3D Stereographer’s application
Created as a result of customer demand and following intense consultations with 3D producers, Sony’s 3D production application optimises live 3D productions. It minimises operational costs, and integrates 3D production into a more traditional workflow.
3D images from stereoscopic camera pairs need delicate alignment in several axes. Even small errors can break the 3D illusion, or make it uncomfortable to view. Sony’s 3D production application fixes most minor errors and optimises adverse parallax settings. Operators save set-up time, knowing that many issues can be fixed digitally.
The 3D production application runs on the MPE-200 Image Processing platform, analysing and correcting 3D stereo alignment issues in real time.
Future developments will integrate the 3D production application and MPE-200 with Sony’s Cameras and Switchers to automate 3D stereo image correction and to reduce discomfort when switching between images with widely different depth content.
Real-time correction and control of set-up errors, preserving the integrity of the 3D image, reducing set-up times and reliance on expensive computer-controlled camera rigs
The MPE-200 uses Sony’s unique Cell Processor technology, which was built from the ground up to work with multiple Full HD images. It’s the perfect platform for real-time 3D optimisation.
Users can compare the output of a stereo pair of camerascamera pair using built-in waveform monitoring. This is a useful facility for stereographers, giving them a precise, calibrated display to use as the basis for finely-pitched manual adjustments.
In addition to the waveform monitoring, used for camera alignment, a unique depth map display and histogram are provided. Markers can be set on the scale to indicate the depth budget for any specific show and an operator can adjust the 3D processing to ensure the majority of content is within this range. If required this process can also be set to automatic mode.
Camera Metadata (lens information) from the connected Sony studio cameras is processed by the MPE-200. Using this information the system can automatically apply the correct image adjustment at all zoom positions. Thus giving optimum picture quality throughout the zoom range.
Converts left and right-hand stereoscopic video signals into various transmission-ready formats: Side-by-Side or Top-and-Bottom, for example
A single network-connected PC can control several MPE-200s each running an instance of the MPES-3D01 application.* This is ideal for production set-ups where there are multiple 3D camera pairs. A single operator can maintain consistency across the entire production.
*The MPES-3D01 software package comprises two software programs: processor software installed on the MPE-200 unit and GUI software installed on a PC.
The application also supports several formats of picture monitoring, including Side-by-Side, Above and Below, Anaglyph, 50% Mix and Difference.
