Towards an optimized 3D broadcast chain

In this paper we will present the concept of a modular three dimensional broadcast chain, that allows for an evolutionary introduction of depth perception into the context of 2D digital TV. The work is performed within the framework of the European Information Society Technologies (IST) project "Advanced Three-dimensional Television System Technologies" (ATTEST), bringing together the expertise of industries, research centers and universities to design a backwards-compatible, flexible and modular broadcast 3D-TV system. This three dimensional broadcast chain includes content creation, coding, transmission and display. Research in human 3D perception will be used to guide the development process. The goals of the project towards the optimized 3D broadcast chain comprise the development of a novel broadcast 3D camera, algorithms to convert existing 2D-video material into 3D, a 2D-compatible coding and transmission scheme for 3D-video using MPEG-2/4/7 technologies and the design of two new autostereoscopic displays