Press Release: 3D TV moves into focus http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2010/_page.

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Press Release: 3D TV moves into focus

3D TV moves into focus

Work underway at ITU sets out roadmap for highly advanced new broadcasting
systems that mimic real-life visual experience
Geneva, 14 January 2010 — Television viewers could soon be enjoying their favourite programmes or feature
films in ‘stereoscopic 3D’, thanks to ground-breaking work being undertaken at ITU.
Study Group 6 of ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) has released a new Report outlining a roadmap for
future 3D TV implementation, which envisages systems so smart they accurately mimic the way our eyes and
brains perceive the visual world.
The new roadmap would see 3D TV technology rolled out in three successive generations (technically known as
profiles).
The first generation — 'plano-stereoscopic television' — calls for two views to be delivered to viewers’ TV sets.
Wearing special glasses similar to those used to watch 3D cinema, viewers will be able to see depth in the picture,
although the view will remain the same when they move their heads (in real life, our view changes when we
move our heads).
The second generation will provide for multiple views, with head movement changing the view, for a viewing
experience that more closely mimics real life.
The third generation will feature systems that record the amplitude, frequency, and phase of light waves, to
reproduce almost completely human beings’ natural viewing environment. These kinds of highly advanced
systems are technically some 15-20 years away.
"This new ITU report establishes a clear framework for the development of new types of systems that will totally
change the way we experience broadcast and multimedia content," said Valery Timofeev, Director of ITU’s
Radiocommunication Bureau. "It maps out an exciting vision that won’t just change the look of entertainment, but
open up a whole range of exciting new possibilities in sectors from education and healthcare to traffic
management."
New 3D TV technologies being developed under the auspices of ITU will also have major implications for the film
and television production sector, as content will need to be filmed using special new equipment in order for
viewers to enjoy the full 3D experience.
Christoph Dosch, Chairman of ITU-R Study Group 6 said: "This is an important step forward on the road to
globally-agreed ITU Recommendations on 3D TV. I’m optimistic that we’ll make further advances at our next
meeting in April 2010."

ITU 3D TV Categorization

Compatibility level Matrix of signal formats for 3D TV

Plano-stereoscopic Multiview profile Object wave profile

st nd
1 generation 3D TV 2 generation 3D TV 3rd generation 3D TV

Level 1 Optimized colour anaglyph

Conventional High Definition
display Compatible (CDC)

Level 2 Frame compatible

Conventional HD Frame Left and Right in same High
Compatible (CFC) Definition frame

Level 3 Frame compatible plus

H.264/MPEG4-AVC resolution
High Definition Frame
(for example, H.264 SVC)
Compatible

Level 4 2D HD + MVC (ie, H.264 MVC) 2D HD + MVC (ie, H.264 MVC)

Conventional High Definition Left and Right formed by Depth, occlusion,
Service Compatible (CSC) matrixing transparency data

This table shows the anticipated development of 3DTV technologies in increasing order of performance and
complexity (indicating the degree of compatibility with conventional 2DTV)

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Press Release: 3D TV moves into focus http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2010/_page.print

Note: The empty boxes are to be filled on the basis of the future work within ITU-R.
SVC: Rec. ITU-T H.264 Scalable Video Coding; MVC: Rec. ITU-T H.264 Multiview Video Coding
For more information contact:

Sarah Parkes Grace De Angelis-Petrin

ITU Media Relations Communications Officer,
Tel: +41 22 730 6039 ITU Radiocommunication Bureau
Mobile: +41 79 599 1439 Tel: +41 22 730 5810
E-mail: pressinfo itu.int E-mail: grace.deangelis-petrin itu.int

About ITU

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