M+E Daily
BluFocus Expands for 3D, Digital Delivery Testing; Adds CDSA Certification
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Quality assurance specialist BluFocus has more than doubled the size of its facility to handle an influx of 3D testing projects, as well as new digital delivery certification services, company chief executive Paulette Pantoja tells M&E Daily.
Under its joint program with THX, BluFocus is certifying upcoming Blu-ray 3D titles for audio and video accuracy, interoperability with various playback devices, and overall creative execution of 3D visuals and interactivity. The program is helping to weed out specific issues such as consistency of depth between 3D subtitles and menu options and the 3D video feature.
Certified Blu-ray 3D titles carry logos on their packaging, similar to a program that THX maintains for standard DVD and 2D Blu-ray discs.
The advent of automated 2D-to-3D conversions provided the impetus for the THX-BluFocus program. “Our fear,” Pantoja says, “was that if bad 3D [product] went out, it could hurt this hot new technology. There are human factors involved that have to be considered during production.”
In addition to providing an extra set of eyes for studios on 3D Blu-ray (as well as broadcast) projects, BluFocus has tested the automated conversion processes themselves for system manufacturers.
Pantoja says that BluFocus has trained all of its 50+ full-time and part-time staff to work on 3D projects from its facility in Toluca Lake, CA. But the staff is one of generalists who can switch to verifying format accuracy of projects slated for various digital distribution channels — another growth area for the testing company.
BluFocus also recently completed CDSA content security certification for its operations — which Pantoja says was essential for a company “working on high-profile and secure titles” such as Fox’s “Avatar.”
With both 3D and digital delivery, Pantoja says she needs to look no further than her clients for a general indicator of industry health. “When you have major studios investing in the format, that format’s going to be around for a while. It’s our job to assist them with making sure everything is working as intended and at the best quality possible.”
