Las Vegas 3D and other Western News

[PHOTO3DGUY@xxxxxxx]

I've returned from Las Vegas trip and did not win the $6million at the Luxor.
 Alas. 
But did find the following items in 3D: 

1) CinemaRide (tm) features the world's first all 3-D Motion Simulator Rides:
 There are four different rides.  Galactic Flight (computer generated) ,
Atlantis Submarine Race (computer generated) , Coaster Crazy (real video) and
Haunted Graveyard.   CinemaRide is a Los Angeles CA company and is listed on
the New York Stock Exchange.  $6 per ride of multi ride discounts.  Rides
last about 6 minutes and seat 15 people per pod.  They have two pods.  They
utilize two Red,Green, Blue projection TV's with polarizers and a silver
reflection screen.  Screen motion is synchronized with pod motion and stereo
surround sound.   Since everyone has different opinions on everything I shall
not Review the ride other than to say, I enjoyed it and it has potential.
 Their gift shop is EXTREMELY lacking.  Anybody out there who wants to push
3D product, contact their gift shop immediately.   

2) Secrets of the Luxor Pyramid had a short 5 min segment of 3D they call " a
stunning 3-D vision of a solar eclipse over Egypt.   Well it is misnamed and
has nothing really to do with a real solar eclipse, but does have some
extemely well executed 3-D computer generated graphics, especially the "water
people" and the DNA spiral.  About a 30 foot screen I imagine.  Nothing as
awe inspiring as the wide screen slide show that was put on at Atlanta's NSA
3-D conference.  But moving 3-D pictures are what sell I guess. 

3) The Extravanga stage show "EFX"  pronounced "effects" at the MGM - Grand
Hotel ($70 per person, gag) is a $30 million production.  They seat 1500 per
show, two shows a night 6 days a week.  EVERYBODY gets paper/plastic 3-D
glasses for the L A R G E screen 3-D segment.  The theatre is so large the
image is a bit dim.  I thought the "frayed" edges made it seem particularly
real.  To the best of my guesstimation it is rear projection on gauze screen.
 The screen was 70 people wide which would make it about 150 feet wide I
guess.  It's big anyway.   The 3D Time Goggles come from Rainbow Symphony,
Inc. in Reseda CA.  ;  3D  CGI by Rhythm & Hues  (I guess CGI means Computer
Graphics Images????)  Pure Light Live Action for 3D Film by Chandler Group
and Film Projection Equipment by Iwerks Entertainment.    Imagine 18,000
pairs of 3D goggles a week!!!!   That's a lot of goggles and lots of people
seeing 3D, many for perhaps the first time.  

But the BIG news is the opening of the Edwards  3D IMAX in Orange County CA
on Friday  March 15.   Their ad says "Gives 'in your face' new meaning".
 Located at the Spectrum theatre in Irvine where I-5 and I-405 meet (715)
450-4900.   Accessible by Amtrak + cab (although it may be close enough to
Irvine Amtrak station walk (20-30min)



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