3D Movie Maker

[Andromeda]

There's a device called the NuView camcorder adapter that will allow video to be recorded in 3D (http://www.i-glassesstore.com/nuvstarkit.html). Has anyone tried this?
Thanks,
Andromeda

[Cornucopia]

Haven't gotten my hands on it yet, but I know about it...

It uses 1/2-silvered mirror and 2 liquid crystal shutters, each of which opens/closes alternately with the other. They are timed/synched with the vertical interval pulled from the camera's video-out signal.

Here's a rough/quick example of the inner-workings:

(The dark bars are the front-silvered and 1/2-silvered mirrors, the dashes are the LC shutters)

The views enter from the top, going seperately into the L and R side. They are allowed to show alternately onto one or the other side of the 1/2-silvered mirror, which routes the remaining signal, now Field-Interleaved, on the camera lens and body proper.

This type of device works very well with mid-level DV cameras. Obviously, it won't fit onto small, cheap, consumer-level cams because of their small lens size, and pro cameras would do better to have 2 cameras twinned, maintaining tight calibration and synch.

Pros for the unit:
"Backwards-compatible" with std NTSC/PAL signal, therefore fairly easily editable & distributable.
Maintains great calibration & sync (important!), because it's only using 1 camera, and the synch is generated by the camera (self-synching).
Not alot to do to add on or remove.
No skew

Cons for the unit:
Loss of 1/2 vertical resolution for each viewpoint (which can NEVER be recovered)
Loss of motion smoothness, because result fps per eye is 30i (not 60i)-->FLICKER!
Each L+R pair is NOT co-existing at same moment of time (offset by 1/60 sec), so some judder always present with any motion.
Loss of >1/2 light level because of LCS & 1/2-silvered mirror
No "Stereo Base" adjustment possible
(Not sure about this one) "Convergence" may be adjustable, but not optimal
Not very workable solution with more modern, progressive display methods

It's a good item to get your feet wet with for stereo, especially if you don't want to get into the "tech details". Acceptable quality, but many are disappointed with the loss of resolution and the level of flicker.

If you got a good deal for it (via ebay, etc), or can get a good deal, and you're OK with the downsides: GO FOR IT! (and let us know what you think)

HTH,
Scott

>>>>
edit: To get the stereo effect at viewtime, you have to also have gotten a hold of a Field-Interleave controller box for LC Shutter glasses, and at least 1 pair of the shutter glasses (wired or wireless, depending on the controller). You can get info on that at http://www.ray3d.com/, as well as other places (like manufacturer E-Dimensional http://www.edimensional.com/)

[Cornucopia]

Sorry,
Forgot to add that it has not been proven to work or not work with the new HDV or other HD cameras, as HD video sync is somewhat different than SD/DV video sync, plus there are compression and colorspace difficulties to iron out. Be cautious.

For those who want more info on the various type of systems and their relative quality, compatibility, pluses/minuses--PM me.

Scott