For the NAB 2009 convention, 3-D technology's time has come. Not only will 3-D be a major theme of the 2009 show, but real-world products are being introduced that will facilitate the technology's use for more applications than ever before.
A highlight will be JVC's new GD-463D10, a 46in professional 3-D liquid crystal display monitor designed for professional use. With a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 and the aid of polarizing filters, the new set reproduces 3-D images that can be viewed by wearing a pair of dedicated circular polarization glasses. The product is initially targeted for video production and promotion of 3-D movies.
The GD-463D10 employs the "Xpol polarizing filter method," which allocates right and left images respectively to the odd- and even-numbered lines and displays the images through polarizing filters that have properties inverse to each other.
To view 3-D images, users need to wear a pair of dedicated circular polarization glasses. The set can reproduce 3-D images without flicker because it simultaneously displays the right and left images on the screen.
In addition to JVC, Philips 3D Solutions, 3ality and 3DTV Corp. will all make their first appearance at NAB and showcase technology in the new 3-D pavilion. The NHK Pavilion will present a Super HiVision theater and new technologies that reproduce 3-D in HDTV.
The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) will be highlighting its latest findings in the fields of holographic and 3-D television technologies. Some of its demonstrations will occur for the first time outside of Japan and will include major advances in holographic TV, glasses-free 3-D display, Internet 3-D HiVision, and gCubik autostereoscopic display.
CineForm, creators of compression-based workflow solutions for post production, will unveil a 3-D editorial workflow solution for Apple Final Cut Pro users in booth SL11605. Called Neo3D, it enables Final Cut Pro users to edit 3-D projects in real time with full frame rate playback to an external 3-D monitor.
Traditionally, 3-D projects are edited in 2-D as independent left and right eyes, with a final 3-D conform after the entire editorial process is complete. CineForm's technology simplifies this time-intensive process by enabling the editorial team to experience the storytelling process by viewing in full 3-D while editing.
STATS and Vizrt will host demonstrations of its "holographic effect" technology at the show. Combining STATS video processing and tracking with Vizrt's real-time tracking and rendering software, the software allows multiparticipant interviews creating the illusion of a face-to-face exchange. The software was used by CNN last year on its election night coverage.
Verimatrix will show enhanced security for pay-television networks using 3-D technologies. The company will show its ViewRight PC Player, ViewRight STB, and ViewRight Mobile technologies that enable multiscreen pay-TV delivery options including PC, Mac and mobile devices.
In addition to the new products and displays, NAB will offer an extensive series of sessions on 3-D technology. The sessions will focus on the technology for use in live sports, movies and traditional television production, and feature every aspect — from field production to business opportunities.
