21st Century 3D, stereoscopic production company and technology innovator, announced a new addition to its line up of digital stereoscopic motion picture cameras. The 3DP2 arrives, at a time when 3D production is booming and major studios are calling for more live action 3D camera equipment, as a new live action 3D camera system that shoots high definition stereoscopic images directly to solid-state memory, being 21st Century 3D’s first system to be developed in the beam splitter configuration. Two cameras are mounted perpendicular to one another on either side of the glass, by utilizing an optical beam splitting glass element. Ranging from 0” – 4”, this arrangement allows for a variable interocular spacing. To vary the intensity of the 3D effect, the operator can dynamically adjust the 3DP2’s depth settings during a shot. Small stereo base settings can be used for extreme close ups and wider settings can compensate for longer focal lengths or subjects at greater distances from the camera.

Specular highlights or polarized light sources, cand be recorded by typical beam splitter cameras, in one eye that appear differently or are not visible to the other. This can be a distracting artifact in the final stereo image. Polarization and other optical issues are a concern, since one camera receives incident light and the other reflected light. Special attention has been paid to avoid polarization problems typically associated with other optical beam splitter 3D cameras, in the development of the 3DP2. Maximum 3D image quality is obtained, by utilizing a uniquely prescribed optical coating, while simultaneously avoiding ghost images or internal reflections.

An onboard integrated monitoring system easily allows the DP, operator or focus puller to view left image, right image or a multiplexed 3D image (50/50 on a monoscopic screen). Viewers at a remote video village are allowed by multiple analog preview outputs to see left, right or 3D independently of the on camera monitor. Dual HD-SDI outputs, additionally, allow for a wide array of monitoring and recording options.

With battery and storage media, the 3DP2’s overall weight is less than 40 lbs, making it one of the smallest and lightest self-contained 3D beam splitter cameras available. This weight advantage facilities steadicam or even hand held operation and rapid setups. The camera can record 1920x1080 per eye at 24 fps or 30 fps. Variable frame rates are available at 1280x720 at up to 60 fps. Data is recorded to industry standard P2 cards at 100Mbps in the DVCProHD format. The 3DP2 offers, in addition to onboard solid-state media, and HD-SDI, dual component analog outputs for maximum monitoring and recording flexibility. The two HD-SDI signals can be multiplexed to facilitate live transmission of 3D images for applications like broadcast and closed circuit.