Today 21st Century 3D announced the immediate availability of the 3DVX, a newly developed stereoscopic 3D motion picture camera. This marks the latest addition to 21st Century 3D's line of innovative stereoscopic products, and raises the bar for live action 3D video recording devices. With the 3DVX, a cinematographer will be able to hold a 6 CCD progressive scan, digital video camera in the palm of his/her hand - an industry first. The high resolution stereoscopic viewfinder allows the operator to view shots in 3D as they are being photographed, and the built-in 3" flat LCD screen allows for additional handheld shooting flexibility. At only 8.5 lbs with tapes and batteries, the 3DVX is the smallest and lightest professional quality 3D motion picture camera ever developed.

Using two entirely discrete channels, the 3DVX records high quality progressive scan 3D imagery at 30 frames per second per eye. Doubling the spatial resolution of traditional interlace NTSC systems, the full frame progressive format offers 720x480 resolution for each eye view simultaneously. This ensures the highest possible quality available from standard definition sources while maintaining compatibility with off the shelf playback and recording devices as well as computer editing and special effects software. Left and right eye images are recorded onto low cost industry standard miniDV tape. The 3DVX features dual on board left and right recorders and is an entirely self-contained, battery powered unit.

Many previous 3D camera systems were limited to recording on a single tape in a field sequential 3D format that drastically reduced resolution and frame rate. In addition, non-simultaneous image capture introduced a noticeable temporal error into 3D recordings. These systems provide a half resolution, inaccurately synchronized, flickering image, or a jagged demultiplexed image that ultimately diminishes stereoscopic quality.

Other dual channel systems employ much larger cameras with beam splitters and other optical modifications. These arrangements increase weight and complexity while making the cameras ergonomically challenging to operate. By avoiding the use of any additional optics, the 3DVX maintains maximum portability, ease-of-use and low light sensitivity.

According to 21st Century 3D founder and 3DVX inventor Jason Goodman, "The camera has been field tested extensively. We have used it in outdoor weather conditions colder than 30 degrees Fahrenheit. We have also put it on a Tyler mount in a helicopter and hung it out the door at 65 mph. We have even strapped a car mount on an SUV and bumped and bounced it through the dirt and mud, monitoring the entire process via wireless head mounted display. It performed like a pro and we are excited to bring this breakthrough to the industry."

At the core of the 3DVX lies the highly advanced Panasonic AG-DVX100A, famous for its 24p operating modes. 21st Century 3D has taken the DVX100A into the next dimension with several proprietary modifications. Two DVX100A cameras have been linked and electronically synchronized for frame accurate stereoscopic recording; perfect sync is a critical component to recording accurate stereo 3D. The high-speed shutters are also locked allowing stereographers to stop fast action with fully synchronized electronic shutter speeds up to 1/1000th of a second. Critical body parts and controls have also been adapted to facilitate 3D recording.

Also announced today, 21st Century 3D has developed a new wireless 3D video tap for the 3DVX. This 2.4ghz device can run for more than six hours on a full charge. The video tap and its batteries occupy the space of a small backpack. The unit can easily be carried by an AC and allows the DP, director and other viewers to see what the 3DVX sees in real time and in 3D.

The system helps eliminate the guess work from the most complex shots. Using a 3D head mounted display and advanced wireless video technology, it allows for field sequential stereo to be broadcast from the camera directly to the pack. The unit has a range of approximately 700 feet in unobstructed landscape.