Panasonic introduces 3D camcorder for consumers

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/SciTech/20100728/panasonic-3d-camcorder-100728/
Panasonic introduces 3D camcorder for consumers





In this Sept. 10, 2009 file photo, a businessman
walks past a corporate logo of Japanese electronics maker Panasonic
Corp. at Panasonic Center in Tokyo, Japan. Panasonic Corp. said Thursday
Dec. 10, 2009 it will take majority control of Sanyo Electric Co. in a
$4.6 billion deal that would forge one of the biggest electronics makers
in the world. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, File)



TOKYO — The problem of what to watch on a 3-D TV
will be yours to solve with Panasonic's camcorder for families to film
birthdays, baby's first walk and weddings, all in 3-D.



Numerous global electronics companies are racing 3-D televisions into
the shops, hoping a revival of interest in the technology sparked by
blockbuster movies such as the sci-fi epic "Avatar" will translate into
the public wanting the 3-D experience at home. But the relative scarcity
of three dimensional content is a stumbling block for the products
catching on.



The whole camcorder and lens setup, shown Wednesday, starts at about
170,000 yen ($2,000), far more affordable than professional 3-D
camcorders, which have been the only types available up to now for 3-D
filming. The camera looks much like a regular digital camcorder but
needs a slightly bigger 3-D "conversion" lens that's sold separately.



The 3-D camcorders go on sale in Japan Aug. 20, and will be available
in overseas markets later this year, according to the Osaka-based maker
of Viera TVs and Lumix digital cameras.



Executive Officer Shiro Nishiguchi said Panasonic sees this year as
the opening year for "the 3-D era." Panasonic has led in introducing 3-D
products this year, now offering eight 3-D TV models, three 3-D
recorders and four designs in 3-D glasses.



"Content you create yourself is going to be what you want to watch,
and so it's going to be a killer content," Nishiguchi told reporters at a
Tokyo hall.



The 3-D camcorder is expected to help 3-D products for homes spread
quickly, he said, adding that Panasonic will start selling a 3-D lens
for digital cameras for still photos later this year.



Panasonic demonstrated how the camcorder can film a girl playing on
swings, and had reporters check out the film through 3-D glasses.



The image was colorful, clear and 3-D but, as a homemade movie, not quite Avatar.



Panasonic said 3-D footage shot on its camcorder can be watched on
3-D TVs from rivals such as Sony Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co.



The technology behind 3-D works by sending a different image to the
right eye and the left eye, just like the human brain constructs an
illusion of depth and perspective with images that come in from the left
eye and the right eye.



Although some 3-D technology doesn't require special glasses, the one shown Wednesday requires special 3-D glasses.