The 3DTV Frame Compatible signal is arranged to ‘look like’ a standard HDTV signal

complete before the end of 2010. The DVB web site can fill you in with all the details (www.dvb.org).

Essentially, the 3DTV Frame Compatible signal is arranged to ‘look like’ a standard HDTV signal, by combining the left and right pictures in one of eight ways (yes, that’s the smallest number we could agree to), but all of which will be probably be handled by 3DTV displays. Signalling for 3DTV subtitles and displayed multimedia is also included. For 3DTV we need to be cleverer when adding subtitles, graphics, or captions. They must not be obscured by objects in the picture, and so information on what depth to place them is needed, or there needs to be a default depth where no information is available.

The DVB system will also be extendible in future. One of the reasons why a next level may be needed is because the Frame Compatible formats do

not allow each image the full ‘spectral occupancy’ (detail) available with normal HDTV. There may be a commercial case for a ‘full detail’ 3D TV, to match the detail available from 3d Blu Ray - though the effect of the loss of detail in the Frame Compatible forms is mitigated by the synergy of the left and right images in the fusing process. The commercial case for a higher level is currently under study.

Going forward with 3DTV

In the next two to three years we will know whether the old adage that ‘some things in life are certain: death, taxes, and meetings’ needs to be enlarged to also include ‘and cycles of boom and bust for 3D’. If we do manage our expectations, I believe we can (at last) stop our epithet after ‘meetings’.

AXON, glue and beyond

Whether you’re looking for ‘glue’ or a lot more, AXON is your partner of choice. Check out our web-site and see the

depth and breadth of our solutions in this demanding area of broadcast interoperability and compliance. www.axon.tv

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EMERGING STANDARDS