A couple of months ago MC Superior was the only 3D cinema in Sri Lanka. Now there are three 3D cinemas. After the conversion of the old theaters Savoy Wellawatte and Majestic Platinum to 3D, movie fans can now choose which movie they want to see in 3D. These three 3D cinemas in Colombo use three different 3D projection technologies. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and so, here is rundown of all three 3D systems in the three cinemas.
MC Superior 3D uses the Dolby 3D system which is an interference filter method. The glasses used in it are passive and contain wavelength filtering lenses. It is a relatively new technology and produces high contrast vivid colour images while minimizing ghosting.
MC Platinum 3D uses an active shutter technology which is also used used in most 3D televisions. Active glasses that are powered by batteries are used. Due to the shutter effect, in the long run due to problems in batteries and IR emitters, flickering can be a problem. However at the moment no such problems are present at MC Platinum, and hopefully it remains that way.
The latest addition, Savoy 3D uses the RealD XLS system with the latest Sony 4K projector. Lightweight, circularly polarized glasses are used. to compensate for the light loss during polarization a Silver screen is used here. The Sony 4K projector has a very high resolution and simultaneous projection of both left and right eye images give rise to a smooth 3D effect.
More information : http://www.d3dcinema.com/uploads/files/Upgrade%20Chart.pdf
UPDATE (19/2/2014)
MC Platinum 3D No longer uses the problematic active shutter technology. They have switched to a polarization method with lightweight, passive glasses like in Savoy.
Welcome to my corner of the Universe
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Active shutter 3D technology
The recently converted MC Platinum 3D uses the active shutter technology. It is the same technology that is used in most 3D televisions. The basic concept here is to provide the left eye and right eye images to the left and right eye sequentially by blocking the view of one eye at a time. This is achieved by the use of liquid crystal shutter glasses. the view through one lens is blocked using the liquid crystal layer between the lens while the other lens remains transparent and shows the corresponding image. this alternating shutter effect happens very rapidly and is synchronized with the images projected (or displayed) on the screen. This method is also called the Eclipse method.
MC Platinum 3D uses shutter glasses of the brand Hi Shock. Active shutter glasses need to be powered by batteries and they wirelessly communicate with the projector or the television in order to synchronize the shutters. In order to avoid flicker the refresh rate needs to be very high. The refresh rates are usually double that of normal projection or other 3D projection systems. The brightness also needs to be higher than normal just like in polarized 3D systems.
More information : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_shutter_3D_system
UPDATE (19/2/2014)
MC platinum 3D No longer uses the Active Shutter system. Recently they switched to a polarized filter system similar to that of Savoy 3D. The lightweight, passive glasses used in this method means that flickering and other problems associated with active shutter systems will no longer ruin your movie experience.
MC Platinum 3D uses shutter glasses of the brand Hi Shock. Active shutter glasses need to be powered by batteries and they wirelessly communicate with the projector or the television in order to synchronize the shutters. In order to avoid flicker the refresh rate needs to be very high. The refresh rates are usually double that of normal projection or other 3D projection systems. The brightness also needs to be higher than normal just like in polarized 3D systems.
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| shutter glasses at MC Platinum 3D |
More information : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_shutter_3D_system
UPDATE (19/2/2014)
MC platinum 3D No longer uses the Active Shutter system. Recently they switched to a polarized filter system similar to that of Savoy 3D. The lightweight, passive glasses used in this method means that flickering and other problems associated with active shutter systems will no longer ruin your movie experience.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Was Banning DDT a Mistake?
Banning of the pesticide DDT is often credited as one of the best decisions made for the betterment of human beings and the environment. However this decision has also led to more than 30 million deaths since it was implemented. It was a decision made without any scientific basis and has resulted in irreparable losses in developing countries.
DDT was banned in 1972 by the EPA claiming that DDT is a carcinogen and has harmful effects if exposed to the environment. Public support for this cause came by means of a then best selling book by Rachel Carson, known as "Silent Spring". However it has been found out that Silent Spring was not based on sound scientific findings and also that the decision made by the EPA to ban DDT was based on fraudulent reports and was a result of bureaucracy.
DDT was a very effective pesticide that was used to control malaria. Countless scientific experiments have reported that DDT has no harmful effects on humans or nature. But apparently these scientific findings have not been considered when deciding to ban the said pesticide that ultimately led to millions of deaths. The negative effects of banning DDT is most felt in developing countries. For instance, in Sri Lanka alone, spraying of DDT has reduced the number of malaria cases from 2.8 million in 1948 to 17 in 1963. After the ban was imposed, the number has risen again to 2.5 million.
(source : http://dwb.unl.edu/Teacher/NSF/C06/C06Links/www.altgreen.com.au/Chemicals/ddt.html)
The actual reasoning behind the decision to ban such a useful pesticide is not known. Developed countries don't feel the impact of it as much as the developing countries do. In spite of this, forcing developing countries also to ban DDT is clearly not justified. Just like most cases in the modern world, it seems the agency behind this decision had its own agenda and gains to make from such a decision.
More information : http://www.jpands.org/vol9no3/edwards.pdf
DDT was banned in 1972 by the EPA claiming that DDT is a carcinogen and has harmful effects if exposed to the environment. Public support for this cause came by means of a then best selling book by Rachel Carson, known as "Silent Spring". However it has been found out that Silent Spring was not based on sound scientific findings and also that the decision made by the EPA to ban DDT was based on fraudulent reports and was a result of bureaucracy.
DDT was a very effective pesticide that was used to control malaria. Countless scientific experiments have reported that DDT has no harmful effects on humans or nature. But apparently these scientific findings have not been considered when deciding to ban the said pesticide that ultimately led to millions of deaths. The negative effects of banning DDT is most felt in developing countries. For instance, in Sri Lanka alone, spraying of DDT has reduced the number of malaria cases from 2.8 million in 1948 to 17 in 1963. After the ban was imposed, the number has risen again to 2.5 million.
(source : http://dwb.unl.edu/Teacher/NSF/C06/C06Links/www.altgreen.com.au/Chemicals/ddt.html)
The actual reasoning behind the decision to ban such a useful pesticide is not known. Developed countries don't feel the impact of it as much as the developing countries do. In spite of this, forcing developing countries also to ban DDT is clearly not justified. Just like most cases in the modern world, it seems the agency behind this decision had its own agenda and gains to make from such a decision.
More information : http://www.jpands.org/vol9no3/edwards.pdf
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Savoy 3D - Sri Lanka's first RealD XLS Cinema
Reaching a new milestone in the Sri Lankan film industry, EAP Films and Theaters Pvt Ltd has brought the latest RealD XLS 3D projection system to the recently revamped Savoy Cinema in Wellawatte. RealD XLS is a new 3D projection system that uses the new Sony 4K projector to provide a better and smoother 3D experience. This has given the opportunity to all Sri Lankan moviegoers to watch latest Hollywood 3D blockbusters in a state of the art cinema complex right here in Sri Lanka. This is great news to all movie fans in the country.
RealD is the most widely used stereoscopic 3D projection technology in the world and has several advantages over other systems. RealD uses circularly polarized light to project images onto a silver screen which the viewer sees through circular polarized glasses with oppositely polarized lenses (clockwise and anti clockwise) for each eye. Circular polarization is better than linear polarization because unlike in linear polarization,it does not require the viewer to keep his/her head upright in order to maintain the 3D effect. In circular polarization tilting the head or any other movements do not affect the polarization and allows for a more natural and comfortable viewing experience. The glasses are also lightweight, passive(unlike active shutter glasses) and are easy to use.
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| image from wikipedia |
The conventional RealD system uses the "triple flash" projection technique in which each left and right eye image is flashed three times in a single frame. This can give rise to subtle ghosting and stuttering during motion. The Sony 4K projector eliminates this problem by projecting both the left and right eye images simultaneously onto the screen. The 4K projector also projects images at a very high resolution(4,096 by 2,160) This gives rise to smooth and natural 3D images. The RealD XLS Cinema System incorporates the 4K projector and is the latest development in 3D projection.
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| source : http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/mkt-digitalcinema/ |
Savoy 3D uses the RealD XLS Cinema System which utilizes the Sony 4K projector and is the first cinema in South East Asia to do so. While providing a 3D movie experience right here in our own country for a reasonable price that would otherwise require going abroad it also has brought pride to all Sri Lankans. Ice Age 4 will be the first movie to be showcased at Savoy 3D and will be screened from the 26th of July onwards. Tickets can be purchased from : http://www.eapmovies.com
Friday, July 20, 2012
Angles In Time
Have you ever wondered at what time the three hands of a clock-the hour hand, the minute hand and the second hand trisect the circular face of the clock? In other words, at what time would the angles between each hand be exactly equal to 120 degrees?
One possible way of finding this is laying the three hands fixed at 120 degrees apart and rotating all three on a clock face. You must remember though that most orientations obtained like this do not occur in an actual clock because all three hands move relative to each other. For example at 10 minutes and 30 seconds past 10-o-clock (10:10:30/22:10:30), the movement of the minute hand through the 10 minutes will cause the hour hand to shift past 10, thus changing the angle slightly.
This problem can be solved by using the simple equations of motion for the clock hands. The speeds of each hand can be calculated in degrees per second as shown below.
speed of second hand = 360/60 = 6 degrees per second
speed of minute hand = 360/60*60 = 1/10 degrees per second
speed of the hour hand = 360/12*60*60 = 1/120 degrees per second
At a given time t, the angles through which each hand has revolved can be calculated as,
6t, t/10, and t/120 respectively
thus the ratio of the angles revolved are 720 : 12 : 1
Assuming the there is a time where the three clock hands trisect the face of the clock, let the angle swept by the hour hand at this time be a. Then the angle swept by the minute and second hands are 12a and 720 a respectively. Then for trisection of the face,
12a - a = 120 degrees or 12a - a = 240 degrees.
12a - a = 120 => 11a = 120 => a = 10.909090.. degrees
12a = 130.9090... degrees
and 720a = 7854.5454.. degrees
removing complete revolutions, 7854.5454 - 7560 = 294.5454
but 294.5454 - 130.9090 = 163.6364 this is NOT equal to 120 degrees.
This is a contradiction and therefore the assumption, "a time where the hands trisect the face of the clock exists" should be false. It can be similarly shown that the case 12a - a = 240 also leads to a contradiction like this. Therefore the three hands of a clock will never trisect the circular face of the clock. For a more detailed explanation of this problem check the following link : http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/56788.html
The above answer was arrived at by assuming that all three hands of a clock move seamlessly with a certain velocity. But there are some clocks where the minute hand moves over one minute division after one full rotation of the second hand. In this case the problem becomes easier and a solution can be found. In order to avoid the shifting of the hands by small amounts we need to make sure that the minute hand points to the 12 position because at that moment the hour hand will point exactly to that particular hour and since the second hand has not completed its revolution around the clock face, the minute hand would also remain there. The answer then is, 20 seconds past 8-o-clock. (08:00:20/20:00:20)
Clock dial obtained from : http://www.thewoodshop.20m.com/clockfaces.htm
One possible way of finding this is laying the three hands fixed at 120 degrees apart and rotating all three on a clock face. You must remember though that most orientations obtained like this do not occur in an actual clock because all three hands move relative to each other. For example at 10 minutes and 30 seconds past 10-o-clock (10:10:30/22:10:30), the movement of the minute hand through the 10 minutes will cause the hour hand to shift past 10, thus changing the angle slightly.
This problem can be solved by using the simple equations of motion for the clock hands. The speeds of each hand can be calculated in degrees per second as shown below.
speed of second hand = 360/60 = 6 degrees per second
speed of minute hand = 360/60*60 = 1/10 degrees per second
speed of the hour hand = 360/12*60*60 = 1/120 degrees per second
At a given time t, the angles through which each hand has revolved can be calculated as,
6t, t/10, and t/120 respectively
thus the ratio of the angles revolved are 720 : 12 : 1
Assuming the there is a time where the three clock hands trisect the face of the clock, let the angle swept by the hour hand at this time be a. Then the angle swept by the minute and second hands are 12a and 720 a respectively. Then for trisection of the face,
12a - a = 120 degrees or 12a - a = 240 degrees.
12a - a = 120 => 11a = 120 => a = 10.909090.. degrees
12a = 130.9090... degrees
and 720a = 7854.5454.. degrees
removing complete revolutions, 7854.5454 - 7560 = 294.5454
but 294.5454 - 130.9090 = 163.6364 this is NOT equal to 120 degrees.
This is a contradiction and therefore the assumption, "a time where the hands trisect the face of the clock exists" should be false. It can be similarly shown that the case 12a - a = 240 also leads to a contradiction like this. Therefore the three hands of a clock will never trisect the circular face of the clock. For a more detailed explanation of this problem check the following link : http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/56788.html
The above answer was arrived at by assuming that all three hands of a clock move seamlessly with a certain velocity. But there are some clocks where the minute hand moves over one minute division after one full rotation of the second hand. In this case the problem becomes easier and a solution can be found. In order to avoid the shifting of the hands by small amounts we need to make sure that the minute hand points to the 12 position because at that moment the hour hand will point exactly to that particular hour and since the second hand has not completed its revolution around the clock face, the minute hand would also remain there. The answer then is, 20 seconds past 8-o-clock. (08:00:20/20:00:20)
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Asteroids as a Resource
Recently, the company planetary resources unveiled their plan to mine asteroids. Their approach to this extremely challenging task by trying to get there in 4 different stages, seems to be a practical. They are planning to mine asteroids for platinum group metals and water. With all this attention to mining from outer space it is worthwhile to consider whether asteroids actually have the potential to be a resource that is economical to exploit.
There is no denying that asteroids contain valuable metals and water in abundance. But these are even found on earth. At the moment there is no shortage of platinum here on earth although it is quite expensive due to the costly extraction process. Unless platinum occurs as pure metal on asteroids, processing will still have to be done, and doing it in outer space is going to be even more difficult.
Looking at this situation it might seem a better option to invest on the existing platinum mining and processing here on earth in order to make it more efficient. However mining from asteroids has the advantage of avoiding the environmental damage created by mining on earth. Also if the platinum demand rises sharply within the next few decades and if it becomes increasingly difficult and costly to mine for platinum on earth, mining it from asteroids will be the best solution.
Although lots of minerals and metals are found in the crust of the earth, most of the heavier metals such as iron and nickel lie inside the core of the earth due to the gradual gravitational sinking of these metals during the formation of the earth. Asteroids however are mostly of small sizes and therefore in most cases the metals are somewhat evenly distributed throughout the volume of the asteroid. This makes mining easier. Even in larger asteroids where metals have settled like on earth, accessing it will be easier.
The other important resource that is planned to mine form asteroids is water. A source of water outside earth is valuable because it would no longer be necessary to carry a heavy load of water in future space missions. It would also pave the way to colonization in space since one of the main challenges faced in such a situation is finding access to an appreciable reserve of water.
If the constituents of water, Hydrogen and Oxygen are separated, they can be used to power rockets. This could also one day lead to fuel stations in space which will not only reduce the cost of space travel but also widen our reach in space. Having both fuel and water readily available in space, our dream to colonize in space will come closer to us.
Mining asteroids seems a far fetched idea and it might not look like it is economical at a first glance. But this situation will change in the future and sometimes asteroid mining might be the only option. We will be able to advance only if we plan for the future and act accordingly. We should remember that before the internal combustion engine was invented, commercial drilling of petroleum seemed unnecessary..
There is no denying that asteroids contain valuable metals and water in abundance. But these are even found on earth. At the moment there is no shortage of platinum here on earth although it is quite expensive due to the costly extraction process. Unless platinum occurs as pure metal on asteroids, processing will still have to be done, and doing it in outer space is going to be even more difficult.
Looking at this situation it might seem a better option to invest on the existing platinum mining and processing here on earth in order to make it more efficient. However mining from asteroids has the advantage of avoiding the environmental damage created by mining on earth. Also if the platinum demand rises sharply within the next few decades and if it becomes increasingly difficult and costly to mine for platinum on earth, mining it from asteroids will be the best solution.
Although lots of minerals and metals are found in the crust of the earth, most of the heavier metals such as iron and nickel lie inside the core of the earth due to the gradual gravitational sinking of these metals during the formation of the earth. Asteroids however are mostly of small sizes and therefore in most cases the metals are somewhat evenly distributed throughout the volume of the asteroid. This makes mining easier. Even in larger asteroids where metals have settled like on earth, accessing it will be easier.
The other important resource that is planned to mine form asteroids is water. A source of water outside earth is valuable because it would no longer be necessary to carry a heavy load of water in future space missions. It would also pave the way to colonization in space since one of the main challenges faced in such a situation is finding access to an appreciable reserve of water.
If the constituents of water, Hydrogen and Oxygen are separated, they can be used to power rockets. This could also one day lead to fuel stations in space which will not only reduce the cost of space travel but also widen our reach in space. Having both fuel and water readily available in space, our dream to colonize in space will come closer to us.
Mining asteroids seems a far fetched idea and it might not look like it is economical at a first glance. But this situation will change in the future and sometimes asteroid mining might be the only option. We will be able to advance only if we plan for the future and act accordingly. We should remember that before the internal combustion engine was invented, commercial drilling of petroleum seemed unnecessary..
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| image from : wikipedia |
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Magnetic Anomaly Based Indoor Positioning
We know that certain animals have the ability to orient themselves and navigate using the earth's magnetic field. Unfortunately humans do not have that ability and therefore humans have to rely on their ingenuity and technological skill for navigation purposes. From early methods of using celestial bodies for navigation to present day Global Positioning Systems, it is technology that has enabled humans to find their way.
These days most phones are equipped with GPS based navigation and location services. GPS however is not very accurate indoors. A company called Indoor Atlas sets out to solve this problem by offering a unique way to navigate inside buildings. This company which is based in Oulu, Finland and Oxford, UK, has developed a method of navigating indoors using the local variations of earth's magnetic field, or magnetic anomalies. These variations of earth's magnetic field depend on several factors such as mineralogical variations in the ground and surrounding magnetic sources. The unique differences in the magnetic field thus created can be detected and used for navigation purposes.
Most of the smartphones today are equipped with magnetic sensors that enable them to act as digital compasses and are used in mapping and augmented reality apps. these magnetic sensors in smartphones can detect the the said magnetic anomalies. The system Indoor Atlas has developed works in 3 stages. First the users are allowed to add buildings to an online mapping application developed by the company. Then users can use their smartphones to map the building by walking around the building using their smartphones. The phones will detect the magnetic signature and upload the magnetic data to the mapping application. The final step is using mobile applications to use the uploaded magnetic data for navigation purposes. The magnetic data can be downloaded to any device running the application and by comparing the data with the actual magnetic signature positioning can be done. The accuracy of this positioning technology is within 0.1 and 2.0 metres.
This method has several advantages over existing methods that are presently used to navigate indoors such as wifi or radio access points. Unlike these methods, magnetic anomaly based positioning does not require additional hardware or infrastructure. It also won't be affected by radio blackouts or satellite disturbances. It is also interesting to see how this technology will be used in augmented reality applications because there's a lot that can be done with magnetic data if readily available. This technology has a lot of potential to become a groundbreaking success.
More information : http://www.indooratlas.com/
http://web.indooratlas.com/web/WhitePaper.pdf
These days most phones are equipped with GPS based navigation and location services. GPS however is not very accurate indoors. A company called Indoor Atlas sets out to solve this problem by offering a unique way to navigate inside buildings. This company which is based in Oulu, Finland and Oxford, UK, has developed a method of navigating indoors using the local variations of earth's magnetic field, or magnetic anomalies. These variations of earth's magnetic field depend on several factors such as mineralogical variations in the ground and surrounding magnetic sources. The unique differences in the magnetic field thus created can be detected and used for navigation purposes.
Most of the smartphones today are equipped with magnetic sensors that enable them to act as digital compasses and are used in mapping and augmented reality apps. these magnetic sensors in smartphones can detect the the said magnetic anomalies. The system Indoor Atlas has developed works in 3 stages. First the users are allowed to add buildings to an online mapping application developed by the company. Then users can use their smartphones to map the building by walking around the building using their smartphones. The phones will detect the magnetic signature and upload the magnetic data to the mapping application. The final step is using mobile applications to use the uploaded magnetic data for navigation purposes. The magnetic data can be downloaded to any device running the application and by comparing the data with the actual magnetic signature positioning can be done. The accuracy of this positioning technology is within 0.1 and 2.0 metres.
This method has several advantages over existing methods that are presently used to navigate indoors such as wifi or radio access points. Unlike these methods, magnetic anomaly based positioning does not require additional hardware or infrastructure. It also won't be affected by radio blackouts or satellite disturbances. It is also interesting to see how this technology will be used in augmented reality applications because there's a lot that can be done with magnetic data if readily available. This technology has a lot of potential to become a groundbreaking success.
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| magnetic anomalies can be used to navigate inside buildings |
More information : http://www.indooratlas.com/
http://web.indooratlas.com/web/WhitePaper.pdf
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Coastal Erosion at Beruwala
Some of the best beaches and coral reefs in Sri Lanka are located in the Beruwala area. The calm and clear waters around the large coral reef near hotel Chaaya Bay Beruwala (formerly known as Beach Hotel Bayroo) is a perfect spot for snorkeling.
Unfortunately this area has undergone severe coastal erosion and pollution. The water has become murky and not a lot of fish can be seen around the coral reef. The reason for coastal erosion in this area is not clear, but it could be due to illegal sand and coral mining.
Beach Nourishment could be a possible solution to this problem. Although not a permanent solution it can help mitigate the effects of erosion for a certain time period. In addition to this, steps must be taken to prevent illegal mining from taking place in the area.
Unfortunately this area has undergone severe coastal erosion and pollution. The water has become murky and not a lot of fish can be seen around the coral reef. The reason for coastal erosion in this area is not clear, but it could be due to illegal sand and coral mining.
Beach Nourishment could be a possible solution to this problem. Although not a permanent solution it can help mitigate the effects of erosion for a certain time period. In addition to this, steps must be taken to prevent illegal mining from taking place in the area.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Tales of a Cricket Match
Anyone who watched the final one day international cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan would agree that it was one of the most exciting matches of the year. The match went right down to the last over and a brilliant performance by the Sri Lankan batsmen at that last over helped Sri Lanka to win the match. But the excitement began only during the last over of the match. Until then it was Pakistan's game all along. People even started leaving the ground because it looked like a certain loss for Sri Lanka before that final over.
At this bleak moment for Sri Lanka in the field, real drama was unfolding in the stands where we were seated. While most of the spectators including myself were bored and worried that Sri Lanka might lose the match, one man was dancing around in a very cheerful mood waving around Rs 50000 in cash betting that Sri Lanka will win the match. People were amused but no one took him seriously. It seemed like he would lose his bet at that time, but Sri Lanka came through thanks to a riveting performance and this person who believed it right from the beginning had the last laugh.
At this bleak moment for Sri Lanka in the field, real drama was unfolding in the stands where we were seated. While most of the spectators including myself were bored and worried that Sri Lanka might lose the match, one man was dancing around in a very cheerful mood waving around Rs 50000 in cash betting that Sri Lanka will win the match. People were amused but no one took him seriously. It seemed like he would lose his bet at that time, but Sri Lanka came through thanks to a riveting performance and this person who believed it right from the beginning had the last laugh.
Friday, July 6, 2012
MC Platinum 3D
The Platinum movie theatre of the Majestic Cineplex will be converted to a 3D movie theatre with the arrival of "The Amazing Spiderman" on the 13th of July, according to TicketsLK. The Platinum Cinema is the original movie theatre of Majestic city which is on the 4th floor. The Platinum cinema was renovated while the new Cineplex on the 5th floor was being constructed. This theatre is much larger than the Superior 3D and can accommodate more viewers in a single screening. Here is the banner displayed on TicketsLK with this news.
Like I stated in a previous post, Switching from 2D to 3D and vice versa is not complicated in the case of the Dolby 3D system. It's a matter of engaging and disengaging the colour filter wheel from the projector. The addition of a new 3D cinema means viewers will have the opportunity to see more movies in 3D.
UPDATE : MC Platinum has been converted to 3D and is currently screening The Amazing Spiderman. It uses an active shutter 3D system unlike the MC superior which uses an interference filter method.
UPDATE (19/2/2014)
MC Platinum has switched to a polarization method similar to that of Savoy 3D
Like I stated in a previous post, Switching from 2D to 3D and vice versa is not complicated in the case of the Dolby 3D system. It's a matter of engaging and disengaging the colour filter wheel from the projector. The addition of a new 3D cinema means viewers will have the opportunity to see more movies in 3D.
UPDATE : MC Platinum has been converted to 3D and is currently screening The Amazing Spiderman. It uses an active shutter 3D system unlike the MC superior which uses an interference filter method.
UPDATE (19/2/2014)
MC Platinum has switched to a polarization method similar to that of Savoy 3D
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| the new polarized glasses at MC Platinum |
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The Joys of a Local University
They say the cream of the crop enters local universities, yet while most of our friends at school have already graduated from foreign universities or have already started working we, the undergraduates of the local universities have barely completed halfway through the BSc Engineering degree. However local universities provide some experiences that can never be found anywhere else.
To start with, the never-ending strikes. To us, the word "Strike" is synonymous with Holiday, but there is a slight difference, when holidays are given you know exactly when university will reopen but in a strike you will never know. Strikes in universities first brings joy because it means an extended vacation, then it builds anticipation. Boredom sets up when you get fed up of staying at home and finally regret kicks in when you realize you have to wait longer to complete the degree.
Somehow after all the strikes are over and university reopens after a long break the real fun begins.. Semester Exams without reading weeks! It's as if we are being punished for staff union actions. Lectures fill all the slots in the time table and the semester progresses in full throttle ending up with the exam and starting the next semester on the very next day. This happens until another strike comes up and the cycle starts over again..
Each semester in our degree programme is marked with one specific hardship, my buddies in the department know what I'm talking about, first semester - fresher pressure. Second semester - hand written coursework. Third semester - 64 hours of manual engineering drawing, and future semesters only god knows what..But it has been fun, and it gives us something to associate with each stage of our university life.
These are some of the experiences that can only be found at a local university. It might take a little longer to get our degree, but its worth it. someday when we look back at our university life these will be sweet memories. To my friends who are reading this post right now, let's not worry too much about the strike. Let's make the maximum out of the time we spend at campus. We must consider ourselves lucky because not everyone got the opportunity that we got..
To start with, the never-ending strikes. To us, the word "Strike" is synonymous with Holiday, but there is a slight difference, when holidays are given you know exactly when university will reopen but in a strike you will never know. Strikes in universities first brings joy because it means an extended vacation, then it builds anticipation. Boredom sets up when you get fed up of staying at home and finally regret kicks in when you realize you have to wait longer to complete the degree.
Somehow after all the strikes are over and university reopens after a long break the real fun begins.. Semester Exams without reading weeks! It's as if we are being punished for staff union actions. Lectures fill all the slots in the time table and the semester progresses in full throttle ending up with the exam and starting the next semester on the very next day. This happens until another strike comes up and the cycle starts over again..
Each semester in our degree programme is marked with one specific hardship, my buddies in the department know what I'm talking about, first semester - fresher pressure. Second semester - hand written coursework. Third semester - 64 hours of manual engineering drawing, and future semesters only god knows what..But it has been fun, and it gives us something to associate with each stage of our university life.
These are some of the experiences that can only be found at a local university. It might take a little longer to get our degree, but its worth it. someday when we look back at our university life these will be sweet memories. To my friends who are reading this post right now, let's not worry too much about the strike. Let's make the maximum out of the time we spend at campus. We must consider ourselves lucky because not everyone got the opportunity that we got..
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Savoy Wellawatte-3D ?
There is no confirmation yet, but we might see Sri Lanka's second 3D cinema very soon, not too long after the first 3D cinema, MC Superior 3D opened to the public. Savoy Wellawatte is a very old theater in Sri Lanka and has been one of the few theaters that screened good Hollywood movies in Sri Lanka. It looks like Savoy Cinema is under some sort of renovation, and there is some speculation that it is being upgraded to 3D. This could be just a rumor, however the official site eapmovies.com for the first time has posted a 3D movie, "Sammy2-3D" under their upcoming movies section. It certainly looks like eap movies is venturing out into screening 3D movies, and it's a good move considering the success MC superior has had, but as said before we don't know for sure, until it's officially confirmed..
UPDATE : It's official. Savoy Wellawatte is currently undergoing the 3D conversion process and will reopen with the screening of the 3D animation Ice Age 4 on the 26th of July. Savoy 3D will be the 3rd 3D cinema in Sri Lanka after MC Superior 3D and MC Platinum 3D. Savoy 3D will be the first cinema in Sri Lanka to use the Sony 4K projector. According to eapmovies the conversion process included the installation of a Silver Screen to the cinema. This means that the cinema will be using the new RealD XLS 3D projection system which couples RealD 3D technology with the new Sony 4K projector. This new system simultaneously projects both, the left and right eye images onto the screen and thus reduces motion blur and provides a smoother and better 3D experience.
UPDATE : It's official. Savoy Wellawatte is currently undergoing the 3D conversion process and will reopen with the screening of the 3D animation Ice Age 4 on the 26th of July. Savoy 3D will be the 3rd 3D cinema in Sri Lanka after MC Superior 3D and MC Platinum 3D. Savoy 3D will be the first cinema in Sri Lanka to use the Sony 4K projector. According to eapmovies the conversion process included the installation of a Silver Screen to the cinema. This means that the cinema will be using the new RealD XLS 3D projection system which couples RealD 3D technology with the new Sony 4K projector. This new system simultaneously projects both, the left and right eye images onto the screen and thus reduces motion blur and provides a smoother and better 3D experience.
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