[photo-3d] Re: holographic snapshots in Las Vegas?

[Andrew Woods <A.Woods@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sergio Baldissara <winter@xxxxxxxxxx> asked:
> One issue of the holoflash newsletter reported about a hologram instant
> portrait machine from Sony.
> According to the article, such machines already work in some hotels in Las
> Vegas, providing small holographic portraits in about 15 minutes for just
> $15 each.
> I searched for more info, but I found nothing in Sony web sites. The best
> report I found is http://www.holoinfo.com/new%20technology.htm
> Did anybody in this list ever see the "camera" and it's results?

The Sony Metreon in San Francisco has one of these machines
and the cost is only US$5 (+tax).

The camera is a conventional digital (or maybe video) camera (not sure 
of brand or specifications) which is moved from right to left in front
of the subject, taking multiple photographs.  It takes about
5 seconds to move the full arc so you can animate your photograph
slightly by moving while it is taking the photographs.  But be careful
not to move too much otherwise you'll lose the 3D effect.

I guess the machine in the back is where the smarts are - 
combining the multiple photographs into the hologram.

Cheers,
Andrew.