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SMPTE PDA Now
Live, interactive webcasts covering high demand topics and recent technology developments. Each monthly, one hour session covers a single technical topic and will be designed to address specific technical aspects, technical challenges or answer questions associated with technologies of high interest to the engineering and technical communities within the motion imaging industry.
SMPTE PDA Now sessions are available as a SMPTE member benefit. Non-members may attend live webcasts forUSD$49.00.
SMPTE Members: Unable to attend a live event? Sessions are recorded and made available to SMPTE Members for later viewing through SMPTE PDA Anywhere.
Know a topic that needs to be covered? Send your suggestions to jwelch@smpte.org
2010 Calendar!
Sep-2010 "Green" Issues in Media and Entertainment
Oct-2010 Internet and Other New Media
Nov-2010 Service Oriented Architectures (SOA)
Dec-2010 Content Security and Protection
(Please note - Calendar is subject to change without notice.)
Introduction to 2D to 3D video conversion: Techniques, Challenges and Future
In this presentation we will address the conversion of 2D video content material to Stereoscopic 3D (S3D). A brief introduction to S3D imaging will provide the motivation to present the main issues related to the conversion of 2D video material to S3D format. We will review the methods currently used in this process and will analyze their main characteristics and possible usage scenarios. We will explain how methods heavily relying on human intervention are currently used in the cinema industry, and how automatic and even real-time conversion methods are being actively explored for application in the broadcasting and consumer electronics industries. We will address the extraction or generation of the depth information from the 2D content and the way this information is used in the generation of the new virtual views needed for stereoscopic viewing. The disocclusion problem, one of the main issues in 2D to 3D video conversion, will be presented and some possible solutions explored. We will conclude with a brief presentation of the main research topics currently under consideration in the 2D to 3D conversion field.
Guest Speakers: Carlos Vazquez and Tam James, Communications Research Center Canada
Originally webcast 12-Aug-2010
22-Jul-2010
Business Metrics in file based workflows - automating the Delivery Specification With hundreds of different file formats in the market and no guarantee of interoperable wrappers, how can organisations choose which are the best ones to use? What is a good balance between audio-visual quality, data rates and interoperability? What's the cost of being special? Join our speakers as they discuss the business implications of using different codecs and wrappers and how to ensure the right files appear at the right place at the right time with minimum cost.
Guest Speakers:
Bruce Devlin, CTO, Amberfin
Mark Horton, Product Marketing Manager, Amberfin
Single-Source Stereo and Microstereoscopic 3D
3DTV presents challenges: two lenses and cameras per shooting position, convergence operators and stereographers, graphics issues, ghost images, and false size perception or discomfort for viewers. Until 3DTV becomes the norm, events might be shot in both 2D and 3D versions. Addressing the discomfort issue, researchers have come up with something called "microstereopsis," which, coincidentally, reduces or eliminates the other challenges noted above. Unfortunately, it also reduces the 3D depth sensation.
A similar situation once existed regarding stereo sound. Early TV-radio stereo simulcasts often used two different mixes for stereo and mono, and so-called "ping-pong" stereo once offered listeners a strong indication of the difference between stereo and mono.Today, however, stereo sound is usually captured with "single-source" techniques that are mono-stereo compatible. Beginning in 1881, stereo sound was compared to stereoscopic imagery. Might the single-source-stereo-like techniques of microstereopsis, therefore, be applicable to 3DTV?
Please join our guest speaker, Mark Schubin, as he explores the possibilities.
Originally webcast on 24-Jun-2010
Repurposing Content for Multiple Distribution Formats
As digital file delivery is becoming the norm in the media industry, the importance of digital creation and distribution grows. Across the industry, content has quickly become file-based in nature - driving media companies to change the workflow and systems supporting production, management, distribution and repurposing of those file-based media assets. The business is evolving from the traditional linear broadcast delivery to an on-demand model. So how do broadcasters reformat their content for the very small screen?
This session will provide an inside look at file-based solutions from the world’s number one non-fiction media company, Discovery Communications. Bart Palmer, Senior Vice President of Media Engineering, will deliver a practical look at how repurposing file-based solutions assets is achieved, and will provide his thoughts on which media technology trends will most immediately affect the business, and how to effectively apply these developments to the overall strategy.
Originally webcast on 27- May-2010
What are the technical differences Between Consumer 3D Television Displays?
Manufacturers are now advertising and selling a variety of consumer stereoscopic 3D televisions. From handheld to large displays, there are LCDs, plasmas, and even CRTs. How do they compare? In this SMPTE PDA Now educational webcast, our speaker explains the technology behind each and how well they handle stereoscopic 3D. Please join our guest speaker, Peter Putman, Editor/Publisher, HDTVexpert.com, as he discusses these topics plus frame compatible and frame packing, the new HDMI 1.4a mandatory 3D transport formats.
Originally webcast on 29-April-2010
Mobile DTV 101+
By now you've probably heard about Mobile DTV. It is just as likely, however, that you have a question or two about it.
In this month's SMPTE PDA Now session our guest speakers introduce the essential technology concepts behind Mobile DTV. They will discuss topics such as mobile DTV Architectures, mobile DTV acronyms, bandwidth requirements, allocations, and even touch on broadcast scenarios. Discussions will also include the underpinnings of ATSC A/153 and then touch upon signaling and announcement (Service Guide). Finally, our speakers will wrap things up by providing a detailed explanation of relationship, integration, function and the user experience.
Please join our guest speakers, Dr. Peter Mataga, CTO and Mark Rushton, Senior Director, Broadcast Sales, both of Roundbox, as they explore the new world of Mobile DTV.
Originally webcast on 11-March-2010
Media Technology and Opera
Guest Speaker: Mark Schubin
Stereo sound and electronic home entertainment are two technologies invented for opera. Arguably, broadcasting, location recording, movies, and possibly even the telephone owe their existence to opera.
Today, opera productions can involve banks of computer-graphics processors, infra-red motion-capture sensors, and multiple HD projectors. Operas have been distributed live to cinemas in 3-D. They have advanced camera motion, subtitling, and streaming technologies. They have used as many as 27 cameras, have been distributed live to as many as 125 countries simultaneously, and have even utilized the facilities of the Large Hadron Collider.
Opera? Yes, opera. Join SMPTE Fellow Mark Schubin for a look into the past, present, and future of the Fandom of the Opera.
Originally webcast February 11, 2010
Quality Control, Test, and Measuement in File-based Workflow
Guest Speakers: Bruce Devlin, CTO, Amberfin and Mark Horton, Product Marketing Manager, Amberfin
Quality Control, Test, and Measurement - What do these terms mean to quality in today's file-based environment? There is a long history with well established testing practices in the video realm, but file-based workflows create a completely different set of challenges to ensuring quality. Join our speakers as they discuss the implications of formats, wrappers, and other non-video elements in the file-based QC process. Learn how to accommodate engineering correctness and business process correctness even when they might have divergent objectives.
Originally webcast on 29 January 2010
Beyond HD
Guest Speaker: Mark Schubin
Super- and ultra-high definition resolutions are one way future television might go beyond HDTV, but there are other technological innovations. Sharpness can be increased independently of resolution. High-dynamic-range cameras and displays can go beyond common HDTV's contrast capabilities. Other systems move beyond HDTV's color palette, aspect ratio, and sound imaging. And then there's stereoscopic 3-D. Please join our very special guest speaker, multiple-Emmy-award-winning SMPTE Fellow Mark Schubin, as shares what he sees over the technology horizon.
Originally webcast on 7 December, 2009
Digital Storage for Professional Media and Entertainment Guest Speaker: Thomas M. Coughlin, Coughlin Associates
The implications of ever higher resolution content processed in today's digital media workflow from content capture, ingest, editing and post production, content delivery as well as archive and preservation are of concern to many in the Motion Imaging Industry. There is also a growing trend toward the use of network storage rather than direct attached storage for many performance-oriented M&E applications as the capabilities of storage networks has improved and costs have dropped.
The development of the digital storage hierarchy to support these activities has led to the use of many types of storage devices including capacity hard disk drives, performance hard disk drives, optical discs and magnetic tape. In addition to these traditional storage media and systems flash memory has emerged as a strong storage contender, particularly in rugged content capture devices as well as in high performance content delivery systems.
In this SMPTE PDA session, our guest speaker Coughlin Associates' Tom Coughlin will provide an overview of these technologies and where they may best apply. In addition, some results from a recently completed survey of M&E professionals conducted by Coughlin Associates will be presented to show current status and developing trends in this highly demanding and storage intensive industry.
Originally webcast on 12 November, 2009
Stereoscopic displays in the home Guest Speaker: Chris Chinnock, Insight Media
Most of us are now aware of or have experienced stereoscopic 3D in the movie theaters. There is, however, a tremendous amount of activity underway to bring the experience and glassess-free, autostereoscopic technology to the home. For notebooks, monitors, TVs and home theater projectors, several 3D technologies are starting to enter the home. For small screens, 3D technology is starting to be commercialized for use in cellphones/smartphones, camera systems and picture frames. Creating the 3D ecosystem requires content, a delivery mechanism and a display system. Please join our guest speaker Chris Chinnock as he explores the various platforms available in the home, describes basic in-home display approaches, updates us on the status of current products and the expectations for future products.
Originally webcast on 24 September, 2009
Improving News Workflow Efficiency
Guest Speaker: Bob Bolson, Harris
When news breaks, workflow efficiency can mean the difference between getting to air first - or not getting there at all. Building your newsroom around a shared storage architecture with integrated editors helps deliver the quickest time from content acquisition to air. Larger newsrooms can reap additional rewards by implementing a low-resolution workflow that allows scores of users to work on content simultaneously.
In this informative session, Bob Bolson from Harris, talks about today's tools for optimizing your news production, from ingest through NRCS integration of your editors to playout.
Originally webcast on 9 July, 2009
Producing Stereoscopic Content: What Makes Great 3D Great and What Can Go Wrong?
Guest Speakers: Peter Wilson, Principle, High Definition & Digital Cinema, Ltd., and Matt Cowan, Chief Scientific Officer, Real D
It has been said that not all stereoscopic 3D content is created equally. There are a number of technical and perceptual factors that must be considered when producing and projecting stereoscopic content. If these factors are addressed effectively, the excitement of the 3D experience is maximized. Don't pay sufficient attention to them and the excitement is diminished, at the very least, or even worse, the experience can be just plain uncomfortable for the viewer.
Please join our special guest speakers Peter Wilson and Matt Cowan as they discuss differences between good and bad 3D content and how image acquisition and projection can impact 3D image quality.Stereoscopic Cinematography
Originally webcast on 11 June, 2009
Implementing 10G+ Ethernet in Motion Imaging Workflows: Practical Considerations and Roadmap for the Future
Guest Speaker: Michael D. Johas Teener; Broadcom
There is considerable potential in moving the entire connection infrastructure for motion imaging production to the same technology used by the IT industry, especially since Ethernet is now capable of carrying uncompressed HD or better quality streams.
Broadcom's Michael D. Johas Teener outlines the current state of the art for Ethernet systems running at 10Gigabit/sec, how Ethernet systems meet the guaranteed quality of service and very low delay requirement needed for professional applications, and how various synchronization systems may be implemented. Finally, Mr. Teener describes the roadmap to 40 and even 100 Gbit/sec.
Originally webcast 14 May, 2009
Art of Stereography Guest Speaker: Lenny Lipton
Principles behind perception of depth in the the human visual field must be understood and applied to create great looking stereoscopic 3D images. In this SMPTE PDA Now event, renowned stereoscopic luminary, Lenny Lipton provides an overview of these principles as used in stereoscopic cinematography. In addition, Mr. Lipton explains approaches used in the past to create stereoscopic content as well as various methods used in modern digital stereo-cinematography.
Originally webcast 9 April ,2009
DTV Transition: Terrestrial DTV Signal Reception - An Update From the Field
Guest Speaker: Pete Putman, ROAM Consulting LLC
The transition to digital terrestrial TV broadcasting is closing in on D-Day - When analog (NTSC) broadcasts from full-power TV stations will shut down for good.
Vestigial sideband modulation (VSB), the standard used for terrestrial digital TV transmission in the United States, has come a long way since the first problematic tests in 1997 and 1998. Today's VSB receivers have evolved to fifth- and sixth-generation designs that can provide steady reception of DTV signals in numerous locations where analog TV reception would be all but impossible.
Pete Putman of ROAM Consulting, shares field test results that demonstrate just how well these receivers work for indoor and outdoor reception of 8VSB signals with simple antennas, through mountains, over long distances, and even underground, using the latest standalone set-top boxes and NTIA converter boxes.
Originally webacst on February 26, 2009
DTV Transition: Working Through the Early Challenges of a Post Analog World
Guest Speaker: Bill Hayes, Iowa Public Television
When the DTV switch is actually flipped, there are two things on which we can count. First, we can expect that the transition will not be 100% problem free. The second thing is the fact that all parties involved in the switch will need to quickly adopt a highly cooperative approach to avoid finger pointing when things don't work as planned.
Please Join SMPTE PDA Now's Bill Hayes, Iowa Public Television (IPTV), as he discusses the challenges that will likely surface immediately after the switch, what work is currently being done to address them, and how we can best work together for a successful DTV transition.
