3DTV gets a boost with new ITU-R Recommendations

New ITU Recommendations on 3DTV is expected to provide much needed tools to evaluate, make, and exchange 3DTV programmes. Intended to promote the further use of this format worldwide, the new Recommendations are being submitted to Administrations for accelerated approval.

ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) has developed the standards or Recommendations in collaboration with experts from the television industry, broadcasting organizations and regulatory institutions in its Study Group 6.

The ITU-R Recommendations focus on 3DTV programme production and broadcasting in the two formats that are in use worldwide: the '720p' and the '1080i/p HDTV' environments. Recommendations were also agreed on the digital interfaces used in studios for 3DTV programme production, and on the general requirements for 3DTV.

ITU-R Study Group 6 also agreed a Recommendation for the methods to evaluate the quality of 3DTV images, which relates to three aspects, or quality factors: picture quality, depth, and comfort levels.

“3DTV has made a huge impact on TV viewers around the world and led to new developments and opportunities in the broadcast and manufacturing sectors,” Dr Touré said. “The new ITU-R Recommendations will provide fresh impetus to this exciting television format," said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Toure.

“This suite of Recommendations illustrates the coordinated work of experts from various disciplines working together in the ITU Study Group. The ITU-R's main job is to agree Recommendations, and we are clearly succeeding with 3DTV." said Christoph Dosch, Chairman of ITU-R Study Group 6.