Capture and Processing - 3DTV: Processing and Transmission of 3D Video Signals - page 41

This means that, in addition to having high quality cameras, it is important to
have a high degree of manual control over the camera settings. This enables
fine adjustment during equipment set-up, to produce the closest possible
matches between captured viewpoints.

2.2.1.2 Time-of-Flight Cameras

Time-of-Flight (ToF) cameras are special types of sensors, which aim to
capture three-dimensional images at high frame rates. The acquired images
comprise per-pixel depth intensity values. They are advantageous in the
field of 3D video research, due to their compact size (no need for additional
mobile parts) and light-weight structure. This has been made possible by the
rapid advances in the field of micro-optics and micro-technologies in general.
Figure 2.2 presents sample shots from some of the Time-of-Flight cameras
on the market. The acquired intensity images resolutions are depicted next
to each camera. In the scope of 3D video capturing and 3DTV systems, they
are used along with a series of 2D cameras, as described previously, in order
to capture the depth maps and generate the colour-plus-depth format for
encoding. Nevertheless, the current level of technology still imposes some
limitations on the capability of depth map acquisition:

• Limitation on the resolution of the captured range images - Current Time-

of-Flight cameras on the market can provide relatively lower resolution

Mesa Imaging AG, SR3000
(QCIF - 176 × 144)

Mesa Imaging AG, SR4000
(QCIF - 176 × 144)

PMD Technologies, 19k
(160 × 120)

PMD Technologies, CamCube3.0
(200 × 200)

Figure 2.2 Sample Time-of-Flight camera products that are currently on the

market