New Technology Reviews!.: makeover

George Lucas 'very happy' with Star Wars 3D makeover

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/gadgets/images/star-wars-logo-200-200.png"> George Lucas has proclaimed himself to be 'very happy' with the 3D work being done on Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, as Prime Focus were named a partner on the project. The Phantom Menace will be the first of the six films to be converted into 3D, with creator Lucas keen to see the job done well, and Prime Focus has been selected by Lucas and his Industrial Light & Magic effects house. "It was incredibly important to me that we have the technology, the resources and the time to do this right," said Lucas. "I'm very happy with the results I've been seeing on Episode I." Tinker man It certainly won't be the first time that work has been done on updating Star Wars – with the original and much loved trilogy remastered, poked, prodded and put through the digital grinder on several occasions by Lucas. Episode One - much maligned by the critics - is due to arrive in cinemas from February next year, with Blu-ray version likely to follow soon afterwards. But, although many fans will now have the films collected on numerous formats, the prospect of 3D remains enticing, as long as it is done really well. And perhaps Jar Jar is digitally deleted to boot. Oh, and make sure that Han shot first.

George Lucas 'very happy' with Star Wars 3D makeover

George Lucas has proclaimed himself to be 'very happy' with the 3D work being done on Star Wars: The Phantom Menace , as Prime Focus...

Disney gives Blu-ray classics a 3D makeover

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/images/tr2n-logo-good-img-200-200.jpg"> Tron: Legacy is set for release on 3D Blu-ray from Disney later this year, in addition to at least 14 other 3D titles, with a number of 2D-to-3D conversions of classics also promised. It's a solid show of support from one of the major producers of 3D movies, with some great conversions of flicks such as The Lion King and Beauty in the Beast in the works. Uncle Walt supports 3D TV "Continuing its leadership in the advancement of 3D entertainment and marking the most significant title commitment to the growing Blu-ray 3DTM market, The Walt Disney Studios today announced plans to release at least 15 of its films for in-home viewing on Blu- ray 3D in 2011," reads Uncle Walt's press release just in. One person who is particularly pumped about the news is Lori MacPherson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, who tells us: "As our contemporary library of 3D content continues to grow, and the original artists and filmmakers meticulously "dimensionalize" their work for release on the Blu-ray 3D format, we will be offering movie- lovers the most incredible in-home entertainment experience they will ever have. Also included among the titles slated for release in 2011 are Bolt, Meet The Robinsons, The Nightmare Before Christmas, G-Force and Chicken Little. Blu-ray Disc Association on 3D spec Speaking about the 3D Blu-ray spec, Andy Parsons, U.S. chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Assn.'s (BDA) promotions committee and senior VP of product planning at Pioneer Home Entertainment Group told Reuters: "I don't think I've ever seen an association turn out a spec in such rapid time. The alternative would have been two or three different ways to do 3D on a disc -- and that's death to a format. Everyone understood that could happen. We avoided what could have been an ugly, messy situation." Rich Marty, VP of new business marketing at Sony added: "We will see large 3D (Blu-ray) theatrical releases, timed day-and-date with their 2D Blu-ray counterparts. "As conversion techniques continue to get better and the cost of conversion comes down, there will be growing interest to do more of these titles.".

Disney gives Blu-ray classics a 3D makeover

Tron: Legacy is set for release on 3D Blu-ray from Disney later this year, in addition to at least 14 other 3D titles, with a number of 2D-t...