HDI Laser 3D HDTV Crew
HDI is a startup that is taking a different approach to refining the 3D viewing experience. They’ve put together a 100-inch laser screen that displays 3D video in true 1080p HD. Additionally, the HDI laser-based display has a 1080 hertz refresh rate, which means the video signal actually refreshes over 1000 times per second.
More on HDI’s philosophy and developments in the news release below. [click to continue…]
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It looks like Sony is well into the process of making the PS3 gaming/entertainment system the next big 3D device for your living room. The crew over at Engadet got to spend some hands-on time with Wipeout HD in 3D mode and were rather stoked at the effect of the game.
The 3D upgrade for the PS3 system is purportedly coming via a software upgrade. One day, you’ll turn on your PS3 and get prompted to download a software update, the BAM 3D PS3.
There’s a catch though. The editor isn’t quite clear, but it seems like the 3D effect may be limited to some of these 3D-Ready TVs that we’ve been seeing. As indicated by the article, this may be tied to the refresh rate.
Expect to see lots more of this tech at CES 2010 in January.
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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.
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3DIcon is a 3D projection and display technology developer with lofty goals in commercial applications of 3D tech. Those commercial applications will certainly trickle down to the consumer market if and when they come to fruition. 3DIcon recently got a funding boost for their financial partner and are striving to move closer to 3D bliss, including continued work on their CSpace project, as well as new 3D technologies.
3DIcon just issued a press release that provides a progress update on these developments and generally fires us up with where 3D is going in pursuit of that 3D unicorn we all want to see in our living rooms. [click to continue…]
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Disney’s UP debuted in theaters on May 29, 2009. Up was the tenth Pixar film. It was also the tenth time a Pixar film took the number one slot on opening weekend.
Pixar doesn’t mess around. This was genuinely one of the best movies I’ve ever seen and I’ll have to say that it’s my favorite Pixar movie to date.
In all the previews that I saw, I was very skeptical going into this flick. It didn’t seem like I would enjoy it at all. A grumpy old fart floating around in his house thanks to a bunch of balloons? Come on? I’m a 30-year-old male. I like action, sci-fi and explosions.
If anything, I thought the kids would enjoy it because the dog looked kind of funny in the previews. Boy, had I made some poor assumptions. Truth be told, I should have known better. Pixar has always knocked my socks off with their animation and story telling. They don’t do anything half way.
By the time the credits rolled, I (Mr. 30-year-old action and sci-fi fan) had laugh, cried (embarrassingly, quite a bit) and truly connected with the old fart, dog and the kid in the movie. My 6-year-old son loved the movie too.
The balance of humor and overall story that is conveyed speaks to kids and adults in different ways; however, the message is strong and the movie is certainly entertaining for all. I can’t count the times that my son and I have randomly shout “Squirrel!” since seeing UP – thanks to Dug’s (the dog) best line of the movie.
This is where UP really sets itself apart from other 3D movies. Most 3D movies that I’ve seen are really made to be 3D movies. That is, the effects are built around the fact that you are going to be watching it in 3D. Someone reaches their arm toward the camera, which produces the effect of the arm coming toward the audience. This effect is particularly noticeable when you watch the movie in standard 2D. A couple of movies where I think they overdid it a bit were Journey to the Center of the Earth and My Bloody Valentine. In each of these, the effect is very distracting when you see the movie again in 2D.
You don’t get that sensation when watching UP. The 3D effects are subtle, yet immersive. This was the first movie that I have seen in 3D where I forgot I had 3D glasses on and was watching a 3D movie. So many scenes in other movies are made in order to tailor to the 3D effects. UP isn’t like that and is a great step in the right direction toward getting the balance between 3D and 2D viewing just right.
The RealD 3D glasses were great and weren’t so cumbersome that they became distracting to the viewing experience. The glasses were distributed to ticket holders as we walked into the theater in sealed plastic as seen in the above image. While they aren’t quite Oakleys, the get the job done in reasonable comfort.
All in all UP scores big on the 3D effects and overall experience. I can highly recommend this movie to anyone. It’s a great experience and one that I’m sure I will see many times. While I look forward to the Blu-ray and DVD version, I am cautiously optimistic that the 3D effects will translate well over to the small screen.
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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. [click to continue…]
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RealD has been making huge waves in the 3D theater experience over the past couple of years. Now, RealD is breaking into Austria’s Cineplexx theaters to add RealD 3D to 100 screens (there are only around 200 total screens under the Cineplexx banner). More details on the RealD and Cineplexx deal in the press release below. [click to continue…]
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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. [click to continue…]
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Recently, rumors of a 3D version of the Xbox have surge accross the web on various tech and video game blogs. This would be a very immersive experience, much more so than watching television and movies in 3D. The rumors suggest that the Xbox 3D games would be viewable as stereoscopic 3D games, which means you’ll need glasses to “get it.”
It doesn’t take much to imagine being “in” a game as opposed to watching a movie in 3D. While movies are certainly entertaining in 3D, certainly as technology is improving (Disney’s Up! in 3D was the best I’ve seen yet), there is still a very “spectator” feeling that goes along with them. The interaction of a video game, particularly the popular, fast-paced first person shooter games like Halo 3, would be incredibly intense in 3D.
The thought of a 3D video game system opens up endless potential for these experiences. Some company has to be the first to jump off the 3D bridge. If it’s a hit, it is going to be huge. Maybe Microsoft will take the leap of faith on 3D. We’ll be following this one as the rumors progress. So, stay tuned.
[via Gizmodo]
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Word is that Acer is launching a 3D notebook due out this fall, which will feature a 15.6-inch screen. The notebook reportedly will allow users to view traditional 2D video or other material in 3D using the built-in tech, along with the use of 3D glasses. Acer is also in the works on a version that doesn’t require 3D glasses – but still a long ways off with that one.
[via Slashgear]
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