Introduction - 3DTV: Processing and Transmission of 3D Video Signals - page 4

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Introduction

Recent years have seen a reawakening of interest in 3-dimensional (3D)
visual technology. 3D, in the form of stereoscopy, has been with us since
1838, when it was first described by Sir Charles Wheatstone. Since then there
have been a number of periods when interest in 3D technology has surged
and then faded away again. Each resurgence in interest can largely be put
down to the development of new technologies, or new marketing initiatives.
The constant reawakening of interest also demonstrates the strong desire of
the public for immersive 3D experiences. The fading away of interest can
largely be put down to the disappointing nature of previous generations of
3D technology.
We are currently at the beginning of another resurgence in interest in
3D, which is likely to be durable. There are a number of reasons why this
should be:

• affordable, aesthetically pleasing, 3D displays, which are as capable of

displaying high quality 2D colour video, as they are of showing high
quality 3D video;

• digital video production techniques to allow correction and optimization

of captured 3D video during post-production;

• new developments in the understanding of 3D perception, which enable

the production of content which is more comfortable to the eye;

• new formats and standards for the compression of 3D video in digital

formats, enabling high quality 3DTV services to become a reality.

This topic aims to provide the reader with an overview of the key technologies
behind the current generation of 3D technologies, and also to provide a guide
to where the technology will head next. It covers the full chain, from capture
of 3D video, to display. In between, it examines issues such as 3D video