Z Depth is a unique editing application specifically designed for the needs of stereoscopic Blu-ray 3D productions and 3D Digital Cinema projects. Z Depth allows you to edit and record the offset data needed for accurate placement of subtitles and graphics in the 3D scene of your Blu-ray movie or Digital Cinema production. Using the video processing power of Vegas Pro 11 software, you can watch your movie on a 3D monitor and easily place and position subtitle or menu graphics accurately in the 3D space. Z Depth records the offset disparity data for use in a stereoscopic Blu-ray 3D authoring application or by compatible Digital Cinema projection systems.
Import stereoscopic media
To get started, import your stereoscopic media assets to the Vegas Pro timeline. Vegas Pro enables you to work with the origianal stereo source material or encode and work with 3D proxie files. If you have separate files for left and right, Z Depth will automatically combine the left and right streams. Vegas Pro enables you to import video in just about any format. Embedded audio is also imported to the timeline, and additional audio tracks can be added. For a complete list of supported formats see the Vegas Pro Product page.
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 one subtitle track or two in case of overlapping subtitle events. Your subtitle events are automatically imported, scaled, and offset using Vegas Pro 10’s ability to display the content in 3D .3D viewing options include anaglyphic, side by side, line alternate, etc.
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. Learn more about adjusting subtitle depth.
Automated depth analysis of stereoscopic video
Automatically determines the most effective depth value used to assign Z Axis placement for the subtitle or menu graphic event. Depth value analysis can be automated based on time code entries, length of video, or number of graphic events.
3D Digital Cinema Text/Font XML Support
Allows import of the Digital Cinema XML formatthat contains text or font subtitle information. Z Depth automatically produces accurate subtitle event image files from the DC XML for full use by all Z Depth features. After recording of the offset disparity data, a fully compatible DC XML file is exported for use by the DC projection systems.
Preview subtitle depth
Using the various stereoscopic output modes of Vegas Pro 10 you can view your subtitle offset work in 3D.The Vegas Pro timeline output is delivered via HDMI or DVI to your 3D TV, line alternate compatible 3D display or standard LCD.
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.
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
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.
Z Depth system requirements:
- Microsoft® Windows Vista® 32-bit or 64-bit SP2, or Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit (Windows Vista or Windows 7 64-bit recommended)
- Intel Core i7 4- or 8-core processor
- 3GB RAM (4GB recommended)
- 1920x1200 or 1920x1080 LCD monitor
- Graphics card with HDMI or DVI output such as NVIDIA GeForce 200 series or Quadro FX series
- Vegas Pro 11
- PreSonus Faderport (optional)
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