Which 3D video setup?

[tamas970]

I am thinking on building a 3D video rig but being inexperienced in stereo territory I need some advice.
I am considering 3 alternatives:

#1: 2xGoPro3 in individual housings, fixed together with a frame.
Pros: cheap, lightweight, great for WA
Cons: poor dynamic range, poor low-light (=deep) performance, issues with synchronization in post-processing

#2: 2xSony RX100 in Ike housings
Pros: great image quality
Cons: limited FOV, large interaxial distance, issues with synchronization, no ready-made 3D platform is available, costy

#3: 2x camcorders in a 3d housing
Pros: good sync, good IQ (?)
Cons: very expensive (total 5+k$), fixed & small interaxial distance (no 3D while shooting a whaleshark)

Does anyone have experience with more than 1 of these setups?
As for the GoPro, how does the IQ using an orange filter compares to a larger-sensor camera, equipped with lights? How much noise am I introducing?
Does someone manufacture a tray, where the interaxial distance can be easily adjusted during the dive? (individual cams shifted)

Right now I am leaning towards the GoPro-s, just need some verification that the sync can be properly (<20ms) done e.g using audio spikes and the IQ is not much worse than the RX100.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

3D Diver is pretty well versed on the GoPro aspects of 3D. Hopefully he will chime in on this thread.

On a side note, can the dual footage from cameras be converted into SBS 3D video format to play on consumer 3D TV's?

 

[3D diver]

A pair of GoPro Hero 2's in an eye-of-mine modified housing would be my first suggestion---no sync problems & fairly well aligned.

Another option would be one of the true 3D camcorders in an equinox housing. I've thought about going this route a couple of times, but then catch myself wondering how to attach my gopro's to it and put on the brakes.

---------- Post added February 7th, 2014 at 02:54 PM ----------

On a side note, can the dual footage from cameras be converted into SBS 3D video format to play on consumer 3D TV's?

Yes. All of my YouTube videos are uploaded in SBS format & I've had a couple of folks tell me they've viewed them on their 3D TV's (I don't have one myself, d'oh!).

The editor's I've worked with (Pinnacle and Vegas) have multiple 3D render options.

---------- Post added February 7th, 2014 at 03:03 PM ----------

BTW: I've been tinkering with Looxcie cameras in separate housings. It's easy to time-align them using bubble noise.

I've been mounting them on an aluminum bar and tinkering with the camera spacing. My first tries have been with the Looxcie 3 camera's with lens-to-lens spacings of 3.5 and 3 inches---the 3 inch spacing results are easier to view & the closest I can get them. I just bought a second Looxcie HD which is narrower and will allow even smaller lens-to-lens separation.

---------- Post added February 7th, 2014 at 03:06 PM ----------

Oh...gratuitous links to my 3d thread and YouTube channel:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/gopro-video/425784-my-gopro-3d-setup.html

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLjPdhMk9M_Sl9Tl1L1hIrw/videos

 

[EL Pistoffo]

Yes. All of my YouTube videos are uploaded in SBS format & I've had a couple of folks tell me they've viewed them on their 3D TV's (I don't have one myself, d'oh!).

The editor's I've worked with (Pinnacle and Vegas) have multiple 3D render options.

So use edit with Vegas? I have a bone to pick with that editor. Maybe I can pick your brain a little bit with your workflow using Vegas.

BTW, as 3D video maker, you really should get yourself a 3D TV. My brother has a Samsung 3D Smart TV. I've taken SBS 3D video's and put them on a thumb drive and plug it right into the TV's usb port and boom, instant 3D. I'm gong to try that with your videos.

 

[3D diver]

I was using Cineform & Pinnacle 16 for 3D editing, but GoPro's Studio2.0 program didn't get along with Pinnacle so I switched to Vegas. Studio & Vegas worked fine together for a month or two then updates to both programs trashed that interface too!!!

I gave up on Cineform/Studio and am doing everything in Vegas now. It's 3D tools are as easy to use as Cineform and fewer intermediate files are generated (my new hard disk is getting full). I haven't figured out their color correction tools though.

I have Adobe Premier too. I like their autocolor tool (like in photoshop) but I don't see any 3D tools so haven't used it for that. I'll experiment with color correcting the Vegas output in Premier...someday.

My son has bugged me for years to get a 3D TV, but I'm too cheap to replace my existing TV.

 

[tamas970]

Many thanks for the feedback! It seems, the IQ of the hero 3+ is not something to be ashamed of... However, I wouldn't mind to have a nice 1" sensor in the device and some control on the FOV.

I was thinking on the sony HDR-AS100V/W (still 1/2.3" sensor) but its FOV is a bit too large (170°).

I am also looking at the QX100 but it is lacking a lot of important controls (iso to mention one...) and UW housings. A decent successor would make a great cam for 3D using one control unit (smartphone).

My son has bugged me for years to get a 3D TV, but I'm too cheap to replace my existing TV.

Their price is getting reasonable, I just came to the decision 2 weeks ago (and that's the source of all 3d enthusiasm))

 

[EL Pistoffo]

I was using Cineform & Pinnacle 16 for 3D editing, but GoPro's Studio2.0 program didn't get along with Pinnacle so I switched to Vegas. Studio & Vegas worked fine together for a month or two then updates to both programs trashed that interface too!!!

I gave up on Cineform/Studio and am doing everything in Vegas now. It's 3D tools are as easy to use as Cineform and fewer intermediate files are generated (my new hard disk is getting full). I haven't figured out their color correction tools though.

I have Adobe Premier too. I like their autocolor tool (like in photoshop) but I don't see any 3D tools so haven't used it for that. I'll experiment with color correcting the Vegas output in Premier...someday.

My son has bugged me for years to get a 3D TV, but I'm too cheap to replace my existing TV.

I've used the color correction of Vegas Pro, the WB picker tool and the 3 shade WB picker tool. Inferior results compared to GoPro Studio's simple WB tool, which is ridiculous for an $800 program.
My other Vegas issue is motion blurry final renders and I can't figure out why. GP Studio renders cleaner, blurry free video.

My Adobe Premier is a bit outdated and has lousy support for HD videos otherwise that would be my go-to editor.

Get a 3D TV. That's like being a musician who doesn't have a stereo.

 

[3D diver]

Oh snap! My stereo died years ago...


I jam regularly anyway.

 

[tamas970]

I came across this guy: ACTIONPRO High End Action Cameras ? The new X7

(I think sold as ISAW in the States)

It delivers the same IQ as the hero3 for 100$ less. Shall I expect any more hassle to get a pair working in 3D than a hero3?

I know, there is no 3D housing - I'd just put the 2 individual housings in a frame, one upside down - I could even work out somekind of a variable interaxial.
A drawback: I have to rotate one of the shots by 180° because the cam firmware can't do that. I think vegas can do it...

A drawback I found reading a german forum: 1080p60 quality is poor, 30p is significantly better. Is it also fine to run the cams at 30p for 3D?

 

[3D diver]

Vegas can rotate the video.

My Looxcie 3 3D videos are shot at 30fps & so far the time alignment has been acceptable.

The only hassle I can think of is that you're not likely to find a ready made 3D frame for it.

I just modified my second tray to mount a pair of Looxcie HD cameras. They have a very narrow form factor that allows me to mount them side-by-side, in their dive housings, with a lens-to-lens spacing of 2 1/4 inches.



I had to work this weekend, but hope to dive with them next weekend.