DSC Labs will introduce its new 3D camera test chart — the 3-DZ at NAB. Initially announced as the prototype “Pilot 3D Chart,” the 3-DZ is engineered to quickly pinpoint imprecision in subjective and inefficient setup procedures, reducing the possibility of “3D headaches.”
“3D viewing can be an exciting and pleasurable experience when cameras and projection systems are set up accurately. However, misaligned rigs could be responsible not only for contributing to health issues, but also for giving 3D a bad image,” said DSC Labs president David Corley. “While DSC’s ChromaDuMonde and other charts enable precision alignment of color, grayscale and resolution in the X/Y coordinates, the 3-DZ adds the missing third, or Z, dimension that is so vital in stereo imaging. We believe that setting up accurately with the 3-DZ at the start of each scene could save hours in reshoots and salvaging scenes in post. It could be the ounce of prevention that provides a pound of cure.”
The 3-DZ consists of five LED lights with adjustable brightness for daylight and studio settings to help simplify the adjustment of virtually any 3D rig. The four corner LEDs provide basic frame alignment and “The Schnoz,” a central, adjustable LED, is used to set interocular distance and convergence. Horizontal and vertical indices in 100th (image width) increments also assist in precise and repeatable alignment. The Schnoz is adjustable from chart plane to 305 mm (12″) in front of the chart surface, and the 3-DZ’s graduated set-square, along with X/Y axis adjustment, helps ensure that The Schnoz’s LED is centered and positioned at the desired distance in the Z plane.
