DDD Group (LSE: DDD.L - news) , has developed software and hardware products that enable the viewing of 3D images without the need to wear special spectacles. The company has just signed a 3-year deal with nWave Pictures to covert a number of movies into its TriDef format. Could be one for the watch list.

3D vision using spectacles on projected films and TV has been around for 30 years or so. In fact I have two separate and different sets of spectacles still in one of my drawers. It never was more than an occasional experiment though, apart from the Imax theatre in Disneyworld and perhaps a few others.

Proper 3D films needed expensive shooting equipment as two camera views from two different angles were required, for each and every scene and camera angle that was shot (and in a full-length film that is a lot of camera shots). These were then combined into a colour-coded film which was then unscrambled again into two angles through use of the specs. This process was horrendously expensive and was as far as I know only carried out for a small number of short films such as are shown at Disneyworld. Even with present-day computer technology I doubt very much that the profit and loss equation would work out.

As far as automatic programs to recognise foreground and background etc., well I guess in principle a film could be remastered using such technology with human intervention to override the guesses of the program. Using the technology to make a 2D DVD into a 3D DVD at the consumer end would scarcely be expected to work reliably.

It is true.
I just found the page

http://www.ddd.com/techapp_tv.htm

In conjunction with Arisawa Manufacturing Co., Ltd. DDD is launching the first consumer solution for watching any television show, DVD, or video in 3D.
A new breed of television will be introduced in 2005 which allows the viewer to use a remote control and switch the television into 3D mode by activating the TriDef RT3300 Media Converter, a DDD-designed set-top box that converts any 2D video signal into 3D.

The RT3300, combined with the televisions pre-installed 2D/3D screen and a pair of comfortable, attractive polarized glasses for each viewer, will allow astonishing 3D viewing from anywhere in the room. DDD and Arisawa will joint market the solution, along with feature-length 3D motion pictures from nWave Pictures NV, and others, that are designed to feature off-screen effects.
............................

There is even a second page with a picture of it.

http://www.ddd.com/hardware_rt3300.htm

3D Conversion in a Set Top Box

The TriDef RT3300, teamed with a 2D/3D TriDef supported television and a comfortable pair of polarized glasses, has initiated the era of 3D television viewing.

Its very simple: plug your S-VHS or composite video sources (cable box, antenna, DVD player, VCR, etc) into the RT3300, plug the other end into your television (with VGA or DVI input) or PC monitor, sit back, and enjoy. The RT3300 comes with infrared remote that allows you to enable or disable 3D viewing. The RT3300 is based on DDDs revolutionary Realtime Conversion Process.



Can you believe it? It was actually true. They expect you to wear polarised glasses.

And it is not even April 1st.

ROFLMAO

i often have double vision after drinking stella. would this help me to see a lovely 3D effect on the screen?

Kathryna, having double vision and wearing 3d glasses are completely different.You would not get the proper effect when looking at a 3d screen.I hope that clears things up.

If you had enough to drink you might be unable to tell the difference.

The TriDef DVD Player draws on the advanced image analysis technologies developed for DDD's offline 3D media conversion service. The real time conversion feature delivers immediate access to 3D DVD blockbuster movies for owners of 3D display and complements DDD's high quality offline conversion process by delivering an easy to view 3D effect that is based on the availability of 3D depth cues in the original movie.

In addition to the play back of conventional DVD movies in 3D, the TriDef DVD Player is capable of playing original 3D movies including the library of 3D feature length movies that were recently licensed from nWave Pictures. This combination is designed to offer the widest possible choice to 3D display owners.

Lots of interesting views and posts on this BB. For what it's worth I've just dipped my toe into DDD for the first time. I'm guessing from my reading that half of the posters will think I'm mad while the other half may nod knowingly at the wisdom of my choice.......I just hope that it will be the latter half who are the more insightful!

Very good news....DDD up 14% now


DDD Group PLC
08 March 2005


DDD AND SHARP CORPORATION EXPAND SOFTWARE LICENSING AGREEMENT FOR NEW SHARP 3D
NOTEBOOK PC



Santa Monica, Calif. and Huntington Beach, Calif. (March 8, 2005) 3/4 DDD Group
plc (AIM: DDD), the 3D software and content company, today announces that it has
expanded its world-wide license agreement with Sharp Corporation ('Sharp'),
increasing the per unit royalties paid by Sharp for DDD TriDef(R) software
shipped with each new Sharp 3D notebook PC.


The new agreement adds DDD's TriDef DVD Player real time 2D to 3D conversion
software to the range of DDD software products that are bundled with Sharp's new
second generation ActiusTM AL3D ('AL3D') 3D notebook PC. The inclusion of TriDef
DVD Player is an important milestone for DDD since the ability to easily view
today's popular content in 3D is critical to the future growth of the market for
3D display products.


Based on state of the art, high performance processors from Intel and NVIDIA,
the AL3D is now available in the United States and Japan, with an estimated end
user price of $3,499. DDD will continue to resell Sharp's range of 3D notebooks
and 3D desktop displays to professional business users in the medical,
pharmaceutical, education, oil & gas and manufacturing sectors in the domestic
U.S. market and overseas.


The AL3D also includes DDD's TriDef Visualizer OpenGL(R) software for Mercury
Computer Systems' amira(R) ('Mercury'). Using the amira visualization solution,
AL3D users can quickly review a wide variety of 3D models for medicine, biology,
physics and engineering. Under a separate agreement with Mercury, DDD will
receive a TriDef Visualizer software royalty for end users who purchase the full
amira license that is supplied for a time limited evaluation with each AL3D.


'We continue to be impressed with the growing capabilities of the TriDef
software suite,' said Mr. Ian Matthew, 3D Business Development Manager at Sharp
Systems of America. 'The new TriDef DVD Player has created a lasting impression
with everyone who has had the opportunity to see their favourite DVD movie
instantly appear in 3D. Enabling amira to work in 3D using TriDef Visualizer has
also greatly increased the number of 3D models that can be quickly and easily
viewed in 3D for a wide variety of professional applications that are being used
by our target customers.'


'We are pleased that DDD has once again been chosen by Sharp to provide a
variety of professional and consumer solutions for their second generation 3D
notebook PC,' said Chris Yewdall, Chief Executive of DDD. 'We continue to
receive a very positive response from our customers to the crisp, clear and
precise three-dimensional visual experience that the Sharp displays deliver.'

The note book is only sold in small numbers to specialist business companies.

heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy wankstaff

The above statement says 'professional and consumer solutions', Haystack has got it wrong.

Is this a significant new revenue stream for DDD or another false dawn?

What will the impact be on the bottom line FY revenue?

Looks like Haystack has been buying this morning!

Looking good.

Exactly professional! It is a 3D laptop and not much use to consumers.

DDD only get money from their software because it is given away free with the laptop as part of a bundle of software. It is just used to demonstrate the 3D ca[abilities of the 3D screen on the laptop.

Have you even seen the reviews of the Sharp 3D laptop.


http://reviews.cnet.com/Sharp_Actius_RD3D/4505-3121_7-30573410.html?tag=upidmlp

Some notable quotes from the Sharp review

"this humongous 10-pounder is a low-performance slug that runs for only about two hours on battery and sells for twice the cost of a typical notebook"

"Unless you have a special need for a 3D screen, skip this novelty."

"but if you move slightly, the 3D effect is lost"

"Until we were used to the screen, we felt a little motion sickness".

"But the screen is not a completely satisfying experience: during particularly quick action, the screen can have blips, and sometimes you'll see a double image."

"it requires that the viewer's head be about 21 inches from the display for it to work."

"At 13.9 by 11.9 inches and between 1.9 and 2.1 inches thick, this is one big notebook; it stretches the definition of portable computer."

"The notebook tips the scales at 10 pounds, and its enormous AC adapter adds 1.7 pounds, making for an unwieldy travel weight of 11.7 pounds--roughly the equivalent of two thin-and-light notebooks."

"Unfortunately, despite a huge fan at the bottom, which seems to run more often than not, the machine has a large hot spot on the left side."

"The Actius RD3D's case may be fully equipped, but internally, the Actius RD3D leaves much to be desired"

"Its 6,000mAh lithium-ion battery can run this power hog for only 2 hours, 8 minutes, although a Sharp representative warned us that "this notebook is not designed to be used while unplugged." (why have one then?)

"Both the Sharp Actius RD3D and the Sony VAIO PCG-FRV37 have lower-than-top-rung video adapters. So, when it comes to 3D performance, they score lower than better-equipped notebooks, which is a shame for the Sharp. We expected higher scores from a notebook whose primary goal is displaying 3D graphics."

Only one MM on the bid, this should be back down again soon.

It is still well into its long term downtrend.

Haystack - If you've quite finished de-ramping perhaps we can all move on. I'm sure your negative posts have shaken out enough people to fill your boots on what is obviously a short for you.

I think you will find that it is not possible to short DDD as the market cap. is far too small. Apart from that I don't short stocks. The MMs just marked this up before the start and now it is falling back due to lack of interest and sellers.

So you are a shorter, Haystack.

No. AS I said would not be possible to short DDD anyway.