Set the quality benchmark for Blu-ray 3D software.

In Hollywood, 3D movies are a very hot topic at the moment, and Blu-ray 3D software authoring is getting a lot of attention as well.

Trifman: "How will production technologies such as video compression, subtitling and menu creation be applied to Blu-ray 3D authoring? Also, movie studios have a lot of ideas when it comes to the authoring of Blu-ray 3D. For instance, we might be talking about pop-up menu in a manner that takes advantage of depth or about bonus content that provides you more experiences being immersed in the movie's world. We'd like to incorporate creative inspirational ideas into the 3D software authoring. I want to set the quality standard which can be the benchmark of Blu-ray 3D software in collaboration with professionals in the Hollywood movie and television industry, with whom we've been building relationships of mutual trust over a period of seventeen years."

3D video compression, maintaining its quality and look-n-feel of the original film.

Floro: "The amount of video source data for a theatrical 3D digital movie could be as huge as several terabytes. As video compressionists, our task is to compress this data so that it fits in a single Blu-ray disc of fifty gigabytes while preserving its original picture quality of the film. PHL has been a leader in the area of standardization by developing and proposing video compression technology for recording and playback formats of Blu-ray 3D based on the MPEG-4 MVC. A 3D video consists of two images — one for the left eye and the other for the right eye. Saving the data for images that can be shared for the reproduction of both the left and right images increases the compression efficiency. It is extremely important that the quality of left and right images are in balance for a human-friendly and pleasant 3D viewing experience. We are committed to accomplish the reality with 3D of the highest quality with spending several times more hours than with 2D software authoring in tweaking the compression settings for each scene."

Create human-friendly 3D subtitles.

Morinaga: "With depth-rendered 3D video images, it is very important to not cause eye strains with 3D subtitles. One of the keys to experiencing the presence of 3D video image is to create the subtitles that let you move your visual focus smoothly without being detracted from the 3D effect in the film. We adjust the position and depth of subtitles depending on the stereoscopic effect in the video image so that they can be read easily even while you are immersed in the 3D movie. We have developed 3D subtitle depth generating & editing tools on our own in order to get the best possible results for this purpose."

Collegial harmony and true collaboration creates novelty to the 3D experience at home.

The 3D software production cannot be simply described as the evolution of technology.

Trifman: "Film makers are highly particular about their own work. We'd like to sincerely accommodate their passion in this regard. So we are committed to building relationships of mutual trust by interchanging information and ideas with them at every stage. I believe that this is one of the most important meanings why PHL is located in Hollywood."

Floro: "What movie directors expect from a 3D movie is to make you feel like being immersed in the picture. I aspire to reproducing movies precisely by taking full advantage of our advanced compression technologies and relying on my own eyes. It's the most pleasant moment that a movie director gives us the thumbs up on our effort."

Morinaga: "Movie studios have many ideas when it comes to Blu-ray 3D that offers new experiences to audiences. We will make it move forward quickly to realize their ideas. By collaborating closely with studio representatives, we are always able to set challenging advanced targets."

In addition to Trifman, Floro, and Morinaga of PHL-AC, I was able to speak with two key persons from PHL.

Tao: "We have very good relationships among colleagues and true collaboration in the laboratory. I believe that a higher target can be achieved when the expertise of individuals is closely tied together."

Kashiwagi: "We've always been working on the research & development of technologies with our philosophy 'Theater experience to the home.' It will not change even when it comes to 3D."

Trust, sensitivity, talent, passion… The collegial harmony and true collaboration at PHL will create something new to the 3D experience at home.

We'd like to expand the exciting Blu-ray 3D world.

The Blu-ray 3D title production is imbued with dreams.

Trifman: "I expect there will be many movie titles filmed with Panasonic 3D cameras and l'd like to be involved in its Blu-ray 3D authoring."

Floro: "I'd like to contribute to the Blu-ray 3D authoring of various types of 3D content in addition to movies — such as sports and music —."

Morinaga: "3D is able to realize a content which makes you experience so much of reality that stirs your imagination. I'd like to create many Blu-ray 3D contents that are able to let you be fully immersed in the world of movies."

We'd like to expand the whole new world of Blu-ray 3D. These individuals will keep making great effort for new challenges in Hollywood, the center of motion pictures in America where more and more new 3D movies are being created.