3D TV Reviews Blog

The Transformers: Dark of the Moon Limited Edition Blu-ray 3D doesn't hit the streets officially until next week, but you can get a look at one of the special features early right here. In this video clip director Michael Bay and other members of the production team explain some of the special challenges that came with shooting the special-effects heavy movie in 3D. It required changes to his usual frenetic cutting style with fewer pans and longer shots, as well as extra work by the editors on each element of animation overlaid on each frame. For a longer discussion about the background of shooting the flick you can check out an interview featuring Bay and 3D-master James Cameron here, otherwise just press play, or check out the press release after the break for a full list of special features included when he disc debuts January 31st.

Continue reading Transformers: Dark of the Moon clip breaks down shooting movies, special effects in 3D (video)

Transformers: Dark of the Moon clip breaks down shooting movies, special effects in 3D (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IBM may be the king of patents, and Apple's patent applications grace these pages rather frequently, but Microsoft's not one to rest on its IP laurels, either. A couple of newly published patents out of Redmond have made their way to the web: one for securely pairing wireless devices and one for 3D rangefinder camera technology. The pairing tech works via a direct connection between devices using Bluetooth or WiFi and an automated, two-step authentication process. First, a request is sent by an initiating handset and is authenticated by its target using an address book of recognized devices. Next, the two devices exchange encrypted security keys to cement their digital friendship, leaving you free to exchange your favorite episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 or latest LOLcat pictures with the greatest of ease.

Microsoft's other patent of interest is for "a 3D camera for determining distances to regions in a scene." That's not a new concept by any means, but this new bit of IP integrates all the functions of such an imager on a single chip. Essentially, it claims an image sensor, a light source to illuminate the scene being shot and a controller to gate the pixels on the sensor on and off and correct for inaccuracies caused by other light sources. It works by projecting the light source and determining the distance to various points based upon the time it takes for the light to bounce off the target and reach the camera sensor. Want to know more? You can haz all the patent particulars at the source links below.

Microsoft patents method for secure pairing of devices wirelessly and a 3D rangefinder camera originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The network we love to hate has made it a long way in the four years since we promised to never cover it again because of its ridiculous claims. Not only is it still on the air, but Herring Broadcasting has announced it will be adding a linear 3D channel to the existing handful of 3D channels that includes ESPN 3D, n3D and 3net. No word on any broadcaster carriage agreements, yet, but WealthTV 3D has spent two years producing original 3D content in anticipation of the launch and viewers can currently tune in online via Roku boxes. Some of the 3D content has been available via Verizon FiOS VOD since 2010 and while we have long since laughed off the CEO's reaction to our feelings about his channel, our opinion of WealthTV probably isn't going to be changed by adding another dimension.

Continue reading WealthTV 3D joining handful of 3D networks

WealthTV 3D joining handful of 3D networks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We're still in the relatively early stages of the 3D printer revolution, and as such, it's hard to say just how these devices will play a role in our daily lives. We've seen some really cool toys like turtleshell racers and Weighted Companion Cubes, but what about some everyday products? This 3D printed record keeps the Portal printer theme going by cutting our old pal Jonathan Coulton's "Still Alive" into its grooves. The single was printed over at Shapeways and played on a Fisher-Price record player. Video after jump.

Continue reading 'Still Alive' played on 3D printed record, takes music piracy to complicated new levels

'Still Alive' played on 3D printed record, takes music piracy to complicated new levels originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Less than ?250

Has the bottom fallen out of the 3D smartphone boom? Supermarket Asda certainly thinks so (or perhaps it doesn't, see update at bottom) as it is offering one of last year's superphones, the HTC Evo 3D, for under ?250.

"It’s a blockbuster phone at an amazingly low price," said James McMurrough, Asda’s mobile phone expert. "We’re constantly amazed at the features that are being built into the latest phones - and it’s incredible to think that one of the latest Hollywood techniques is now available at such a low price."

We think that's a nice way of saying: "We don't think anyone really cares if their smartphone has 3D capabilities so we're going to have to smash the price if we're to shift all the units we've got out the back". Although this is our interpretation of course, Asda in no-way said this.

Luckily, the Evo 3D is more than just a one-trick pony though. This smartphone stallion can juggle multiple apps at once and it comes with a well-developed 2D camera and camcorder. It’s fast and simple to use, makes the most of the HTC Sense interface, and only rarely lets the awkwardness of Android show through. Forget the patchy 3D tech - even without it this impressive high-end Android phone is worth a second look.

The HTC Evo 3D uses parallax barrier 3D tech, so no glasses are needed. It boasts a 4.3-inch qHD display, packs a 1.2GHz dual core Qualcomm processor, 1GB RAM and 1GB of internal storage. It's got dual 5-megapixel cameras on the back for 3D shooting and a 1.3-megapixel front facing camera.

It's ?249.99 at Asda and is available at that price now. It runs Android 2.3 now but Ice Cream Sandwich is on the way.

Update: The supermarket giant has contacted Pocket-lint to say that it would argue that, by reducing the price, it is bringing the 3D technology to a wider market which, it says,? would accelerate adoption.?

"The other important point is that Asda are offering the HTC at this price from the outset," said a spokesperson. "It's not reducing the price to clear stock (thought they clearly expect it to sell well)."

That told us then.

Tags: Phones HTC EVO 3D HTC Asda

HTC Evo 3D hits the bargain bucket at Asda originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:34:00 +0000

Is this an image of the LG Optimus 3D 2? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CX2 leaked

We knew that LG would be releasing a second version of their Optimus 3D handset, because LG's Dr Noh told us so in September of last year.?

Now images and details have found their way onto Pocketnow.com, following the appearance of the new LG X3 handset on the same site.

The LG Optimus 3D 2, codenamed the CX2, is indeed a slimmer device judging by the images - just as Dr Noh had teased. It is said to be under 10mm thick, which should make it all the more pocketable.

Internally it is reported to offer a 1.2GHz TI processor, which sticks to the same supplier as the original Optimus 3D. The screen sits at 4.3-inches, offering a resolution 800 x 480 pixels, but said to offer the Nova technology that the Optimus Black did. This is a super-bright 700nit display, which should help visibility in bright sunlight, as well as giving the 3D a boost.?

But this resolution of screen does set it behind most rumoured flagship rivals, so it's really the 3D side of things that makes the handset stand out. The cameras look to be staying at 5-megapixels each and it's said to be launching on Gingerbread, which will no doubt be a disappointment for Android fans.?

Some, of course, might question LG's approach. With Nvidia powering some devices, Texus Instruments in others and different quality and types of display, there doesn't seem to be much parity between the models. The Optimus 3D is something of a niche phone and nothing suggests the upgraded model will be any different.

Again, with Mobile World Congress a month away, we can expect to see all LG's phones confirmed soon enough. It looks like we now know about a replacement for the Optimus 3D and the Optimus 2X.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones LG LG Optimus 3D 2 Rumours MWC2012 LG Optimus 3D Max

LG Optimus 3D 2, a thinner 3D Android phone incoming originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:16:00 +0000

3DS owners have been waiting (and waiting) for a chance to take advantage of a downloadable content market, and while Nintendo already accomplished the tough part (read: launching it) a few days back, there's still been no word on when paid content would make an appearance. Pushing those freebies aside is Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, which is seemingly destined to be the first 3DS title in existence to offer up enhancements in exchange for a few yen. The box here is actually an "early retail dummy unit," though the verbiage on the back makes quite clear that downloadable material will be available at a cost. Furthermore, there's a heretofore unseen Nintendo Network badge on the front, which may be a new look for the existing Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. At any rate, the game is scheduled to ship on February 16th in Japan, after which all of this will-it-won't-it drama will presumably be cleared up.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy box points to first paid DLC for Nintendo 3DS originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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