Z Depth

Overview

Z Depth is a unique editing application specifically designed for the needs of stereoscopic 3D Blu-ray productions. Z Depth allows you to edit and record the needed offset metadata file for accurate placement of subtitles and interactive graphic menus in the 3D space of each scene of your Blu-ray movie. Using the video processing power of Vegas Pro 9 software, you can watch your movie on a 3D monitor and easily place and position your subtitles accurately on the perceptual Z axis. While you are placing your subtitles, Z Depth records the offset disparity data for use in a stereoscopic 3D Blu-ray authoring application.

Key Features

Import stereoscopic media

To get started, import your stereoscopic media assets to the Vegas Pro timeline. If you have separate files for left and right, you'll first need to import the two video files, and then side-by-side encode them for 3D. Vegas Pro allows you to import video in just about any format including MPEG-2, MP4 (XDCAM EX), and MXF (XDCAM optical). Embedded audio is also imported to the timeline, and additional audio tracks can be added. Vegas Pro supports WAV, BWF, AIFF, FLAC, OGG, MP3, and many more.

Import subtitles

A single click opens the Z Depth dialog window allowing you to select your BDN Blu-ray subtitle file, an XML document that references specific subtitle graphics and their start and end positions in time. Once your BDN file is imported, Z Depth creates two new video tracks, one for the left eye and one for the right. Your subtitle events are automatically imported to these tracks, scaled, and offset to be composited over both the left eye and right eye images of your stereoscopic source media. Should any subtitles overlap in time, an additional pair of tracks is created giving you individual control over each set of subtitles.

PreSonus FaderPort (included with Z Depth)

No need to click, type, or draw offsets with a mouse. The easy-to-use FaderPort delivers complete transport control for fast and efficient offset recording with an ultra high quality, touch sensitive motorized fader for controlling depth levels on your subtitle tracks.

The touch-sensitive, long throw motorized fader on the FaderPort has the feel needed for recording perfect offset values in real-time. The fader in the FaderPort utilizes a dual servo motorized drive belt system for fast-acting, accurate, and smooth operation. The FaderPort's 100mm long throw fader delivers 1024-step resolution for writing ultra-fine and accurate fades and adjustments.

Adjust subtitle depth

Z Depth gives you a variety of ways to take total control over your subtitle and interactive graphic menu offsets. Use the included PreSonus FaderPort to control depth through tactile response, use the Z Depth Trackbar for quick presets and fader like controls. You can even use your mouse wheel to set depth. Fine tuning can be performed through direct envelope manipulation.

Preview subtitle depth

The Vegas Pro timeline output is delivered via HDMI or DVI to your side-by-side compatible stereoscopic 3D display. With the display in 3D mode, the content is shown in stereoscopic 3D, with subtitles superimposed using their current offset allowing you to preview subtitle depth.

XY positioning of subtitles

In addition to depth, the Z Depth tool gives you full control over the X and Y coordinates of your subtitles. XY positioning puts you in control of where the subtitles appear, allowing you to place a subtitle over any part of the video you choose. Once you're done making your edits, Z Depth enables you to write an updated BDN Blu-ray subtitle file with the new positions.

Write and clone

Once you're satisfied with your subtitle depths, press a button in the Z Depth window to export the offsets stream to a standard Offset Sequence Metadata file. You can even create a clone of your offset data to use in another project – a great way to get started on subtitles in a different language.

Playback options

Playback and preview your media easily using keyboard commands or GUI controls. To select your location simply click or drag to the cursor on the timeline window, or type in absolute or relative timecode values. You can also use buttons in the Z Depth window to jump to the next or previous subtitle event. Step forward or backward frame by frame with the cursor keys, or start Playback by pressing the space bar. Stop playback and return the cursor to your start position by pressing the spacebar again, or pause at the current location by pressing the enter key.

You can even control playback speed using the JKL keys on the keyboard, GUI controls, or jog/shuttle devices – play at less than full speed (e.g., 0.25x, 0.5x) or greater than full speed (e.g., 2x, 4x) both in forward and reverse.

Import offset metadata

Z Depth allows you to import offset metadata from standard OFS files and XML or CSV files containing digital cinema offset data. The imported data is used to populate your Vegas timeline with depth information. This functionality can be used to import subtitle offset metadata from digital cinema masters or to import data from another 3D Blu-ray™ project.

System Requirements

Z Depth system requirements:

    * Microsoft® Windows® XP 32-bit SP2, Windows Vista® 32-bit or 64-bit, or Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit (Windows Vista or Windows 7 64-bit recommended)
    * Intel Core i7 4 or 8 core PC w/ standard LCD monitor
    * 3GB RAM (4GB recommended)
    * Graphics card w/ HDMI or DVI output such as nVidia® GeForce® 200 series or Quadro® FX series
    * Line alternate 3D LCD monitor capable of 1920x1200 or 1920x1080 resolution and micro-polarization
    * Vegas 9.0d (32-bit) or later software
    * PreSonus Faderport (optional)

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