SAFETY HARBOR, FLORIDA: Metric Halo has completely revamped its website, bringing the crystalline clarity of modern design and functionality to its online presence. The new site, www.mhsecure.com (which is also accessible at the old address, www.mhlabs.com) offers users well-organized access to product information, product support, purchasing, and user-community wikis & list-serves. It is simple and intuitive to navigate and will make more

Inspiring Demonstrations, Collegial Atmosphere and Unparalleled Sessions Bring Experts from Entertainment, Government and Research Together in Vibrant Exchange

(Los Angeles, CA) The Hollywood Post Alliance(r) – the trade association for the post production community – has announced the lineup for the HPA Tech Retreat(r), set to take place February 13 -17 at the Hyatt Grand Champions in Indian Wells, CA. The HPA Tech Retreat is the annual conference that brings together thought leaders from digital and content creation, media and entertainment, forensics, medicine, digital imaging, to academic research.

The event consists of three days of sessions, and two days of additional conference programming including an all day super session, seminars presented by ATSC and by imaging-guru Charles Poynton, a demo room with groundbreaking technologies, cocktail receptions, a welcome dinner, and three days of breakfast roundtables, fireside chats and opportunities for networking throughout each day. The Tech Retreat is designed to foster ideas and information sharing among industry experts.

Leon Silverman, President of HPA, notes, “Our industry’s incredibly accelerated pace of change makes it extremely difficult to know to whom or where one can turn to make sure you’re plugged into the knowledge and people you need to know to survive and navigate in this environment. The Tech Retreat is a yearly way to literally get into the heads and private conversations of the people who are driving and leading our industry through this transformative change. There really is nothing like it anywhere. A ticket to the Tech Retreat is a front-row, up close & personal seat on the cutting edge.”

Mark Schubin, who has led the programming for the Tech Retreat for 15 years, sums up the event, “There will be someone there who knows the answer, whatever the question is!” And, that fact, he contends, is why the Tech Retreat remains a mandatory event for many in the industry. “It doesn’t matter what you are dealing with – movies, television, media for the physically impaired, forensics, optical issues for 3D – there are experts here who want to discuss their latest findings, show you what they’ve been working on, and share. It’s the place where questions are explored in depth.”

The Tech Retreat is also an event where technologies, chosen by a committee of experts, are presented in a carefully curated demo room. “This year I am particularly excited about the Demo Room. There are a number of truly interesting technologies and companies debuting here. We are presenting a technology that makes any camera a stereoscopic 3D camera, a 360-degree camera from which HD images can be extracted, demos of how depth perception varies with viewing distance, high frame rate tests, Ethernet AVB, and more. It’s inspiring to say the least.” Schubin concluded.

Registration for the HPA Tech Retreat is limited. Information and registration is available at http://www.hpaonline.com/mc/page.do?sitePageId=130712. The Tech Retreat is sponsored by the Hollywood Post Alliance(r), serving the professional community of businesses and individuals who provide expertise, support, tools and the infrastructure for the creation and finishing of motion pictures, television, commercials, digital media and other dynamic media content.

A complete schedule of the event is available online by clicking here: (http://www.hpaonline.com/mc/page.do?sitePageId=130539). A summary of speakers, panels, and participating companies follow.

Expert speakers confirmed include:

o Andrea Kalas
o Andy Maltz
o Annie Chang
o Arjun Ramamurthy
o Bob Liodice
o Brian Zents
o Bruce Devlin
o Chris Lennon
o Clyde Smith
o Craig Merkin
o Craig Todd
o Curtis Clark
o Dan Germain
o Debra Kaufman
o Edgar Shane
o Geoffrey Tulley
o Henry Gu
o Jenny Read
o Jerry Pierce
o Jim Berger
o Jim DeFillipis
o Jim Taylor
o John Hurst
o Larry Thorpe
o Leon Silverman
o Mark Aitken
o Mark Lemmons
o Mark Schubin
o Masayuki Sugawara
o Michael Koetter
o Mike Krause
o Paul Chapman
o Peter Putman
o Peter Symes
o Phil Squyres
o Rob Hummel
o Sean Cooney
o Skip Pizzi
o Steve Kochak
o Steven Poster
o Tim Claman
o Tom Burn
o Wendy Aylsworth

Also joining the line-up are the filmmakers from the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and an announcement of additional speakers is expected shortly.

Panelists representing studios, companies, and organizations include:

ABC
Adobe
ATSC
ARRI
Barco
Belden
Canon
CBS
CNN
DECE
Deluxe
Digital Domain
Digital Projection
Disney
Dolby
DVS
Fox
Harris
ICG
JVC
Laser-Illuminated Projector Association (LIPA)
Light Iron
NAB
NBC
Newcastle University
NHK
Oracle
Panasonic
PBS
RE: Vision Effects
RED
Rods & Cones
Sinclair
SMPTE
Sony
Sony Electronics
Technicolor
The Association of National Advertisers (ANA)
Vision Research
Warner Brothers
Walt Disney Company

More programming, panelists and organizations are to be announced shortly.

The HPA Tech Retreat is known for presenting topical, latest-knowledge panels and presentations. Among others, this year’s presentation topics include:

o Forecast for SuperSession 2012: Snowflakes with an Increasing Chance of Clouds
o 4K Cameras and their Workflows
o The Image Interchange Framework Demystified: What It Is and Why It Matters
o High-Dynamic-Range Acquisition
o Optical Temporal Filtering
o Broadcasters Panel
o The Current State of Connected TV
o The Home Ecosystem: What Will Make It Work?
o CES Review
o HPA Monitor Symposium Recap
o Next Generation Projection Systems
o Getting Creative Intent to the Viewer
o Digital Commercial Slates: a New Era in Commercial Workflow – a bicoastal live presentation
o Washington Update
o CALM Down? Stereo vs. Surround Loudness
o VFX Panel
o IMF Moving Forward
o What Happened to Dailies?
o Digital Preservation: An Ecosystem
o Perceiving 3D
o Increasing Resolution by Covering the Image Sensor, and much more.

Sponsors of HPA Tech Retreat in 2012 include: AJA, Dolby, DataDirect Networks, and Testronic Labs and Media Sponsors Createasphere, Post Magazine and LA 411.

About the Hollywood Post Alliance(r)
Hollywood Post Alliance (HPA) serves the professional community of businesses and individuals who provide expertise, support, tools and the infrastructure for the creation and finishing of motion pictures, television, commercials, digital media and other dynamic media content.

# # #

Media Contact:
Chris Purse, 818.303.8088
ignite strategic communications
chris@ignite.bz or mimi@ignite.bz

Hollywood, CA – 3D Film Factory, the leader in professional, affordable 3D camera rigs, introduces the world’s lightest, most affordable, hand-held 3D rig – the 3D Bullet Rig. Ready to “Load & Shoot”, this versatile 3D system is literally unshakable for handheld, Steadicam, Easyrig, or tripod filming.Priced at a fraction of other professional 3D rigs (under $5K), this compact beam-splitter rig is the perfect solution for location, reality, or action 3D filmmaking. It’s features actually surpass that of other more expensive rigs. For more information on the 3D Bullet Rig visit www(dot)3DFilmFactory(dot)com

“The 3D Bullet Rig is going to take 3D production to a whole new level. I love this rig. It’s incredibly light, rock steady and most of all – it’s really easy to shoot with from your shoulder, or tripod. This rig is a 3D filmmakers dream, very versatile“, said the company’s veteran stereographer Keith Driver. “Most 3D rigs are bulky, expensive and worst of all – tripod bound. They require a crew to operate. We’ve shot 3D projects in Africa, the Middle East, Hollywood soundstages, you name it we’ve done it in 3D. And we realized we needed a more mobile 3D rig. A 3D rig you could just pick up and shoot with. This is the 3D Bullet Rig.”

The 3D Bullet Rig makes handheld 3D filming effortless and smooth by transferring the weight to your waist and shoulder. Each 3D rig includes a spring-loaded suspension rod, comfortable weight displacement belt and adjustable, padded shoulder mount. The result is hours of mobile, handheld 3D filming capability. In addition, the rig features detachable rubber hand grips for easy manoeuvring and a standard tripod mounting plate (¼-20 and ?-16 holes).

Weighing approx. 15 lbs. (5.8 kgs.) the Bullet Rig accommodates the Red Epic, Canon DSLR 5D, 7D, XF105, XF305, XH-G1, Sony F3, EX3’s, HDCP1, X5U, Z1U, Panasonic AF100, HPX250 and many other professional HD cameras.

The rig also features custom camera mounts that easily lock and load cameras into place using a standard quick-release plate from Bogen/Manfrotto. The horizontal camera mount offers IO (inter-ocular) adjustability from 0” – 3.5” (0 – 89 mm) and simple convergence movement from 0°-3°. Both functions are easily controlled using smooth, accurate finger knobs, with calibration markings. The vertical camera mount adjusts for perfect stereoscopic picture alignment by elevating and performing full x-y-z rotation (yaw, roll, tilt).

The light-weight, mirror box housing is constructed using space-age foam core plastic that’s durable, corrosion-free and substantially cooler than a metal matte box. This ensures your beam-splitter glass with its expensive coatings will stay cool on hot days. The rig itself is hand-milled employing a nearly indestructible aluminium alloy frame.

Perfect for traveling light, the entire 3D Bullet Rig is ingenuously designed to set-up and break down in a matter of minutes, packing into a small, water-tight pelican case.

As a bonus, the horizontal rail easily detaches, along with the camera mounts, transforming into a side-by-side rig 3D for wide and landscape stereography.

Our opti-prime, 50/50 beam-splitter glass is optimized to meet the demands of 3D filmmaking. See specs. Within the matte box, a simple adjustment tool allows stereographers to fine tune the glass angle from between 43° to 47°.

The outcome is simply the world’s most affordable, professional handheld 3D rig.

It should be noted that using our simple Lanc system camera operators can now synch start/stop, focus, alignment, lens shift and many other vital functions thru both cameras or individually.

The 3D Film Factory offers a complete line of 3D beam-splitter rigs intended for HD camcorders, as well as larger ENG and broadcast style camera. In addition, we offer several inexpensive side-by-side rigs and real-time 3D viewing solutions. To learn more about 3D camera rigs, 3D viewing systems, 3D production services, or 3D training workshops visit – www.3DFilmFactory.com

About the 3D Film Factory
Established in 2008 by award-winning filmmakers and veteran stereographers, the 3D Film Factory has been the worldwide leader in professional, affordable 3D camera rigs and real-time 3D monitoring solutions. In addition we provide a host of 3D production services worldwide including, stereographers ‘for hire’, 3D camera rig rental, 3D viewing systems, and 3D post, as well as intensive 3D training workshops. Former clients include ESPN, NASA, Disney, HD Cinema, Pinewood Studios and Discovery. For more information visit www.3DFilmFactory.com

New 3D BULLET RIG shown with Panasonic HPX250 and Canon XF305 cameras, is the most affordable, modular 3D beam-splitter available today. It features adustable IO (3.5″), convergence (0-2 deg), XYZ axis, camera elevation and mirror angle (44 to 46 deg) for perfect image alignment in every situation. Fits easily on Steadicam, in handheld mode (shoulder mount incl), with EasyRig, on a jib and any tripod. Weighs just 15 lbs. and is 15″ wide. Accomodates Red Epic, Scarlet, Sony EX3, F3, Canon XF305, XF105, 5D, Si-2K, & many other professional cameras. For more information visit www.3DFilmFactory.com

Detroit/LA: Team Detroit took the Ford Mustang Customizer to the next level this year, creating an interactive experience that not only invites users to help design their dream muscle car, but also gives their designs a life outside of the automaker’s website, in social media. The agency once again tasked Speedshape with transforming the car, options and accessories into high quality photo-real assets that capture the imagination of car enthusiasts and draw them into this immersive interactive experience.

 

 

A hybrid design/development company best known for its cutting-edge VFX-driven commercials, Speedshape again shows how an artistic eye and technical ingenuity can transform traditional digital rendering from a process to a craft. Rooted in animation, the company’s multi-disciplined team of designers and producers brings a level of artistry to computer imagery that is distinguishing Speedshape’s work in the digital arena.

 

Speedshape’s VFX team began the job at Ford’s live shoot, where they captured the HDRI environments for the three locations in which the 2012 customizer would reside. They then created all modular elements required to build the full range of trim levels, as well as the hundreds of accessories and options – including the wheels, grilles, Ford racing performance parts, factory and custom colors, body kits, and graphics.

 

 

After completing the modeling and data prep for each of four different models: The Mustang V6, GT, Boss 302 and the Shelby GT500, as well as the massive quantity of options, Speedshape took all the assets to a photo real finished quality, matching the lighting and environments captured during the shoot.

“Having a sophisticated approach to asset management and a fluid, customized pipeline in place is key to keeping a job of this scope efficient and cost-effective – and maintaining the same pristine photographic quality and lighting values for every asset, ” says Speedshape’s CG Supervisor, Mike Ward. “We integrated back-plate images to maximize the flexibility and intuitive functionality of the Customizer.”

 

“Our focus on the management and maintenance of files, scripts and software ensures that our scalable assets can be repurposed and seamlessly integrated, year after year, without running into software or hardware conflicts,” added Ward.

 

Team Detroit fully loaded this year’s Customizer with new features that make playing around with the infinite combinations of colors, accessories and options almost a video game-like experience. Once completed, cars can be posted on Facebook where users can opt to go into ‘battle mode’ and compete against each other for top ranking based on the number of votes their design receives from other participants.

 

“Speedshape and Team Detroit have built a strong creative partnership over the last few years. It’s great to work with a client that collaborates with us throughout the creative process, and is so committed to making each generation of the Customizer more innovative and cutting-edge than the year before,” says Speedshape’s Executive Producer, Mike Albert.

 

Speedshape provided all of the layered CG assets, 2D smoke and burnout graphics for the website and delivered final layered files for all parts, stripes and decals and delivered it to Firstborn where the live site was developed and programmed.

 

ABOUT SPEEDSHAPE:
Speedshape/CGI + VFX
Speedshape/Interactive Design + Development
Speedshape/3D Stereo Film

 

Speedshape is a multi-disciplined CG/VFX, Interactive and 3D Stereo company dedicated to providing advertising agencies, brands and motion picture clients with innovative creative content in a seamlessly integrated full-service creative environment tailored to their specific needs. Our collective of multi-talented artists, designers, digital strategists and producers bring artistry and technical ingenuity to the creative development and crafting of inspired visual content.

 

Since the launch of our flagship Detroit-based facility in 2003, our award-winning company has expanded its footprint with satellite divisions in New York, Venice Beach and London, creating an open-architecture national – and global – creative network that traverses all platforms with cutting-edge content.

 

Speedshape’s client roster includes_General Electric, Mercedes Benz, Sports Authority, Bosch, Ford Motor Company, Jack Daniels and Duncan Hines. Speedshape’s recently launched 3D Film division debuted its services with The Weinstein Company’s feature films, Spy Kids: All The Time in The World, Escape From Planet Earth and Piranha 3DD

 

For additional information contact Speedshape’s Account Director, Chad Cooper at 248.282.0200, or visit http://www.speedshape.com. To learn more about our 2D-to-3D stereoscopic conversion, contact Frank Rainone (East Coast) or Julie Currin (West Coast) at 248.282.0200.

 

Speedshape(Detroit) 30300 Telegaph, Suite 300, Bingham Farms, Michigan, 248.282.0200, detroit@speedshape.com; Speedshape (Los Angeles) 200 Mildred Avenue, Venice, California, 210.822.8182, losangeles@speedshape.com;Speedshape (New York) 99 Hudson Street, Suite 200, New York, New York, newyork@speedshape.com: Speedshape (London) 4 Kingly Street, London, WiB 5PE, United Kingdom, +44.207.440.2578, london@speedshape.com.

 

CREDITS:
Client: Ford Motor Company

 

Project: 2012 Ford Mustang Customizer

 

AD AGENCY: Team Detroit
Project Manager: Chris Steele
Program Manager: Amy Daneke
Account Manager: Andrea Gontina
JWT Account: Anthony Biondo
Information Architect: Stacie Sheldon
ZAAZ Analytics: Reem Anani
Tech Lead: Chad Dattilio
Strategy: Amanda Douglas
Creative: Jennifer Powers
Creative: James Robinson
Creative: Sue Driscoll
Art Buyer: Kim Harris

 

CGI DESIGN + PRODUCTION: Speedshape (Detroit/NYC/Venice Beach/London)
Executive Producer: Mike Albert
CG Supervisor: Mike Ward
CG Supervisor: Linden Vennard
Producer: Dawn Giddings
Technical Director: Jared Tripp
Designer: Josh Hamman
Designer: Cory Brent
Designer: Rob Braithwaite

 

DIGITAL PRODUCTION: Firstborn

Center Will Ensure Seamless Interoperability for Expanding Number of Qi-Compatible Products

(DIEPENBEEK, BELGIUM) The Wireless Power Consortium and Testronic Labs, the global leader in quality assurance and localization services for film and television, games, websites, hardware, and software, have announced that Testronic has been selected by the WPC as the Qi (pronounced “chee”) interoperability testing center. The interoperability testing center keeps a library of all Qi-certified products and performs functional interoperability tests with these products on behalf of the WPC.

Qi, the global standard for wireless charging, allows devices to be charged just by placing them on any Qi charging surface without connecting cords or wires. Qi offers simplicity, convenience, and flexibility by ensuring wireless charging interoperability between any Qi-enabled device and any Qi charger, regardless of manufacturer or brand.

The Qi logo promises that a wireless charger with the Qi logo will power all mobile devices with the Qi logo. To safeguard that promise, the Wireless Power Consortium performs two tests on all Qi products. The first test is a compliance test performed by a Qi authorized testing center. The second test, which Testronic labs will now perform, ensures interoperability with all Qi products.

“With the growing number of Qi products, it’s essential to verify that all wireless chargers work correctly with all mobile devices,” said WPC Chairman Menno Treffers. “Testronic’s library of Qi products makes it easy to verify that a new product works correctly with all previously certified products.”

“We see the implementation of Qi as one of the most impactful developments for the users of mobile devices, such as cell phones, tablets, and other devices that are part of all of our personal and professional lives,” said Testronic Labs CTO Johan Craeybeckx. “Testronic is thrilled to support this new standard with our deep expertise in testing and quality control.”

For more information about Qi and the WPC, please visit the Wireless Power Consortium website.

About Testronic Labs
Testronic Labs’ high standards have been protecting clients and safeguarding the consumer experience since 1998. As the leading global provider of quality assurance, compliance, and localization services for a notable array of industries; including media, entertainment, games, education, e-commerce and consumer electronics, Testronic Labs ensures efficient and secure delivery of the highest quality consumer deliverables. Based in Burbank, CA, Pinewood Studios and central London UK, Diepenbeek, Belgium and Warsaw, Poland, Testronic Labs offers an unparalleled history of next-generation innovation and service excellence across the entire digital media industry.

About Qi and the Wireless Power Consortium
Established 17 December 2008, the Wireless Power Consortium’s mission is to establish Qi as the global standard for powering rechargeable electronic products. The more than 100 members of WPC include industry leaders in mobile phones, consumer electronics, batteries, semiconductors, components, wireless power technology and infrastructure such as wireless operators, furniture and automotive parts companies. Qi products are available in the United States, Asia, and Europe.

# # #

For Testronic Labs inquiries, please contact:

Chris Purse, 818.303.8088
ignite strategic communications
chris@ignite.bz

For WPC inquiries, please contact:

Josh Schimel
Phone: 202-857-2208
Email: josh.schimel@fleishman.com

Jennifer Clark
Phone: 202-828-5065
Email: jennifer.clark@fleishman.com

Offers Free iOS Programming Guide for Developers
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Urbana, IL • NEP Broadcasting, the leading international provider of mobile tele-production services, has outfitted its latest launches with a full complement of Cobalt Digital gear to accomplish distribution, conversion and processing in and out of the trucks. The equipment was installed in a manner to accommodate future expansion.

“We are delighted to work with NEP again,” stated Chris Shaw, Cobalt’s senior vp of sales and marketing. “NEP trusts our quality, reliability and support enough to return to Cobalt Digital repeatedly for both standard and customized equipment requirements.”

The heart of the two mobile units – the Denali Arizona and the ND5, are centered around Cobalt’s versatile 9901-UDX 3G/HD/SD-SDI up/down/cross converters; a universal tool to convert, frame sync, and color correct incoming and outgoing feeds between formats, including up-converting to 1080p.

NEP also installed Cobalt’s new award-winning 9257 MADI Distribution Amplifier to provide a efficient and easy way to transport audio between the trucks without the need for fiber. Using MINI DIN or HD-BNC connectors, NEP can install 20 cards into a single 2RU frame, offering the capability to accept 20 inputs and 180 outputs — ideal for vehicles where space is limited.

In addition, both trucks have numerous Cobalt 3G/HD/SD DAs, embedders and de-embedders, down converters, and color correctors.

Both trucks will be fully operational and on the road the beginning of 2012.

About Coblat Digital
Cobalt Digital Inc. designs and manufactures award-winning 3G/HD/SD conversion gear for the broadcast television environment. Distributed through a worldwide network of dealers, system integrators, and other partnerships, Cobalt products are backed with a 5-year warranty. For more information, visit www.cobaltdigital.com .

Company Contact: Chris Shaw, Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing
217-344-1243 / chris.shaw@cobaltdigital.com

Press Contact: Desert Moon Communications / Harriet Diener
845-512-8283 / harriet@desertmooncomm.com

Firmware Revision 1.03 Increases Compatibility of SDI Record Stop/Start Flags for All Leading Camera Manufacturers

REEDSBURG, WI, NOVEMBER 29, 2011 — Sound Devices, experts in portable audio and video products for field production, has released an update for its new line of portable production video recorders—PIX 220 and PIX 240. more

November 29, 2011 — Markham, Ontario: Digital Rapids today announced the release of version 3.7 of the Digital Rapids Stream software for the company’s StreamZ, StreamZHD and Flux encoding and live streaming solutions. New features in Stream 3.7 include expanded format support including encoding to the Panasonic AVC-Intra format; 64-bit operating system support; cue point insertion for live streaming with Adobe(r) Flash(r) technologies; and enhanced H.264 and MPEG-2 encoding. These new capabilities join numerous additions in the previously-unannounced version 3.6 upgrade released in August, including Dolby(r) Digital AC-3 audio pass-through and updates to Civolution NexGuard forensic watermarking support. more