Weird Al to Go On Cartoon Network

The fledging network that is Cartoon Network has hried Weird Al to make several TV shows and a live-action film. The movie is the 1st thing to air. The film will air in late 201 and the shows will premiere throughout 2011 and 2012.

SYS

3D DVD Rush Continues

It seems Samsung and DreamWorks are coming together for the first ever 3D home release TV and DVD. The following is the press release they announced this morning:

Samsung Electronics America, Inc., DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. and Technicolor today announced that they have formed a global strategic alliance for the delivery of a complete 3D home entertainment solution in 2010. The three companies have joined forces to accelerate the worldwide deployment of in-home 3D to mainstream consumers.

The solution includes a broad line-up of 3D-capable HDTVs from Samsung, its new 3D Blu-ray disc player, and an exclusive promotion that includes a first-time feature-length, 3D Blu-ray version of DreamWorks Animation’s 2009 release, “Monsters vs. Aliens.” The disc will be created and produced by Technicolor, the leading innovator in entertainment technology. Samsung will provide customers several 3D selections, including a short entitled "Bob's Big Break" as well as trailers for 2010 DreamWorks Animation feature film releases "How to Train your Dragon" and "Shrek Forever After" on Samsung HDTVs with its Internet@TV feature.

“We’ve continued to innovate and make significant investments in 3D technology since we delivered our first 3D HDTV to market in 2007, and now we’re pleased to deliver a complete 3D entertainment offering for the home along with industry-leading innovators like DreamWorks Animation and Technicolor,” said Tim Baxter, president of the Consumer Electronics Division at Samsung Electronics America. “There has been great success with 3D in theaters, and the stars have finally aligned to bring this experience to the home with combination of standardization, plenty of product options and 3D content.”

“2009 was the Year of 3D in theaters throughout the world as movie-goers consistently chose the premium 3D experiences,” said Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chief Executive Officer of DreamWorks Animation. “Innovative technology is at the heart of everything we do at DreamWorks Animation so we are thrilled that Samsung’s industry-leading 3D HDTVs and Technicolor’s first-of-its-kind Blu-ray technology can now bring 3D content to consumers across the globe at home.”

“We have great collaborators in Samsung and DreamWorks Animation to make in-home 3D content available to the consumer,” said Frederic Rose, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Technicolor. “With our innovations in Blu-ray 3D technology, Technicolor is well-positioned to meet consumer demand for 3D in the home. We look forward to continuing to help DreamWorks Animation innovate its art of storytelling and Samsung extend its global home entertainment leadership into the 3D space.”

About the Samsung 3D Entertainment Solution

The largest 3D-capable product lineup to date, Samsung’s 2010 HDTV lineup includes the 7000 Series and above LED TVs, 7000 Series and above plasma TVs, and 750 Series LCD TVs. The HDTVs include Samsung’s proprietary built-in 3D processor and emitter that is optimized for and enables compatibility with multiple 3D standards including half and full HD resolution formats, as well as the Blu-ray Disc Association ratified “Blu-ray 3D” standard. In addition, Samsung’s 3D system delivers a picture using a full color spectrum for an unbelievable, immersive viewing experience.

For those who want to add the third dimension to their regular TV viewing, Samsung included in its 3D processor an auto-conversion technology that renders 2D content into 3D in real time. When not in the 3D mood, you’re back to watching one of the best quality HDTVs on the market with the push of a button.

Samsung offers a complete solution allowing consumers to bring the 3D theater experience home with the following products:

* Samsung 3D LED, LCD, and plasma HDTVs
* Samsung BD-C6900 Blu-ray player
* Samsung’s active shutter 3D glasses to enable a superior 3D viewing experience
* DreamWorks Animation’s ”Monsters vs. Aliens” Blu-ray 3D disc created and produced by Technicolor

Samsung and Technicolor at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES)

Samsung’s lineup of 3D products will be on display at Booth #11026 during International Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 7 – 10, 2010.

Technicolor is hosting private media demonstrations of its “Technicolor Genuine 3D,” including showcasing 3D content from DreamWorks Animation, at Booth 13219 Central Hall.

SYS

Breaking News: DirecTV launching 3D TV Network

In awesome news, Discovery, Sony & DirecTv are coming together to bring you the 1st
3D TV station. Here's the news release:

Three of the world's leading media, technology and entertainment companies - Discovery Communications, Sony Corporation and IMAX Corporation - today announced a joint venture established to develop the first 24/7 dedicated 3D television network in the U.S. The partnership brings together three leaders with an extraordinary collection of award-winning 3D content, technology expertise, television distribution and operational strength to deliver a high-quality three-dimensional viewing experience to home television audiences. The joint venture intends to launch the network beginning in the U.S.

"Discovery's business strategy has always focused on delivering groundbreaking content through new platforms, including the first suite of digital channels launched in 1996 and the first 24/7 basic cable HD channel in 2002," said Discovery Founder and Chairman John Hendricks. "Now, as Discovery celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2010 as the world leader in satisfying curiosity and bringing audiences the most realistic viewing experience, we continue to change the face of television with the launch of the first-ever 24/7 dedicated 3D television network."

"Sony is the only company with expertise in every part of the 3D value chain," said Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation. "We are delighted to be partnering with Discovery and IMAX, two premier companies also dedicated to leadership in 3D, in this groundbreaking new venture. It is clear to us that consumers will always migrate to a better and richer entertainment experience, and together we are determined to be the leader in providing that around the world."

"By partnering with Sony and IMAX on 3D, Discovery will lead the way in revolutionizing the next-generation home viewing experience in the U.S. and around the world," said Discovery Communications President and CEO David Zaslav. "Today's announcement is the next step in fulfilling Discovery's mission of providing groundbreaking content for our affiliate partners and enlightening viewers with the most immersive and realistic viewing experience available anywhere."

"IMAX has been a pioneer and recognized leader in 3D technology for more than twenty-five years, delivering the premium in-theatre experience to audiences around the world. We're reaching more and more consumers with the recent expansion of the IMAX® theatre network and the growth of 3D movie content," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "This new business venture is the first step in our strategic effort to take 3D into the home and extend the IMAX brand. We've already had strong collaborations with Discovery Communications and Sony in the past on IMAX event film titles, and we are thrilled to work with such strong partners to be the first to make in-home 3D a reality."

Discovery, Sony, through its U.S. affiliate, Sony Corporation of America, and IMAX each will be equal partners in the joint venture. It will be launched in the U.S., with a goal of driving consumer adoption of 3D televisions and giving the network long-term leadership in the 3D home marketplace. In the future, the companies also will explore international distribution opportunities in selected markets.

The new 3D network will feature high-quality premium content from genres that are most appealing in 3D, including natural history, space, exploration, adventure, engineering, science and technology, motion pictures and children's programming from Discovery, Sony Pictures Entertainment, IMAX and other third-party providers.

Discovery will provide network services, including affiliate sales and technical support functions, as well as 3D television rights to Discovery content and cross-promotion across its portfolio of 13 U.S. television networks. Sony will provide advertising/sponsorship sales support, and will seek to license television rights to current and future 3D feature films, music-related 3D content and game-related 3D content, while providing cross-promotion at retail stores. IMAX also will license television rights to future 3D films, promotion through its owned-and-operated movie theaters across the U.S., and a suite of proprietary and patented image enhancement and 3D technologies.

Governance for the joint venture will be handled by a board of directors comprised of members from each of the three companies, with the day-to-day operations run by a separate staff and management team that will report to the board. A search for the venture's general manager will begin immediately.

The parties have signed a non-binding Letter of Intent. Specific financial terms of the venture were not disclosed. The parties will work towards prompt execution of definitive agreements, subject to any necessary regulatory approvals.

Plus, ESPN will bring you a 3D TV station on June 11. Guess my article yesterday wondering if 3D was here to stay or not was obselete.

SYS