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3DVX Technology and Design Philosophy
In addition to compact size and ease of operation, 3DVX camera systems differ from most traditional 3D motion picture systems in another important way. Many previous stereo cameras incorrectly assumed that the 3D camera should mimic the mechanical actions of the human eyes. However, they overlook the important fact that a viewer is always in control of the gaze and focus positions of their own eyes; this is not the case with a 3D image that has already been photographed. Systems that utilize this technique can create unwanted distortions in the 3D image and can even create images with areas that are physically impossible to view. Stereoscopic images shot with this technique in part lead to commonly seen errors that cause many viewers to experience visual discomfort. A viewer may choose to look at any object in a 3D image at any time, just like in the real world, so it is important that all objects in a 3D scene be comfortably viewable. Additionally, this technique requires additional setup at the time of photography and can seriously slow the pace of production. 3DVX systems avoid these distortions while at the same time simplifying the production process tremendously. All of this is done at no expense to 3D image quality. The technique actually improves stereoscopic image quality and 3D effects by maintaining a geometrically accurate stereo image.
Still based on Panasonic AG-DVX100a cameras, MiniDV compression and color decimation are bypassed in the 3DVX3. A newly developed USB 2.0 data interface captures the full output of the camera’s CCDs as RAW data, providing higher resolution and a dramatic increase in color information. Compressed HD formats like HDV that reduce the signal’s color space to 4:2:2 or 4:1:1 are actually providing less resolution than the final images produced by the 3DVX3. The uncompressed color space also makes the 3DVX3 ideally suited for special effects photography including blue and green screen compositing. The 24lb package contains a 6CCD camera head, two 1.42ghz CPUs running Apple Computer’s Mac OS X, 2gb of RAM, 8gb of flash memory, two removable 100gb hard drives and a binocular LCOS high resolution electronic viewfinder. The entire unit is self contained and powered by Anton Bauer Dionic 160 batteries or by AC power. Focus is synchronized via an optoelectric mechanism that triggers both focus units simultaneously for precisely synchronized focus operation. The iris of each lens is also controlled by a synchronized galvanometric system which ensures that equal illumination reaches both CCD arrays. A single standard iris control dial adjusts both cameras’ lens apertures simultaneously. Zoom drives are also electronically synchronized. Uncompressed recording does not interfere with standard operation. Standard definition miniDV can also be recorded simultaneously via the IEEE1394 ports built into the camera. The first 3DVX camera had an interaxial (distance between lens centers) separation of 4.25”. The average human has an interaxial spacing of about 2.5” between their eyes. The initial 3DVX was a bit wide and the result was “hyperstereo” or a slightly exaggerated 3D effect. One of the first improvements made with the 3DVX2 was a reduced interaxial separation of 3.65”. The 3DVX3 has an interaxial distance of 2.75”, the closest yet to natural human vision. The result is more flexibility in shooting close action, and a more realistic 3D effect that is more comfortable to view. |
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In 2004, 21st Century 3D developed the first 3DVX camera system. This revolutionary
stereoscopic camera leveraged the image quality and portability of the Panasonic AG-DVX100a
to become the world’s smallest and lightest full frame stereoscopic camcorder. The DVX-100
series has been lauded by professional DPs since its introduction for its progressive scan
capabilities and outstanding image quality. Compact size and light weight also made it an
ideal choice for a stereoscopic system. 21st Century 3D developed a breakthrough hardware
technology that modified the cameras and allowed them to be genlocked for precise image
synchronization. This synchronization is critically important for stereoscopic recordings,
but the capability is not built into the DVX cameras. By driving both cameras from the same
timing circuitry, perfect synchronization is maintained between left and right images at all
times. Other enhancements synchronize the camera’s other primary functions. Mechanical
modifications to the DVX cameras also facilitated their use in a stereoscopic system.
