3D Dolby, Philips, and CAMERON | PACE Group Advance the Glasses-Free 3D Entertainment Experience (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

Dolby, Philips, and CAMERON | PACE Group Advance the Glasses-Free 3D Entertainment Experience
Las Vegas, April 9, 2013—At NAB Show® 2013, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSELB) and Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHIA) in association with CAMERON | PACE Group (CPG) announced that they have signed an agreement to integrate the Dolby® 3D format into CPG’s 3D video content production workflow and to collaborate on the use of the Dolby 3D format. All parties believe that glasses-free 3D presentation in the home can be improved by delivering premium-quality autostereoscopic 3D content using the Dolby 3D format.
Dolby will showcase CPG’s 3D content in its booth at NAB Show 2013 (booth SU1702) as part of its demonstration of Dolby 3D technology from postproduction through distribution to playback.
Led by founders James Cameron and Vince Pace, CPG is advancing 3D through the development of products, solutions, and creative tools for use across all media channels. Supporting networks, studios, broadcasters, filmmakers, and creative teams globally, the company has considerable expertise that helps content producers realize the full potential of 3D as a new, immersive, and powerful storytelling medium. CPG-supported films and broadcasts have won numerous Oscars® and Emmys® for both technical and creative achievements, including three Best Cinematography Oscars in four years.
“James Cameron broke new ground in entertainment with his use of 3D in film, but it’s been a challenge to bring his vision to the home and to smartphones and tablets,” said Vince Pace, Founder and Cochairman, CPG. “The Dolby 3D format gives filmmakers the means to bring an artistic vision through production and distribution all the way to presentation, while delivering what we believe to be the best possible 3D experience to consumers—without the need for special glasses.”
Roland Vlaicu, Senior Director, Broadcast Imaging, Dolby Laboratories, said, “James Cameron and Vince Pace’s artistic and technological vision make CPG a great partner in our quest to make glasses-free 3D successful for creative professionals, broadcast networks, consumer electronics manufacturers, and ultimately for consumers.”
Dolby 3D is a comprehensive suite of technologies for the creation, delivery, and playback of glasses-free 3D content, producing autostereoscopic images with lifelike realism. In addition to eliminating the need for glasses, Dolby 3D has no narrow “sweet spot,” so viewers can enjoy the sharpest images, regardless of where they sit.
“Dolby and Philips are committed to taking the 3D experience to the next level, so we are very pleased to be working with CPG to jointly promote a technology that will transform the way 3D content is consumed all over the world and to introduce a new way for the creative community to tell the story,” said Guido Voltolina, General Manager of the joint project.
About Dolby Laboratories
Dolby Laboratories (NYSELB) is the global leader in technologies that are essential elements in the best entertainment experiences. Founded in 1965 and best known for high-quality audio and surround sound from the cinema to the living room to mobile devices, Dolby creates innovations that enrich entertainment at the movies, at home, or on the go. For more information about Dolby Laboratories or Dolby technologies, visit www.dolby.com.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2012 sales of EUR 24.8 billion and employs approximately 118,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
About CAMERON | PACE Group (CPG)
CAMERON | PACE Group (CPG) is the industry leader in 3D technologies and production services from SLATE²SCREEN™. Led by founders and cochairmen James Cameron and Vince Pace, CPG delivers the highest-quality 3D through its technology products, solutions, and creative tools engineered for use across all media channels. Supporting filmmakers, broadcasters, studios, networks, and creative teams globally, the company has unparalleled expertise in helping content producers realize the full potential of 3D as a powerful and immersive medium. CPG’s easy, efficient, and cost-effective 3D solutions have supported productions generating more than $8.5 billion in box-office revenues, enabled 31 3D feature films, more than 300 3D broadcasts, and multiple 3D media experiences in all formats. CPG-supported films and broadcasts have won numerous Oscars and Emmys for both technical and creative achievements, including three Best Cinematography Oscars in four years. For more information about the company, please visit www.cameronpace.com.
Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. S13/2684 DLB-G

 

[Jon Lidolt]

So, what does this all mean? It sounds like more techno babble to me. Will I need to empty my bank account for yet another display device? I've barely been able to afford my latest 60" 3D plasma, companion 3D Blu-ray player, discs to play on it and improved multi-channel sound. Maybe I should just have waited for an 8K glasses free IMAX-like floor to ceiling OLED 3D display, but I'm sure they're already working on something to surpass that. By the way, I apologize if I'm being too cynical.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Jon,

It's okay to be cynical.

A couple thoughts....

First, it's going to be some time before glasses-free 3D in the home becomes
affordable. It's also, at this point, limited to smaller displays. So, if you were thinking
of getting that 60" 3D display, I would not hesitate to buy it.

Secondly, I have seen Dolby's glasses-free 3D and I am not impressed. Yes, it
does present an interesting level of depth that one would normally need eyewear
to distinguish. On the other hand, there is absolutely no pop-out. I believe glasses
are essential if you want to see things leap off the screen into your face. When I
questioned Dolby why this was not possible on their displays, they sort of pawned
it off by saying that pop-out was a novelty and not essential to the 3D process.

I am a huge fan of Dolby and their innovations, but this is just one thing that I feel
isn't going to better the 3D format, but rather dumb it down. If you can't get all
the benefits of 3D that you do when wearing glasses, then I see this as a shortcoming
rather than progression.

I hope that I am proved wrong in years to come.

....Oh, and Jon, if you have been in this hobby as long as most of us have, you
will realize that hi tech components are constantly changing. It seems every 5 years
we are updating our entire home theaters because of new formats, better displays and
advanced technologies.

 

[Jon Lidolt]

I've been addicted to home theatre for longer than I can remember. In fact in the 90's I wrote a weekly column about home entertainment called Connections. And before that I ran a repertory cinema. Talk about constant changes. That theatre I took over was a dump with a torn screen, mono sound and a barely acceptable presentation. We were able to install one of the biggest screens in town, was one of the first in Canada with a Dolby Stereo system and even enhanced the audio with a gizmo my technical consultant brought in that extended the low end of the audio spectrum that we played through massive Sensurround speakers (remember Sensuround?) that we found gathering dust in a warehouse in the suburbs. The audiences responded, even though we weren't exactly located in the best part of town (Toronto).

 

[RolandL]

I saw Dolby's glasses-free 3D monitor also. The 3D was not that great and as Ron said, nothing comes out of the screen. Also the monitor was about 4 inches thick so thats a step back to the flat screens we have now.

 

[Jon Lidolt]

I enjoy wearing glasses to watch 3D content - both at home and in the theatre. I don't know what the big deal is. I think it adds to the fun.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

I enjoy wearing glasses to watch 3D content - both at home and in the theatre. I don't know what the big deal is. I think it adds to the fun.

Jon, I don't mind it either.

....but if you were to take a poll, you would find most do.

Glasses Free is not the answer when you cannot replicate
the same 3D experience that you would wearing glasses.

In the case of Dolby's Glasses-Free it doesn't come close
enough.

 

[Moe Dickstein]

+1 to not caring about wearing glasses. As someone who had to wear them to see, and now wears contacts and sunglasses all the time, glasses are no big deal to me, but maybe some people who otherwise never wear them can't deal with it for 2 hours. Seems like a petty complaint for such great entertainment!