Home » Archives for September 2010
At IBC this year, Stergen will be launching a new 2d-3d conversion software that will convert live 2D video into stereo 3D video real-time.
Stergen’s real-time conversion software includes Stergen Arena, which connects to a single, live 2D camera output to produce live stereo 3D video from sports arenas and mobile video units; and Stergen Studio, for use in broadcast studios or cable head-ends to convert live, 2D video programs to stereo 3D in real time.
I’m still pretty wary of all of these automatic 2D-to-3D conversion systems, seems they run the risk of squashing 3D in the home with damage similar to what Clash of the Titans did to 3D in theaters. Given the choice between poorly done 3D and regular 2D, will people really pick 3D?
via Stergen 2D-3D conversion demonstrated at IBC.
Hardware, Science ibc, stereoscopic, stergen
FlowingData brings us the news on Anil Bawa-Cavia’s Achipelago project that attempts to organize 845,000 FourSquare checkins into visible patterns across a few major cities.
In these maps, activity on the Foursquare network is aggregated onto a grid of ‘walkable’ cells (each one 400×400 meters in size) represented by dots. The size of each dot corresponds to the level of activity in that cell. By this process we can see social centers emerge in each city.
There is an obvious bias in the data, since it’s solely linked to users of FourSquare, but it’s interesting to see how ‘even’ Paris is compared to New York City.
via Social life of Foursquare users mapped.
Science foursquare, social media, visualization
Wanted to announce a new feature here on VizWorld. I’m a big fan of EverNote, I’ve been a premium subscriber for over 2 years now I believe. Currently managing just over 1900 notes, I find it invaluable in my day-to-day workings. If you’re a fan (or even if you’re not), you may have heard about a new feature they just rolled out called ‘Site Memory Buttons‘.
The Evernote Site Memory button embeds a mini version of Evernote onto your pages. As the name suggests, the button gives your website a memory—like getting an incredibly powerful favorite function, without the implementation headaches. Whether you run a blog, news outlet, storefront, or corporate site, here’s what Site Memory can do for you:
So now, if you view an individual article you’ll see that trademark little green elephant button in the right sidebar. Click that, and a note will be created for you automatically with the story content (none of the extra garbage), nicely formatted, with a proper title and URL to the story and the ‘vizworld’ tag (optional). Should save you some trouble if you’re a big Evernote clipper like myself. Also, using the ‘Site Memory’ button enables some nice features like being able to browse previous clips from VizWorld.com, to make sure you haven’t already clipped it once before.
So go try it out, and let me know what you think!
PS: If you’re a NoScript user (like myself), then you’ll need to add the following to your ‘Advanced’ ‘XSS’ settings as a trusted url:
^https://www.evernote.com/noteit.action(.+)?
That’ll get it working.. For some reason, even if you do the ‘unsafe reload’, it won’t work.
Website
CoreMelt is taking their nice Lock & Load product for Final Cut Pro and bringing it down to the consumer audience with their newest offering ‘Load & Load Express’.
Lock & Load Express is a customised version of stabilization software that is made for Final Cut Express users. It gives you all the power of Lock & Load X package for Final Cut Pro, but at a lower price. Simply download it and you will be able to use this superior effect from within your Final Cut Express.
It includes core features like Rolling Shutter Reduction, Smart Adaptive Zoom and In/Out Analysis.
It’s only $79, and offers many of the features of their full-version Lock & Load X.
via Lock & Load Express.
Graphics finalcut, lock&load, plugin
Let’s start by looking into the most viral Brands of 2010 – at least so far – made by Viral Ad Network. Always “viral”, unfortunately, are the Spams that keep bombarding our email accounts. Wikibon brings a visual journey into the Spam history. After that, the ever-growing world of Facebook in two infographics: first the economics behind FarmVille (made by Credit Loan), and then with the ultimate Apps Showdown, including also the iPhone and Android (from All Facebook ). Finally, the overview on back to school shopping, by Meet the Boss, closes today’ selection.
Read more…
Graphics, Science design, economy, environment, infographic, infoviz, Visual Loop, visualizations
A Guide to Senior Citizen Usage on Facebook
Graphics, Science digest, infographics, list
Next time you want to live-monitor your Stereo 3D, you may be able to use CelSoft’s ‘Cel Scope3D’ application. It’s a windows program that analyzes 2 video streams to create some interesting frame-diffs that can show you discrepancies in the depth field, helping you to find a proper stereoscopic offset.
Cel-Scope3D can provide stereoscopic 3D monitoring and depth budget analysis at low cost. This is a Windows program that runs on a PC without special or expensive hardware. It allows accurate camera and rig set-up to be done quickly and confidently so that the 3D will be right first time. Its facilities can also be use in post production to check any correction, fixes and tweaks are going to be pixel prefect and that the depth budget is used to its advantage without abusing the audience.
The software isn’t available yet, but hopefully will be soon.
via cel-scope3D.
Graphics software, stereoscopic
La-Z-Boy has apparently not been relaxing in their comfy chairs lately, and just today rolled out a new area of their website enabling interactive 3D views of spaces and furniture. Powered by Icovia, you can layout a room and fully customize all of their furniture online, then view them from any angle in full 3D.
“Product configuration, visualization, space planning and social media integration makes the La-Z-Boy 3D Room Planner a powerful tool for our customers and dealers,” commented Doug Collier, Chief Marketing Officer for La-Z-Boy. “The better we can meet and exceed consumers’ expectations, the better position we are in to attract and convert them into customers. The Icovia 3D Virtual Planner makes all of this possible and helps La-Z-Boy continue to dramatically increase its brand visibility and interactive capabilities online.”
You can go check it out and see videos of it via the La-Z-Boy Facebook Page.
via La-Z-Boy Launches 3D Virtual Space Planner Powered by Icovia.
Science 3d, interactive, online
James Cameron is filming a short documentary 3-D movie about the Xikrin-Kayapo tribe which lives in the Amazon jungle. This tribe is fighting a proposed dam on a nearby river which they say will destroy their hunting grounds. The president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has already said that the hydroelectric dam on the Xingu River will be built.
Cameron said that the plight of the Xikrin-Kayapo tribe – which he has already chronicled in one short documentary – reminded him of that of the Na’vi, the blue-skinned aliens whose planet is exploited by a mining company in the blockbuster film. “I want to return to meet some of the leaders of the Xikrin-Kayapo tribe who invited me back,” he said, adding that he had first met the group during a tour of the Amazon to promote Avatar. “I want to take a 3D camera to film how they live, their culture.”
Cameron says his short film about the tribe will be included on the DVD version of Avatar, which is scheduled to be released around Christmas. The new, extended documentary will be slotted around filming of a sequel to Avatar, which is already under way. “The Brazilian Indians, who were desperate, I couldn’t turn away,” he added.
via The real ‘Avatar’: Cameron shoots Amazon tribe in 3D – News, Films – The Independent.
Science 3d, avatar
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