November 2011 - Johannesburg

3DRigs launches Pro Light 3D stereoscopic camera rig

Leading 3D Stereoscopic Rig manufacturer, 3DRigs.com, has announced the launch of their Pro Light 3D Stereoscopic camera rig. (See video) Following on from the success of the Pro Ultra Rig, the Pro Light is a compact, scaled-down version weighing in at only seven kgs in beam splitter mode. "We have maintained the rigidity of our Pro Ultra Rig in the new light weight version to ensure that cameras maintain their alignment during operation," comments Russ Bowden, CEO 3DRigs.com.

The Pro Light is compact for handheld and Steadycam operation, but can also be used in conventional modes, and is capable of carrying cameras up to five kgs each. The Pro Light introduces some great new features to our range of products including real time height, tilt, roll, IA and convergence adjustments. 3DRigs.com is introducing an optical reader that can be attached to any zoom lens and will allow the rig technician to calibrate the zoom lenses and feed focal length information back into the rig control system, information necessary to make real time correction of zoom tracking errors.

The new Pro Light rig operating software is based on 3D Stereoscopic geometric formulas which allow control of parallax depth percentage, both positive and negative. Parallax depth percentage is the measurement of the ratio of separation, on the far and near points in your frame, to the width of the screen. The ability to control and monitor parallax percentages are fundamental tools for sound stereoscopic acquisition.

The software controls and drives highly accurate inter axial and convergence motors that maintain set positive and negative parallax percentages even during live convergence pulls. While this may appear complex, the GUI is easy to understand and operate and quick to master.

Operating software versions will be available for iPad, iPhone, tablets and smart phones running on Android. These systems will allow the rig to be run hard wired or wirelessly remote.

The Pro Light comes packaged in two flight cases (rig and beam splitter) and can be set up in under five minutes. Once cameras have been locked onto the rig's dovetail plates, the electronic quick alignment tools allow rig alignment to be achieved in under five minutes. Lens changes and realignment checks are really fast with the slide in, slide out beam splitter configuration, and should take no longer than three minutes. Another advantage of the Pro Ultra Rig is that it has been designed to take any camera up to the weight limits of the rig without needing additional adaptor plates, this is due to the unique design of the system.

The Pro Light, like its big brother, the Pro Ultra, can be configured in beam splitter or side by side modes with a fast turnaround time. With all its capabilities, the Pro Light is the most cost effective rig on the market offering producers quicker shooting times and reduced rental or purchase costs. The first units will be ready for shipping in mid February 2012 and 3DRigs.com is now securing orders with clients.

Background: 3DRigs.com is a South African based company committed to the development of cost effective 3D Stereoscopic camera rigs and control systems. 3DRigs has been involved in rig design and development for the past five years having launched the Pro Ultra Rig in 2009. www.3DRigs.com

 

 

 

July 2011 - Johannesburg

3D focus at Screen Africa conference

Mediatech Africa (MTA) takes place from 20 to 22 July at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northriding, Johannesburg. A key address at the Screen Africa technology conference at MTA on Wednesday, 20 July will be discussions on both the acquisition and post production of 3D content.

A practical workshop showing delegates the complexities of shooting this format will take place, as well as a discussion covering the post production requirements.

Local 3D experts, Marius van Straaten, Stefan Nel, Russel Bowden and Shaun De Ponte, will be in attendance, as well as world renowned post production expert, Roland Brown, chair of the UK Digital Television Group. "We are going to present a cost effective complete solution for all 3D projects from pre-production through acquisition to post," says Nel. "South Africa is only recently venturing into 3D production although we have serviced large international 3D projects. The future of leading edge technologies is 3D."

Having worked on several international projects, De Pont has developed a 3D plug-in for Final Cut Pro that allows for onset monitoring and primary alignment. "This will be a jam packed workshop," he says, "where all the basics of stereoscopy are cover from pre-production to final delivery. We will also have fantastic demo reels on display on what correct 3D looks like and to break the misconception that 3D is a passing phase."

Technically there are a few people who understand the 3D process and are up to speed with the rest of the world, says Bowden. "The reason we are lagging the USA and Europe is the relatively small number of 3D outlets (cinema) and no current 3D broadcasters. The cinema chains need to increase the number of 3D cinemas in SA to encourage the local production of 3D cinema commercials and we hope to see local TV broadcasters entering this market in the not too distant future."

"I think that with the likes of South Africa's Emily and Graham Wallington, Bowden and Nell amongst others we are up to speed with international 3D trends," says van Straaten. "Media Film Services did a great job on Judge Dread with 3D support. In some areas we are world leaders. Look at the Wallington's from Wild Earth (http://www.wildearth.tv/about-we), they are world leaders in 3D streaming of wild life and have very high website retention rates." We are witnessing the birth of a new age of broadcasting. Our children will probably take them for granted, however as a filmmaker, rentals house or technologist it's important to be informed and up to date. Mediatech is an ideal opportunity to do just that - be there!

 

 

 

July 2010 - Johannesburg

World First – 3D Rigs.com provides 3D Rigs for international live 3D broadcast

July 2011 - 3D Rigs.com recently provided the 3D Stereoscopic rigs for the first ever music performance to be broadcast live in 3D from South Africa.

On 16 July, South African Supergroup, The Parlotones, rock theatre production "Dragonflies & Astronauts" which was created complete with storyline, sets and characters – around the greatest hits of The Parlotones, was broadcast live in 3D from Johannesburg to 3D cinemas around the globe, to Direct TV's 3D Channel 3Dn in the United States and broadcast live around the world on YouTube.

This was made possible by local production company, Catalyst Entertainment, who was commissioned by Ridgeline Entertainment LLC based in the US to produce the 3D show. Catalyst Entertainment decided to utilise South African technology and expertise as far as possible as this was not only the most cost effective solution but also proved to be the most technically advanced solution available globally.

3D Rigs.com worked closely with Alfacam South Africa that provided the OB unit and cameras. Stereographer Russ Bowden comments, "We ran five Pro Ultra Rigs each equipped with Grass Valley LDK 8000 cameras, the 3D Rig control station was set up alongside a Sony MPE 200 control desk in the OB unit and using the Pro Ultra's advanced rig control software we were able to accurately adjust inter-axial and convergence positions on the fly. Together with the Sony MPE 200, which took care of zoom tracking misalignment, we successfully maintained 3D stereoscopic integrity throughout the performance."

 

 

 

15 September 2010 - Johannesburg

WildearthTV.com pioneers wildlife filming prototype

WildEarth TV and 3D-Rigs.com made history on 10 September 2010 when a South African safari was broadcast in live 3D for the first time.

WildEarth (WE) has been broadcasting safari footage on the Internet 24/7 from Sabi Sand Reserve in the Kruger National Park for the last three years, but this pioneering leap was made possible by a custom-built rig created by Johannesburg company 3D-Rigs.com.

"Our requirements for the rig were pretty unique," explains WildEarth TV CEO and co-founder Graham Wallington. "We broadcast two live safaris of three hours each per day, which give viewers a real-time experience, as there are no scripts or staged sequences. It's the safaris as they happen. The rig needed to be the smallest size possible, be built to withstand the dust and heat of the African bush and be tough enough to survive the constant vibration of being mounted on a four-wheel drive vehicle. The stereo geometry was also challenging as it had to continuously maintain the 3D effect while zooming from a wide-angle view with a presenter 1.5 metres in front of the cameras to a tight shot of a leopard's head 25 metres away."

Russell Bowden of 3D-Rigs.com and his team completed the motion-controlled mirror rig to the point that it could be deployed in only five weeks. "But it's still not really finished – that's the problem with a prototype – you keep adding to it and adapting it until you decide that it's time to start again and apply all that you've learnt!" says Wallington. "So the next rig will have some important modifications."
The live 3D service that WildEarth TV is now able to provide as a result includes a 24/7 3D channel which is delivered around the world using a unique cloud-based Master Control and IP distribution network. "We also broadcast on the Internet via our purpose-built 3D player," adds Wallington. "We have made a daily 3D podcast available, as well as an iPhone application, both of which allow you to watch our safari content using head-mounted displays (Cinemizers) directly from an iPhone or iPad." He also confirmed that they will soon launch a series of television applications, which will be available for 3D televisions.

 

 

April 2010 - Johannesburg

Screen Africa - Local 3D rigs company taps into international market

Johannesburg-based 3D-Rigs.com has entered the global 3D market with its locally developed 3D rigs. Owner of 3D-Rigs.com, Russ Bowden, recently launched the new 3D Pro Ultra Rig for the stereoscopic / 3D film industry to cater for the advent of the 3D phenomenon.

The launch occurred at the recent British Broadcast Video Expo at Earl's Court, London, together with Jigsaw Systems, the newly appointed UK agency. The 3D Pro Ultra Rig's unique onboard computer and control software set the rig apart from counterparts entering the market.

Bowden, cinematographer and rig designer, did extensive research into the market and realised the need for a rig that could simplify 3D acquisition in a cost-effective manner. Bowden developed a product that provides cinematographers with the tools to calculate the correct inter-axial and convergence settings and quickly position the cameras accordingly, whether shooting 3D stereoscopic films using 35mm film, advanced digital cinema, or HD video cameras.

"Our rigs are easy to assemble, robust and allow for quick camera alignment and are considerably more cost-effective than similar products. We recently commissioned a rig for a Lisbon rental house, which chose our product over all other available products worldwide for its stability, control systems and competitive pricing," comments Bowden.

After acquiring the 3DPro Ultra Rig, Diogo Camões, director at the Lisbon camera rental house www.smiling.pt commented, "We find the rig stable, easy to operate, fast to assemble and the idea of an onboard CPU is excellent. We are able to obtain and save accurate information concerning the inter-axial, convergence and parallax settings for each shot and send this data through to post-production. We are still in the beginning stages of stereo 3D, but we believe we have a rig that will assist a long way into the future of stereoscopic filming."

The new 3D Pro Ultra Rig uses advanced motion-control technology and robust hybrid stepper motors to set the cameras to their correct positions allowing for optimum accuracy during operation.

3DRigs.com PO Box 71186 Bryanston 2021 South Africa. Sales Tel +27 82 880 1449

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