. Fujifilm is once again breaking new ground and continuing to raise expectations in the development of new imaging products.

Aiming to “capture precious moments just as your eyes see it”, over the last decade Fujifilm has developed unique lenses, CCDs and Processors, amongst other key digital camera technologies. This year heralds the launch of the world’s first digital camera that can capture 3D stills and movies, the “FinePix REAL 3D W1?, and the “Fine Pix REAL 3D V1?, an 8-inch viewer on which spectacular 3D images can be displayed. Additionally, with advances in high precision production technology, Fujifilm has successfully developed a 3D Print service enabling you to print and keep your 3D images, as never before.

World’s first digital camera to capture realistic 3D stills and movies.

3D Photography – Welcome to the world of 3D

The REAL 3D W1 camera features the newly developed “FinePix REAL 3D Lens System.” To achieve a natural, 3D image, it was necessary to flawlessly layer together two images, so two Fujinon lenses, renowned for their high resolution and exquisite rendering, were installed. A robust aluminum die-cast frame has been used to protect the lenses from vibration and impact. A 3x optical zoom, deemed difficult to achieve in 3D photography because of the precision required to align two lenses, is also possible. Moreover, the “RP (Real Photo) Processor 3D” which is based on photo technology that Fujifilm has developed over the years, synchronizes data passed to it by the two lenses and two CCD sensors, to determine shooting conditions such as focus, brightness and tonality to instantaneously blend this information into a single symmetrical image, for both stills and movies. The 3D/2D LCD monitor features Fujifilm’s own LCD panel, exclusively for the display of 3D/2D images on digital cameras, allowing you to see beautiful, natural 3D images with the naked eye. As the camera performs a series of image processing steps automatically, anyone can take 3D stills and movies with superb picture quality by just pointing the camera and pressing the shutter button.

Advanced 3D Mode – function for 3D experts

The FinePix REAL 3D W1 allows you to adjust the settings to suit the scene being photographed. When using the Individual Shutter 3D Shooting mode, the camera shifts to take the second shot after taking the first shot, and saves a single 3D image in the camera manually. This allows you to edit the 3D images, particularly useful for landscape photography where a 3D image is difficult to achieve, or conversely, macro shots, where the 3D effect can be too strong.

“Interval 3D Shooting” mode allows further flexibility; it is possible to take two shots from different viewpoints continuously while the photographer is moving, for example by train, airplane, or car, etc., to achieve 3D images of long-distance views. Users can enjoy more dynamic 3D shots, whether they are capturing a sea of clouds from an airplane, or taking 3D shots of distant views from a car window. By using the “Parallax Control (3D Tuning Function)”, the 3D images can be manually adjusted for a clear and sharper 3D view for the best view for each person. Adjustable in both live images on LCD while shooting and recorded images; this simplicity-of-use lets users really get creative when shooting in 3D!

2D photography – Powerful 2D still functions

Don’t overlook the fact that this camera also brings fun new possibilities in 2D photography! You can really take advantage of the fact that this is actually two digital cameras in one. The “Advanced 2D Mode” lets users take two different shots simultaneously by pressing the shutter once. With “Tele/Wide Simultaneous Shooting”, it is possible to take a close-up photo of the subject and, at the same time, a photo with a wider span – just by changing the settings of the two lenses. Achieving zoom and wide angle photography with single press of shutter. With “2-Color Simultaneous Shooting” mode, users can take photos of the same scene with different color tonalities, for example, “Standard” and “Fujichrome”, by changing the processing signals on the two sensors. Able to achieve 2 different images with different color tonality. At the same time, 13 types of scene position are featured to enjoy various shooting styles that can be used both in 2D and 3D shooting.

“2-Sensitivity Simultaneous Shooting” mode enables you to change the sensitivity setting of the two shooting systems, which expands the range of photographic expression. In scenes where it is difficult to determine the optimal camera settings, users can take shots with picture stabilization priority and then with picture quality priority and choose the best image later, or change the picture stabilization levels to take two different shots simultaneously.

A beautiful, cutting-edge exterior design that is durable yet easy to use.

You can’t deny this is a good-looking camera, with cutting-edge style. The sleek sliding barrier which protects the two lenses is specially formed so that it can be firmly gripped with both hands. The exterior finish is a luxurious Piano Black finish with a superb, high-gloss, elegant shine. To add to the glamour, the neon blue “3D” logo illuminates when the camera is switched on. On the back of the camera, operating buttons such as the one-touch 3D/2D switch button, are placed on both sides of the camera for simple operation using both hands. The newly developed 2.8-inch 3D LCD monitor displays natural and beautiful 2D and 3D images, enabling you to compose and playback your pictures easily.

Main Features

- Capture and enjoy realistic 3D stills and movies
- Take 3D telephoto and macro shots with Advanced 3D Mode
- Standard 2D photographs can also be taken, just like conventional digital cameras
- Advanced 2D Mode lets you simultaneously take two shots at different settings
- Featuring the 3D LCD system, allowing 3D images to be viewed live whilst shooting
-Cutting edge design and the very latest, pioneering technology

8.0 inch 3D digital viewer that allows you to enjoy 3D images on a high resolution screen

FinePix REAL 3D V1

The 3D digital viewer “FinePix REAL 3D V1? features Fujifilm’s newly developed 3D/2D display 8.0-inch LCD panel, which allows users to enjoy and playback 3D images without needing to wear special 3D glasses. Insert a SD memory card which 3D images have been saved, and enjoy a 3D slideshow just by switching on the power. If the “Parallax Control” is used, you can adjust the 3D effect on the viewer manually.

The 3D digital viewer will suit any living room with its slim & minimalistic design. With various playback functions, you can enjoy various 3D and 2D slideshows, plus a Micro Thumbnail View, and an easy-to-use “Image Search” feature.

With an adjustable stand you can change the angle for clearer 3D viewing, and enjoy simple operation with the intuitive remote control included. The viewer can read and display image data stored on memory cards. It can also receive image data via high-speed Ir Communication. Users can also directly connect it to their personal computer via USB and transfer stored images to the viewer for display.

Key Features

- Supports playback of natural 3D stills and movies
- 3D/2D LCD panel (400 x 600 x 2 channel)
- Easy-to-use touch operation

PLUS, print your 3D images with high precision Fujifilm technology!

With spectacular results, Fujifilm has integrated high precision prints, with lenticular sheets, resulting in the ability to produce high resolution 3D images. The process involves the 3D image data being integrated using highly advanced technology and projected through a lenticular sheet lens to produce an image with binocular disparity. This then creates a very special 3D print with incredible detail and beauty, keeping precious moments alive forever.

These awesome new short-throw projectors from ViewSonic can produce bright 50″ images at a distance as short as 3-feet away.  “The projectors are compatible with the two leading stereoscopic 3D technologies from Texas Instruments (DLP Link) and NVIDIA (3D-Vision) allowing educators and gamers to interact with amazing 3D content. Gamers in 2D mode can also take advantage of the blazing fast 120Hz refresh rate to eliminate shadowing and distortion of screen images.”

They start in the $850 range.  The above video demonstrates the short-throw advantage of an older ViewSonic projector model.  More details on the new projectors in the press release below.

VIEWSONIC EXTENDS PROJECTOR OFFERINGS WITH THREE NEW 120HZ / 3D-ENABLED DLP PRODUCTS

Company delivers short throw and network managed eco-friendly projector products

ViewSonic® Corp., a leading global provider of visual display products, today at InfoComm 2009 announced the availability of the all new PJD6211, PJD6221 and PJD6381 flexible, eco-friendly projectors with enhanced 3D display capabilities. These projectors are ideal for classroom, corporate and gaming audiences as they come equipped with advanced network management capabilities, multiple inputs and 120Hz refresh compatibility for a truly immersive 3D experience.

PJD6381 – 3D ultra short-throw DLP projector

The PJD6381 has one of the shortest throw ratios available for a DLP projector on the market, with a ratio of .68, which helps reduce shadowing effects and is compatible with the wide range of interactive whiteboard options being used in school districts nationwide. The product has a 1024×768 XGA resolution, 2,500 ANSI lumens and a 2,500:1 contrast ratio to display detailed, brilliant images. Media can also be viewed in 3D with a 120Hz refresh rate as the projector is compatible with the two leading stereoscopic 3D technologies from Texas Instruments (DLP Link) and NVIDIA (3D-Vision™), allowing gamers and educators to see the most realistic graphics. The PJD6381 also has RJ45 network management software allowing users to manage all of their networked projectors, schedule on/off times and send email alerts to administrators notifying them of required maintenance, such as scheduled lamp replacements.

The PJD6381 will be available in August 2009 with an MSRP of $1,249.

PJD6211 and PJD6221 – 120Hz / 3D Ready DLP projectors

ViewSonic’s new DLP projectors are equipped with a 1024×768 XGA resolution, up to 2,700 lumens and a 2,800:1 contrast ratio to display bright, crisp images onto various surfaces. The PJD6221 includes RJ45 network management scheduling software that allows for control configuration and control remotely when connected to a centralized network. This network management tool is also compatible with existing ViewSonic DLP projectors, like the PJD6240 with a XGA 1024×768 resolution, 3,200 lumens and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, perfect for use in meeting rooms or classrooms. The products are equipped with composite, S-Video and VGA inputs for increased connectivity with multiple devices. They also include a VGA output port for connecting an external display or secondary projector for multiple screen viewing.

The projectors are compatible with the two leading stereoscopic 3D technologies from Texas Instruments (DLP Link) and NVIDIA (3D-Vision) allowing educators and gamers to interact with amazing 3D content. Gamers in 2D mode can also take advantage of the blazing fast 120Hz refresh rate to eliminate shadowing and distortion of screen images.

The PJD6211 and PJD6221 will be available in July 2009 with MSRPs of $849 and $999, respectively. Additional short throw projector specs and video introduction can be found here.

“With these three new additions to our already extensive line of education projectors we are able to give administrators, businesses and gamers even more options through visual display technology,” said Jeff Volpe, vice president and general manager of ViewSonic North America. “ViewSonic’s new offerings allow alternative, energy efficient ways for users to view and enjoy various forms of media.”

All of ViewSonic’s DLP projectors feature ECO Mode™ configuration options. This can save up to 40% in energy consumption and extend the lamp life of the product up to 6,000 hours, decreasing the total cost of ownership.

Additional short throw projector purchase details, specs and a video introduction can be found here.

ViewSonic also offers its Finch Club resellers an opportunity to benefit from specialized product training and discounts through the company’s GovEd public sector program. To sign up, please visit www.finchclub.com. For additional information on ViewSonic products, please visit www.viewsonic.com or become a ViewSonic fan on their Facebook page.

The Blu-ray Disc Association (whose website sucks) has announced a task force to work on the integration of Blu-ray and 3D technology for some serious 3D TV enjoyment.  Fortunately for us, Blu-ray’s tech development appears to be more adept than their wesite development, which means we will be seeing in 3D 1080p sooner rather than later.

“The format has been widely embraced by consumers, and the 1080p picture quality and overall experience have become the standards against which all other high-definition delivery platforms are measured. Blu-ray Disc’s capacity, flexibility and incomparable picture quality coupled with the activities of the BDA’s 3D task force sets the stage for a 3D home entertainment specification that establishes another industry standard and enables an in-home 3D consumer experience unmatched by any other delivery mechanism,” said the BDA in the statement.

[via Video Business]

RealD has been packing the news lately with their partnership with Legoland’s 3D experience last week. Now, RealD is moving even closer to the consumer environment with a single-product 3D solution called RealD LP. To be sure though, we’re still in the professional and commercial arena now.

It’s coming though. You know it’s coming. Next, we’ll all be begging for smellivision to go with our 3D TV’s. See the full release on the RealD LP 3D setup below.

LOS ANGELES – After dazzling tens of millions of filmgoers worldwide with attention-grabbing 3D, RealD, the world’s leading 3D technology company, is introducing the RealD LP™ (Linear Polarizing Z Screen) to bring the power of 3D to the small screen. The world’s first mobile, single-projector, passive 3D solution, the RealD LP brings the vibrancy of high-quality 3D to smaller venues such as conference rooms, R&D centers, museum exhibits, mobile education centers, virtual rides and other entertainment attractions. Designed to be set up for individual 3D presentations in minutes, or permanently mounted for long term use, the RealD LP allows the flexibility of switching between 2D and 3D on the fly while alleviating maintenance and other issues of dual-projector 3D systems.

“3D content is more engaging, memorable and productive,” said Joshua Greer, president of RealD. “The RealD LP creates stunning 3D images for small or medium size audiences anytime, anywhere, bringing new possibilities to using the power of 3D in presentations, product development and virtual attractions.”

The RealD LP is an externally mounted peripheral for a single 3D-enabled DLP® projector, with electronic controls conveniently integrated inside the device. When 3D content is fed to the projector in full-resolution, frame-sequential format, the RealD LP allows content to be seen in 3D by polarizing right- and left-eye images. Viewers wear comfortable, affordable and reusable RealD eyewear custom built for the LP.

Suitable for screens up to 17 feet wide, the RealD LP works with 3D-enabled projectors such as NEC NC800, Christie Mirage HD, and Lightspeed Design HD DepthQ, along with a silver screen from Harkness, MDI or Stewart.

The RealD LP is available for lease through the company’s Professional division.