Summary

Summary of the ATTEST project:

^{The ATTEST project will design an open, flexible and modular 3D-TV system, wich can be used in a broadcast environment. It will be based on the concept of 2D video and synchronised depth information, assuring full compatibillity with digital 2D-TV available today.} 

The objectives

^{Already in 1920, TV pioneers dreamed on developing high-definition 3D colour TV, as only such would provide the most natural viewing experience. Today, the hurdle of 3D-TV still remains to be taken.}

^{At ATTEST we believe that 3D-TV can only be brought successfully to the market if all parts of the video chain (content generation, coding, transmission and display) are optimised to one another and are available simultaneously. Also, it has to be compatible with the 2D-TV available today as in the introduction period, 2D and 3D-TV will co-exist. Finally, it should be adaptable to a wide range of 2D and 3D displays.}

^{The ATTEST project will design an open, flexible and modular 3D-TV system, which can be used in a broadcast environment. It will be based on the concept of 2D video and synchronised depth information, assuring full compatibility with digital 2D-TV available today. Finally, as consumer acceptance will ultimately decide on its commercial success, requirements for optimal 3D enjoyment will be assessed through human perception studies.}

The work plan

^{In ATTEST we will optimise every part of the video chain:}

^{The need for the 3D video content will be satisfied in two different ways: 1) a range camera will be converted into a broadcast 3D camera, which requires a redesign of the camera optics and electronics to deliver a full resolution 3D camera, higher depth and pixel resolution; 2) as the need for 3D content can only partially be satisfied by newly recorded material, we will also develop algorithms to convert existing 2D video material into 3D. Both offline (content provider) and online (set-top-box) conversion tools will be provided.}

^{In the introduction period, 2D and 3D-TV sets will co-exist. ATTEST will, therefore, develop coding schemes within the current MPEG-2 broadcast standards that allow transmission of depth information in an enhancement layer, while providing full compatibility with existing 2D decoders. First, perceptual quality will be assessed through a software prototype, later a hardware real-time decoder prototype will be developed.}

^{At present, a suitable glasses-free 3D-TV display that enables free positioning of the viewer is not available. Also, there is no suitable display for single users (3D-TV on PC), or for use in a typical living room environment. ATTEST will develop two 3D displays (single and multiple user) that allow free positioning within an opening angle of 60 degrees. Both are based on head tracking and project the appropriate views into the viewer’s eyes.}

^{Finally, ATTEST positions the user experience as the focal point of the project. Human 3D perception research will play a central role. In an iterative user-centred design cycle, feedback will be given to all individual parts, and optimal settings will be determined for the complete ATTEST broadcast chain.}

The focus 

^{ATTEST will deliver a 3D-TV application running on a demonstrator platform, with an end-to-end DVB delivery system. The 3D content will either be recorded with the ATTEST 3D camera, or will be converted from 2D video footage using the ATTEST 2D-to-3D conversion tools. We will build a real-time MPEG-2 base and 3D enhancement layer decoder and demonstrate optimised 3D video rendering on the ATTEST single and multi-user 3D displays.}