SPECIAL AWESOME - stereoscopic resource

We at SPECIAL AWESOME are keeping this blog up to date with all the exciting news coming in the world of 3D with special attention to small screens, mobile, consumer devices, and of course - AUTOSTEREOSCOPIC (glasses free). Please dig deep, so much is happening that articles of monumental importance quickly fall down the list into obscurity. Interested in Apple 3D? The latest on touch-screen 3D hand-held devices? Intel 3D? Nokia 3D? ESPN? It's all here and more.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Provision 3D Media


Check these guys out - holographic displays integrated into point of purchase and kiosk applications.

CHATSWORTH, CA, Nov 17, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Provision Interactive Technologies, Inc. ("Provision"), a subsidiary of Provision Holding , announced today that it has been named the recipient of Frost & Sullivan's 2010 North American New Product Innovation of the Year Award for 3D Holographic Displays. The Award was presented at the 2010 Best Practices Awards banquet on November 16 in San Antonio, Texas.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/provision-3d-displays-named-2010-new-product-innovation-of-the-year-by-frost-sullivan-2010-11-17?reflink=MW_news_stmp

http://www.provision.tv/

Sharp to Bring Glasses-Free 3D Android Smartphone to U.S. Soil


After having launched three Android smartphones through carriers in the Japanese markets that employ 3D screen technology that doesn’t require the use of special glasses, Sharp is said to be bringing at least one of those models to the U.S. market and will also be targeting China and India.

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2010/11/17/sharp-to-bring-glasses-free-3d-android-smartphone-to-u-s-soil/

Friday, November 12, 2010

Nokia Research Center


Nokia are (if you didn't know) the world's largest cellphone manufacturer. From their research center comes a very interesting whitepaper and code regarding their MVC codec optimized for H.264 dual stream (stereoscopic) video. Because it utilizes the H.264 standard the platform is backwards compatible with 2D (H.264) video as well as being applicable to all 3D devices, not just Nokia or mobile. Very cool stuff.


http://research.nokia.com/page/4988

Thursday, November 11, 2010

ESPN Announces Results of Comprehensive 3D Study


November 4, 2010 - Continuing to innovate in the 3D television space, ESPN Research + Analytics unveiled today one of the most in-depth studies on 3D TV to date. Compiling results from more than 1,000 testing sessions and 2,700 lab hours, ESPN has concluded that fans are comfortable with the medium and even enjoy it more than programming in HD.
The research was conducted by Dr. Duane Varan, professor of New Media at Murdoch University, during ESPN’s coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at the Disney Media and Ad Lab in Austin, Texas. The research employed an experimental design approach including the use of perception analyzers, eye gaze and electrodermal activity. The study focused on a multitude of topics including overall viewing enjoyment, fatigue and novelty effects, technology differences, production issues and advertising impact. In all over 700 measures were processed during the testing. The Ad Lab used five different 3D manufacturers in its testing.
“The results from this comprehensive research project support what we have said time and time again – fans have a higher level of enjoyment when viewing 3D. Plus, for advertisers, this study provides good news on the level of fan engagement when viewing 3D ads,” said Artie Bulgrin, senior vice president of ESPN Research + Analytics. “This study will help us continue to develop ESPN 3D as an industry leader for event-based 3D viewing.”
Key Findings:
3D TV ads can be more effective
  • In testing the Ad Lab showed viewers the same ads in 2D and 3D. 3D ads produced significantly higher scores across all ad performance metrics – generally maintaining a higher level of arousal than the 2D counterpart.
  • Participants showed better recall of the ad in 3D:
    • Cued recall went from 68% to 83%
    • On average, purchase intent increased from 49% to 83%
    • Ad liking went from 67% to 84
Fans enjoy 3D
  • The results showed a higher level of viewer enjoyment, engagement with the telecast and a stronger sense of presence with the 3D telecasts.
  • Enjoyment increased from 65% to 70% in 3D while presence went from 42% to 69%
Passive vs. Active
  • With all things equal, there were no major differences between passive and active 3D TV sets for overall impact however, passive glasses were rated as more comfortable and less distracting by participants.
Depth Perception
  • The study found that there were no adverse effects on depth perception (stereopsis).
  • It appeared that there is an acclimation effect whereby participants adjust to 3D over time under normal use.
True 3D vs. 2D
  • Participants showed much more favorable responses to true 3D images than to 2D.
About the ESPN 3D Research Study
Conducted over the course of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, this is one of the most ambitious studies of 3D viewing to date. Participants were tested prior to 3D viewing, in test and post test to garner a wide range of information. Testing was completed at the Disney Media & Advertising Lab which was developed to better understand the emotional drivers of audience behavior and physiological reactions to advertising. The facility conducts year-round tests using the most advanced research techniques including biometric measurement tolls to evaluate engagement and emotional responses. This research was conducted by Professor Duane Varan, Executive Director and Chief Research Officer of the Disney Media & Advertising Lab, and his staff. Varan is recognized as a global innovator in iTV applied research and as one of the foremost authorities on new media. He is the Executive Director of the Interactive Television Research Institute and holds the inaugural chair in New Media at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia.
ESPN 3D Media Kit here:
http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/media-kits/espn-3d/

Related Releases (ESPN 3D):
http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/tag/espn-3d/

ESPN 3D Fact Sheet:
http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/media-kits/espn-3d/espn-3d-fact-sheet/

ESPN 3D Schedule:
http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/programming/espn-3d-livesame-day-tape-event-schedule/

ESPN 3D Photo Gallery:
http://espnmediazone3.com/rs/?c=1027&k=265d176316

ESPN 3D Study:
http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2010/11/3d-study/

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

3D for the iPhone and iPad

AU Optronics 3D display technology:

AU Optronics - maker of the touchscreens in iPhones and iPads, announced a lot of extremely exciting new products to be showcased at FPD International in Japan from November 10-12. Included are:
the world's largest 71" 21:9 CSHD 3D TV LCD panel;
a 65" QFHD 4K2K lenticular lens 3D panel;
a 65" pattern retarder 3D LCD TV panel with video game applications;
deadzone-free 15.6" notebook panels and deadzone-free 10.1" tablet PC naked eye 3D panels;
and a 4" 3D interactive touch panel for smartphones.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Sharp Providing 3D Cameras For Mobile Devices


Another aspect of the coming 3D mobile revolution - Sharp show off their 3D mobile camera technology including a prototype for the iPhone 4.
http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2010/09/02/sharp-providing-3d-cameras-for-mobile-devices/

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

3DS audience hands on reaction


This is really impressive - from Nintendo E3 network

you have to click through manually from the home page (no embed code available):

http://e3.nintendo.com/3ds/

on the right side click on VIDEOS
then choose AUDIENCE REACTIONS TO THE NEW NINTENDO 3DS

...and a cool article about how Hollywood feels about this revolutionary device:

http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/11/10/hollywood.developers.excited.about.nintendo.3ds/