One, Two, Three-D

The Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU-R), perhaps best known for its global digital video standard, Rec. 601, today released a report offering a three-phase “roadmap for future 3D TV implementation….”

The first generation, what many already call 3D TV, is called “plano-stereoscopic television” by the report.  It’s not full 3D because “viewers will be able to see depth in the picture, although the view will remain the same when they move their heads (in real life, our view changes when we move our heads).

“The second generation will provide for multiple views, with head movement changing the view, for a viewing experience that more closely mimics real life.

“The third generation will feature systems that record the amplitude, frequency, and phase of light waves, to reproduce almost completely human beings’ natural viewing environment. These kinds of highly advanced systems are technically some 15-20 years away.”

Let’s hear it for 3D3!