NEC using Mediastation Graphics and Animation

NEC have been using examples of our graphics and animation to show of a new range of scalable display technologies to their best.

Mediastation open new motion capture (mocap) studio

To compliment our dedicated specialist 3D modelling and animation pipeline we are proud to announce the opening of our new motion capture studio.

Using motion capture data instead of key-framed animation not only speeds up the animation of characters it also gets much more realistic movement especially for secondary movements and weight interpretation which is easily recreated. This new expansion will be of real benefit to our customers in terms of realism, cost effectiveness and faster production time lines.

Google O3D browser plug-in

At Mediastation one of our specialties is the production of real time 3D content but over the last few years we have experienced difficulty in delivering high polygon real time content to web browsers due to fall in popularity of Shockwave 3D and the lack of a suitable hardware accelerated browser plug-in to replace it.

After Adobe serious failings (far too many to list) of the ever so long awaited Director 11/11.5 up until now we have been no closer in finding a replacement. The only real contender being Unity 3D, but we’re yet to find a project with a client happy for their users to have to install this lesser known plug-in. In fact this year so far all of our web based real time 3D projects have been delivered using Flash 3D technologies such those brought by flash player 10 and third party engines such as Papervision 3D. Whilst this has been used to amazing effect in terms of 3D detail it’s been a step backwards due to the lack of 3D hardware acceleration in flash player.

Enter Google O3D:

http://code.google.com/apis/o3d/

Essentially its java scripted OpenGL, unfortunately the technology is not quite ready for use. The tech demos are reasonable and showing some promising features, but the thing that’s got us excited is in the name - Google! According to keynote speaker Michael Jones at GeoWeb in 2008 Google Earth at the time had 400 million users - that’s more than people in the United States! If Google pushed they could probably have the O3D plug-in installed on most PCs in no time and we certainly feel clients would be much more accepting of a plug-in backed by the mighty Google.

At Mediastaion we always like to stay ahead of the game by being the first to use the latest in multimedia technologies. We all ready have our 3D developers assessing O3Ds capabilities and will be watching this space closely to see if O3D becomes the plug-in we have been waiting for!

Carousel: Phillips’ new 21:9 television promotion

Check out this new interactive campaign to promote Philips’ latest entrant into the television market, the CINEMA 21:9. It depicts an epic ‘frozen moment’ cops and robbers shootout sequence that includes clowns, explosions, a decimated hospital, and plenty of broken glass and bullet casings. Very “Dark Knight”

The film works as either an endless loop, or you have the option to ‘spin’ through the film’s single take shot repeatedly, to stop on a specific frame, or to watch it at the preordained speed. The film also contains embedded hotspots, which, when triggered, take you to a behind-the-scenes version of the same shot. The microsite’s loader doubles as the credit sequence, which is quite neat.

Check it out here: http://www.cinema.philips.com

Digital Ink Panels

This technology is yet to be released on the market, we currently have the only prototype in Europe. This is called a ‘coloristic’ digital ink panel and looks just like a digital newspaper. Currently this displays static images only, but we have been told full colour and moving images can be achieved in a few years. It is around ½ “to ¾ “thick and runs with low power. It can run very small point size (4) with any font style with no bleed, and it works even better when in direct sunlight. This really is a truly fantastic piece of kit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latest digital signage technology

Thought it would be useful to show some of the digital signage technologies we are working with.

We have secure partnerships with the leading AV hardware manufactures, as such we obtain an insight to what new technologies they are working on as concept, below are some of the latest hi-bright digital sign technologies from Samsung.

The picture below show the latest hi-bright, air cooled, LCD panels from Samsung. Basically, these are very high bright (1600 cdm) LCD panels which are placed in a specially constructed, air cooled unit, which can be made in portrait or landscape and finished in the clients chosen livery at very little on-cost. Samsung will launch additional models in July/August.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is their latest multi-touch 70” LCD panel as a picture. This is real multi-touch at affordable pricing but will not be available until the late part of this year or the early part of next. Therefore there are no pictures or specifications from Samsung yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is Samsungs latest slim bezel video wall, a great product that can literally be put up by one person in around 45 minutes (3 x 3 wall). with Mediastation content of course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At last - a decent looking outdoor touch screen unit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real Time Software Chroma Key Update

Today we rolled out the latest update to our proprietary chroma key for live event software. This unique software solution allows non-experts to run live chroma key applications with little more than a pc and a camcorder. It forms part of a modular software system we have developed for constructing bespoke interactive experiences for exhibitions, events and festivals

Our most popular configuration allows visitors to be put “in the picture” by being photographed and filmed at the event. The participant is given a photo to take away and a download code to go online and view the video from your website, this can in turn be distributed to friends through online social networks. This adds great value to event marketing not only driving customers back to your site at the highest conversion rate but also injecting a viral element to the campaign.

To find out more about the creative ways our technologies are being used for experiential marketing please contact us.

Philips ceases WOWvx 3D screen production

Philips has anounced that due to the current economic climate they are to cease the production of WOWvx screens. They do not feel that home adoption in the near future likely.

 

However for corporate communications and digital signage, 3D screens still remain a very affordable and viable. Mediastation can offer a number of different alternatives from several manufacturers combined with bespoke content creation services.    

Dzine player now WOWvx compatible

Ian from Truecolours has worked tirelessly to get the dzine digital signage player working with WOWvx 3D screens for one of our major clients. This is the first digital signage player to support WOWvx content and means 3D digital signage content can now be managed along with traditional digital signage using DISplay studio software and DISplay server for content distribution. More detail on the Dzine player can be found here:

http://www.true-colours.net/products/manufacturer/dzine/index.htm

AV tips and technology for live events, meetings and conferences

Found this really useful presentation on different AV technology for use in live events. Starts with an overview and history of AV for events and dealing with presenters. Skipping forward there is some reallygreat ideas including basic audio and video systems, multiscreen/widescreen shows, LED video walls, lighting and audience response systems as well as some very innovative solutions such as Teleportec - a system for remote presenters to chair the meeting, digital signage applications, Microsoft surface and Hyposurface - a computer programmable three dimensional signage display.

http://www.cmcgc.com/media/synch/070728/NMP5/default.htm