Mixing to 3-D Picture

[mintmix]

Hello! I am interesting in hearing from anyone who has experience mixing (or editing for that matter) on 3-D projects. Specifically, are you mixing to the actual 3-D image with 2 projectors or a flattened 2-D render? I'm interested on both the high end big studio level but more on the small boutique side as well. Our projector is slated for replacement and we have talked about whether projecting 3-D on our dub stage is a viable option. Any input is much appreciated!

[jrfountain]

Hey there,

I've only worked on a couple 3D IMAX films but I certainly didn't see any 3D pix ever. We just took cues from the director/producer who had seen the 3D pix as to what would poke out from particular shots, though sometimes it's pretty obvious. I can't say it changed the way I worked too much, though the fact that it was IMAX did, in that the screen is so huge you have to be very detailed in your work. A little bird flying around on your tv screen ends up being suprisingly big on an IMAX screen and often begs to have a sound.

For what it's worth I was a sound effects editor on the projects but I know for sure that they didn't mix to 3D picture. Depending on the budget you might get a 3D print to playback at a commercial IMAX theatre, take notes and then make the adjustments back at the studio.

JR

[santacore]

I've recorded ADR and Foley for a few 3-D films in the last few months. The work flow was exactly the same, and all work copies of the video we're in 2-D.

I think at this point 3-D is still an emerging trend. You might want to hold off on that upgrade until things get worked out a bit further.

[minister]

mintmix,

i have mixed two 3D projects so far and am prepping for a 3rd. All video I receive is 2D pre-3D encode. Most of the movement is in the 2D if you use your imagination, the rest, the director tells me. With the films I did, they went to the theater to encode. They will sit there and tell the system to bring something out more or less, faster or slower, etc. It is not something that they have wanted to do before mix is finished because they are usually just giving me picture lock then going to the 3D encode part while I finish the mix. Deadlines have been too tight to alter this workflow. It has worked out very well with no concerns about panning or spatial placement of sounds. One film was even transcoded to IMAX so the presentation was even different than the original release. No re-mixing based on the new version's different presentation method (flat screen 3D-->IMAX 3D).

I have a client who owns their own system and we will set it up here for some investor and big wig screenings. But I doubt I will invest in one soon. Renting it for my next project is a consideration, but again, they may not be in the encoding process yet, so it may not be useful.....

[mintmix]

Interesting info and insights. If anyone is interested, I discovered a thread that has some great resources for 3D home theater including a link to an article on 3D Blu Ray.

What do I need to make a 3D home theatre? - AVS Forum

http://www.dvdfile.com/views/article...ray-disc-60009

Minister, I'm curious if it is a common technique to use an increase in amplitude in the center channel to create the effect of something coming out form the screen or if there are other methods less obvious to achieve that effect. I vaguely remember a plugin: "Kind of Loud"? that allowed you to play with azimuth... not sure if that would help make a sound appear closer to the subject or not but maybe playing with true center vs. phantom...

[minister]

Nothing fancy, just panning -- which, as you know, is simply amplitude movement anyway....

AND/OR

Mixed with my secret design elements.

[jmattchan]

i just wanted to bump up this thread and ask if anyone knows of any non-linear picture playback systems for mixing in 3d. we have our first 3D/7.1 gig coming up. our plan is to spot in 3d with an hdsr deck and do a playback check with the deck before printmastering, and make modifications where necessary.

[Kuba_Pietrzak]

Perhaps this:

DVS Digital Video Systems AG: Cine4K

[jmattchan]

cool, thanks. it looks like doremi's v1-hd also does it. was hoping to find a card that could handle it as we recently just invested in a pro tools hd system for picture playback.

[Bill@AudioVision]

Fairlight has 3-D video playback with the proper card installed and the rev 3.1 software.

[paulo m]

Just a question, are you going to be mixing with 3D glasses on? How will you properly see your mixing tools, namely your DAW displays, faders, Eq´s etc? Just curious....

I got a 3D work but the video ref was delivered in 2D, thank god

Not saying that the depth of field that 3D introduces, does not influence editing and mixing in a creative way, but I guess that until 3D without glasses is satisfactory, we will keep mixing in 2D.

[nathand]

Originally Posted by paulo m

Just a question, are you going to be mixing with 3D glasses on? How will you properly see your mixing tools, namely your DAW displays, faders, Eq´s etc? Just curious....

I got a 3D work but the video ref was delivered in 2D, thank god

Not saying that the depth of field that 3D introduces, does not influence editing and mixing in a creative way, but I guess that until 3D without glasses is satisfactory, we will keep mixing in 2D.

The 3-D glasses don't come on until required (a particular sequence that needs special care or Final Mix passes). I'll take the mix to about 80% done then work with the glasses on to finish it off.

A 3-D TV or projector can take a Side by Side formatted video file and allow you to turn off the 3-D (I believe at this point you are just seeing the Left Eye).

The set-up Bill mentioned is for someone who wants to mix to Uncompressed / Full Resolution 3-D. For that you need two video tracks one playing the Left Eye the other playing the Right Eye. Keep in mind no consumer TV or projector excepts two video streams (AFAIK). And that this is also a higher quality set-up than the broadcast chain. (Currently they are broadcasting 3-D content as Side by Side)

To the OP - Bottom line if provided with the right type of video file and the right type of TV/Projector your current set-up will probably work.

[JSt0rm]

I edited on a 3-d pic but they just gave me left eye or was it right?? I forget.

[Steven1145]

I'm currently mixing a 3D feature at SIS (near Paris). The facility had a brand new NEC projector installed that can do either 3D or 2D from the same side-by-side 3D video file.
The plan is to have the 3D pic available to do run-throughs, or end-of-day playback, not to be used while actually mixing.
And the DFC Gemini looks like the Vegas strip during an acid trip if you look at it with the 3D glasses on (everything is flickering, from the LEDs to the TFT screens). Talk about a migraine if you try that 8 hours a day.

I'll post more on that once I finish the project (early january).