A New SuperHero Arrives

3D has an enthusiastic following. There are several major segments to the audience. Children’s films, animation enthusiasts, sports enthusiasts especially extreme sports. A new phenomenon is the GoPro video enthusiast which is turning amateurs into photographers and videographers. GoPro Hero cameras have revolutionized the industry as was illustrated in the recent story about Nick Woodman on 60 minutes. The company grew from the desire of Nick Woodman to be able to capture quality images of himself surfing. So in 2004, with money from bead and shell belts out of his VW van, Woodman debuted a 35mm film version.   Digital evolution was in full swing and in 2005, the Digital Hero was born. Fast forward to 2012 when Foxconn invested $200 million into the company.

By 2013 when the “Mad Billionaire”, as he is described in the Forbes article chronicling his rise to dominance, GoPro was the undisputed leader in point-of-view-cameras in the marketplace.That dominance is reflected in 2.3 million cameras sold in 2012, grossing $521 million.

A huge segment of these enthusiast want to present their experiences in the most reality-based format that they can,which today is 3D.  The problem, affordable high quality 3D is simply not available. There are consumer recorders that squash the image into one HD frame and others that use frame packing but none of them offer the fast frame rate required for capturing extreme sports.

 

Enter the SuperHero 3D System.

For as low as $99, plus the cost of shipping and two Hero3 cameras ( a total of approximately $500), these die-hard zealots cannot only put up YouTube videos in 3D and 2D but put them all in high definition quality. This is a very exciting development for 3D lovers everywhere.

The main ingredients in this package is a rig that holds two GoPro Hero3 cameras. We spoke to Al Caudullo, the creator of the SuperHero 3D System. Caudullo, a.k.a the 3DGuy, (the name of his web site, 3DGuy.tv) is a 3D Filmmaker, 3D Tech Journalist and frequent speaker about 3D at conferences around the world. We asked to tell us how he accomplished this creation. “I was inspired by Ken Burgess of Cycloptical3D, who makes a line of 3D printed accessories for 3D cameras. When I met with him at NAB (National Association of Broadcasters Show) in Las Vegas, I realized that this was something that I could do. My mind was made up for certain when I visited the GoPro booth where they were showing Hero3 footage shot in 3D at 2.7K/30p. When I asked GoPro they said the 3D kit was coming but no one would say when.

With my engineering background and years of “thinking outside the box” I let my imagination lead the way. From, literally, sketches on napkins, to CAD images to putting together my own 3D printer, I would design, print, test, change and print again. I repeated the cycle over and over again until I was satisfied with the results.

At the same time I had to overcome the problem of not having a dedicated 3D cable design by GoPro. They had made one for the Hero2 but not for the Hero3. I tried using the new WiFi remote but the results were, as they say, “close but no cigar”.

GoPro loyalists are a very DIY bunch. By trawling the various GoPro forums, I was able to find a great deal of info. Big thanks to Rambo and all the GoPro loyalists at http://goprouser.freeforums.org for info and inspiration.

With all that in hand I created a trigger cable that would automatically start both cameras. Next, I modified some testing script that would be added to the “root” directory of both cameras. Armed with the trigger cable, software and rig and a copious amount of testing and tweaking, I finally came up with a Fixed Interaxial (the space between the lens which determines the 3D-ness of a scene) and an Adjustable Interaxial (for the more pro minded 3D user) system that gives fantastic 3D with professional grade sync between the cameras.

In addition, I designed a dual LCD Holder (which works with the GoPro LCD Touch Bac) and pass-thru cables so that you can easily frame and watch while recording. I also designed Custom Handles that can be used facing up or flipped down depending upon what you are shooting. Shortly, I will be offering a battery replacement system that will both eliminate the need for the GoPro Batteries, which can run out quickly when shooting with the LCDs.

Here is a link to a video that I did at the Ghost Festival in Northern Thailand near the Laos border.: http://youtu.be/oQI7-B68hzo

Shooting at 1080/60p I shot in Surin Thailand at the Elephant Round Up, a festival where 240 elephants participated. A short clip from that video showing the mind blowing ability of the Hero3 to give perfect 3D in slow-motion: http://youtu.be/gc5wgmvb1wo

I will have both 720/120p and even 4K time-lapse style footage going up in the coming days at my YouTube site.

Caudullo’s 3D content has been sold around the world. Talking about why he is bullish on the GoPro Hero, Caudullo told us, “the quality of the GoPro Hero matches many pro cameras, with it’s size, it makes an amazing tool in the field of documentary films.”

“For consumers, this makes shooting 3D affordable and easy, the Fixed IA SuperHero is just point-and-shoot.”

“With 3D printing, I was able to design and build the system without have to invest huge sums of money. If it weren’t for 3D printers, there is no way that I could have done this. It made it affordable and practical.”

Includes Fixed IA Rig and Trigger cable

Software is supplied at no charge*

 Price $125

Includes Fixed IA Rig and Trigger/LCD cable and LCD Holder

Software is supplied at no charge*

Price $255

When asked about what’s next, Caudullo replied,” After I get through this holiday rush, I have several ideas on the drawing board. For pro users, I am working on a professional Beam-Splitter Style Rig, like those used in the blockbuster 3D films in the cinemas. But I also have a few more devices squarely aimed at the consumer to help them make great 3D. A company has approached me about producing a Quadcopter Drone to go along with my SuperHero 3D System. I am very interested in that. Lastly, I have been asked about selling my 3D printer, which I am definitely going to do. 3D printing is moving mainstream and soon Smartphones will have an app that will let you send commands to your 3D printer to produce items where ever you are and they will be ready when you get home.”