Search results matching tags 'technology' and 'videogames'

3DTV, or how your brand new HDTV is already obsolete

professor.knowsitall@evpl — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:34:00 GMT

In case you were unaware, 3D is once again all the rage. With the record-breaking success of Avatar, movie studios, TV networks, and electronics manufacturers are looking to capitalize on this recent surge in popularity.

There has never been a good way to reproduce the "3D movie theater" experience at home (those red/blue glasses don't count!). That will supposedly change with 3DTVs (3D-capable HDTVs). All the major TV manufacturers had 3DTVs on display earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show, with the first models expected to go on sale this summer. Movies will be available in 3D on Blu-ray Disc, and TV networks may broadcast in 3D (ESPN & The Discovery Channel are launching 3D channels). Sony has also demoed PlayStation 3 videogames in 3D.

In non-techie terms, 3D video works by having footage from two perspectives...one for the left eye and one for the right. By using 3D glasses, video intended for the left eye is hidden from the right eye and vice versa.

You've probably seen DVDs that come with the old-school red & blue glasses. While the 3D effect is okay, these glasses decrease brightness, give everything a green hue, and can even cause headaches/eye strain.

Most movie theaters nowadays use polarized 3D (i.e. glasses with grey lenses). This provides for incredible 3D without affecting color or brightness. But this isn't possible at home, as it requires a projector with a special lens and a special screen to project onto.

3DTVs will utilize wirelessly-synchronized shutter glasses, while quickly alternating between the left & right perspectives. The lenses are actually thin LCDs that darken & lighten. So the TV will display a single frame intended for your left eye, the right lens on the shutter glasses will darken completely, and only your left eye will see the frame. The next frame is only for your right eye, so when the TV displays it the left lens will darken & the right lens will lighten, making the frame viewable only to your right eye. As this will be running at 120 frames per second, it should appear silky smooth to the human eye.

Being the nerd that I am, in-home 3D definitely sounds cool. But with prices dropping on HDTVs, will consumers be willing to pay a premium for 3DTVs? Will folks that already own a HDTV go through the hassle of upgrading? Will current-gen Blu-ray players be 3D-compatible, or will they have to be upgraded with newer players? And will movie/TV-watchers and gamers scoff at having to constantly wear dorky 3D glasses?

What do you think? Sound off in the comments below!

More Info

CES 2010 TV Trends @ AnandTech: An article about upcoming TVs shown at the Consumer Electronics Show.
The Illustrated 3D Movie List: A list of past, and upcoming, 3D movies.
Next "Harry Potter" Movies Coming in 3D: Warner Brothers just announced that the upcoming Harry Potter movies will be in 3D.

Battle of the (virtual) bands: The Beatles edition

professor.knowsitall@evpl — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:19:00 GMT

While being a musician in real life, playing to many sold-out crowds at Bar Mitzvahs, there's something about Rock Band & Guitar Hero that I love. Playing fake instruments in front of thousands of virtual screaming fans gets the adrenaline pumping!

Rock Band 2 released last month on Xbox 360, a couple of weekends ago on PlayStation 3, and later this year for Wii & PS2. The game features full four-player rawking, with guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. You can play all the songs from Rock Band 1, and new songs can be purchased and downloaded each week, so I've got nearly 400 songs! I brought my setup to this year's Staff Institute, and after TeenLibrarian@evpl's "Gaming in the Library" presentation, we rocked out! Take a look at the photos.

Guitar Hero: World Tour released this past weekend for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, & PS2. I haven't played it yet, but I've heard some pretty good things about it. It too copies the four-player setup, with guitar, bass, drums, and vocals.

It was just announced this morning that Harmonix (the makers of Rock Band 1 & 2) will be making a game exclusively featuring music by The Beatles, releasing sometime next year. Activision previously announced the upcoming Guitar Hero: Metallica. So virtual bands won't have to worry about running out of gigs any time soon!!!

I know TeenLibrarian@evpl has been wanting to purchase either an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, along with either Rock Band 1, Rock Band 2, or Guitar Hero: World Tour for our open gaming at the library. So, which console do you recommend? (Let us know here.) Also, which music game do you recommend??? Help us solve our music-game-mystery by posting your comments below!

More Information

Xbox 360 or PS3?: TeenLibrarian@evpl's blog post about which console to purchase. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
Staff Institute photos on Flickr: View photos of library staff rawking out!
RockBand.com: Official website of Rock Band 1 & 2.
GuitarHero.com: Official website of Guitar Hero.

Xbox 360 or PS3?

TeenLibrarian@evpl — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:03:00 GMT

The library Teen Zone needs your help. It has been suggested by many our teens who frequent Gaming Power Hour (x2) that we purchase a new console. Xbox 360 was suggested for its price and available games i.e. more T-rated games.

While speaking with one of Mr. Hendrix's freshman classes at Harrison High, I got a different opinion. An overwhelming majority suggested we purchase a PS3. The Xbox 360 supporters were outnumbered almost 3:1, but they persevered under the assault of accusations of poor quality and inferior graphics. "You're wasting the library's money if you buy a 360," one student shouted, "It's going to break and be unavailable most of the time." And, this comment almost ended the argument. We settled everyone down and a student eloquently started, "The best game system for the library is the PS3 because it has better quality and can stand up to the rigorous play of teens. The PS3 also has better games." The room exploded!

I realized I wasn't going to solve the console war there, so I told them let's settle it here on our new blog page. They asked one final question, "What console was I going to get?" I told them, I came into the class (not expecting this at all) pretty much sold on getting the Xbox 360, but their arguments persuaded me to consider the PS3.

Despite the suggestive image of the PS3 hovering over the 360 almost victorious, my position is neutral. So, what console do you think the Teen Zone should add, Xbox 360 or PS3?

Image is under a Creative Commons license courtesy of DASLIVE2.0.