LightSpace Technologies has unveiled the DepthCube Z1024, an improved version of its 3D volumetric display.
To present physically deep 3D images, the DepthCube Z1024 projects a series of images at high speeds, of up to 1500 frames per second, into an array of liquid crystal shutters. The solid-state display system combines 20 display planes at 1024x768 resolution and patented multi-layer, anti-aliasing technology to provide high-resolution, true 3D images with more than 15 million voxels in 32,000-plus colors.
Among the latest improvements to the DepthCube Z1024 are an expanded multi-planar projection volume, higher contrast, increased sharpness, and a brighter white point. Now shipping, the DepthCube Z1024 includes a software development environment complete with an OpenGL interceptor. The Open-GL interceptor enables the capture of 3D images in real time from virtually all 3D software programs. The DepthCube Z1024 is designed for professionals who need to convert 3D computer data into 3D images rapidly.
LightSpace Technologies; www.lightspacetech.com
ATI Technologies targets multimedia entertainment applications with the re-lease of its All-In-Wonder X800 XT video card. Well suited to video editing and gaming enthusiasts, the new add-in video card is based on the company's Radeon X800 VPU. In addition to Radeon X800 graphics technology, the card boasts the VideoShader HD advanced video-processing engine, Serious Magic Visual Communicator, support for high-definition and wide display formats, a version of Pinnacle Studio 9, and 16 parallel pixel pipelines.
The X800 XT offers DVI-I and VGA connectivity in a single-slot configuration. The new release ships with Multi-media Center Version 9.02, a software suite for creating a multimedia experience, and Matchware Mediator 7 for combining text, pictures, videos, and sounds in the production of presentations, Web sites, streaming video, and Macromedia Flash files. Now available, the All-In-Wonder X800 XT is priced at $499.
In other company news, ATI's graphics cards and technology have been selected to power notebook computers from such makers as Acer, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, and Toshiba. And Acer has chosen the Mobility Radeon X600 graphics card to drive the Acer Aspire 1800.
Reportedly the industry's first PCI Express-based notebook PC, the Acer Aspire 1800 is targeted at mobile professionals in the digital media, content creation, and 3D gaming markets.
Fujitsu Siemens Computers' Amilo Pro V7010 professional notebook takes advantage of ATI's Radeon 9000 integrated graphics platform (IGP) technology. At the same time, Toshiba has incorporated Radeon 7000 and Radeon 9000 IGP technology in four new A-series Satellite notebook computers designed for high-end performance and content creation. Moreover, the ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 is employed in the Toshiba Satellite P10-824 notebook computer.
ATI Technologies; www.ati.com
Streamload has introduced a new online service targeted at game developers, video specialists, and graphic designers.
Built on proprietary storage technology, Streamload provides professionals with a secure, online digital library, as well as tools for delivering and accessing large-size files in a wide variety of formats. The Stream-load service enables users to send, receive, access, store, and stream digital media and data files—including graphics, photographs, video recordings, and MP3 files—of virtually any size via any Internet-connected PC.
Well suited to remote work groups, Streamload can send files of any size to an e-mail address, without concern of having the deliveries denied as a result of attachment size limits. In addition to the storage and remote download of large files, Streamload of-fers fast file format conversion to optimize the file-transfer speeds. Streamload's user interface is de-signed with action buttons, drop-down menus, and intuitive icons to aid in ease of use. Aside from a PC with Internet connectivity, the new hosted service requires no special hardware or software.
To date, Streamload manages more than 300tb of data, consisting largely of digital video recordings, MP3 files, and photo collections.
Streamload subscription plans range from Basic, offering 1gb of downloads each month for $44.95 a year, to Platinum, with 60gb of downloads each month at a cost of $399.95 per year.
Streamload; www.streamload.com
Vizrt has introduced Viz|Ibis, a new 2D virtual studio package, as well as enhancements to its Viz|Engine 3D rendering software.
An entry-level program designed for virtual studio production, Viz|Ibis is designed to be easy to use, thanks to a dedicated, intuitive user interface, as well as simple to install, requiring only the calibration of camera lenses. In addition to the company's Viz|Engine 3D renderer, Viz|Ibis includes Viz|IO, a studio configuration and calibration utility for control and connectivity among all studio devices.
Pre-produced background images—including live or taped video, and those rendered with either Viz|Engine or 3D software from such makers as Discreet, Alias, and Softimage—compose the virtual backdrop and follow the pan, tilt, zoom, and focus of the camera to simulate movement. In addition to offering a variety of wipe effects, Viz|Ibis supports virtual blue-screen production and video, image, and clip polygons.
Vizrt also announced that it has teamed with Nvidia to enhance its Viz|Engine renderer. Viz|Engine enables the production of realistic, complex, high-quality HD graphics in real time with readily available PC workstations, rather than requiring a high-end Unix system. With the addition of Nvidia's Quadro FX 4000 and FX 4000 SDI graphics boards, Viz|Engine boasts rendering performance increases of up to 1000 percent, as well as enhanced visual capabilities via vertex and pixel shaders.
Now available, the upgraded bundle includes Nvidia Quadro FX graphics, Viz|Engine software drivers, and new shader-based plug-ins.
Vizrt; www.vizrt.com