reald
Latest
PopBox licenses RealD's side by side frame compatible 3D format
Technology patents are a funny thing and it can be difficult to understand that RealD owns the rights to encode 3D in the frame compatible side by side format as displayed above -- without license or consent -- but patents are a reality of the world and so Syabas has licensed RealD's 3D format for the upcoming PopBox which will support the 3D format at launch. No word on if the PopBox will support Blu-ray's Full HD 3D which is actually double the resolution of HD instead of trying to squeeze both perspectives into the same HD frame. At this point it doesn't appear that the PopBox will be HDMI 1.4a compliant so while it'll send the 3D signal to your 3DTV, you'll have to be the one to tell the TV it is receiving 3D in order to ensure the 3rd dimension is displayed. Full release after the jump.
Cablevision bumps Comcast to the back, 3D sports at home starts next week
Just as Comcast leapfrogged DirecTV's 3D plans, its claim to the first live HD 3D event has been stolen away by Cablevision, which will broadcast a Rangers/Islanders NHL matchup Wednesday, shown both in a special viewing party in the Theater at Madison Square Garden and on iO TV channel 1300 (if you already have a 3DTV but not Cablevision then keep an eye on your channel guide as, like the Masters broadcast, it may be shared with other networks.) While this is probably just the beginning of another FCC battle over who it will have to share the broadcasts with, MSG is just focusing on keeping a trend going since it was one of the first to jump on HDTV production of NBA and NHL games way back in 1998 and plans to keep 3D broadcasts coming over the next year with more games and concerts. Production is being handled by 3ality Digital, previously responsible for the BCS game that turned some of our preconceived notions about 3D with its BCS National Championship broadcast a little over a year ago, which plans to use 5 cameras from a lower angle than usual to resemble the perspective of the actual players -- minus concussion-inducing blindside hits to the head. Anyone willing to host a viewing party? We're totally down to bring snacks... if you'll cover our 3D glasses. [Thanks, William & Vinny]
Oculus3D vies to be the greener solution in disposable 3D shades
As of December, RealD cinemas alone served 100 million moviegoers, and even if the vast majority recycle, that's still a ton (probably several thousand tons, in fact) of plastic 3D glasses. According to a company called Ceroplast, those glasses aren't biodegradable; if so many as 10 million pairs end up in a landfill, it would result in C02 emissions equivalent to burning 50,000 gallons of gasoline. Of course, Ceroplast wouldn't be quoting statistics if it didn't have a greener solution. Under the brand of partner Oculus3D (whose co-founder Lenny Lipton is RealD's former CTO), it's presently making biodegradable polarized shades out of polylactic acid that it intends to deploy -- along with the company's proprietary OculR projectors -- as early as summer of this year. As for which theatres you should expect to see them in, well, we're still in the dark on that one.
3D stole the show at CES 2010
Not sure why we've been putting this off, but we'll just come right out and say it: there's no doubt that this was the year for 3D at CES. We walked the show floor for countless hours and can tell you that just about everyone was showing something related to 3D at their booths. Most of these demos required a bit of a wait to experience them (thanks, hype), and everywhere you went people were talking about 3D. Granted, not all of that talk was positive, but it was talk nonetheless. Whether or not the technology will be seen in history as a success in the market place is obviously still up in the air, and much like a finely crafted episode of Lost, 3D at CES this year was littered with more questions than answers. %Gallery-82768%
Toshiba announces partnership with RealD for 3D teevees
Toshiba's just announced a partnership with 3D gurus RealD to bring 3D viewing a little closer to home. The company plans to hit the world with support for RealD's stereoscopic format on its new Regza televisions. RealD's proprietary shutter style 3D glasses are not to be confused with the polarized ones used in theatres that the company is known for. The plan is apparently to unleash a full line of 3D Regza full HD LCDs in 2010. We don't know anything about specific models, pricing, or specific availability yet, but we'll keep our eyes open for fuller details as the CES 3D onslaught continues. The full press release is after the break.
Sony teams up with RealD for 3D, headaches in the home
While Sony is certainly no stranger to 3D, RealD has proven more than capable when it comes to active shutter technology (as we saw earlier when the company partnered up with 3ality to broadcast an NFL game). According to the Wall Street Journal, Sony will license RealD's technology and equipment (including 3D eyewear) for use on its TVs and other products -- with the fruits of this partnership due to hit store shelves sometime next year. Could this be the big push that home 3D has been waiting for? We don't know, but if it brings our dreams of Becker in 3D! one step closer to reality, we're all for it.
Over 100 Million movie goers experience RealD 3D
If you haven't experienced RealD 3D yet and you are reading this site, then you might want to check your geek card. We say that because it wasn't until we watched the National Championship game with a set of RealD's 3D glasses in a theater that we finally got this whole 3D thing, and now RealD is proud to let us know that over 100 Million movie goers have experienced it. The biggest hurdle modern 3D technology has to overcome though is the fact that it is using the same name as the crappy cereal box technology of Super Bowl commercials. We can tell you what 100 Million others already know, this isn't the same thing. So right after you post the first comment about how you won't wear any stupid glasses, search out the nearest theater showing AVATAR in 3D at a RealD theater this weekend, and after watching it, tell us this technology isn't going anywhere.
Ask Engadget HD: Does Dolby, RealD or someone else offer the best 3D movie theater experience?
In case you hadn't heard, there's a pretty high profile 3D movie coming to theatres near you this weekend, and assuming one actually has multiple multiplexes to choose from, who has the best technology? RealD and Dolby have been fighting it out to ramp up 3D theater installs over the last couple of years with other competitors also mixed in, but our friend Kevin wants to know if there is a noticeable difference from location to location: A question I have every time a new 3D movie comes out: We have two theaters here that offer 3D movies. One lists them as "Digital 3D"; the other as "RealD 3D". What are the technical differences, and do they end up producing noticeably different final results? Or am I getting the same experience at both theaters? Thanks for your help! We know a few of you must have grabbed a pair of glasses and checked out flicks form the Toy Story series to Coraline and My Bloody Valentine, do you have preference on where to go to see 3D? Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Namco Bandai adopts stereoscopic 3D dev tools
In the near future, the Prince of All Cosmos may roll a Katamari at you! Or some blood in Splatterhouse may splatter at you! Mr. Driller may drill at you! Other Namco characters may perform their signature actions directly into your face! That's because Namco Bandai has licensed RealD's Stereoscopic Gaming API. The software allows Banamco not only to render visuals in RealD's stereoscopic 3D format, but also to implement automatic camera movements for optimal 3D viewing, and head tracking with a camera peripheral. The software will be used in the development of "upcoming as yet unannounced NAMCO BANDAI Games titles," allowing us to continue thinking of things for the developer to make 3D. Like Metro-Cross! It would be like large soda cans are rolling at you!
Hollywood Theaters upgrading screens to Sony 4k projectors
With some help from Sony, Hollywood Theaters is upgrading to 4K digital cinema, some of which that will do 3D. The project kicks off over the next few months when 13 locations will get the upgrade that consists of 167 screens all of which will all be going digital. On top of that, 53 of those screens will also support 3D movies thanks to RealD and circular polarized glasses. Of course we won't be happy until every theater in the US is digital and 3D, but this is a decent step in the right direction.
RealD figures designer glasses might help the acceptance of 3D
The solution to consumers gripes over ill fitting and odd looking 3D eyewear? Offer up polarized lenses in designer frames, or even prescription strength for glasses-wearers. That's what some execs have suggested at the 3D Entertainment Summit, revealing plans for Gucci and other frames to hit stores ahead of the launch of Avatar in December. We're still anticipating serious sticker shock when 3D comes home next year, tacking on ultraexpensive options above the already hiked theater price seems like the perfect way to stop any momentum this trend has gained.
New Orleans' Prytania rises up to 3D
Outside of the frozen food section at the supermarket, nothing beats the summer heat quite like a cool (or downright cold) movie theater, and the recently Sony/RealD 4k-equipped Prytania theater in New Orleans just added 3D capabilities to entice viewers some more. No surprise -- Disney's summer blockbuster, Up, was the first talkie to make the leap off the silver screen at the newly outfitted venue, and we suspect that The Prytania -- the only theater in N'awlins to have Up in 3D -- raked in a healthy crowd for its investment. We love to see storied theaters keep up with the times, and this almost 95-year old movie house is no exception.[Thanks, gamedude360!]
RealD LP makes 3D projection a touch more portable
It may be stretching the definition of what we'd call "portable" around here by quite a large margin, but RealD's touting its latest creation as the world's first mobile, single-projector 3D solution. The RealD LP can blast video on screens up to 17 feet wide with a 150:1 contrast ratio -- glasses still required for the full effect, of course. No price mentioned, but we reckon it's still in the realm of "if you have to ask, you can't afford it."
Theaters, studios squabbling over who will pay for 3D
We're not hopping off the 3D bandwagon, but just when things couldn't be going any better a fight over money could knock things off course. Fox apparently informed theaters it wouldn't foot the $1 million bill to cover 3D glasses for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, and already word is leaking out that the nation's largest theater chain Regal Cinemas is planning to only screen the flick in 2D, with AMC Theaters and Cinemark poised to follow suit. For its part, Fox is claiming no exhibitor has said they won't be showing Ice Age in 3D and they're only "working out the issues." Of course if they did, the plan of offering 3D as something audiences can't get at home could be turned on its head quickly.[Via Cinematical]
AMC adding upwards of 1,500 3D screens in North America
Remember when seeing a movie was simple? You just strolled in, paid one low price for a ticket, and you saw the flick. No worrying over which theaters had 4K projectors, which had DTS sound or which had 3D support. As cinemas across the nation continue to leap on the three-dee bandwagon, RealD and AMC Entertainment has just linked up in order to bring up to 1,500 3D screens across Canada and the US. We're told that the rollout is already underway, with more and more screens getting equipped each month. All told, this will bring RealD's 3D network to nearly 8,000 total committed screens worldwide with approximately 2,600 RealD 3D screens installed today. Excited? No?
Sony and RealD link up for 4K 3D cinema, our eyes weep for joy
Whoa, Nelly. This is getting serious. As 3D looks to infest each and every cinema it can, Sony has just inked a potentially ginormous agreement with 3D guru RealD that will provide "3D digital cinema systems that combine a single Sony 4K projector and its new 3D dual lens adapter with RealD technology." In other words, you could soon be seeing 3D cinema through a 4K projector, which just might lead to your head exploding from visual overload. The agreement makes mention of a "specially designed optical filter tuned for the projector, resulting in the ability to deliver crisp 3D images to screens up to 55 feet in width." Also, the relationship makes it possible for existing 2D installations to be upgraded with 3D capabilities, and honestly, even we're excited about 2K of 3D resolution per eye.
My Bloody Valentine 3D grosses way more in 3D than 2D
We'll admit -- we were pretty amazed to hear that Journey To The Center Of The Earth pulled in more revenue in 3D than 2D, but this figure is downright jaw-dropping. My Bloody Valentine 3D, which we noticed was one of the first big screen releases to really be pushed in the format, grossed $27 million in its opening weekend. Ready for the kicker? 3D screens outperformed 2D screens 6:1, with RealD taking credit for a staggering 71 percent of the $27 million. Moreover, the flick was also the first to ever be released in over 1,000 digital 3D locations, so we're sure that didn't hurt matters. We won't deny that we've had our sincere doubts about the future of 3D cinema, but figures like this can make even the most hardened pundit take another look. Full release is after the break.
RealD launches stereoscopic converter PODs
Quite frankly, we're still a bit miffed at what all RealD's 3D-PODs actually are, but we can (attempt to) explain what they do. Straight from Real3D's lips, it is delivering the "first 3D stereoscopic converter PODs," which present a "simple conversion solution when upgrading to a new stereoscopic display monitor, such as a DLP or XPOL HDTV." Still confused? Let us forge on: "the PODs automatically detect the output format from a connected display device and convert most stereo-enabled software applications from native stereoscopic output format to the required format for stereo viewing on the display monitor." We're told that these PODs (three variants are available) are specifically aimed at R&D environments, where "3D visualization is heavily used and where departments or organizations are seeking alternatives to CRT display technology for stereoscopic applications." Hmmph -- this would all be so much easier to digest if there were an accompanying image.[Via SoCalTech]
NFL in 3D: Good technology overcomes bad entertainment
Simmer down athletic supports, we didn't just call your beloved NFL boring. But Thursday night's matchup between the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers wasn't going to generate this much interest on its own. As described by the LA Times who attended the 3D broadcast of Thursday night's "football" game at Burbank's 3ality Digital cinema, "The experience wasn't jaw-dropping, but it was noticeably better than a conventional broadcast. The game was drama-free, yet the novelty of 3D made it hard for me to take my eyes off the screen... The effect was subtle at times, but just as compelling as in "U2 3D," 3ality's concert film of the Irish rockers. The most striking thing in both cases was how much more you could see in three dimensions than in two."The event wasn't glitch free, however. Two hiccups caused the satellite feeds to go black in Boston, New York, and LA. and a few quick camera pans and poorly executed transitions had viewers convulsing behind their polarized glasses. As a proof of concept though, viewers generally seemed impressed which means more of this in the future.[Via Yahoo]
Live NFL broadcast to air in 3D as "proof of concept"
As the NFL gobbles up even more market share in the United States, it follows logic to see the next big in-home entertainment push side with it in order to garner attention. With every company and its third subsidiary twice removed trying to shove 3D into the home, we'd say starting with the NFL is a brilliant move. In a closed-to-the-public "proof of concept" demonstration, next week's matchup between the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders will air live in 3D to select theaters in Los Angeles, New York and Boston. Third-dimension mainstays 3ality Digital and RealD will play critical roles in the delivery, though it remains unclear what exactly the NFL and 3D backers in general plan to do afterwards. If you'll recall, this isn't the first pro sporting event this year that was beamed in 3D to nearby theaters, but we can't think of anything more appealing than 300-pound gentleman crushing each other just inches from your retinas. [Thanks, Jesse]
