http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/index.html
January 05, 2010
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, SONY AND IMAX ANNOUNCE PLAN TO LAUNCH FIRST 24/7 DEDICATED 3D TELEVISION NETWORK IN THE U.S.
-- Three-Way Venture to Bring Next-Generation Experience to Home Television Viewers --
Discovery Communications
Sony Corporation
IMAX Corporation
Three of the world's leading media, technology and entertainment companies - Discovery Communications, Sony Corporation and IMAX Corporation - today announced a joint venture to be established to develop the first 24/7 dedicated 3D television network in the U.S. The partnership brings together three leaders with an extraordinary collection of award-winning 3D content, technology expertise, television distribution and operational strength to deliver a high-quality three-dimensional viewing experience to home television audiences.
"Discovery's business strategy has always focused on delivering groundbreaking content through new platforms, including the first suite of digital channels launched in 1996 and the first 24/7 basic cable HD channel in 2002," said Discovery Founder and Chairman John Hendricks. "Now, as Discovery celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2010 as the world leader in satisfying curiosity and bringing audiences the most realistic viewing experience, we continue to change the face of television with the launch of the first-ever 24/7 dedicated 3D television network." "Sony is the only company with expertise in every part of the 3D value chain," said Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation. "We are delighted to be partnering with Discovery and IMAX, two premier companies also dedicated to leadership in 3D, in this groundbreaking new venture. It is clear to us that consumers will always migrate to a better and richer entertainment experience, and together we are determined to be the leader in providing that around the world."
"By partnering with Sony and IMAX on 3D, Discovery will lead the way in revolutionizing the next-generation home viewing experience in the U.S. and around the world," said Discovery Communications President and CEO David Zaslav. "Today's announcement is the next step in fulfilling Discovery's mission of providing groundbreaking content for our affiliate partners and enlightening viewers with the most immersive and realistic viewing experience available anywhere." "IMAX has been a pioneer and recognized leader in 3D technology for more than twenty-five years, delivering the premium in-theatre experience to audiences around the world. We're reaching more and more consumers with the recent expansion of the IMAX® theatre network and the growth of 3D movie content," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "This new business venture is the first step in our strategic effort to take 3D into the home and extend the IMAX brand. We've already had strong collaborations with Discovery Communications and Sony in the past on IMAX event film titles, and we are thrilled to work with such strong partners to be the first to make in-home 3D a reality." Discovery, Sony, through its U.S. affiliate, Sony Corporation of America, and IMAX each will be equal partners in the joint venture. It will be launched in the U.S., with a goal of driving consumer adoption of 3D televisions and giving the network long-term leadership in the 3D home marketplace. In the future, the companies also will explore international distribution opportunities in selected markets. The new 3D network will feature high-quality premium content from genres that are most appealing in 3D, including natural history, space, exploration, adventure, engineering, science and technology, motion pictures and children's programming from Discovery, Sony Pictures Entertainment, IMAX and other third-party providers. Discovery will provide network services, including affiliate sales and technical support functions, as well as 3D television rights to Discovery content and cross-promotion across its portfolio of 13 U.S. television networks. Sony will provide advertising/sponsorship sales support, and will seek to license television rights to current and future 3D feature films, music-related 3D content and game-related 3D content, while providing cross-promotion at retail stores. IMAX also will license television rights to future 3D films, promotion through its owned-and-operated movie theaters across the U.S., and a suite of proprietary and patented image enhancement and 3D technologies. Governance for the joint venture will be handled by a board of directors comprised of members from each of the three companies, with the day-to-day operations run by a separate staff and management team that will report to the board. A search for the venture's general manager will begin immediately. The parties have signed a non-binding Letter of Intent. Specific financial terms of the venture were not disclosed. The parties will work towards prompt execution of definitive agreements, subject to any necessary regulatory approvals.
Conference Call Details
Discovery Founder and Chairman John Hendricks, Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav, Sony Corporation Chairman, CEO and President Sir Howard Stringer and IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond will hold a joint media call to discuss the venture at 3:15 p.m. EST today. To access the conference call, in the U.S. dial 1-888.396.2298, or outside of the U.S. dial 1-617.847.8708, and use the following passcode: 30218918.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
About Sony Corporation of America
Sony Corporation of America, based in New York, NY, is a U.S. subsidiary of Sony Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo. Sony is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, communications, and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Its motion picture, television, computer entertainment, music and online businesses make Sony one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. Sony's principal U.S. businesses include Sony Electronics Inc., Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., and Sony Music Entertainment, one of the largest recorded music companies in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $78.9 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, and it employs 171,300 people worldwide.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSX: IMX) is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX® theatres delivering the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX DMR® technology. IMAX DMR is the Company's groundbreaking digital re-mastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of September 30, 2009, there were 403 IMAX® theatres (280 commercial, 123 institutional) operating in 44 countries.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on information available to each party as of the date hereof, and each party's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business, which include the risk factors disclosed in their respective Annual Report on Form 10-K/20-F filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding each party's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "will," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will" and "would" or similar words. Each party expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the such party's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
SONY 3D TECHNOLOGY CENTER OPENS AT SONY PICTURES STUDIOS
Studio's Top Talent in 3D Content Creation to Offer Training to Entertainment Industry for the Next Wave of Entertainment
Las Vegas, NV - January 6, 2010 - Sony Corporation announced that it will open the "Sony 3D Technology Center," located at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, to train and nurture a community of experts in the rapidly growing market of 3D entertainment. The announcement was made today at the Consumer Electronics Show by Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President of Sony Corporation. The new center will offer professionals from across the industry a hands-on opportunity to learn more about the techniques and equipment used to create top-quality 3D productions of all kinds - including sports, movies, television and games. The center will also feature Sony's top-of-the-line business and professional products, which are widely used in capturing, manipulating and displaying 3D productions. "Our mission is to support the spread of high quality 3D throughout the marketplace," said Chris Cookson, President of Sony Pictures Technologies, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Chief Officer of the Sony 3D Technology Center, Sony Corporation of America. "Modern technologies and techniques can create much more natural and realistic 3D than most people had experienced in years past, so we have an interest in helping the industry as a whole seize this opportunity to give audiences really great 3D experiences. People must reliably and consistently be able to enjoy what is presented in 3D for it to gain acceptance in the long term." "Making 3D is easy, but making good 3D is hard," said Buzz Hays, Senior Vice President of the Sony 3D Technology Center, Sony Corporation of America. "I've had the pleasure of making 3D movies with Hollywood's true pioneers over the last five years, and I am excited to dedicate my time fully to sharing what we've learned as this medium makes its way toward primetime." Sony Pictures Digital Productions studio Imageworks has been a leader in both 3D animation and live-action 3D conversion. Imageworks has produced more recent 3D movies than any other studio. Sony Pictures Releasing International has released multiple 3D films for the studio including Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation's September 2009 3D release of "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" which has earned more than $200 million dollars to date in worldwide box office ticket sales. The 3D Technology Center is scheduled to open in February 2010.
About Sony
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $79 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/
Sony Develops High Frame Rate Single Lens 3D Camera Technology
- Captures natural and smooth, high quality 3D images at 240fps -
Tokyo, Japan, October 1, 2009 - Sony Corporation today announced the development of a single lens 3D camera technology capable of recording natural and smooth 3D images of even fast-moving subject matter such as sports, at 240fps (frames per second). This technology combines a newly developed optical system for single lens 3D camera which captures the left and right images simultaneously, together with existing high frame rate (HFR) recording technology to realize 240fps 3D filming. Sony will demonstrate a prototype model incorporating this technology at "CEATEC JAPAN 2009", to be held at Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba City, Japan, from October 6th.
Newly Developed Single Lens Optical System In existing half mirror 3D camera systems with separate lenses for the left and right eyes, the parallax range is adjustable, enabling the depth of the 3D images to be modified . However, when operating the zoom and focus functions of such systems, the sensitivity of the human eye, in particular to differences in the size and rotational movement of dual images, as well as any vertical misalignment or difference in image quality has meant that complex technology has been required to ensure that each camera lens is closely coordinated, and there are no discrepancies in the optical axis, image size, and focus. The introduction of a single lens system resolves any issues that may occur as a result of having different optical characteristics for each eye. Furthermore, by using mirrors in place of shutters, incoming light can now be simultaneously separated into left and right images and recorded as it reaches the parallel light area (the area where diverging light from the point of focus on the subject matter becomes parallel) of the relay lens. The separated left and right images are then processed and recorded with the respective left and right image sensors. As there is no difference in time between when the left and right eye images are captured, it is possible for natural and smooth 3D images to be captured, even of scenes involving rapid movement.
Optical system for single lens 3D camera
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240fps 3D Filming Optical tests have shown that a frame rate 240fps represents the limit of human visual perception, and beyond that it becomes difficult to detect differences in terms of blur and "jerkiness" of moving images (where images that were continuous are now seen as a series of distinct snapshots). By developing a 240fps frame rate CMOS image sensor with properties close to the human eye, which is capable of capture natural images of even fast moving subject matter, Sony has succeeded in further enhancing the quality of 3D video images. The combination of Sony's new single lens 3D system and its 240fps high frame rate technology has realized a single lens 3D camera system, based on universal properties of the human eye, which enables natural and smooth 3D images with no accommodation-vergence*1 conflict to be recorded.
*1accommodation: focusing the lens on the eye, vergence: aligning the direction of both eyes on the subject
| Technological Features | ||
| 1 | New single lens optical system | |
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| - | Captures left and right images simultaneously to deliver natural and smooth 3D images with no accommodation-vergence conflict. |
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| - | Eliminates the need for lens synchronization, ensuring easily accurate control of 3D zoom and focus functions. |
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| - | When polarized glasses are not used, viewers with still be able to see natural 2D images, as the disparity of the images for left and right eyes are within the range that human eyes can recognize as a blur. |
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| 2 | 240fps image capture to realize high quality motion images | |
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| - | Realizes high quality capture of 3D content including fast-moving subject matter such as sports. |
Prototype to be demonstrated at "CEATEC JAPAN 2009"
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Within the growing 3D cinema industry, Sony has supported and driven the expansion of 3D by providing a wide variety of professional equipment for the shooting, production and screening of movies in 3D. The number of digital 3D screens is increasing rapidly, and is expected to reach 7,000 worldwide by the end of 2009*2 In addition to 3D movies, Sony's range of professional 3D products and technology is also driving the growth of 3D production and distribution across a range of entertainment industries, from theatre and music performances to sport and beyond. Furthermore, Sony is also aiming to continue to lead the way in delivering new 3D viewing experiences by bringing 3D to the home in 2010.
*2 Source: Screen Digest (Approx. as of July, 2009)
Key Prototype Specifications
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| With 240fps 3.5 inch view finder | ||||||||||||
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