DVB 3D-TV
Encyclopedia
DVB 3D-TV will be a new standard coming partially out at the end of 2010 which will include techniques and procedures to send a three dimensional video
signal through actual DVB transmission standards (Cable
, Terrestrial
or Satellital
). Currently there is a commercial requirement text for 3D TV
broadcasters
and Set-top box
manufacturers, but no technical information is in there.
Nowadays 3D TV
technology is already in its first steps regarding its standardization, now the major 3D market is in theaters and Blu-Ray Disc
players with stereoscopic systems, but in the near future it will be extended to diffusion, and later Free viewpoint television
will come into our homes, which means the need of new coding and transmission standards.
Matrix of signal formats for 3DTV:
, current stereoscopic
systems use a frame-sequential 3D signal. Left and right frames are sent alternately to the display
and by diverse systems like shuttered glasses or polarized glasses are then shown to each eye. This involves that the real frame frequency halves the video frame frequency.
as a single image. This allows to handle video as normal HD video using typical channels and interfaces like HDMI
, which it's possible in this 1.4a version. Frame compatible (CFC) model is also compatible with 2D HD mode in the same channel, adding some signaling for switching from 2D to 3D.
There are basically two ways to do spacial multiplex: Side by side and Top and bottom, but additional spacial multiplex formats have been proposed in order to improve picture quality by providing a better balance between the V and H resolution.
is required which causes halving of horizontal definition. DVB 3D-TV supports following SbS formats:
is required which causes halving of vertical definition. DVB 3D-TV supports following TaB formats:
information to be displayed on a 3D display
:
signal information about the pixel arrangement used to decimate
the master HDTV full samples/line pictures to create the anamorphic
version, if 3D is available. It's interesting to signal also for 3D receivers the 3D events that are available, for which 3D availability should appear on EPG
.
For future service compatible (CSC) 3DTV
, signal that a 3D version of a 2D service or event is being simulcast
, and vice-versa will be needed.
which allows send stereoscopic
3D video without resolution loss due to spacial multiplex, and reducing overhead
of sending 2 HD images up to 50% and in a single video stream. It is used in Blu-Ray
players, but at the moment it's not applicable to broadcast
because of the processing time for encoding, which uses motion compensation algorithms. Nevertheless there have been some experiments with MVC
3D broadcast by Fraunhofer society
over 2nd generation DVB (DVB-T2
and DVB-S2
).
can be reached by capturing multiple views and extracting 2D+depth information from them to create a 3D model of the scene. Currently this system is being investigated, but the coding complexity and great bandwidth requirements make current broadcasting
applications using Multiview Video Coding
impractical, so a totally new compression scheme and capture techniques need to be investigated.
3-D film
A 3-D film or S3D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception...
signal through actual DVB transmission standards (Cable
DVB-C
DVB-C stands for Digital Video Broadcasting - Cable and it is the DVB European consortium standard for the broadcast transmission of digital television over cable...
, Terrestrial
DVB-T
DVB-T is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting — Terrestrial; it is the DVB European-based consortium standard for the broadcast transmission of digital terrestrial television that was first published in 1997 and first broadcast in the UK in 1998...
or Satellital
DVB-S
DVB-S is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting — Satellite; it is the original Digital Video Broadcasting forward error coding and demodulation standard for satellite television and dates from 1994, in its first release, while development lasted from 1993 to 1997...
). Currently there is a commercial requirement text for 3D TV
3D television
A 3D television is a television set that employs techniques of 3D presentation, such as stereoscopic capture, multi-view capture, or 2D-plus-depth, and a 3D display – a special viewing device to project a television program into a realistic three-dimensional field.- History :In the late-1890's,...
broadcasters
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
and Set-top box
Set-top box
A set-top box or set-top unit is an information appliance device that generally contains a tuner and connects to a television set and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen or other display device.-History:Before the...
manufacturers, but no technical information is in there.
Nowadays 3D TV
3D television
A 3D television is a television set that employs techniques of 3D presentation, such as stereoscopic capture, multi-view capture, or 2D-plus-depth, and a 3D display – a special viewing device to project a television program into a realistic three-dimensional field.- History :In the late-1890's,...
technology is already in its first steps regarding its standardization, now the major 3D market is in theaters and Blu-Ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
players with stereoscopic systems, but in the near future it will be extended to diffusion, and later Free viewpoint television
Free viewpoint television
Free viewpoint television is a system for viewing natural video, allowing the user to interactively control the viewpoint and generate new views of a dynamic scene from any 3D position....
will come into our homes, which means the need of new coding and transmission standards.
Implantation
The implantation of first generation of DVB 3D-TV will be staggered:- Phase 1: the first standard will have forward compatibilityForward compatibilityForward compatibility or upward compatibility is a compatibility concept for systems design, as e.g. backward compatibility. Forward compatibility aims at the ability of a design to gracefully accept input intended for later versions of itself...
with actual HD systemsHigh-definition televisionHigh-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
with just some firmwareFirmwareIn electronic systems and computing, firmware is a term often used to denote the fixed, usually rather small, programs and/or data structures that internally control various electronic devices...
actualization at HD systemsHigh-definition televisionHigh-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
set-top boxesSTBSTB is an acronym that can mean:* Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus – Bachelor of Sacred Theology* Set-top box – a television device that converts signals to viewable images* Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP -- a law firm...
and, of course, the need for 3D panels; however signaling or distribution formats should not prevent future expansion to support new 3D encoding formats. This system only works with stereoscopicStereoscopyStereoscopy refers to a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by presenting two offset images separately to the left and right eye of the viewer. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3-D depth...
Frame sequential 3D systems. Requirements for this system, which is called Frame compatible format, are included in the commercial requirements of DVB. Some broadcastersBroadcastingBroadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
like Sky3D or Canal+3D are already using this technology, which is largely thought for PayTV.
- Phase 2: the use of new broadcastingBroadcastingBroadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
requirements for specific 3D streams won't be compatible with actual 3D STBSet-top boxA set-top box or set-top unit is an information appliance device that generally contains a tuner and connects to a television set and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen or other display device.-History:Before the...
, but it would be service compatible with 2D STBSet-top boxA set-top box or set-top unit is an information appliance device that generally contains a tuner and connects to a television set and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen or other display device.-History:Before the...
if no specific 3D STBSet-top boxA set-top box or set-top unit is an information appliance device that generally contains a tuner and connects to a television set and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen or other display device.-History:Before the...
is available by using Scalable Video CodingScalable Video CodingScalable Video Coding is the name for the Annex G extension of the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video compression standard. SVC standardizes the encoding of a high-quality video bitstream that also contains one or more subset bitstreams. A subset video bitstream is derived by dropping packets from the...
and Multiview Video CodingMultiview Video CodingMultiview Video Coding is an amendment to H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video compression standard developed with joint efforts by MPEG/VCEG that enables efficient encoding of sequences captured simultaneously from multiple cameras using a single video stream....
techniques, i.e. not having to simulcastSimulcastSimulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
2D and 3D and occupying only one channel by using a unique video stream with a normal 2D base stream and an adjustable 3D depth layer. This system is called service compatible and is designed for Free-to-airFree-to-airFree-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
group of broadcastersBroadcastingBroadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
.
3DTV signals
| Compatibility level | 1st generation 3DTV | 2nd generation 3DTV | 3rd generation 3DTV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 4: HD service compatible (CSC) |
2D HD High-definition television High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD... + MVC Multiview Video Coding Multiview Video Coding is an amendment to H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video compression standard developed with joint efforts by MPEG/VCEG that enables efficient encoding of sequences captured simultaneously from multiple cameras using a single video stream.... (L,R formed by matrixing: depth info) |
2D HD High-definition television High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD... + MVC Multiview Video Coding Multiview Video Coding is an amendment to H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video compression standard developed with joint efforts by MPEG/VCEG that enables efficient encoding of sequences captured simultaneously from multiple cameras using a single video stream.... (Depth, occlusion and transparency data) |
|
| Level 3: HD Frame compatible compatible (FCC) |
Frame compatible + MPEG Moving Picture Experts Group The Moving Picture Experts Group is a working group of experts that was formed by ISO and IEC to set standards for audio and video compression and transmission. It was established in 1988 by the initiative of Hiroshi Yasuda and Leonardo Chiariglione, who has been from the beginning the Chairman... resolution extension (ex. SVC Scalable Video Coding Scalable Video Coding is the name for the Annex G extension of the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video compression standard. SVC standardizes the encoding of a high-quality video bitstream that also contains one or more subset bitstreams. A subset video bitstream is derived by dropping packets from the... ) |
||
| Level 2: Conventional HD Frame compatible (CFC) |
L and R in same HD frame | ||
| Level 1: Conventional HD display compatible (CDC) |
Color anaglyph Anaglyph image Anaglyph images are used to provide a stereoscopic 3D effect, when viewed with glasses where the two lenses are different colors, such as red and cyan. Images are made up of two color layers, superimposed, but offset with respect to each other to produce a depth effect... |
Frame sequential
Regarding how a signal once it's decoded is sent to the display3D display
A 3D display is any display device capable of conveying a stereoscopic perception of 3-D depth to the viewer. The basic requirement is to present offset images that are displayed separately to the left and right eye. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the...
, current stereoscopic
Stereoscopy
Stereoscopy refers to a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by presenting two offset images separately to the left and right eye of the viewer. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3-D depth...
systems use a frame-sequential 3D signal. Left and right frames are sent alternately to the display
3D display
A 3D display is any display device capable of conveying a stereoscopic perception of 3-D depth to the viewer. The basic requirement is to present offset images that are displayed separately to the left and right eye. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the...
and by diverse systems like shuttered glasses or polarized glasses are then shown to each eye. This involves that the real frame frequency halves the video frame frequency.
Frame compatible
In Phase 1 system, only frame-sequential 3D is allowed, using frame compatible (CFC) format. This is made by a spacial multiplex that compands the left and right video sequences in one HD stream which is coded with H.264H.264/MPEG-4 AVC
H.264/MPEG-4 Part 10 or AVC is a standard for video compression, and is currently one of the most commonly used formats for the recording, compression, and distribution of high definition video...
as a single image. This allows to handle video as normal HD video using typical channels and interfaces like HDMI
HDMI
HDMI is a compact audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It is a digital alternative to consumer analog standards, such as radio frequency coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video, D-Terminal, or VGA...
, which it's possible in this 1.4a version. Frame compatible (CFC) model is also compatible with 2D HD mode in the same channel, adding some signaling for switching from 2D to 3D.
There are basically two ways to do spacial multiplex: Side by side and Top and bottom, but additional spacial multiplex formats have been proposed in order to improve picture quality by providing a better balance between the V and H resolution.
Side by side
Side by side (SbS) format just put the left and right images one next to the other in a HD image. Because of this, an horizontal decimateDecimation (signal processing)
In digital signal processing, decimation is a technique for reducing the number of samples in a discrete-time signal. The element which implements this technique is referred to as a decimator.Decimation is a two-step process:...
is required which causes halving of horizontal definition. DVB 3D-TV supports following SbS formats:
- 1080i @ 50Hz Side-by-Side
- 720p @ 50Hz Side-by-Side
- 720p @ 59.94 / 60 Hz Side-by-Side
- 1080p @ 23.97 / 24 Hz Side-by-Side
- 1080i @ 59.94 / 60 Hz Side-by-Side
Top and bottom
Top and Bottom (TaB) format put left and right images one above the other in a HD image. In this case, vertical decimateDecimation (signal processing)
In digital signal processing, decimation is a technique for reducing the number of samples in a discrete-time signal. The element which implements this technique is referred to as a decimator.Decimation is a two-step process:...
is required which causes halving of vertical definition. DVB 3D-TV supports following TaB formats:
- 1080p @ 23.97 / 24 Hz Top-and-Bottom
- 720p @ 59.94 / 60 Hz Top-and-Bottom
- Not every spacial multiplex format is frame compatible with actual systems. Following formats are non frame compatible:
- 720p @ 50 /60 Hz
- 1080p @ 24 Hz
Graphics and text
There are basically two types of text displayed on screen that need additional broadcastingBroadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
information to be displayed on a 3D display
3D display
A 3D display is any display device capable of conveying a stereoscopic perception of 3-D depth to the viewer. The basic requirement is to present offset images that are displayed separately to the left and right eye. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the...
:
- Subtitling: (or captionsClosed captioningClosed captioning is the process of displaying text on a television, video screen or other visual display to provide additional or interpretive information to individuals who wish to access it...
) are text and visual elements that can be overlaid on the picture. The reconstruction of the composite image which includes the captions needs to be done in the STBSet-top boxA set-top box or set-top unit is an information appliance device that generally contains a tuner and connects to a television set and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen or other display device.-History:Before the...
. Using standards for sub-titlingSubtitle (captioning)Subtitles are textual versions of the dialog in films and television programs, usually displayed at the bottom of the screen. They can either be a form of written translation of a dialog in a foreign language, or a written rendering of the dialog in the same language, with or without added...
already available for DVB broadcastBroadcastingBroadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
systems, in addition to depth information provided by the broadcastersBroadcastingBroadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
, the STBSet-top boxA set-top box or set-top unit is an information appliance device that generally contains a tuner and connects to a television set and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen or other display device.-History:Before the...
should position correctly the captionsClosed captioningClosed captioning is the process of displaying text on a television, video screen or other visual display to provide additional or interpretive information to individuals who wish to access it...
into the L and R pictures mixed with the original 3D image. The DVB 3D-TV subtitling solution will use existing DVB subtitling implementations and will be backward compatibleBackward compatibilityIn the context of telecommunications and computing, a device or technology is said to be backward or downward compatible if it can work with input generated by an older device...
with 2D streams.
- Service guide: the STBSet-top boxA set-top box or set-top unit is an information appliance device that generally contains a tuner and connects to a television set and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen or other display device.-History:Before the...
generates multimedia content such as EPGElectronic program guideElectronic program guides and interactive program guides provide users of television, radio, and other media applications with continuously updated menus displaying broadcast programming or scheduling information for current and upcoming programming...
for his service guide, which combines the use of data preloaded into the receiver with data provided by the broadcasterBroadcastingBroadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
, in the form of service information. Depth information will be extracted of the captionsClosed captioningClosed captioning is the process of displaying text on a television, video screen or other visual display to provide additional or interpretive information to individuals who wish to access it...
, displaying the graphics in the same depth.
Signaling
The main function of signaling for frame compatible 3DTV is to signal the presence of a 3D or 2D video stream. It must be also possible to include in the broadcastBroadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
signal information about the pixel arrangement used to decimate
Decimation (signal processing)
In digital signal processing, decimation is a technique for reducing the number of samples in a discrete-time signal. The element which implements this technique is referred to as a decimator.Decimation is a two-step process:...
the master HDTV full samples/line pictures to create the anamorphic
Anamorphic format
Anamorphic format is a term that can be used either for: the cinematography technique of capturing a widescreen picture on standard 35 mm film, or other visual recording media, with a non-widescreen native aspect ratio; or a photographic projection format in which the original image requires an...
version, if 3D is available. It's interesting to signal also for 3D receivers the 3D events that are available, for which 3D availability should appear on EPG
Electronic program guide
Electronic program guides and interactive program guides provide users of television, radio, and other media applications with continuously updated menus displaying broadcast programming or scheduling information for current and upcoming programming...
.
For future service compatible (CSC) 3DTV
3D television
A 3D television is a television set that employs techniques of 3D presentation, such as stereoscopic capture, multi-view capture, or 2D-plus-depth, and a 3D display – a special viewing device to project a television program into a realistic three-dimensional field.- History :In the late-1890's,...
, signal that a 3D version of a 2D service or event is being simulcast
Simulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
, and vice-versa will be needed.
Multiview
Multiview video coding is a compression standard appended from H.264/MPEG-4 AVCH.264/MPEG-4 AVC
H.264/MPEG-4 Part 10 or AVC is a standard for video compression, and is currently one of the most commonly used formats for the recording, compression, and distribution of high definition video...
which allows send stereoscopic
Stereoscopy
Stereoscopy refers to a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by presenting two offset images separately to the left and right eye of the viewer. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3-D depth...
3D video without resolution loss due to spacial multiplex, and reducing overhead
Overhead information
Overhead information is digital information transferred across the functional interface between a user and a telecommunications system, or between functional units within a telecommunications system, for the purpose of directing or controlling the transfer of user information or the detection and...
of sending 2 HD images up to 50% and in a single video stream. It is used in Blu-Ray
Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
players, but at the moment it's not applicable to broadcast
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
because of the processing time for encoding, which uses motion compensation algorithms. Nevertheless there have been some experiments with MVC
Multiview Video Coding
Multiview Video Coding is an amendment to H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video compression standard developed with joint efforts by MPEG/VCEG that enables efficient encoding of sequences captured simultaneously from multiple cameras using a single video stream....
3D broadcast by Fraunhofer society
Fraunhofer Society
The Fraunhofer Society is a German research organization with 60 institutes spread throughout Germany, each focusing on different fields of applied science . It employs around 18,000, mainly scientists and engineers, with an annual research budget of about €1.65 billion...
over 2nd generation DVB (DVB-T2
DVB-T2
DVB-T2 is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting – Second Generation Terrestrial; it is the extension of the television standard DVB-T, issued by the consortium DVB, devised for the broadcast transmission of digital terrestrial television....
and DVB-S2
DVB-S2
Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite - Second Generation is a digital television broadcast standard that has been designed as a successor for the popular DVB-S system. It was developed in 2003 by the , an international industry consortium, and ratified by ETSI in March 2005...
).
Free viewpoint
Total Free viewpoint televisionFree viewpoint television
Free viewpoint television is a system for viewing natural video, allowing the user to interactively control the viewpoint and generate new views of a dynamic scene from any 3D position....
can be reached by capturing multiple views and extracting 2D+depth information from them to create a 3D model of the scene. Currently this system is being investigated, but the coding complexity and great bandwidth requirements make current broadcasting
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
applications using Multiview Video Coding
Multiview Video Coding
Multiview Video Coding is an amendment to H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video compression standard developed with joint efforts by MPEG/VCEG that enables efficient encoding of sequences captured simultaneously from multiple cameras using a single video stream....
impractical, so a totally new compression scheme and capture techniques need to be investigated.
See also
- 3D Television3D televisionA 3D television is a television set that employs techniques of 3D presentation, such as stereoscopic capture, multi-view capture, or 2D-plus-depth, and a 3D display – a special viewing device to project a television program into a realistic three-dimensional field.- History :In the late-1890's,...
- DVB
- 3D display3D displayA 3D display is any display device capable of conveying a stereoscopic perception of 3-D depth to the viewer. The basic requirement is to present offset images that are displayed separately to the left and right eye. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the...
- 3-D film3-D filmA 3-D film or S3D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception...
- Digital 3DDigital 3DDigital 3D is a non-specific 3D standard in which films, television shows, and video games are presented and shot in digital 3D technology or later processed in digital post-production to add a 3D effect....
- Stereoscopic Video CodingStereoscopic Video Coding-3D Video Coding:3D Video Coding is one of the stages required for the deployment of stereoscopic content in the home. There are three techniques which are used to achieve stereoscopic video:# Color shifting...
- 3D Blu-ray Disc
- EPGElectronic program guideElectronic program guides and interactive program guides provide users of television, radio, and other media applications with continuously updated menus displaying broadcast programming or scheduling information for current and upcoming programming...
- Free viewpoint televisionFree viewpoint televisionFree viewpoint television is a system for viewing natural video, allowing the user to interactively control the viewpoint and generate new views of a dynamic scene from any 3D position....
- Multiview Video CodingMultiview Video CodingMultiview Video Coding is an amendment to H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video compression standard developed with joint efforts by MPEG/VCEG that enables efficient encoding of sequences captured simultaneously from multiple cameras using a single video stream....