WILL SMITH sci-fi hit I, Robot is to be converted to 3D for a new Blu-ray release later this year under a new deal which could give a significant boost to closing the gap on 3D content available to view in the home. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is to re- release I Robot and a series of its back catalogue movies to Blu-ray 3D using a new 2D-3D conversion technology devised by JVC, which is claimed to cut existing conversion costs and time by two thirds. JVC is to offer the conversion
process as a service, initially based out of Video-Tech, a Japan-based subsidiary of the company. It will also look to licence the technology to facility houses. The technology itself has
emerged from JVC’s work in producing the first realtime 2D 3D conversion box IF-2D3D1 in 2010. The company then attempted to make the product into a system for post
production. The algorithms behind that initiative have been put to use on this new service. “Current 2D 3D conversions can cost $50-70,000 per minute meaning feature films can cost $10-15 milllion and take 600-700 people nine months or so to produce,” said Susumu Sakakibara, director Video-Tech and general manager Business Development, JVC. “With this service a feature like I, Robot can take three people three months to convert at a third of the price.” This is possible, he said, because the technology reduces the amount of manual rotoscoping from around 100-150 roto moves per frame to an average of nine. “We are already talking with other studios about this,” he added. Broadcasters too will find
this of interest as a means to dramatically build up their 3D inventory. BSkyB, for example, has been strictly opposed to all- converted content on quality grounds but with the stamp of
approval by a major studio this is potentially a game-changer. “The advances in 3D
conversion technology developed by JVC have exceeded our most optimistic expectations,” said Danny Kaye, EVP, Global Research and Technology Strategy, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. “One significant impediment
to broad acceptance of 3D entertainment at home has been the limited amount of popular content,” said Kazuhiro Aigami, senior executive VP and executive officer, JVC Kenwood Corporation. “This new process allows the development of a practical business model for the release of legacy motion picture titles in 3D for the home entertainment market.” Futuresource is predicting 8.8 million households will have 3D-equipped HDTVs by the end of 2012 and over 18 million by the end of 2013. The increased interest will bring a greater demand for quality 3D movies. www.jvc.co.uk
Egripment can deliver for the automated environment of any studio Egripment
Encoding for augmented reality now
By David Fox
VIRTUAL REALITY, full camera studio automation and the ProTraveller crane for DSLR and HDV cameras were
the main focus for Egripment at this year’s NAB. A fully Encoded Package for virtual studios or augmented reality is now available for several different Egripment cranes, including its TDT system and the 305/306 remote heads, as well as optional encoders for use on track dollies. The Encoding Package can be used with tested and certified rendering engines from Vizrt, Neuro TV, Orad, Brainstorm and Ventuz. Additional vendors can be implemented easily. For full camera studio
automation, Egripment can deliver a full integrated system, which can be used in the automation environment of any studio. For a channel that broadcasts 24/7, reliability as well as highly redundant system architecture with a minimum of maintenance service is required. Also on display was the
ProTraveller system, a jib/crane system for the prosumer type cameras (DSLR, HDV) with a maximum weight of 10kg/22lbs. It has a smooth, high quality crane movement with a highly technical remote head. The system can be mounted on any 100mm bowl type of connection. www.egripment.com