International 3D Society Announces Asia Committee

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The International 3D Society (I3DS), an industry group dedicated to the advancement of the art and sciences of stereoscopic 3D video technologies and content through education, hands on demonstrations, and celebration, has announced the establishment of its first overseas committee, the I3DS Asia Committee. The aim of this new office will be to further the society's activities within the Asian region. It has also announced that Masayuki Kozuka, General Manager, Media & Content Alliance Office, Corporate R&D of Panasonic Corporation, will serve as Asia Chair and Professor Liu Ge San of the Beijing Film Academy and Dr. DooWhan Choi of KT Corporation as Vice Chairs. Panasonic will also serve as the administrative office of the Asian Committee.

The I3DS Asian Committee will begin its operations in April 2011 and open its committee offices in Japan, China, and South Korea at the same time. These committees will be directed by distinguished experts in the industry as listed below:

• Japan Committee -- Chair: Takashi Kawai, Professor. Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University
• China Committee -- Chair to be determined
• Korea Committee -- Chair: DooWhan Choi, Ph. D. CTO, President, Corporate Technology Group of  KT Corporation

When AVATAR, directed by James Cameron, broke box-office records following its release in late 2009, it proved that the world had welcomed the dawn of a new, full-fledged 3D age. The year 2010 has seen a succession of television manufacturers launch Full HD 3D televisions, allowing viewers to enjoy high-quality 3D video in the comfort of their living rooms. However, scarcity of 3D content stands in the way of widespread adoption of 3D TVs.

Meanwhile, Masayuki Kozuka of Panasonic, said, "The Panasonic Group believes that it is essential for us to provide plenty of quality 3D content to our customers. To fulfill this duty, we joined the I3DS Worldwide Education Committee last November as its official technology partner because we support the I3DS's mission."

Kozuka continued, "In particular, as we believed that Panasonic could make a major contribution to providing high-quality 3D content in Asia, we met with professionals in Japan, China and Korea, where 3D movies are gaining popularity, to discuss how to carry out the mission in these countries. This has led to the establishment of the Asia Committee. We will work closely with each other and promote a wide range of activities to achieve our objectives."

International 3D Steering Committee Chair and CEO of XPAND Maria Costeira added, "The Asian market is particularly well-known for how tech-savvy its consumers and exhibitors are, and consumers in the Asian market have proven to be early adopters of 3D technology. As such, it is a great privilege to help initiate this new committee. Furthermore, as XPAND is the 3D market leader in Asia, I am extremely proud to be part of this initiative."

International 3D Society President Jim Chabin stated, "To advance 3D's success globally, this committee will connect Asia's dynamic 3D leaders with their industry colleagues everywhere."

Specific activities will be further discussed towards the start of operations in April 2011, including 3D production seminars in Asia (3DU Asia) by inviting Hollywood experts who are speakers of the I3DS 3D University (3DU) educational sessions, other 3D content seminars planned in each region and awards to recognize 3D content produced in Asia.

International 3D Society underwriters include Signature Sponsor Panasonic Corporation and Founding Sponsors, Dolby Laboratories, DreamWorks Animation (DWA), IMAX, MasterImage 3D, Panasonic Hollywood Lab, PIXAR, Sony Corporation of America,  The Walt Disney Studios and XPAND.  Member Sponsors are Autodesk, DirecTV, and Discovery Communications. 

About the International 3D Society

The International 3D Society is a community of professionals dedicated to the advancement of the art and sciences of stereoscopic 3D technologies and content through education, hands on demonstration and celebration. For more information please visit www.international3dsociety.com.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 7.42 trillion yen (US$79.4 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2010. The company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE: PC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.

About: Beijing Film Academy

Beijing Film Academy is the cradle of China film talent and currently the only institution specialized in film in China higher education. It has high reputation in the field of film and cultural art both in China and worldwide. Through 56 years' development, it has built up a scientific cinematic specialties system and advanced film professional fostering system which can offer diploma, bachelor, master, and PhD degrees. Beijing Film Academy has outstanding faculty, including 14 Institutes (Departments or Schools), offering 9 undergraduate programs, 8 postgraduate programs, and 1 doctoral program. Totally, there are 512 teaching and administrative staffs, including 42 Full Professors, 84 Associate Professors.

For more information please visit:  http://www.bfa.edu.cn/eng/EIndex.htm

About KT Corporation ("Korea Telecom"), the largest telephony carrier in South Korea, holds around 89% of fixed-line and 32% of wireless service of the nation. There are now 18 subsidiaries owned by KT, including submarine cable company, finance banking business, etc.

Standing at the forefront of the digital era, KT has been spearheading advances in information technology in Korea since it spun off from the Ministry of Communications in 1981. In 2009, KT merged with KTF, its wireless subsidiary, to keep pace with the global trends of fixed/mobile convergence and will continue to head this convergence market between voice and data, wired and wireless, and broadcasting and telecommunications. For more information please visit http://www.kt.com/eng/index.jsp

SOURCE Panasonic