At the study session, 3 representatives from Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Toshiba Corporation and Samsung Electronics gave lectures under the theme of "Trends of the latest 3D display," and 3 representatives from TAO, the Virtual Reality Society of Japan and the MR Forum gave lectures related to the theme of "Trends of 3D-related organizations." Before the study session, a "Technical Section Meeting" was held and the chairing companies of the Technology Investigation Working Group and Amusements Working Group made reports on their current activities. The aims and contents of the activities of the "Broadcasting & Live Action Shooting Working Group" and "Advanced Technology Investigation Working Group" which will soon be launched were introduced to ask for participation. The number of attendees at the study session was 50 members and 80 non-members.

Mainly we have had lectures for the previous three sessions. In our first session held in July, we had lecturers from Dimps Corp. and Cyber Step, and also had a lecture by Mr. Araki from Cinesell Japan, Inc. under the theme of "Application of 3D to Amusement." Lecturers talked about the overseas strategies taken by major game manufacturers, the point of view of venture companies which attract attention related to online games, and the 3D from the standpoint of the "artisan" producers. Our aim here was to clarify the difference in the concepts between major companies and venture companies.

For our second session, we had lecturers from Sapporo TV, Chukyo TV Broadcasting Co., Ltd., and Japan TV Network related to the broadcasting industry. Sapporo TV has made various kinds of 3D contents and is active in the field. Chukyo TV is making 3D weather reports which attract attention. The lecturer from Japan TV Network summarized the trend in the field up to now. We asked Ms. Soga from Japan TV Network to launch the "Broadcasting & Live Action Shooting WG" as the leader.

For our third session, we had lecturers from Topcon, Fuji Xerox, Opton Co., Ltd., and Konica Minolta Technology Center, Inc. under the theme of "Live Action Shooting of Stereoscopic Images." Technology of live action shooting has been evolving, but we have to think about how we utilize it generally for the creation of contents.

We are going to pick up on compression technology, market trends, 3D measurement and web 3D, but we would like you to let us know if you have requests on the themes to be covered in the future.

The Amusements WG was inaugurated in October. Its first meeting was held in the conference room of Namco on October 6th. The WG discussed the current status of the amusement industry under three themes:

1. Report on amusement shows
2. Entry to the networking game market
3. Development of creators, how to secure stereoscopic images

Networking games have become a popular topic in many countries especially in Korea. Regarding the development of creators, Namco Game Laboratory has been continuing efforts for 3 _ 4 years.

Its second meeting is scheduled to be held at Sangyo Plaza in Kamata Station in Ota Ward on December 9th. We will have lectures by Mr. Yamagata of Amusement Industry Publishing and by the person in charge of theme parks of ET Planning Vision in the morning. I would like them to talk about the current status of the amusement industry and how it relates to 3D in the future. We are planning a hands-on program in the afternoon. We will have participants experience the networking game at the experimental shop "Red Zone" opened in front of Kamata Station.

Ground digital broadcasting will start on December 1st. Ten years has passed since we talked about 3D broadcasting. Now we are almost able to realize that, I would like to think about the broadcasting and live action shooting.

There are three major themes.

1. Scenes to be shot by cameras _ use two cameras, or transfer of 2D contents into 3D
2. Scenes to be broadcasted _ We would like to start research on encryption and compression.
3. How we present the contents to the audience _ discussion on the receivers.

We would like to organize our first session in early January at the Japan TV Network in Shiodome.
10 companies indicated their intention to participate as of now. I would appreciate your kind participation.
I would like to have lively discussion like the seminars held in universities.

Our aim is to present the direction of the 3D technology for the next 5 to 10 years. I would like to present a place to discuss our future dreams and visions. 3D started in Japan, so I would like to lead the world in the 3D field in the future, too.
I think the 3D Consortium's activities are full-fledged for the movement, and I would like the consortium to introduce new technology for further development.
There are three major contents for activities.

1. Research _ trends of latest technology, academic societies in Japan and in other countries and exhibitions.
2. Analysis _ lectures by experts, study sessions and discussions on basic / latest technology
3. Summary _ preparation of reports, future direction, forecast of future technology

I think that sharing of information is important.


The details of "Report of 3D Consortium Study Session" are here.