NAB 2009 Day 4

3D Stereoscopic editing has arrived for Final Cut Pro...through Cineform Neo3D.

Never got the chance to sit upstairs.

MTI Control Dailies Digital Acquisition being demonstrated by the main man !

Brightsystem's BrightDrive Gen2 being shown for the first time...can't tell from the outside...it's what's inside that matters !

Who's this bloke ? Oh it's Mr.Woz with his Bones Dailies and his...woo...Wave panel !

And who is she ??? On closer look at her badge...Michelle from Lasergraphics making her short film.

Beauties and the Beast...yes the Director scanner from Lasergraphics is a beast when it comes to performance !
And new to the show is the self-aligning stereo sound-head option for the Director that allows for simultaneous scanning of print film soundtrack and image directly to QuickTime movie files.

Dr.Stefan Demetrescu of Lasergraphics and Peter Barber of Blackmagic Design

NAB 2009 Dinner

Dinner with our principals and customers

Clokwise starting from the checkered shirt guy : Brian Adams (Brightsystems), Ben Cheng (Media Village), Ton That Diep (Pixelsgarden), Steve Klenk (Lasergraphics), Peter Chamberlain (da vinci), Warren Eagles (Int'l Colorist Academy), Allan Jaenicke (Imagineer Systems)






Left to right : Brian Carlise (Lasergraphics), Calvin Koh (Singapore Exhibition Services), Peter Chamberlain (da vinci)


Left to right : Voravit Laongjit (The Post Bangkok), Peter Lambert (Brightsystems), Dave Hukom (Post Manila)

Multiple choice questions...is Ben :
(a) hit by jetlag again and in deep sleep
(b) trying to explain 3D stereoscopic
(c) hung and rebooting
(d) all of the above

NAB 2009 Day 3

New B series Reference Grade monitors from Cine-tal - 23" & 42"



Cine-tal Davio demonstrating 3D stereoscopic processing and displaying on a consumer JVC 3D LCD monitor


New Gen2 products from Dulcesystems

NAB 2009 Day 2

Some of the cool new products from Blackmagic Design.

Finally a powerful tracker for Final Cut Pro from Imagineer Systems...very easy to use, every FCP user must have one !

ICA International Colorist Academy

Training for colorists by colorists - Kevin Shaw, Rich Montez, Warren Eagles

All courses certified and available worldwide,
- Color Theory
- Film/Digital Workflows
- Operational Training
- Looks And Styles

Visit the website for more info

NAB 2009 Day 1

A display of classic da Vinci control surfaces



We ended the day at a 35-year establishment "Luv-It Frozen Custard", near the old strip

3D Display Solutions For 3D Stereoscopic

I thought 3D stereoscopic projection is confusing, yet there are tons of 3D display solutions, divided into 3 categories : Active, Passive and Auto-Stereoscopic.

Extracted from this site - http://knol.google.com/k/ami-dror/3d-tv/34dmk169fdkbd/4#

Active Glasses-based 3D Display

1. DLP TV
In early 2007, Texas Instruments enabled 3-D video processing in its DLP TV product offerings to its customers. TV producers such as Samsung and Mitsubishi have since then introduced the first DLP 3-D Ready TVs. Texas Instruments has introduced the first 3-D-capable television solutions to its OEMs for 2007 consumer electronics televisions. These solutions utilize the inherent speed advantage of the Digital Micro-mirror Device (DMD) to generate the left and right views required for stereoscopic imaging. Combining this with high quality active glasses, similar to these used by XpanD in theatrical exhibiton, the user will be able to experience a high quality high definition 3-D image on their DLP television set.
The foundation for DLP 3-D HDTV is found in the SmoothPicture™ algorithm. DLP 3-D Technology utilizes the SmoothPicture™ subframes to generate independent views for the left and right eyes. A signal is generated for each subframe and transmitted optically to the LCD shutter glasses that are worn by the viewer. The LCD shutter glasses will process the signal and will control the shutter for each eye to ensure that the correct left and right views are displayed to the correct eye.

There are many advantages inherent in using this approach to generating stereoscopic images:
1) One technical hurdle in achieving cost effective stereoscopic displays is that stereoscopic displays require two times the imaging bandwidth of the standard 2-D displays. For a 1080p television set, this means that two 1080p input streams are required. Current solutions to this hurdle are to either cut the horizontal resolution by 50% or cut the vertical resolution by 50%. Using these solutions allows for the transmission of two images using the currently available bandwidth but sacrifices either the horizontal or vertical resolution of the image. The solution created by Texas Instruments maintains both the vertical and the horizontal resolution. This solution thus produces the highest quality and highest resolution displays available for stereoscopic viewing.

2) Most TV display systems contain an On Screen Display (OSD) menu system. The OSD menu provides the user a feedback mechanism in situations where the user adjusts various parameters such as screen brightness and audio volume. It is desirable for this menu system to work when the system is in 3-D mode. The easiest way to achieve this is to display the menu at 0 depth (so it appears 2-D). With some of the other formats, this requires placing the menu into two separate video streams adding complexity to the TV electronics design. With the offset sampling scheme used by Texas Instruments, OSD menus can be added to the stereo image using the same method as is used for a standard 2-D image. As such, significant system redesign cost can be avoided.

3) By utilizing the SmoothPicture™ architecture, Texas Instruments is able to supply a 3-D-capable display with little additional electronic cost. The main cost to this solution is a modest cost in the eyewear. As such, consumers can purchase a 3-D Ready television for the same price as the traditional 2-D television. They can then choose to purchase the eyewear with the television or upgrade at a later time. DLP 3-D Image Format the DLP 3-D Image format makes use of how the DLP SmoothPicture™ algorithm displays an image onto the screen. The left and right images are sampled using the native offset diagonal sampling format of the DMD. The two views are then overlaid and appear as a left and right checkerboard pattern in a conventional orthogonal sampled image. This format preserves the horizontal and vertical resolution of the left and right views providing the viewer with the highest quality image possible with the available bandwidth.

2. 3D PDP
Matsushita Electric( Panasonic) prototyped the "3D Full-HD Plasma Theater System," which can provide three-dimensional viewing experience of HDTV video.The system is a combination of a 103-inch PDP TV, a Blu-ray Disc player and XpanD Active Glasses.The company set up a special studio to exhibit the prototype system at CEATEC JAPAN 2008. The company is reportedly planning to submit technical specifications for storing 3D images in Blu-ray Disc media to the Blu-ray Disc Association. The schedule for the commercialization has yet to be decided. The new system supplies 60 fields per second 1920 x 1080 interlace images for both right and left eyes. Panasonic stored the image data into a 50-Gbyte Blu-ray disc. The system employs the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 image compression format.

Samsung Electronics launched its 3D Ready PDP TV 'PAVV Cannes 450' in Korea market, which features 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 3D content support. Samsung boasts that it can support 1,000,000:1 mega-contrast ratio. Users can enjoy 3D games or movies with the Cannes 450, when they first connect the TV to high performance PC supporting 3D software and then wear 3D active glasses.

Passive Glasses-based 3D Display

1. Hyundai
Hyundai's 46-inch liquid-crystal display 3-D TV requires 3-D glasses. Hyundai is providing the product only in Japan, hoping to boost its image by gaining a niche audience in Japan, where the TV market is dominated by Sony and Sharp.

2. iZ3D
iZ3D is based on polarized light to create images for left and right eye viewing. This is achieved on two precisely stacked TFT LCDs (Front + Back). Left eye and right eye images are addressed and controlled simultaneously. However, they are not assigned to separate panels, unlike the Pavonine LCD. the front TFT LCD controls the polarization angle of the transmitted light performing left and right eye image exlusion by dynamically changing the polarity of each pixel. The back TFT LCD displays the full color L+R video composite. This output mode is achieved by the iz3d software 3D Driver.

3. X-Pol 3D LCD
The Xpol Stereoscopic 3D is an optical device based on regularly arranged micro-polarizers. By bonding it to a flat-panel display, such an LCD display, the use can view flicker-free 3D stereoscopic content simply by wearing polarizer glasses. Additionally, Xpol is completely compatible with both projection and direct view displays.

This is a new generation of stereoscopic screen, looking like a normal monitor, but incorporating Xpol micro-polarisers.

When viewed through circular polarising glasses, each eye sees odd and even lines allowing horizontally interlaced stereoscopic 3D images to be viewed. Circular polarized material alternately polarizes horizontal rows of pixels on the display. The 3D image is created by placing the left eye image into odd numbered rows and the right eye image in even numbered rows. The lenses in the 3D glasses are also polarized with material ensuring only the left eye sees the left image and vice versa. The circular polarizers maintain 3D image integrity while accommodating a wider range of head movement by the end-user.

Xpol, stereoscopic 3D is capable with only 1 project, thus making it a much more affordable and transportable solution. Second, Xpol can be applied to LCD direct view displays. And given the proliferation of LCD displays today, this means that with Xpol, stereoscopic 3D is possible with any LCD desktop or notebook display.

4. Pavonine
Pavonine Inc. 3D LCD monitor using retardation plate and polarized glasses, and it can be used as 2D or 3D. the monitor stereoscopic system is a spatial imaging system that creates dimension by allowing us to see separate images corresponding to the left eye and the right eye. This system uses the effect of binocular parallax, not the monocular cues of Light and shade, Perspective, Size, Brightness, Color, Contrast, Aerial perspective, and Motion parallax. Three-dimensional electro optic technology and imaging treatment technology of Pavonine Corp. allow users to experience realistic dimension as if they are actually in that space.Retardation plate is an electro optic panel that changes the polarized direction of light in a line unit. It simultaneously displays left eye images and right eye images by using the principle of passing odd line light as it is, but passing even line light after delaying its phase by 180 degrees. GL Series of Pavonine Corp., which uses retardation plate and polarized glasses, can be used as a 2D monitor. When wearing polarized glasses, it can be used as a 3D monitor.

Auto-Stereoscopic Display:

1. Philips 3D
A line of 3-D televisions by Philips uses the familiar trick of sending slightly different images to the left and right eyes -- mimicking our stereoscopic view of the real world. But where old-fashioned 3-D movies rely on the special glasses to block images meant for the other eye, Philips' WOWvx technology places tiny lenses over each of the millions of red, green and blue sub pixels that make up an LCD or plasma screen. The lenses cause each sub pixel to project light at one of nine angles fanning out in front of the display. A processor in the TV generates nine slightly different views corresponding to the different angles. From almost any location, a viewer catches a different image in each eye. Providing so many views is key to the dramatic results.
Sharp Electronics makes an LCD display that projects just two views, requiring an audience to sit perfectly still in front of the screen. With the Philips technology, viewers can move around without losing much of the effect -- one set of left/right views slips into another, with just a slight double-vision effect in the transitions. The TV can also display standard two-dimensional images, close to HD quality. The uncanny 3-D illusion stops people in their tracks, as it's meant to.

Note : Philips will be at the NAB 3D Pavilion this year.
UPDATE : Philips has stopped all research for 3D displays solutions.

2. NewSight
NewSight is the pioneer in MultiView 3D glasses-free displays. No other 3D display company has eliminated moiré, reduced transition zones and suppressed glare like NewSight has. In addition to our broad line of displays, we have created 3D software for content production and playback. We have also created custom displays sized from 2" to 180". NewSight combines breakthroughs from its media and technology operations creating a world of digital display solutions for 3D digital signage and visualization.

Impresario. Object of desire!

Here's a look at da Vinci's Impresario panel in action. This is the first panel to be installed at a customer site anywhere in the world. Early reviews from the users are very good, they like the way it feels and you got to admit, it looks really sexy. Definitely an object of desire!

This facility is Blackmagic Design in Singapore, who are among the first in the world to adopt a complete data-centric workflow for both commercial and feature film post production.

Their equipment list includes two da Vinci Resolves, two Lasergraphics Director scanners and BrightDrive.

Resolve seminar in Jakarta

We've just returned from a great week in Jakarta, where we had organised, for the first time in Southeast Asia, a seminar and demonstration of the da Vinci Resolve R100. This was held at the grandkemang hotel on 31 March and 1 April 2009.

It's always tough for our post clients to find time for these sort of events, so we're really pleased with the way things turned out. We had a good turnout over the 2 days (thanks, guys!) and many of those who attended were left very impressed by what they saw.

Experienced freelance colorist Warren Eagles from Australia, demonstrated the features of the R100 and many were both surprised and impressed with the sheer power of the entry-level Resolve model.

We also touched on data-centric workflows, mainly for work that originates on film as well as Red, which is increasing in its' popularity throughout the region. Many were very happy to hear that the upcoming version of Resolve will support grading of native r3d files in realtime. For example, with da Vinci’s Digital PowerHouse and PowerMastering features, colorists can read RED Raw files directly from shared storage, decode, debayer, grade and record to tape without rendering.

The grandkemang hotel was a great location for the event, a very stylish and modern hotel that's located in the Kemang area in South Jakarta, where a majority of Jakarta's production and post production community is located. And that's the area I'm usually at when I'm in Jakarta theses days, which I really like for it's Bali-like, laid-back feel.

Rackable To Acquire Silicon Graphics For $25 Million

In the deal, Rackable will acquire Silicon Graphics' servers and software for building x86 clusters for high-performance computing, cloud computing, and large-scale data storage.
More info here

It's about time...

Hi there! Greetings from everyone at The Media Village.

We've been wanting to do this for a while now, having our own blog. Better late than never, as they say...

So, you can look forward to us sharing more information, stories, pictures etc... about the industry, our partners, our clients and such..