On May 17, 2011 Ryersons’ Interactive Computing Applications and Design Group (ICAD) demonstrated their latest projects. The session starts with a demonstration of using Microsoft Kinect hardware to control a computer mouse. Next, the group shows the use of a gestural interface to control Google Earth, followed by a demo of using Kinect to control a avatar in Second Life.

The session continues with a demonstration of a potential application to control a small arduino based robot over bluetooth using gestures. Following this the ICAD staff show the use of Kinect as a tracking and control mechanism for a Point-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) camera. This approach allows them to track up to five people without active trackers. The data from the Kinect camera is used to instruct the PTZ camera where to “look”. Once a person is identified (by putting up their hand) the kinect will try to track the person around the room and make sure the PTZ camera follows the person as well. Switching the tracked person is done by raising ones hand.

Their last demo will show a gestural based keyboard that will eventually be tied into a interactive phonebook application where the user can type the name of a contact using gestures and automatically dial the number through a voip application (ie: google talk).

Individual project videos below….

1) Kinect Windows Mouse Interface

2) Kinect Google Earth Interface

3) Kinect Second Life Interface

4) Kinect Bluetooth Robot Interface

5) Kinect Tracker-Cam Interface

6) Kinect Interactive Phonebook

You kinda knew this was going to happen sooner or later. Canon 5D MKII came out a couple of years ago, set the budget DCinema market on it’s head and caught the traditional ENG/Video guys (Sony/Panasonic) totally off-guard. Well I think Panasonic — for now, until Sony comes out with their NEX-VG10 Camera — is sending a couple of grenades into Canon’s camp with the “final” release of their AG-AF100 Memory Card Camera Recorder (MCCR? WTF?). Anyways, this little beastie is neat and can be had for a mere $6000. Not bad for a Pro level camera that can do everything from ENG style shooting to Mid-range DCinema shoots to MFTV movies/series. I think Panasonic might have another hit — like HVX200 — on their hands. Just the sheer fact that using readily available micro 4/3 to m42 mount adapters would give a young cinematographer access to kick-ass glass for cheap (search ebay for m42 lenses and you’ll see) or the fact that they too could start using the newisch Voigtländer 25mm f/0.95 for MicroFourThirds and create their own Barry Lyndon type effects/shots is fantastic news.

Although it all seems rosy for now, there is always the Sony factor as well. They’ve got the bigger, 35mm crop sensor, in their NEX-VG10 (28x22mm for sony vs. 17.1x13mm for pani) which translates into more DOF, smoother bokeh and such….but then again I’d be a happy camper with a f0.95 lens too . The AF100 incorporates a 4/3-inch, 16:9 MOS imager. The camcorder records 1080/60i, 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) and 720/60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) in AVCHD’s highest-quality PH mode (maximum 24Mbps). The AF100 maximizes the potential of its high-resolution imager with built-in ND filtering and dramatically reduced video aliasing. Standard professional interfaces include HD-SDI out, HDMI, time code recording, built-in stereo microphone and USB 2.0. The AF100 features two XLR inputs with +48V Phantom Power capability, 48-kHz/16-bit two-channel digital audio recording and supports LPCM/Dolby-AC3. With two SDXC slots, the AF100 can record up to 12 hours on two 64GB SDXC cards in PH mode. Interesting times ahead…..

 The Shack rocks….well it did back in 1978. Funny part is that the so called e-book was priced around $19.95 to $24.95, just about the same as a e-book today

A new large-format multi-touch technology launched today by DISPLAX, a developer of interactive technologies, will transform any non-conductive flat or curved surface into a multitouch screen. The DISPLAX Multitouch Technology, believed to be the first of its kind, has been developed based on a transparent thinner-than-paper polymer film. When applied to glass, plastic or wood, the surface becomes interactive.

It can be applied to flat or curved, opaque as well as transparent surfaces up to three metres across the diagonal. It is hyper sensitive, allowing users to interact with an enabled surface not just by touching it but, for the first time, by blowing on it, opening up new possibilities for future applications. Currently, the technology can detect up to 16 fingers on a 50-inch screen. The number of fingers detected is expected to increase as development progresses.

Based on patent-pending projected capacitive technology, DISPLAX Multitouch Technology uses a controller that works by processing multiple input signals it receives from a grid of nanowires embedded in the film attached to the enabled surface. Each time a finger is placed on the screen or a user blows on the surface, a small electrical disturbance is caused. The micro-processor controller analyses this data and decodes the location of each input on that grid to track the finger and air-flow movements. The DISPLAX Multitouch technology controller combined with a projected capacitive nanowired film is a lightweight and highly scalable solution, ranging from seven inches (18 centimetres) to three metres across the diagonal thus opening up a wide range of commercial applications suitable for indoor or outdoor displays.

The DISPLAX Multitouch Technology will begin shipping in July 2010. The prices will be very competitive and depend on size.

Features:

• Multi-touch detection: DISPLAX™ Multitouch Technology detects 16 fingers simultaneously on a 50-inch screen (to increase as technology development progresses).
• Air-movement detection: DISPLAX™ Multitouch Technology detects when someone blows on the surface, measuring the intensity and direction of the air flow.
• Large and small: As small as 18 cm and as large as three meters across the diagonal and thinner than paper.
• Transparent: DISPLAX™ Multitouch Technology is completely transparent and allows the user to see through any transparent surface it is adhered to.
• Light-weight: A 50-inch screen weighs about 300 grams, making it easily transportable and easy to install.
• Versatile: Can be applied to any non-conductive flat or curved surface including glass, plastic and wood less than 15 mm thick. It works in daylight or at night, indoors or outdoors, and is not affected by light conditions.
• Durable: When using rear projection, the film is applied to the reverse of the surface, protecting it from scratches or other damage, with no need for contact with the material.

Head over to pdfmyurl.com and check out how easy it is to turn any website into a pdf document. You don’t need to install anything, everything is done through the web and it’s FREE. They also have a bookmarklet you can drag to your bookmark bar for easy pdf’ing . There are also a ton of options available under the advanced options including a juicy wget command that can potentially be scripted to traverse an entire website and turn it into a pdf file .

Great article over at Make Magazine online, all about homebrew digital 3D movies. It’s a reprint of an older  article (from Make Vol. 14) by Eric Kurland, where he explains in quite a bit of detail how he accomplished this setup.

Well It was only a matter of time as they say…..first Sony, then JVC and now Epson.

Seiko Epson Corporation (“Epson”, TSE:6724) today announced that it has developed the world’s first* 4K-compatible high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) TFT liquid crystal panel for 3LCD projectors. Measuring 1.64 inches diagonally, the new panel supports displays with resolutions up to 4096 × 2160 pixels.

With a resolution of nearly 8.85 megapixels, 4K panels offer four times the resolution of full HD (1920 × 1080), making them ideal for the high resolutions required by special applications such as industrial design, architectural design and simulations, as well as for presentations and projecting four full HD images at the same time.

Panel features:

• High-resolution 4K-compatible
• 1.64″: 4K (4096 x 2160 pixels) – the world’s first 4K HTPS panel*
• Includes Epson’s original LCD driver optimized for 4K resolution
• Benefits of using C2 Fine:

1. High contrast
2. Smooth images
3. Jet-black color reproduction

* C2Fine: An original Epson technology for achieving high-quality, vivid images with high contrast by combining an inorganic liquid crystal alignment layer with vertical alignment technology

Panel specification:

• LCD type:  C2 Fine (VA inorganic alignment layer)
• Process technology:  D7
• Effective pixels:  4096 x 2160
• Panel size (diagonal):  1.64 inch (4.2 cm)
• Pixel pitch:  9 µm

Everyone who’s lived on this earth for the past 10 years or so should have heard of Peter Jackson. You know, the Director of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Well, Mr. Jackson’s Effects house, Weta Workshop is at it again. This time pushing the envelope of what you can do with Digital Genitals. YEP, you heard right, green-screen naughty bits for indie-film maker Joe Swanberg. Gotta love technology.

Cambrionix’s 49-port USB 2.0 behemoth can take care of all your nerdly USB needs, be it a 49 stick Tera Raid Drive or a insane 49 bulb USB lamp . Unless you find the cost — £399 / $657 (plus tax) — or the fact that it requires an ATX-2 power supply to push 500mA across all 49-ports (24500 mA) a significant deterrents.

I don’t think I’ve seen anything geekier than this…..I absolutely love it. A Star Trek fan who’s — obviously — very good with wiring, electronics and programming has created this LCARS type controller to control just about everything in his house. Have a peek at the video below to get a better idea at what this guy has accomplished. Absolutely wonderful .

His webpage is in German, but has a very good collage of pics about the project. Well worth the trip.

I love the Samson guys, they introduce a product, listen to the customers, improve the product and release it at a more affordable price. Q3 is their latest creation and it goes straight after all you pod/vod casters out there. Need to do a interview, gotta have good video….and need to have the best sound, well if you’ve got $250 bucks then Q3 is your friend. The Q3 Handy Video Recorder brings Samsons renowned audio technology to the camcorder, making it the best sounding video camcorder you’ve ever heard. So throw away your Creative Vado/Flip HD gadget and step up to video with “Real” sound. After all “Apocalypse Now” still looks good on VHS ’cause it had kick ass audio.

The Q3 uses the same microphone capsules as our industry-leading H4n Handy Recorder and is perfect for recording anything where great audio and video are a must. From live musical performances and rehearsals, interviews, conferences to video podcasts, journalism, education, recitals, weddings or sports, the Q3′s pristine audio quality takes your videos to another level.

The Q3 puts a little bit of video and a whole lot of audio together in one quick and easy to use camcorder that lets you produce great movies on the go.

Features:

• Built-in stereo condenser microphones with X/Y configuration for true stereo imaging
• Get up to 1 hour of video with bundled 2GB SD card
• Accepts up to a 32GB SDHC card for 16 hours of recording time
• Large 2.4″ LCD display with a resolution of 320 x 240
• Video resolution of 640 x 480 at 30 frames/sec
• Video Format: MPEG-4 SP
• NTSC / PAL TV output
• Optics Lens Type: Fixed Focus (0.8m to infinity)
• Audio formats with video include 44.1/48kHz 16/24-bit Linear PCM WAV or MP3 up to 320kbps
• Audio only formats include 96kHz 16/24-bit Linear PCM WAV
• Auto Record Level automatically adjusts audio levels during recordings
• Uses two standard AA batteries or NiMH rechargeable batteries
• USB 2.0 with built-in cable
• Windows and Mac OS compatible
• Built-in speaker and tripod mount
• Includes on-board editing software, YouTube uploader software, Apple Quicktime, TV cable, softcase, windscreen, 2GB SD card, two AA Batteries

Recently the Far North Living Lab started by the Nothern Research Institute in Norway did a successful transmission test of 2K Digital Cinema material to a Theater using BitTorrent technology. They used the (EU Funded) Tribler BitTorrent client to stream a full blown film at full 2K resolution.

The lab’s launch was held at a local movie theater where the film “Carved” by Jonas Rejman was projected, with consent from the copyright holder of course. This is a digital streaming world premiere for BitTorrent, and one that shows how the technology can actually help digital cinema and independent filmmakers.

At the moment most digital movies are distributed on hard disks costing up to $2000 for each copy. BitTorrent has the power to change this outdated distribution method and get smaller budget films onto the big screen.

The Far North Living Lab’s experiment shows that it’s even possible to stream movies if the connection is good enough, but Dr. Njål Borch, a senior researcher involved in the project added that downloading the film beforehand is probably a better option.

The lab’s next stunt will be to stream a live concert to the city of Beijing as well as a few selected rural areas.

We want to participate in the world even though we are physically placed way beyond what most people find inhabitable, Dr. Borch said. We’re not afraid of the future, the Internet will not kill creativity. Quite on the contrary – we are very excited!

Namechk allows you to check to see if your desired username or vanity url is still available at dozens of popular Social Networking and Social Bookmarking websites.

RED has just announced a realtime 4k/5k debayer PCI-E card for your Mac or PC (OSX/Linux/Windows). You get 30fps at 4k and 25fps at 5k.

• RED Rocket board with Quad DVI and Dual Link HD-SDI- $4750
• Decode and debayer 4K R3D files realtime. Hyper-accelerated transcode to any system codec. Specs to be posted upon completion of testing.
• Plays full quality realtime 4K to 4K monitor or projector from DVI output. Plays full quality 2K/1080P scaled from 4K footage out the Dual Link HD-SDI from RED Rocket card.
• Plays full quality 2K scaled from 4K footage realtime through system graphics card and monitor.
• Optional Breakout box with Quad HDMI and Quad Dual Link HD-SDI- $1200
• Plays full quality realtime 4K to 4K monitor or projector from QUAD HDMI/HD-SDI RED Rocket breakout box output.
• Delivery schedule in now 1st week of July 2009.

Yep, just leave it to Nvidia to do all the cool stuff…..I wonder how long it will be before a GPU centric OS (Ninux/Nubuntu anyone?) comes out that will squeeze that GPU for all it´s worth. Intel should be worried .

NVIDIA Corporation and Supermicro today announced the immediate availability of a new class of server that combines massively parallel NVIDIA® Tesla™ GPUs with multi-core CPUs in a single 1U rack-mount server. This unique configuration delivers 12 times the performance of a traditional quad-core CPU-based 1U server.

Supermicro is first to market and is demonstrating the NVIDIA Tesla-based SuperServer 6016T-GF-TM2 at Computex 2009 in Taiwan this week

The new Tesla GPU-based SuperServer, delivers a much higher performance-per-watt and per-rack than any other 1U solution in the market today, 2 Teraflops in 1U to be more exact…..WOW….nice.

I was looking for a fast small (read: mini-ITX) mobo that had enough power to drive 1080P monitor/panel and I came across Zotac IonITX-A-U board. According to manufacturer’s website:

The mini-ITX form factor ZOTAC® ION combines a high-performance NVIDIA® ION graphics processor with a power-efficient Intel® Atom processor for the ultimate eco-friendly platform that has no troubles handling regular web browsing, e-mail, & productivity and HD video playback tasks.

NVIDIA® PureVideo HD technology harnesses the power of the ION’s 16 high-speed stream processors for high-definition Blu-ray playback capabilities. PureVideo HD technology decodes HD video formats and enhances standard-definition videos with the ION GPU for flawless HD and superior SD video playback.

Sounds and looks very nice and capable. I guess I’d have to pick one up and give it a whirl. Here are the quick tech specs:

• Onboard Video: GeForce 9400M
• Onboard Audio: 5.1
• Model: IONITX-A
• CPU Socket: 441-ball
• FSB: 533 MHz
• Dimensions: 6.7″ x 6.7″
• Chipset: MCP7A-ION
• Memory Type: DDR2 667/800
• Package Contents: 3 SATA cable 1 SATA power cable 1 WiFi antenna 1 WiFi bracket
• Memory Slots: 2×240pin
• SATA: 3 + 1 eSATA
• PCI Express x1: 1 (mini)
• Form Factor: Mini ITX
• Video Ports: D-Sub + DVI + HDMI
• USB: 10 (6 on back panel, 4 via pin header)
• Power Connector: 24 Pin – 90 Watt PSU included
• PS/2: 1
• RAID: 0/1/0+1

mini-itx.com has a nice review and sells the board aswell.

Heard of Moblin yet….Intel’s foray into designing a Linux distro. Moblin is an open source project focused on building a Linux-based platform optimized for the next generation of mobile devices including Netbooks, Mobile Internet Devices, and In-vehicle infotainment systems. I came across the promo video below and I have to say I’m impressed. I’m downloading the beta image file right now to give it a try on my brand new Aspire One D150. More to come soon…..

Lost a couple of files today by mistake (that’s what I get for using Synergy keyboard/mouse sharing application to run in windows)…..anyways, after a bit of googling I came across a very nice and simple recovery tool….Recuva. This one even recovers stuff that’s been deleted from the Recycle Bin (which was my case/mistake). Nice….and did I mention free .

So what happens when an artist combines a 3D gaming engine, the power of blender and processing and a dash of human powered mechanical abomination? Bince McKelvie describes his project:

Lb to Sf via bike is an interactive installation/game that documents a bike trip my friend and I took from long beach to san francisco. The user rides a stationary bike through a the 3d world by pedaling forward and steering with the bike handle bars. The world consists of three mini games and a huge chunk of the california coast. I am going to be releasing a version that is playable on a computer without the hardware soon. It is made with the blender game engine, a bit of processing, a wii controller and the makingthings board.

Came across this video today and my first thought was…..magic??….Hmmm…..gotta be a video editing trickbut once I watched it for the fourth time it slowly started to click. This is by far the most innovative use of AR I’ve seen…..It’s fascinating…..It’s Magic . Watch Marco Tempest do his thing in this video….be warned though…you might have to watch it a couple of times…..it’s addictive. Lots of behind the scenes pictures here.