Hasta La Gadget!

This week we got the chance to speak with Gene Dolgoff, known for his invention of the LCD projector, digital projection in general, and his new device that’s up on Fundable right this minute. As he’s more than ready to let you know, he’s also got an incredibly fun fact up his sleeve: he inspired Gene Roddenberry to create the holodeck in Star Trek. It’s from there you’ll find yourself a bit intrigued with the next step in our current abilities to present 3D video and images through our own devices – with help of 3-D Vision technology that Dolgoff presents here and now.

We shot a few pointed questions at Dolgoff before he jumped right in on his Reddit AMA which, we’ll vouch for, is certainly going on today right here: [Ask ]. Have a peek at what we got to know about the project as it’s being developed for the consumer world as we speak.

SlashGear: What’s your ultimate goal with 3-D Vision technology?

Gene Dolgoff: I have been involved in the effort to promote 3-D to the world since the beginning of the 1960s. Now that the world is finally catching up, but is stalled when it comes to consumer 3-D at home (for TVs, computers, projectors, and handheld devices), I want to break that logjam with our revolutionary technology and move the world to the next level so that everyone can view and make 3-D anytime and anywhere they want.

SG: Will the device being released in the Fundable program you’ve got up right now require special eyewear for the user to see 3D? Or will the output completely depend on the device it’s working with?

GD: Our Instant 3-D Converter(TM) is currently designed to use special 3-D glasses. One type is for use with any TV set and the other type is for use with computers and handheld devices. We include one pair of each type of 3-D glasses with the converter (additional glasses will also be sold separately).

SG: What are the limits of the video content 3-D Vision technology can convert successfully?

GD: Our Instant 3-D Converter can convert any video content to 3-D instantly with high quality. Our inputs are composite, component, VGA, and HDMI.

SG: Why did you choose to work with Fundable rather than seeking out funding via traditional means?

GD: We have a business plan and even a draft private placement memorandum and are starting to talk to potential investors. However, that route is typically a slow route, and we want to get this technology out as quickly as possible. Crowd funding potentially provides a faster route for initial funding if your product and company meets the right criteria (which I think ours does).

I had been talking with the founders of fundable.com since before they launched their site. We all felt that, working together, we could be beneficial to each other both in raising some initial capital in a relatively short period of time, and in demonstrating consumer interest, which can be very important in influencing potential conventional investors.

SG: What are your plans for projects beyond this one? Will you continue your work towards a real Star Trek holodeck situation?

GD: We do have other consumer-oriented as well as commercial 3-D products in the pipeline, and will intend to continue to develop them into products and large markets. If we are successful enough to produce the kind of funding needed, we will continue to also pursue the development of holodeck-like products and applications.

Stay tuned as we follow this project through to full funding and beyond! Also be sure to check out the 3-D Vision Fundable project right now and toss in some cash for early access to the device!

3-D Vision CEO Gene Dolgoff speaks on his magical 2D to 3D conversion device is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
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If Spock had eight arms he could have done several jobs on the Enterprise bridge at once instead of just being Science officer. This seems like the next logical step in Vulcan evolution anyway. First you master emotions and the mind, then you grow several more arms so that you can work more efficiently.

This plush was made by Karen at SewMuch2Luv. She combined a cephalopod with Spock for a friend of hers. The result is affectionately known as Spocktopus – which was a logical choice. The other choice would obviously have been a cthulhu Sulu, which would have been alright, but not as neat as this one.

[via Neatorama]

It has been about a year since Hasbro launched its own LEGO-style building sets under the name brand KRE-O. The first of those kits Hasbro offered were Transformers themed. The toy maker is back with a new line of KRE-O building sets that are officially licensed Star Trek kits, based on the J.J. Abrams-helmed Trek movie series.

There will be multiple building sets to be unveiled a preview night starting on July 11 at San Diego Comic-Con 2012. The first of the sets to be unveiled is a U.S.S. Enterprise kit. Some the details on this kit are missing such as exactly how big it is and how many parts it has, but it does look pretty good. The company will also offer special “KREON” figures of Trek characters.

KREON figures are the KRE-O versions of LEGO minifigs. Three of the special figures will include Kirk, Spock, and Bones. There’s no word on when the sets will be available for purchase or how much they will cost.

Check out this 36″ tall plush Spock. It is a highly logical purchase, despite the fact that he looks awkward being so tall and skinny. So what would you do with a 3-foot-tall Vulcan? I have a few ideas.

If you have a large replica of the Enterprise, you could attach 3 wheels underneath and display this guy on it so that he looks like he is riding an Enterprise big wheel. That would be awesome. You could practice ventriloquism and take this guy to various coffee shops until you get banned from all of them.

It doesn’t matter how you use him. Just make him part of your crew. He’s tall and he’s a stuffed Vulcan. What more do you want? He’s only $65(USD) from Bear and Bird.

[via Nerd Approved]