Introduction - 3DTV: Processing and Transmission of 3D Video Signals - page 5

compression, assessment of 3D video quality, and transmission of the video
over a variety of networks.
In this chapter, Section 1.1 describes the history of 3D video, highlighting
the key developments since the nineteenth century. Section 1.2 describes the
most common digital 3D video formats currently in use. The motivation
for the topic, and for the reintroduction of 3D video in general, is outlined
in Section 1.4. The most common application scenarios for 3D video are
discussed in Section 1.3. Finally, Section 1.5 gives an overview of each of the
topic chapters.

1.1 History of 3D Video

Before examining the current state-of-the-art in 3D visual related technology,
it is instructive to examine the way in which 3D technology has developed,
and the reasons for previous failures. In this way it is possible to assess the
durability of the current 3D boom, and to consider which of the remaining
challenges are the most important to solve.
Figure 1.1 gives a summary of some of the most important milestones over
the past 150 years. One aspect that may surprise some readers is the length
of the timeline. Many key developments took place either in the nineteenth
century or the early twentieth century. 3D was most popular during the
1950s and 1980s, but each 3D boom faded within a few years. The following
subsections describe the key technological developments and discuss the
reasons for the promotion and subsequent failure of 3D movie technology.
Finally, the latest resurgence in popularity in 3D is examined. It is important
to note that it is only relatively recently that 3D displays for the home have
been available at an affordable price.

1838: Wheatstone describes
stereoscopy
1850: Wheatstone improves his
stereoscope
1858: Anaglyph images projection
1890: Stereoscopic film cameras
patented

1915: First test screenings of
anaglyph stereo content
1922: Teleview shutter glass
stereoscopic cinema system first
demonstrated
1928: John Logie Baird
demonstrates stereoscopic
television transmissions
1930: Multi-view camera capture
proposed for auto-stereoscopic
display
1936: Polarized stereoscopic display
of images
1948: Stereoscopic content from a
single projector
1952-1953: 3D movie 'golden
period'
1949: Method for capturing
stereoscopic content using a single
camera (single strip format)
1980-1985: 1980s 3D revival; use of
single strip format
1986: First IMAX 3D system

2005: First digital 3D installation in a
commercial theatre (Mann's
Chinese 6 theatre in Hollywood)
2008: three 3D movies released
2009: Release of Avatar , most
successful 3D movie yet
2010: 3DTV sets available from most
major consumer electronics
manufacturers
2010: British Sky Broadcasting begin
transmission of a 3DTV channel
2010: 25 3D movies released

Figure 1.1 Key developments in the history of 3D video