Fraunhofer HHI Enhances Cost-Effective Hybrid 3D Production With Trifocal Camera System

LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwired - Apr 7, 2014) - NAB booth #C7843 - The Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute HHI, a leader in the development of mobile and fixed broadband communication networks, multimedia systems, image processing and 3D, today announced the first software environment leveraging Adobe After Effects plug-ins for trifocal camera systems. This improves the workflow for flexible 3D production and makes it even more cost effective, making it possible to produce 3D cinematography with only slightly more effort than is needed for 2D. At NAB 2014, Fraunhofer HHI is showcasing the plug-ins together with its trifocal camera developed in association with Walt Disney Production Technology, Burbank, and ARRI, Munich.

After Effects plug-ins open the way to easy post-production processing of trifocal camera material
With its After Effects plug-ins, Fraunhofer HHI has further shortened the on-set and post-production 3D processing chain and made it more cost effective. Fraunhofer HHI's trifocal camera system enables stereo material to be produced just as in a classic 2D production, which eliminates the need for special 3D camera expertise and saves both time and costs on set.

Additionally, with After Effects plug-ins streamlining the post production process, use of the trifocal camera system presents a real opportunity for cost-efficient production of future 3D cinema.

Another advantage of the system is that the question of the content's target system and screen size, which could be a 3D cinema or stereoscopic display, now only needs to be settled during actual post production.

The trifocal camera system is the preferred alternative to the standard production of stereo material
In association with Disney and ARRI, Fraunhofer HHI has developed a trifocal camera system that can shoot 3D material without the need for on-set stenographers and continual readjustment of camera settings. The system comprises a rig of one main ARRI Alexa camera and two satellite cameras. Integration of the satellite cameras and estimation of depth maps eliminates the need for continual adjustment of camera positions, which is often time-consuming in 3D productions. The recorded material is used in post production to estimate dense depth maps which enable generation of stereo content. The joint large baseline of all three cameras also provides future-proof footage for tomorrow's glasses-free 3D displays.

Fraunhofer HHI is part of the Fraunhofer Digital Cinema Alliance. The Alliance provides a network of deep expertise and intelligence for the development of scalable technologies and international standards that allow customers to stay ahead the market.

The Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute
The Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute is a world leader in the development of mobile and fixed broadband communication networks and multimedia systems. From photonic components and systems to fiber optic sensor systems and real-time image processing architectures, the Heinrich Hertz Institute works together with its international partners from research and industry on building the infrastructure for the future Gigabit Society. Fraunhofer HHI is your competent partner for UHDTV, 3D TV, 3D displays, HDTV, gesture controlled man-machine interaction, image processing, coding and transmission, and use of interactive media.