Archive for the ‘Sony 3D’ Category

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Your Personal 3D Viewer Questions Answered!

By: | Posted: 11/09/2011

The Internet has been abuzz with the news that Sony is releasing the HMZT1 Personal 3D Viewer. For those new to the model, the HMZT1 is a head mounted display that looks like something straight out of a Sci Fi movie (or a beloved space exploration themed TV series). Essentially, it gives you an entirely personal 2D or 3D movie theater-like experience in the comfort of your own home. It’s like having a 150’’ screen only twelve feet away…but at the same time, attached to you. Crazy, right?

Since the announcement, there have been many questions and we had a chance to connect with our product team to bring you some answers.

First off; you can connect the HMZT1 Personal 3D viewer to ANY source with HDMI® output. The HMZT1 supports both 2D and 3D content, depending on the source. Reviewer Anticipation asked if that included mobile devices. Yes, that includes mobile devices.

One of the most popular topics has been how to connect the HMZT1 to different devices like PS3™ systems or a home theater system:

Can you connect more than one HMZT1 unit in order to play a two player game or to watch a movie with another person?

 To reviewers Turkule, BigdMan, Empty and everyone else who asked about connecting more than one unit (this was definitely a frequently asked question!) in order to do so, you will need to use an HDMI splitter. There are several 3rd party splitters available, but make sure that they support both HD and 3D. And just a heads up, each unit will have the same image coming from the PS3 system, cable box, etc.

Can you connect the HMZT1 to a home theater system?

Yes, you can connect the input/output box to your home theater setup. It supports HDMI pass-through; when the HMZT1 is turned on it will receive the Audio/Video signal from the Blu-ray Disc™ player or PS3 system. When turned off, it will pass the signal to the TV.

If you want to watch TV and use the HMZT1 to view the same content, an HDMI splitter that supports 3D and HD content will need to be used. Both the HMZT1 and TV you are using will show the same content.

With any innovative new product, there are always questions on the tech specs. Many people like reviewer DiegoAA wanted to know about the resolution and why we chose 720p over 1080p. We chose 720p over 1080p because, due to the ultra-small OLED screens (0.7 inch) being used, 720p is the highest resolution on this size of display in the industry.

Are the headphones noise cancelling? Are they detachable?

Reviewer Sergio wanted to know if the headphones could be removed. They are built into the unit and are not detachable. But the HMZT1’s headphones, while they are not noise cancelling, do have virtual 5.1-channel surround sound and a frequency response of 12-24,000Hz.

How heavy is it? Are there any other colors?

The HMZT1 weighs about 31.3oz or about 2lbs between the head mount and the processing unit. Reviewer VItimmy asked if there were other colors planned and at the time of this post, there are no other colors planned for the HMZT1. We’ll keep you posted if that changes at a later date and we’ve passed the request along.

When will I get my Personal 3D Viewer?

The excitement for the Personal 3D Viewer has exceeded our expectations! If you pre-ordered your HMZT1, preorders  started shipping this week, in the order they were received.  Orders are filled on a first come/first serve basis.

When will the Personal 3D Viewer be in stores?

Our factories are working around the clock to produce more Personal 3D Viewers for you. We will be filling orders and Sony Store shelves as inventory become available over the next days and weeks. Follow me on @SonyStore for the latest updates on availability and shipping.

These are all just facts and specs. To really see what the HMZT1 is all about, you have to try it for yourself! If you live near a Sony Store, the HMZT1 Personal 3D Viewer is now on display. If you do try it out , we’d love to hear what you think. And for those of you who pre-ordered the Personal 3D Viewer, let us know what you think in the comments or by posting a review on the product page.

 

 

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Photo courtesy @RayHartjen

Your Life in 3D Winner and the X Games

By: | Posted: 7/27/2011

You may recall a couple of months ago we told you about the Your Life in Sony 3D contest.  The contest solicited life moments from our Facebook community that they wanted us to shoot in 3D. The response was tremendous and the voting was fierce. The ultimate winner came down to the decision of our 2 judges –Scott Stewart and Buzz Hays—both 3D professionals.  They chose the following entry as the winner:

Skating is my daughter’s passion. Sierra was born at 1 lb 6 oz has had a lot of medical issues and kids making fun of her because she walked a little different. Sierra is disabled with a slight case of Cerebral Palsy. She never gives up. IF YOU HAVE HEART & PASSION FOR SOMETHING NEVER GIVE UP.  She does very well in school. She wants to be the first pro skater with a disability. :)

Upon finding out that she would be the subject of the Your Life in Sony 3D video shoot, Sierra commented “I’m just so happy to be able to tell my story. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me. I want them to know that you can do anything if you set your mind to it. My mom tells me all the time ‘Sierra there will be a lot of negative in your life, turn the negative into a positive.’”

What better place to shoot our 3D video of an aspiring skater than at ESPN’s X Games this weekend in Los Angeles?  The X Games will bring together athletes competing in several action sports including skateboarding. Sierra will have a chance to meet the skaters and learn some new tricks from our very own Sony representative and pro skater Andy Macdonald who will be there competing against top skateboarders.

To get you guys pumped for the Your Life in Sony 3D video shoot on Friday, as well as the upcoming X Games we’re going to give away five autographed skate decks signed by Andy Macdonald. All you have to do is tell us who you are most excited to watch at the X Games in the comments section below and we’ll pick 5 random people to win. Be sure that when you post your comment, you enter your real email address in the email field below (not in the comment area). Without a valid email address in that field, we won’t be able to reach you to let you know you won.

***UPDATE*** The contest is now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted an answer.
 
Photo courtesy Ray Hartjen
 

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Sony Serves Up Wimbledon in 3D

By: | Posted: 6/28/2011

Tennis fans will have a chance to see the final matches of the world’s most prestigious tournament – Wimbledon – in a way they’ve never seen it before: shot in 3D with the latest Sony HD professional cameras and available on the big screen at select movie theatres worldwide with Sony Digital Cinema 4K digital projection and RealD 3D technology. In the U.S., the Women’s and Men’s finals (July 2 and 3) will be simulcast to several 4K-equipped AMC, Regal and National Amusements theatres. (Click here for a list of participating locations).

The 3D finals are the latest opportunity to showcase sporting events in a great out-of-home viewing environment. With more movie theatres converting to digital projection, Sony is  leading with 4K digital projection quality that provides higher resolution than available on consumer televisions.

 According to Patrick Leon, senior manager of business development for Sony Digital Cinema, this type of in-theater event gives not only tennis fans but all movie-going consumers an unprecedented and immersive out-of-home experience. And exhibitors benefit by being able to offer more diverse programming options for their customers.

 “The green grass of the All England Club will look spectacular in 3D and I’m personally looking forward to the experience,” said Leon.

 But the unique theater viewing experience is just one part of the story.

 Sony has a great track record in capturing sporting events in 3D, including the Masters Golf Tournament, X Games, Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby, NBA All-Star Games, BCS College Football, and more.

 The consumer demand for 3D is growing both out of home and in-home. There are now two 24/7 3D networks – ESPN 3D and 3Net – and more are sure to be on the way.

 So don’t miss Wimbledon in Sony 3D. It will be a great way to feel like you are right there on the lawn.

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your life in 3d facebook contest

Picture this: Your Life in Sony 3D

By: | Posted: 5/10/2011

Hollywood gave us the first three-dimensional movie 58 years ago, but until now you have not been able to have your own personal moment captured in Sony 3D’s breathtaking reality.

If you had a chance to record a single moment in your life in 3D, what moment would you choose? Your wedding? Graduation? Maybe it was a game winning goal or the first time your band faced an audience. Imagine that event captured forever in Sony 3D — your own little reality show, shot by pros using Sony professional 3D equipment and then broadcast on the World’s first 3D 24 hour network, 3Net.

Today, we’re launching “Your Life in Sony 3D.” It’s a contest that will give someone the chance to have a special moment shot in Sony 3D to keep and share forever. The winner will have their chosen event captured and broadcast, and also will receive a copy of the show and a prize package of 3D products with which to watch and share that memory and create new ones over and over again.

Here’s how to enter: Go to the Sony Electronics page on Facebook and submit a personal photo and a description of the event you’d like to have filmed (500 character max). The contest is open until June 6th, 2011. Your 3D ideas should fall into one of four categories: Sports & Recreation, Arts & Entertainment, Cause & Community or Life’s Milestones & Events.

Five finalists will be chosen by the vote of fans of the Sony Electronics Facebook page. Producers at 3Net and Sony will choose another five. Then, Buzz Hayes, chief instructor at Sony’s 3D Technology Center in Los Angeles, and Scott Stewart, director of this week’s release of the 3D film “Priest”, will choose the winner.

Here’s a quick list of what the winning idea will win:
• A professionally-shot and edited 3D video to keep
• A hands-on tour of the 3D production truck used for the event
• A Sony 3D HDTV, 3D Blu-ray player, and 3D personal video cameras
• Broadcasting of your event on 3Net channel and at Sony stores nationwide
• Broadcasting of a 2D version on the Sony billboard in Times Square

Make sure to check out all the rules and regulations, then turn loose your imagination … in 3D!

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F65

Sony Kicks off NAB with the announcement of a new 4K professional camera

By: | Posted: 4/11/2011

The new Sony F65 CineAlta® camera had a crowd of journalists and bloggers gathered around stage snapping photos after yesterday’s Sony press conference at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) annual show. The new Sony professional camera was revealed at this year’s annual show for film and broadcast professionals. The new F65 CineAlta camera has an 8K sensor and is Sony’s first to capture in 4K+ resolution. K is shorthand for roughly one thousand pixels and 2K is common in movies theaters.  Right now, more than 7,000 Sony 4K projectors are already used in theaters around the world and with the introduction of the new F65, movie goers are in for an even more amazing theater experience with even greater resolution and picture quality.

Adding to the consumer 3D Handycam® and 3D Bloggie™ cameras announced at the Consumer Electronics Show this year, Sony announced 2 new professional 3D cameras at NAB. The PMW-TD300 is a shoulder mount 3D camera and the HXR-NX3D1 is a handheld camera for 3D recording. Both are more compact and streamlined for capturing 3D than “3D rigs” currently in use.

So much content is already brought to you via Sony professional equipment. This February Sony, Discovery and IMAX launched 3Net, the World’s first 24/7 channel to feature episodic, sports and nature shows. “The 3D market is expected to expand to 15 million U.S. homes by the end of next year,” said, Tim Pastore, VP of development and production at 3NET who spoke at the press event. He also noted that network plans to create the World’s largest library of shows captured and broadcast in 3D by the end of this year.

Another 24/7 network launched last summer as ESPN 3D and the crowd was treated to live 3D scenes from Augusta where the Masters® Golf Tournament was still in progress. The sweeping views and scenes of the sport were first broadcast by Sony in partnership with ESPN in 2010.

In June and July of this year for the first time ever, the finals of the Wimbledon® tennis championship will be shot in 3D and screened live in high definition 3D to 3D capable cinemas around the world. “3D will have a huge impact on our viewers” said Mervyn Hall, head of broadcast at Wimbledon. The Men’s semi-finals and both singles finals will be produced in 3D.

Finally, you may be seeing a great amount of buzz around a new show coming to the US this fall. Simon Cowell’s, X Factor, is in full swing with a talent search underway. Sony HD equipment was chosen by the show’s production company, Fremantle Media for a majority of production. Cameras will be catching the stage, behind the scenes footage and more. “The X Factor will accumulate upwards of 2500 hours of source footage for a single season.” said Zach Jarosz of Fremantle Media, the company executing the production of the show. It’s the “Biggest new show on TV, moving with Sony into a new age.”

If you’d like to see more news from the show check out Sony.com/NAB. You can also follow @SonyProUSA on Twitter.

 

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