Introduction - 3D Video Processing and Transmission - page 1

1 Introduction
Yourgoalsforthis“Introduction”chapteraretolearnabout:
• Recent developments of 3D video.
• Identify the components of 3D video end-to-end chain.
• Major challenges for 3D video application deployment.
• A brief description about contents covered in this topic.
Recent developments in audio/video/multimedia capture, real-time media processing
capabilities, communication technologies (e.g., Long Term Evaluation (LTE)), and display
technologies (e.g., 3D displays) are now facilitating rich multimedia applications beyond
conventional 2D video services. 3D video reproduces real-world sceneries as viewed by
the human eyes. It provides a state of 'being there'or'beingimmersed'feelingtoitsend
users.Moreover,theconsumerswillbemorepleasedwith immersive video than the com-
puter generated 3D graphics. 3D video is described in technical terms as “geometrically
calibratedandtemporallysynchronized(groupof)videodataorimage-basedrendering us-
ing video input data” in [1]. According to [1] another possible definition is image-based
rendering using video input data or video based rendering. The necessary technologies to
realize 3D video services over communication networks are illustrated in Figure 1.1. The
technological advancements in 3D video capture, representation, processing, transmission
and display will enable the availability of more and more immersive video applications to
the consumer market at an affordable cost. This will further improve the comfortness
in 3D viewing and quality of experience in general. Therefore, in the future, 3D media
applications will not be limited to flight simulators, cyberspace applications and IMAX
theatres. 3D video applications will enhance the quality of life in general by capturing
home and office media applications (e.g. video conferencing, video broadcasting, broad-
band video, etc.).
3-D
Scene
Replica
of the