(openPR) - At IBC 2009 in Amsterdam, the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute in Berlin presents a technology for the conversion of stereo-quality film material for auto-stereoscopic 3D displays.

At IBC 2009 in Amsterdam, the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute in Berlin presents a technology that prepares conventional stereo film material – of the kind now used in 3D cinemas – for auto-stereoscopic 3D displays. This means that such films can be viewed on auto-stereoscopic displays in 3D without any need for special glasses. To make this possible, scientists at HHI have developed a special algorithm used to automatically generate the extra perspectives needed for 3D viewing. See the live demonstrations at IBC 2009, Hall 8, Booth C81.

The prospect of viewing 3D video content on auto-stereoscopic displays in the home or on mobile end devices places providers of 3D video content before new challenges. Unlike traditional stereo or 3D cinema which relies on special glasses to create the 3D effect, the basic parameters of 3D recordings for auto-stereoscopic displays like the viewing distance or screen size can vary considerably. To adapt conventional stereo film material to the special requirements of auto-stereoscopic 3D displays so that it can be viewed on them, film content must first be converted to a suitable format.

Scientists at the Image Processing department of the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute have developed a depth-based production format in which special algorithms attach a pixel exact depth map to each stereo image. Depth image-based rendering (DIBR) techniques are then used to generate the missing perspectives. In the simplest cases, the additional depth is automatically generated, while in more difficult situations it can be helpful to support the automated process through suitable adaptation of the parameters or to manually rectify particularly critical spots.

This generic depth-based production format enables adaptation to every kind of 3D display. The specific type of display defines the number of virtual perspectives which are then generated via DIBR.

Contact
Ralf Tanger
Tel +49 0(3)0 31002-224
eMail ralf.tanger@hhi.fraunhofer.de

Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institut

World leaders in the development of mobile and fixed communication networks and their key applications

Founded in 1928, over the course of its more than 80 year history the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institut,
has developed into one of the world’s leading research institutes for the development of mobile and fixed communication networks and
the key technologies that drive them. Today’s R&D focus is on electronic imaging and interactive media, communication networks and photonic components.

In 2008 the Institute had an operating budget of approx. 25 million Euro. The ratio of third party funding lay at 76 percent of which 42 came from industry, 31 percent from contract research for the Federal Government and individual State Governments and 22 percent from funding by the European Union. At
the beginning of 2009 the Institute had a staff of some 250 employees and some 80 students.

Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute
Einsteinufer 37, 10587 Berlin
www.hhi.fraunhofer.de

Corporate Communications - Dr. Gudrun Quandel

phone +49 (0)30 31002 400
mobile +49 (0)171 1995334
fax +49 (0)30 31002 558
gudrun.quandel@hhi.fraunhofer.de