3D Video: From Capture to Diffusion

Chapter 14

HD 3DTV and Autostereoscopy

The ultimate display would, of course, be a room within which the computer can control the existence of matter.

Ivan SUTHERLAND, 1965

14.1. Introduction

The difference between 3D and 2D displays is not always clearly defined, in spite of the seemingly clear 2D/3D dichotomy. With the notable exception of volumetric devices, most of the so-called 3D displays currently available are, in fact, simple 2D displays. The images projected onto these displays may be assimilated to 2D surfaces, using psychovisual cues to create an illusion of depth and increase its perception. With these limitations in mind, we may define 3D displays as devices able to reproduce dynamic depth signals on the basis of psychological (motion parallax and kinetic depth) and/or physiological cues (stereoscopy, accommodation and convergence).

A broad range of technologies currently allow 3D display [HOL 11, LUE 11, MAT 04]. In this chapter, we will only consider those based on apparent depth with the objective of separating information destined for the right and left eyes using the same surface (the screen). The methods used to guide optical beams exiting the screen have permitted the development of a number of different 3D display models, which are generally classified as stereoscopic or autostereoscopic.

A classification of these methods is shown in Figure 14.1. The proposed taxonomy consists of arranging these methods so that the number of views transmitted by each type ...