By Jeremy Ambers

This is not exactly ‘This Just In’ caliber news, but it’s still pretty interesting.  A couple of months ago, Radiohead premiered a new music video for a song called ‘House of Cards’.  What makes this so interesting is the fact that they did not use one camera in the filming of the video.  Instead, the video utilized two technologies: Geometric Informatics and Velodyne Lidar.  The Geometric Informatics scanning system uses structured light to capture detailed 3-D images at a close proximity.  This technology captured performances by singer, Thom Yorke, the female lead and several partygoers.  

The Velodyne Lidar system uses multiple lasers to capture larger environments in 3-D.  In the case of this particular video, there were 64 lasers, each rotating and shooting in a 360 degree radius 900 times per minute, capturing all of the exterior scenes and wide party shots.  Here is a ‘Behind the Scenes’ Video on the making of ‘House of Cards’.

By Jeremy Ambers

It was just announced this week, at the Annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas… television networks will soon begin broadcasting live to cell phones.

According to the Open Mobile Video Coalition, Mobile Digital Television will be broadcasting on cell phones in New York City sometime in 2009.  The OMVC, which includes all four major networks, PBS and the CW, have been working with LG and Samsung to develop the technology necessary to provide the service.

Mobile TV service would enable customers to watch live television broadcasts (both national and local) from wherever they can get a signal.  However, since most programming is already provided via download, the only programming that would really benefit will be news and sports.  

I personally see a number of pros and cons regarding this new concept.  I mean, it seems like a practical addition for someone who sits on a bus for two or three hours a day (although I would prefer a book or music).  They can get their Today Show fix while sitting in traffic.  But what about those people who send text messages while driving?  Are they going to start implementing tv time into their routine?  And I would hate to be the guy at a nice dinner trying to watch the big game under the table.

Ultimately, I am all for new technology that gives the user further control over what content they choose to view.  However, I hope that anyone who utilizes Mobile Digital Television will do so in a safe and sensible fashion.