da Vinci Systems today introduced the Resolve R-360-3D, a next-generation Resolve® stereoscopic color grading system that provides a groundbreaking price-performance solution for the growing 3D post-production market.
Powered by the C.O.R.E.™ (CUDA® Optimized Resolve® Engine) graphics processing unit (GPU) from NVIDIA®, the Resolve R-360-3D system grades at 30fps with 2K playback and features 3D HD SDI display output. Offered at 30 percent below the cost of previous stereoscopic grading systems, the R-360-3D’s speed, power, and affordability easily surpasses any 3D color grading system in its class.
“By coupling our Resolve software with the technology advances of the world’s leading GPU developer, NVIDIA, we can provide our clients and the post-production color grading market with powerful and cost-effective solutions for the rapidly emerging 3D motion picture market,” said Gary Adams, da Vinci product manager.
According to Adams, the 3D stereoscopic market has taken off during the past nine years, with 94 feature and short films produced and shown in movie theaters, IMAX® theaters, and theme parks. Nearly 40 percent of these movies have been released in the last year alone. Additionally, Hollywood’s largest studios have announced plans to upgrade more than 20,000 2K-projection systems nationwide to digital projectors capable of showing 3D films. Currently, only about 1,300 U.S. theaters are so equipped. Similar digital projector conversion trends are occurring in other markets around the world.
“As theaters transition from film to digital image projection systems, it is becoming increasingly easier to show 3D movies,” Adams added. “Our Resolve R-360-3D system gives post-production facilities the ability to perform stereoscopic color grading services for feature-length films, documentaries, and commercials, along with the ability to repurpose 2D films for 3D viewing on Blu-ray™ DVDs.”
Post-producing 3D projects requires manipulation of two separate eye streams. With state-of-the-art Resolve technology, both streams can be viewed and graded simultaneously in real-time 2K on a 3D projector. Likewise, color decisions can be made and played back in real-time and in stereo without waiting for a render. Each eye stream can be graded and matched separately, with the digital images subsequently ganged and adjusted in context with surrounding shots, thus preserving the eye-to-eye match. This capability makes it possible for Resolve to convert a 2D film or commercial project to 3D simply by adding and defining a timeline for the other eye stream.
Further, the Resolve R-360-3D system makes it possible to copy grades to the added timeline in a single operation, with grading then continuing in stereo. Resolve’s ColorTrace™ feature increases facility throughput and workflow efficiency by automatically copying grades either from previous sessions or from the time editorial changes occur. Also included in the Resolve R-360-3D system are da Vinci’s Impresario™ control panel; a GUI server with I/O capability; video audio I/O and VTR control with a breakout box; and a dual-chassis system featuring GUI monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
The R-360-3D is part of the new da Vinci Resolve R-series line incorporating the latest NVIDIA Quadro® GPUs and delivering 30-200 percent faster performance than the previous generation of Resolve. The next-generation Resolve R-series includes the R-60, R-160, R-360, R-360-3D, R-460, R-460-3D, R-560, and R-560-3D. Resolve’s inherent scalability offers another facility-wide benefit to post facilities, the opportunity to install an R-160 system now and upgrade to the R-360-3D system as customer needs grow.
da Vinci will demonstrate the R-560-3D – a supercharged version of the R-360-3D – as well as the R-160 during IBC2009 at Stand 7.D08. For more information, visit www.davsys.com.