3D TV, already on the broadcast roadmap

International Communication Union (ITU) released a statement outlining a roadmap for future 3D TV implementation, focusing on highly advanced new broadcasting system that mimic real-life visual experience.

“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.

The report, released by Study Group 6 of ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R), includes the technology roadmap which carries on in three successive generations, technically known as profiles. The first, called ‘plano-stereoscopic television’, allows for two views to be delivered to viewers’ TV sets, while users see depth in the picture wearing special glasses, similar to those used in cinemas. However, the view will stay the same when moving their heads.

The second generation will allow multiple views, with head moving changing the view, exactly like in real life, whereas the third will feature systems recording the amplitude, frequency, and phase of light waves, to reproduce almost completely human beings’ natural viewing environment, an event that can be a reality in the ext 15-20 years.

“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”, said Christoph Dosch, Chairman of ITU-R Study Group 6.

Future changes will see a major impact on the film and television production sector and the equipment currently used for filming, told ITU.

“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”, concludes Timofeev.