Xpand Introduces New Technology, 3D Glasses at CinemaCon

Firm also unveils plug-in for 3D PowerPoint presentations.

LAS VEGAS -- 3D technology provider Xpand sees 3D becoming ubiquitous.
At CinemaCon, the company launched Xpand Infinity as a flexible new 3D system developed to support almost any screen size, shape and surface -- including large venues. Xpand also showed a clever 3D plug-in for PowerPoint.
The projection system was conceived to handle wide, flat, curved, dome-shaped or even Cinerama format. An unlimited number of Infinity systems can be linked together to operate as a large-scale system. Xpand said it can project onto any type of screen surface.Xpand Introduces New Technology, 3D Glasses at CinemaCon
Users have a choice of regular Xpand active glasses, priced at $35 a pair; Xpand Infinity glasses, at $55; or Xpand Infinity Deluxe 3D, at $75. The aim is to give theater owners a variety of price point to allows them to offer premium services, explained Ami Dror, chief strategy officer of Xpand3D. He likened the model to the airline model of offering economy, business and first class service.
Xpand Infinity and Xpand Infinity Deluxe Glasses are equipped with RFID anti-theft tags.
"The new glasses are more durable and allow the cinema management to monitor its inventory and usage levels throughout the cinema location in real time," said Maria Costeira, CEO, Xpand. "Some of our beta sites achieved a 3DCPU (3D Cost Per User) of less than 4 cents."Xpand Introduces New Technology, 3D Glasses at CinemaCon
Xpand also introduced on Tuesday a 3D plug-in for PowerPoint, aimed at allowing users to add depth to elements in a presentation and embed 3D movies, images, graphics and objects to jazz up PowerPoint presentations.
"We have proven in various case studies that 3D improves viewer retention by more than 30%. 3D PowerPoint presentations are now more interesting and deliver much more impact," Dror said. The plug-in is compatible with MS Office 2010, 32-bit or 64-bit. The 3D content could be viewed on a computer, compatible 3DTV or a video projector that supports HDMI 1.4 3D formats, using Xpand Universal 3D glasses.Xpand Introduces New Technology, 3D Glasses at CinemaCon
The full version of the Xpand PowerPoint 3D plug-in is available at the Xpand website.
Also on Tuesday, Xpand demonstrated its growing presence in China, announcing a deal for 100 3D cinema systems to Zhuhai China Film Cinema Service, as well as the opening of a new Xpand office in Beijing.
"Our new location in Beijing is an important part of our strategy to meet the demands of one of the largest and fastest-growing cinema markets in the world," Costeira said. "The benefit of the new offices is twofold, as it enables us to further increase our support mechanism in the region, which we hope will translate to increased sales in the local marketplace."Xpand Introduces New Technology, 3D Glasses at CinemaCon

Italy's World Cup goes home after 3-2 loss to Slovakia

Soccer Extreme :Defending champion Italy was eliminated Thursday from the World Cup with a humbling 3-2 loss to Slovakia, which advanced.

Slovakia finished second in Group F to Paraguay. The Italians were last, the first time they’ve ever finished at the bottom of an opening-round group.

For the third consecutive game, the Azzurri allowed an early goal and this time they never recovered.

Robert Vittek put Slovakia ahead in the 25th minute, taking advantage of an errant pass from midfielder Daniele De Rossi. Vittek doubled the lead from close range in the 73rd following a corner kick

Antonio Di Natale scored for Italy in the 81st, but Kamil Kopunek ended Italy’s chances eight minutes later, even though Fabio Quagliarella scored in injury time for the four-time champions.

It was Italy’s first loss at the World Cup since allowing a golden goal to South Korea in the second round in 2002. And it marked the end of an era for Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and Gennaro Gattuso, who already announced their retirement from the national team after the tournament. Coach Marcello Lippi is also moving on, with Cesare Prandelli already chosen as his successor.

“We were a disappointment and everyone saw it,” regular goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said. “The difference between 2006 and 2010 is that there are no longer enough players like (Francesco) Totti and Alessandro (Del Piero). He (Prandelli) will have to start a new cycle and I hope he’s got his ideas in order, because the current situation of Italian football isn’t great.”

Italy’s squad featured nine players 30 or over and Prandelli will be charged with a major overhaul. Italy hasn’t won since beating Sweden 1-0 in a friendly in November, drawing five times and losing twice.

Never have the previous World Cup finalists both failed to advance in the next tournament when both qualified. France, which lost to Italy on penalty kicks for the 2006 title, went out earlier this week in Group A.

Slovakia plays Monday in Durban against the winner of Group E. Many of the Slovak players were in tears at the end of the match, and the reserves gathered in a circle, jumping up and down in celebration. It is the first World Cup for Slovakia as an independent nation.

Slovakia finished with a win, a draw and a loss for four points. Italy had two draws and Thursday’s bitter defeat.

Italy also allowed early goals in its 1-1 draws with Paraguay and New Zealand and the Azzurri attack struggled in all three games—save for the final 10 minutes against Slovakia, when the Italians got desperate.

Vittek’s opening goal came on a low shot just beyond the reach of goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, who again replaced the injured Buffon. He then went around Giorgio Chiellini from close range following a corner kick for his second goal.

Di Natale slid in a rebound from Quagliarella’s shot and, with four forwards on, Quagliarella nearly equalized in the 85th, but was ruled offside by the smallest of margins.

Slovakia restored its two-goal lead in the 89th when substitute Kopunek lifted a bouncing ball over Marchetti.

Quagliarella finally found the target in the second minute of added time with a delicate lob.

Still, for 80 minutes Italy’s forwards were unable to find the net, and no forward scored in open play during the Azzurri’s opening two matches.

Midfielder Andrea Pirlo came on in the 56th minute for his first action since injuring his left calf in a friendly against Mexico three weeks ago. The crafty playmaker gave Italy’s sagging attack a much-needed boost, but it was not enough.

The early exit left the soccer-crazed nation in shock and anger.

The online editions of Corriere della Sera, the country’s largest newspaper, said “Azzurri, Farewell to the World Cup.” Repubblica wrote that “it’s worse than with Korea,” recalling the shocking exit at the hands of North Korea in 1966.

Fans who gathered in a Rome park to watch the match on giant screens began leaving as Slovakia’s goals piled up. (yahoo)  http://soccer-xtreme.blogspot.com