Softel Partners With Pixel Power to Deliver 3D Subtitling Creation and Repurposing Solution

September 3, 2010

Source: Softel

Softel will launch an end-to-end Stereoscopic 3D subtitle creation and rendering product suite in partnership with graphics specialists Pixel Power.

A demonstration of Softel-created 3D subtitle content, rendered by Pixel Power Clarity 3D, BrandMaster 3D and LogoVision 3D systems, can be viewed at IBC2010, on the Pixel Power stand 7.A31.

Existing Softel Swift users will be able to purchase a 3D upgrade, allowing optimum flexibility for a limited cost while benefiting from a best-of-breed solution. The joint solution has the capability either to repurpose 2D subtitle or to create them from scratch. 3D TV programming is fast becoming a reality in the United Kingdom, United States and elsewhere around the world, and there is significant demand for a 3D subtitle solution to manage the creation, and repurposing from 2D, of 3D subtitles.

As the global market leader for subtitle authoring workstations, Softel has addressed the challenges of 3D subtitle content creation and encoding through innovative development to existing products, combined with a new and proven technology partnership. Pixel Power has spent over two decades redefining what is possible in the broadcast graphics field and it has continued that innovation into the emerging stereoscopic 3D world.

During the 3D post-production subtitle authoring process, it is vital that each subtitle is carefully placed in each 3D scene in such a way that it avoids other "close-up" content whilst remaining clear to the viewer.

Softel has developed an upgrade to their Swift Create subtitle workstation to allow Z-axis placement metadata to be stored for each subtitle whilst ensuring that this is within a prespecified 3D object space. Swift Create can also deploy "3D Smart" Z-axis auto-placement logic if metadata is available for the 3D video content to describe the placement of 3D activity in each scene.

Pixel Power's stereoscopic 3D-equipped graphics products can now import Softel subtitle files with the subtitle, timecode and Z-axis metadata. Subtitles are then rendered automatically in real-time stereoscopic 3D in sync with timecode, using simple graphics templates. The Z-axis metadata (which can also be used to animate the Z position of a displayed subtitle) is used to position dynamically the subtitles to match the underlying action and avoid distracting the viewer.

"Pixel Power is a well known and successful broadcast graphics company, with whom we have worked for many years. Softel partnering with Pixel Power has provided our customers a simple route to best-of-breed video rendering hardware," says Sam Pemberton, Softel CEO. "By enabling our extensive existing subtitle user base to upgrade to a 3D solution, we continue to stay ahead of market needs while offering a cost-effective and accomplished solution."

"By combining Pixel Power's leading edge 3D graphics technology with Softel's subtitle creation expertise, the two companies are providing levels of innovation that help drive broadcasters' businesses," says James Gilbert, Joint MD of Pixel Power. "This is a prime example of cooperation in action and has led to the quick development of a product that perfectly serves market needs."

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