Albert Art

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Panasonic AG-3DA1 Twin-Lens 3D Camera Demo Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Panasonic's push for 3D filmmaking, and Home Theaters.

Panasonic AG-3DA1 PROTOTYPE was on display at the Panasonic pavilion, in the LiveCity Winter Olympic celebration in Yaletown.

The 3D twin-lens camera was on display, and demonstrated live for the public. The camera was aimed at the crowd, and the footage was hooked up to a TV, where it appeared blurred. Only when the 3D glasses were worn, would the images on screen appear in focus and in 3D.

Panasonic also featured a full 3D theater with highlights from the Olympic games in China, and from the Vancouver 2010 games, entirely in 3D. Sure, you've seen the 3D effect in movies like Avatar, but watching the opening ceremonies of both the China games, and Vancouver games, at HD quality was amazing. In addition to the spectacle of the 3D opening ceremonies, watching hockey, speed skating and numerous other sports in 3D was simply awesome.

I filmed some footage of the display with my Panasonic HVX.

I think 3D can have a long life if marketed, and implemented in the right ways to appeal to audiences. Panasonic is on the right track, by making the technology available to filmmakers, and the effect definitely adds to the entertainment value of film and television.

I would love to test this camera out, with a short film. Really curious to see what kind of settings this camera has, when creating the 3D-look.