2D-plus-depth

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2D-plus-depth or also called 2D +'Z' format is a new 3D file format that is used for 3D displays, such as Philips WOWvx. Next to each 2D image frame a greyscal depthmap indicates if a specific pixel in the 2D image needs to be shown in front of the display (white) or behind the screen plane (black). The 256 greyscales can build a smooth gradient of depth within the image. Processing within the monitor used this input to render the multiview images.

2D-plus-depth has the advantage that is has a limited bandwidth increase compared to 2D (compressed greyscale increases bandwidth 5-20%) so that it can be used in existing distribution infrastructures. Also 2D-plus-depth format offers flexibility and compatibility with existing production equipment and compression tools. Moreover it allows applications to use different 3D display screen sizes and designs in the same system.

Supported by various companies across the display industry, 2D-plus-depth has been standardized in MPEG as an extension for 3D filed under ISO/IEC FDIS 23002-3:2007(E)

Other 3D formats are stereo (left-right or alternating frames) and multiview 3D format (for instance 9 images per frame).

This article does not cite any references or sources. (October 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.