FIFA will produce the world's first FIFA World Cup in 3D (up to 25 of the 2010 matches) using Sony's 3D professional cameras.
"Global sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup are very important drivers of new technology, particularly in the TV market," explains Tom Morrod, Senior Analyst, TV Technology at Screen Digest.
"The news that the FIFA World Cup will be filmed in 3D for the first time will certainly increase the uptake rate of 3D TVs… As a result of this news, and an increasingly bullish industry outlook on 3D, Screen Digest has increased its forecast, and now estimates that 13.6m 3D TV sets will be installed in Europe by 2013."
First-Ever 3D FIFA World Cup
- 17. 01. 2010
- Bob Snyder
- Home Theater
Extron Debuts Digital Audio Matrix Processor
- 15. 01. 2010
- Bob Snyder
- Control and Home Media Systems
For presentation applications requiring advanced line and microphone audio matrix mixing with DSP in a small form factor, Extron announces the availability of the DMP 64, a 6x4 audio matrix mixer featuring Extron ProDSP, a digital signal processing platform for audio signal routing and control.
Loaded with tools to control level, dynamics, filters, delay, ducking, loudness, and feedback suppression, ProDSP is engineered using a 32/64-bit floating point DSP engine and studio grade 24-bit audio converters with 48 kHz sampling.
It is managed by Extron's intuitive DSP Configurator Software, a PC-based application featuring an easy-to-use GUI that allows audio system visualization within a single window. Audio designers and system installers can use this software to access the ProDSP, for access to audio processing tools and audio matrix mixing from a single screen.
The DMP 64 features a dual matrix design. The primary matrix routes 6 mic/line inputs to the 4 output line signals. With the secondary matrix, selected inputs are routed to 4 "virtual" buses. These buses are then routed into the 4 outputs via the primary matrix.
The virtual buses add versatility to the DMP 64, enabling designated inputs to be grouped and processed together as an ensemble. Audio processing tools, including Filter, Dynamics, Loudness, and Gain, are available on each virtual bus. This dual matrix design can be easily visualized within the DSP Configurator Software.
Blu-ray's New 3D Standard
- 07. 01. 2010
- Bob Snyder
- Home Theater
The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) releases the Blu-ray 3D, a long-awaited standard for full 1080p viewing of 3D movies on home TVs.
The first Blu-ray machines for 3D will be shown at CES in Las Vegas in January and shipping later this year. 3D movies (yes, Avatar!) will be play on these Blu-ray 3D machines (they can also play regular 2D disks). Current Blu-ray players can't handle the new 3D format, but maybe adapters will become available.
The spec is display-agnostic, able to deliver the 3D image to any compatible 3D display, whether LCD, Plasma or other technology (and regardless of what 3D technology the display uses to deliver the image). The new spec allows PS3 game consoles to play back Blu-ray 3D content in 3D.
Blu-ray 3D calls for encoding 3D video using the Multiview Video Coding (MVC) codec, an extension to the ITU-T H.264 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) codec currently supported by all Blu-ray Disc players. MPEG4-MVC compresses both left and right eye views with a typical 50% overhead compared to equivalent 2D content.
Go Blu-ray 3D
3D@Home Consortium Releases Requirements
- 21. 11. 2009
- Bob Snyder
- TVs, Displays and Mounts
The 3D@Home Consortium sent key documents to be used in the creation of digital 3D standards by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) working groups.
The document ST2-01 3D Digital Interface Requirements enables the standards committees to have input from the wide cross-section of the industry which 3D@Home represents.
The documents ST4-03 3D Active Shutter Glasses Database and ST4-04 3D Passive Glasses Database assist the standards committees in understanding the range of products that will be interacting with the 3D systems.
Both documents were requested by CEA working groups as part of their discovery process before working on the technical details of the standards.
"This was a team effort that resulted in a good first step in CEA's efforts to understand how 3D glasses may be used in the home," noted Chris Chinnock, Chairman of ST4. "Developing a standard for 3D glasses will be challenging, but something that is desirable to help with compatibility issues. We will continue to work with CEA to support their standardization effort by providing information and recommendations from the experts who are members of the 3D@Home Consortium."
Neets: New Power Control–1 relay box.
- 21. 11. 2009
- Bob Snyder
- Control and Home Media Systems
Danish company Neets, manufacturer of AV control systems, develops a new power control–1 relay box. Technically you get a 12VDc 0.6W (on power) relay, a contact rating on 16Amp @ 230VAc and a fuse size at 8A-T (5*20mm).
With this power control you get a unique possibility to make your installation power saving and environment friendly. At the same time using the power control in your installation minimizes the risk of fire.
Installed with a Neets Control System, the relay box is designed to cut power from the projector, amplifier, DVD and other audio visual equipment when the devices are not in use. The power control can cut power from two units at the same time. This gives you the possibility to cut of the expensive standby power and furthermore the risk of fire is minimizes when the power is cut.
Says Neets: "In these environment friendly days this power control will be a very good extra detail in your installation, making your project environment friendly and in the end adding another satisfied customer to your portfolio."
NEC Shows Battery-Less Remote Control
- 21. 11. 2009
- Bob Snyder
- Home Theater
In Japan, NEC Electronics shows a remote control prototype that works without using batteries.
Users generate a small amount of electricity through vibration when they push a button. NEC proves this can turn on or off a TV (or any CE appliance) and switch channels or control volume.
A powerful concept for a battery-less device...