"MEDIA: Pixar/Dreamworks Releasing all Future Films in 3D"

Both DreamWorks Animation and Pixar have reported that all of their future movies will be released in 3D. Beginning in May, Pixar productions will be released in 3D at the same time astraditional 2D versions with Rapunzel, King of the Elves and Toy Story 3 all coming up soon. Pixar also said it will be re-releasing its first two Toy Story pictures in 3D versions.

"HARDWARE: World's First 3D Rig to Use Red HD Cameras"

The direct-to-video Red digital cinema camera is now available in a stereo 3D version from Liquid Pictures Inc. (Atlanta, Georgia). The world's first 3D rig to utilize Red's 4520-by-2540 pixel movie format is available in models that shoot on land, underwater, and even for macroscopic subjects. 
A team of engineers at Liquid Pictures is currently ramping up a manufacturing line as well as upgrading its 3D rig to using Red's new Epic and Scarlet models offering image widths up to 6000 pixels. Liquid Pictures is also readying models that use Sony F35, Phantom HD, and Phantom 65 cameras.

BOTTOM LINE: Direct-to-video using Red's camera don't sacrifice depth of field the way traditional video cameras do. Directors can work with the same control over how much is in focus in scenes the same way that they do with traditional film cameras. Red's cameras are also less expensive--as cheap as renting the most expensive film cameras. All these factors should encourage more 3D cinema productions

"HARDWARE: 3D-TV scheme seeks to replace regular TVs"

As TV makers ready 3-D models, a company called Dynamic Digital Depth claims its automatic 2-D-to-3-D conversion algorithms could help replace conventional TVs. Parent company DDD Group plc (Santa Monica, Calif.) argues that several dozen 3-D movie titles are not enough to persuade wary consumers to buy a dedicated 3-D display. By including automatic 2-D-to-3-D conversion for regular TV, PC games and even the user's own images, the company says 3-D TVs may be poised to eventually displace regular TVs altogether.

BOTTOM LINE: 3D technologies have come into vogue, then gone out-of-style repeatedly--even before the invention of photography. DDD is seeking to turn 3D into an enduring reality by allowing the viewer to switch it on or off at will. DDD's 2D-to-3D conversion algorithms should bridge the gap between relatively rare native 3D content today and the voracious appetite of 3D early adopters. If it can be incorporated cheaply enough, then every future TV could become 3D enabled. I believe that 3D is here to stay, but the public is fickle and in the end it will be up to viewers to support 3D by actually using the button that DDD is seeking to put on every remote control. Look for 3D TV models from every major maker by 2010, many of which will be available by Christmas 2008.

"MEDIA: Fist Full of Pixels 3D debut"

Check out this 3D music video by Fist Full of Pixels (make sure you have your red&cyan glasses).

"MEDIA:Avatar debuts in iMAX 3D"

More details are leaking out about the 3D science fiction animation called Avatar. The animated film portrays exotic life and scenery that is literally out-of-this world especially in iMAX 3D. Director of the Titanic, James Cameron, claims to have spent 10 years crating this, his latest stereoscopic movie. Weta Digital, known for its work in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "King Kong" has incorporated new computer generated image method that transforms real environments and characters into photorealistic 3D scenes rich with imaginative vistas. Avatar tells the story of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. An Avatar is a human mind in an alien body, and stars Sigourney Weaver, Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, and Michelle Rodriguez.

"HARDWARE: Gesture control enabled by 3-D sensor"

Emerging consumer electronics applications have prompted smart 3-D sensor chip maker Canesta Inc. to adapt its 3-D CMOS image technology from automotive applications to a new consumer version of its 3-D image processing chip. The new chip is designed to inject new features into consumer products, ranging from gesture control for TVs to chroma-key image mixing that eliminates the need for a green background screen.

"MEDIA: New 3-D TV format to be demo'd during Super Bowl"

The 3DTV format is set to make a splash in primetime during the Super Bowl and a broadcast movie. During the NFL Championship game on Sunday (Feb. 1), a new 3DTV format that renders colors more accurately will be broadcast during two 3-D commercials. On Monday, NBC will broadcast DreamWorks' "Monsters versus Aliens" in the new 3DTV format. Patented technology developed by ColorCode 3-D Center (Lyngby, Denmark) uses a new anaglyph format that enables any TV to render accurate 3-D colors when viewers use amber-blue lenses instead of the traditional red-cyan 3-D glasses. Intel Corp. (Santa Clara,. Calif.) is providing 3-D glasses that will be distributed nation-wide for use during the Super Bowl.