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GE shows off 1TB holographic discs but Wolf Blitzer remains skeptical

by Richard Lawler posted Oct 1st 2009 at 11:04PM

We're confused as to how technology that was supposed to be available in 2006 can still be featured at an Emerging Tech conference in 2009, but so it is for General Electric's attempt at holographic storage. Predicting drives for archival purposes in two or three years with consumer products around two years after that, manager Peter Lorraine claims Blu-ray has "two to four years of life to go" and expects licensees to clean up with speedy 3ms access time, 1TB+ storing (up from a mere 200GB), backwards compatible hardware. The latter portion, plus other breakthroughs in cost and reliability are listed as reasons to believe the market will catch HVD anytime soon, but right now it's about as likely returning to a matching 2006-era MySpace page or believing Wolf was staring at anything other than a mark on the floor on Election Night.

[Via Physorg]

Deutsche Telekom exec sees holographic TV within a decade

by Darren Murph posted Mar 26th 2009 at 9:06AM


Deutsche Telekom, the parent company of the better known T-Mobile, has certainly made a name for itself over at the IPTV World Forum. The outfit's Chief Innovation Officer Christopher Schlaffer was quoted as saying that both 3DTV and holographic TV were definitely primed to take off within the next ten years. His reasoning for such a bold assertion was this: "Storage capacity and processing capacity is exploding. There is no doubt that bandwidth is tripling every year, so ten years from now are we going to be looking at 1,000Mb connections in every home on average? I would say yes, absolutely." Granted, this is just one guy's opinion on what may or may not happen, but given just how quickly the television viewing experience is morphing right now, we suppose it's not all that far-fetched. Besides, some of this has to come true if we're to enjoy the 2012 Olympics in 3D, right?

[Via ElectricPig]

Light Blue Optics showcases holographic laser projection technology at CES

by Darren Murph posted Jan 12th 2009 at 3:01PM


Light Blue Optics may not be as familiar a name as say, Optoma or Texas Instruments, but it's bringing an equally interesting approach to pico projection at CES. Showcased in Vegas last week was the outfit's holographic laser projection technology, which is reportedly brighter and smaller than existing alternatives. The demo system will also check in with double the brightness and at half the volume as its previous setups, and it's looking to wow with a conceptual rig that features a "table-down mode that allows the user to control the projector simply by touching the projected image." Now, if only these guys could push resolution to 720p+, we'd really consider ourselves fans.

IOSONO installs first 308-channel surround system in the US

by Darren Murph posted Dec 12th 2008 at 9:05PM


Remember that patently insane IOSONO holographic audio system that was demonstrated last month? The very first one has been installed in the US of A. As part of the multi-million dollar renovation of the Museum of Tolerance / Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, a 308-channel IOSONO sound system was installed in the Peltz Theater. According to Electrosonic project manager Steve Calver, said system is the "crown jewel" of the place, as it adds "308 independent audio channels and five subwoofer channels, which are entirely hidden within the architectural elements of the theater." The purpose? To distribute sound as perfectly as possible to every seat in the house. Additionally, HD video capabilities were added courtesy of a Christie high-def projector, and there was even an undisclosed Blu-ray player tossed in for good measure. So, when's the next showing of, um, anything at this place?

IOSONO showcases 380-speaker holographic audio solution

by Darren Murph posted Nov 5th 2008 at 7:09AM

We've seen some pretty intense multi-channel audio rigs, but 380 speakers? At the SMPTE 2008 Tech Conference and Expo in Hollywood, IOSONO introduced its holographic audio solution for cinemas -- a fitting complement to the bevy of 3D films just around the bend. Reportedly, the system can be adjusted on a per-room basis and expanded between 200 and 500 drivers; the location of each speaker is "measured with a laser and used to calibrate the exhibition player software." The drivers are arranged in three rows, with the top and bottom being woofers and the middle consisting of tweeters. As you'd expect, the solution envelops the auditorium completely, and up to 32 unique sound objects can be placed within the 3D virtual sound space. There's no mention of how costly this will be to theaters (or exceptionally weather home theater owners), but we can only hope to hear it in more cinemas shortly.

CNN's holographic freakout begins, seems totally bizarre and unnecessary

by Joshua Topolsky posted Nov 4th 2008 at 7:48PM

If you've been keeping your eyes fixed on CNN as this election unfolds, then by now you've seen Wolf Blitzer doing a "hologram" interview with Jessica Yellin. Not only does this technology seem completely creepy, but it's without a doubt one of the most useless and unnecessary pieces of phantasmagoric TV ever enacted. Enjoy some video and two more pics of the weirdness after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading CNN's holographic freakout begins, seems totally bizarre and unnecessary

CNN's Wolf Blitzer to interview hologram strategists on election night

by Darren Murph posted Nov 4th 2008 at 4:24PM

As the news networks spend oodles of cash in order to one-up the other with whiz-bang visuals and mind-melting charts, CNN is looking to blow just about everyone else away. As election night officially kicks off in just a few hours, the network's Wolf Blitzer will be conducting interviews with faraway strategists not via the traditional two-pane window, but by hologram. Believe it or not, professionals in Chicago and Phoenix will be beamed live to CNN's New York studios in order to give viewers a look at Wolf and a ghostly counterpart. Granted, this is far from the first holographic / 3D interview we've seen, but it is rather impressive given the scenario. In related news, we're also told that FOX News will be touting a "giant wall with touch-screen technology [that] will provide electoral map results," which hopefully translates in geek speak to "Surface."

[Via Hack-A-Day]

Holocube brings 3D projection down to desktop size

by Donald Melanson posted Feb 5th 2008 at 3:28PM

After years of promises, it seems that holograms are finally starting to gain a little traction, although the applications for the technology so far have been fairly limited. At least one company thinks that's about to change, however, with it now touting its retro-styled Holocube as an all-purpose solution for company's to advertise their products "like never before." Measuring about 20-inches square, the Holocube packs a 40GB hard drive for storing up to 18 hours of compressed video, which can magically float at 1080i resolution within the cube at the flick of a switch. Of course, the fact the company is targeting the device solely as a means of advertising should tell you something about the price (which is on a need to know basis, it seems). Still, it's a start, and we're guessing there are at least a few folks out there that'll snag one of these to fully round out their Star Wars-inspired home theater no matter what the cost. Head on past the break for some video of it in action.

Continue reading Holocube brings 3D projection down to desktop size

SeeReal demonstrates prototype holographic display

by Darren Murph posted May 29th 2007 at 3:05PM


Three-dimensional displays have long been fodder for a good laugh, but Germany's SeeReal is taking a serious approach with its latest holographic prototype. Showing its stuff at the Society for International Display (SID) forum in California, the company has reportedly "developed a new technology for displaying 3D images on a TV set, computer display, or through a projector." The trick is seemingly in the company's proprietary Tracked Viewing Window technology, which "limits pixel size to HDTV levels and in combination with a real-time tracking system, eliminates superfluous elements while reducing the need for real-time processing." The firm's main objective was to remove the inconvenience factor that's typically associated with viewing 3D imagery, and with its unique use of holography, it has reportedly done so. Of course, the outfit is still on the hunt for willing and able partners to kick out products to the commercial world, but according to the CEO, it already has "a number of promising contacts in that regard."

[Via PCLaunches]

HVD to offer mega-storage in 2006

by Kevin C. Tofel posted Nov 30th 2005 at 10:11AM


HVDInstead of asking "HD-DVD or Blu-Ray?" next year, we might be asking "Holographic Video Disc or other inferior products?" We're not even done with the current format war and the troops are already gearing up for the next one. Actually, from the sounds of the new HVD, I may bypass the high-def DVD silliness completely.

We mentioned 200GB HVDs last month, but already Maxell has come forth with plans for 300 GB of digital capacity. It's still not enough for a whole season of "24" in high-def, but we're getting closer!

Continue reading HVD to offer mega-storage in 2006

Bill said next gen DVD's were the last physical format, but just in case they're not: HVD

by Richard Lawler posted Oct 21st 2005 at 12:14PM

 
Because that 50GB Blu-ray disc just won't be big enough of course. Oh no, what you really need is a 200GB Holographic Versatile Disc. Luckily for you, Optware will be giving you much more of what you're looking for in 2006, which they announced yesterday.

Of course, at $30K a drive that might be a bit expensive for your tastes, but I mean hey, you read Luxist every day right? You're a baller, go buy three, and some of the $100 discs they expect to sell while you're at it. Maybe Toshiba should throw in the towel on this HD-DVD thing and focus on lowering costs on this technology that they have already invested in, just a thought.

Continue reading Bill said next gen DVD's were the last physical format, but just in case they're not: HVD





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