Sony bringing 3D to Bravia, PS3, PSP

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Video Games

IFA 2009 is one of the biggest consumer electronics shows in the world.  This is where Sony president Sir Howard Stringer has formally declared 3D programming for Bravia and Blu-ray disc players with content by next year. 

We are aggressively running our business in a new and changed reality. The 3D train is on track and Sony is ready to drive it home.

In other words, it’s on.  With Sony pushing toward 3D content, coupled with reports of other TV manufacturers doing the same, we are easily looking at a 3D future.

Read More | Crave

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James Cameron’s Avatar: New ways for the current 3D fad to bloom?

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Movies

In case you were asleep on the Internet last week, James Cameron’s long awaited film Avatar just launched its first teaser trailer.  All I can say is “it’s about time,” because I’ve been hearing about Avatar for years. Word is that James Cameron, who hasn’t given us a decent blockbuster since that one with the big sinking ocean liner, had to reinvent cinema technology to give us this 3D science-fiction epic. 

It would appear that Panasonic is getting behind Cameron by helping to promote it by bringing their huge 103-inch screens to locations everywhere to show people the 3D effects.  I got a chance to see Panasonic’s 3D television at CES, and it was quite something. 

All I can say is that Avatar had better be worth this kind of promotion.  If it is the Titanic hit that people believe it will be, than I have no doubt that 3D will soon become the new standard of big blockbuster movies. 

In the meantime, check out the teaser trailer below:

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YouTube 3D video testing spotted

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Internet, Misc. Tech

I’m sure you have noticed with all the 3D movies in the theaters these days, that 3D is the latest thing—or, at least, the latest returning thing.  Well, it wouldn’t be the first time, and there have been a barrage of products at CES last January that seem to tell us that 3D is not only back, but it might be here to stay. 

It would appear that YouTube is trying to get its hand in the 3D game.  YouTube is currently testing out the idea of 3D videos by offering a few 3D View Style options.  Granted, contributors will have to purchase special (and often expensive) video cameras in order to display their mundane activities in 3D, but it could be worth it. You can check out one of the 3D videos on YouTube now.

Read More | SEO Roundtable

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Submit Shorts to The Hyde Tube

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Movies

Budding filmmakers, there is a new site for you to put up your stuff, the Hyde Tube. Submit live action, animation, 3D and mixed media of no more than 3 minutes under a pseudonym. Their jury will screen to make the final selections. After the process, if an agent or record company likes your stuff, they will contact you. Make the cut and join the best shorts to be shown at screenings in Paris, London and New York with awards to be given out. We have to admit, though, you are going to have some competition.

Read More | The Hyde Tube

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Mitsubishi 3D-Ready Flatscreens

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Mitsubishi has announced that it has a new series of 3D-ready flatscreen TVs, however they only work if the content is in “checkerboard display format.” The 737 series comes in 60, 65, 75 and 82-inch models with 1080p display and 120Hz refresh rate. An 837 series will also be available, except in a 60-inch model. While there may not be much 3D content out as yet, it’s still nice to know that they are coming. Pricing starts at $1500.00 and the high end will be $5000.00.

Read More | Tech Radar

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Mitsubishi 3D Touch Panel

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech

Mitsubishi debuted their 3D Touch Panel at the recent Tokyo Interaction 2009. Based on a 5.7-inch 640x480 touchscreen, the panel recognizes both direct contact and finger proximity up to 20mm from the screen, in case you like to snack while you play. The company believes that their device would be great for mobile devices, with the proximity used for bringing up a menu or to control a mouse pointer. They also say that their modifications should not cost a bundle for manufacturers who want to use it.

Read More | Tech-On

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Help India, Buy Ghajini

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Action, Trailers

The Bollywood Hindi language movie “Ghajini” has become the inspiration for India’s first 3D video game. Both movie and game are thrillers about a man with short-term amnesia. The game has already launched in India and will be distributed worldwide by Eros International. The National Association of Software and Service Companies predicts that the Indian market will grow to about $1.3 billion and will provide employment for 30,000 animators. So not only are you playing a unique game, you are helping the country.

Read More | Reuters

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Panasonic Plasma 3DTV With Blu-ray Player

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Movies

You will still need some glasses, but Panasonic will be offering a 103-inch Plasma 3DTV and Blu-ray disc player that will deliver 1930x1080p high def. The company says that they put 2 sets of HD images onto one disc and have a way to record, decode and playback the images. The glasses themselves are synchronized shutters instead of those cheapy ones you used to watch Captain Eeo way back at Disneyland. Okay, but we bet they will still be nerdy and prices will be expensive plus.

Read More | fav.or.it

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Spore Sculptor Makes Creatures 3D

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Electronic Arts, Simulation

It’s not just your head that can become 3D. Now your Spore creatures can come alive (almost) with Spore Sculptor. You simply upload your image and they will make you a critter in its original color for $49.00. It’s best to have one that has two or more legs, and if the features or structures are too thin, chances are they will not work. The Spores are made to scale, so the larger the beast the larger the sculpture.

Read More | Spore Sculptor

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ThatsMyFace Creates 3D Portraits

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cameras, Design, Internet

ThatsMyFace can turn your loved one’s head into an actual sculpture. You simply upload front and side images, and they will take the 2D pictures and turn them into 3D portraits. Imagine mom’s surprise when she opens the box and sees her own head inside. Prices start at $29.00 for a keychain size. Kidding aside, you can also order a gift certificate or upload your own images for free and see how you would look older, as the opposite sex, caricatured or other profiles.

Read More | ThatsMyFace

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