London-based content processing and re-purposing specialist, re:fine, has become the first UK facility capable of creating 3D Blu-ray thanks to a recent investment in 3DAccess software from Sonic Solutions.

re:fine is also amongst the first in the country to invest in 3D workstations for video encoding and authoring and 3D monitors and ‘active shutter’ glasses for production use. Screening rooms within the facility have been kitted out with Panasonic 3D Blu-ray players and 3D screens bringing the total investment in 3D to over £50k.

“Currently the only place you can watch full resolution 1080p 3DHD is in a D Cinema screening room or 3D edit suite,” says Symon Roue, CEO of re:fine. “With this investment we can enable 3D content producers to achieve portability. Our first projects will help 3D Blu-ray and TV manufacturers to get content to market so as soon as 3D content becomes ready for home entertainment use.”

The Sonic Solutions 3DAccess programme allows facilities to pioneer the use of 3D authoring tools by supplying a beta version on license until the software becomes more widely available. 3DAccess helps prepare 3D premium video entertainment for distribution on Blu-ray 3D and electronically over the web to 3D-enabled consumer electronic devices.

Also, this month, re:fine have been printing and duplicating USB keys for Samsung. The USBs were loaded with exclusive 3D clips used to demonstrate the capabilities of Samsung’s new 3D LED TVs, now on sales in the UK.

The USBs contain scenes from Streetdance3D, the UK’s first 3D movie. They also contain football and athletics footage, all in 3D. Sky 3D has been available since April and the launch of these TV sets coincides with the Football World cup being filmed in 3D for the first time in history.

Story filed 29.05.10