We've
said it before and we'll say it again, sports, not
movies or
video games is 3D's killer app, and this prototype camera from Sony is designed specifically to help bring the two closer together. Set to debut at CEATEC next week, the HFR Comfort-3D records at 240 fps through just one lens
instead of two thanks to a new half-mirror system that takes left and right eye images at the same time, better for capturing fast motion and providing viewers lacking polarized glasses a 2D picture with minimal blurring. One of our few complaints during last year's
BCS National Championship 3D experience was occasional benefits caused by fast left-right motion which this system could make a non-issue. Check after the break for a detailed (in Japanese) diagram that should help make things clearer -- for those that can read the language -- the rest of us are waiting for ESPN or someone else to tote a few of these down to the Super Bowl in 2010 and make magic happen.
[Via
AV Watch, thanks Derek for English PR]
posted Oct 1st 2009 3:56AM
success!
Don't you need two viewpoints of the same thing for this 3D thingie to work? This is just splitting 1 viewpoint in two right...
I believe there are two sensors at the back... if you follow the diagram, you'll see that although it's using a single main lens, they split (not exactly splitting, more like angling) the image using mirrors (those angled mirrors at the back). So effectively each sensor will see slightly different images.
Well, at least that how I think it would work....
Only if you assume pin-hole camera model. I bet this is some very wide angle lens.
The lens projects a very large image circle without optical distortion. I also seems there are relay lenses aft the main lens and in front of the two sensors.
Sony is a leader of ultra-high end movie cameras (Cinealta F23, F35 Panavision Genesis) so this is a much more elegant solution. Previously, 3D movies have been filmed using two F23 rigs put together.
James Cameron, who is invested highly in 3D with his documentaries and Avatar movie, has Reality Camera Systems, which has previously used Sony Cinealtas. The real improvement that the high-end 3D rigs have is that they can angle the two cameras based on the distance of the subject that is suppose to be in focus (much like how your eye functions). The question is if this new 240fps camera can do the same...
Another important thing is that this camera is set for 240 fps. Some home 3D systems require shutter glasses, and a high-fps is incredibly important to reduce eye-strain. Being that 240hz systems are becoming common place, its a good synergy with making a realistic 3D image.
Here's the English press release: http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200910/09-117E/
good find.
Apparently there's one lens with 2 CMOS sensors and two offset mirrors reflecting separate images to each sensor.
The real lesson here is this. Don't just assume a cyclops with a bow and arrow has no depth perception so your safe. Most ideas come from nature and where do you think Sony got this idea. Clearly there's a secret government autopsy behind this just like there is for everything else.
We achieve 3D vision by seeing the same object from two angles. I don't think you can do that using a single lens and mirrors. How can a single lens transmit two images from different angles at the same time?
While this will create a 3D image it will feel unatural as the perspective is forced by the angle of the mirrors rather than natural through eye separation. This technique has been used in borescope (inspection scopes) to give some sense of perspective but has limited application as the achievable separation is limited. It would for instance probably work better on a basketball court than on football field except in limited situations.
Amen to that! Anyone else here seen X-Games 3D? Wow!!
ESPN will probably be the first to get these cameras. They always have the latest and greatest. That "ESPN Axis" has to be the coolest technique I've seen used in sports television. They fly around the court/field from camera to camera, so you can see the most desirable viewing angle, but they make it completely seem-less.
Something very like this was used in much earlier systems to avoid the problems of keeping two separate film strips in step. But the problem remains that it may produce images in relief but they are not like those we see with our eyes and brain.