21st Century 3D Unveils New Tapeless 3D Camcorder
January 23, 2006
New York, NY - Picture a Panasonic DVX100A on steroids and you might have a pretty good vision of 21st Century 3D’s newly-developed 3D camcorder, the 3DVX3.
The latest improvements to this unit make “run and gun” 3D shooting in HD a reality, according to 21st Century 3D. But before considering this 3D cam for a new wedding video add-on, the company says you’ll have to take into account that it's available only for rent at this time, not for sale.
“This is the camera we set out to create two years ago,” says 3DVX3 inventor Jason Goodman. “It's an evolutionary design that builds on our previous work and takes what we’ve done to the next level with 1280x720p stereoscopic high-definition and outstanding dynamic range. At the same time, it’s an entirely new design in that we’ve abandoned tape and created so many new components.”
The new tapeless 3DVX3 features several evolutionary advances over previous 3DVX models. As in the earlier versions, the Panasonic AG-DVX100A serves as the core of the camera section. But according to 21st Century 3D, the 3DVX3 bypasses resolution and color limitations imposed by MiniDV and takes full advantage of the higher resolution and 36 bit color quality the CCDs provide.
How? The built-in recorder of the 3DVX3 is comprised of two extensively modified Apple Mac Mini computers. But the compact size and CPU horsepower offered by the Mac Mini coupled with the power of Mac OS X is only part of what makes the 3DVX3 a truly unique camcorder.
A genlock synchronized system features two entirely discreet image channels that are simultaneously captured by 6 CCDs, two on board CPUs running Mac’s OS X with over 2.8GHz of processing power, 2GB RAM, 8GB of flash memory and a maximum record time of one hour per eye on paired sets of 100GB removable 7200 RPM drives. The camcorder’s flash memory modules replace hard drives in the Mac Minis for fast booting and reduced operating temperature.
Data is taken directly from the analog to digital converters and sent over USB 2.0, providing 600% more information than would be recorded to digital tape, according to the company. An advanced demosaic algorithm is employed to achieve 1280x720p resolution. Since no color decimation or spatial compression is applied to any of the color channels, the 3DVX3 greatly exceeds the image quality of many HD and HDV systems.
Eliminating videotape, a unique direct-to-disk recording system captures raw CCD data in 4:4:4 RGB color space at 10 bits per channel, producing remarkably vivid 3D images at up to 1280x720 per eye, 24fps progressive, according to the company. This unique capture method they say provides industry-leading dynamic range and color fidelity, more akin to motion picture film than digital video.
The 3D camcorder’s all-new binocular electronic viewfinder utilizes high-quality optics and the latest LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) technology to provide a bright and crisp 800x600 (per eye) SVGA display under 10x magnification. The uncompressed output can be monitored via the BEVF or the built in left and right analog VGA ports.
Analog composite, S-video and digital IEEE1394 ports are also available for standard definition monitoring or additional output options. An external S-video multiplexer allows for high-quality field sequential output and even more flexibility in terms of previewing 3D images in real time. Zoom functions are also now electronically linked for improved ergonomics and accuracy as well as significant weight reduction as compared with previous generations.
Left and right eye lens apertures are now synchronized by a dual channel galvanometric system that ensures matched exposure to both CCD arrays with just one user operated dial. The system provides accurate and consistent brightness and contrast between left and right images and allows for “run ‘n gun” 3D shooting
Interaxial spacing has been significantly reduced to 2.75” (69.85mm) for a more natural simulation of human vision. An all new carbon fiber and aluminum matte box with two stage filter holder allows a wide range of industry standard 4”x5.6” filters to be employed.
Because of its advanced design, which integrates dual on board Mac OS CPUs, dual high-speed hard drives, a high res binocular LCOS electronic viewfinder, high data rate USB 2.0 interface and a 6CCD camera head, the 3DVX3 requires a lot of power.
To meet the unique power requirements, 21st Century 3D turned to Anton/Bauer and its Dionic 160, for obtaining the best balance between power output and weight. The Dionic 160 is one of the only batteries in the industry that can power the 3DVX3, and allows the camcorder to run for up to two hours of continuous operating time.
The 160 is constructed with specialized lithium ion cells originally designed for high-rate military applications. Because of these low resistance cells, the Dionic 160 meets the power requirements of the 3DVX3 with a total output of up to 10 amps - a capability usually reserved only for nickel based chemistries. An AC power supply based on a modified Anton/Bauer Titan 70 has also been developed.
The advanced battery technology contributes, in part, to the camera’s overall weight of only about 24 pounds, making the 3DVX3 the industry's smallest and lightest high-definition stereoscopic camcorder.
The 3DVX3 is available for worldwide hire exclusively through 21st Century 3D. For more information, visit the company’s website at: www.21stcentury3d.com
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