Estimating Angular Resolutions Required in Light-Field Broadcasting

Abstract

Light-field technology has significant potential for future three-dimensional (3-D) television (TV) services in which 3-D objects or spaces are shown with a strong sense of presence. However, the physical specifications required for light-field displays to show the typical scenes depicted in current broadcasting are not yet known. In particular, angular resolution is a representative specification that describes the image quality related to the depth reconstruction; we investigated the angular resolutions required for providing future 3-D TV services assuming the display of substantially deep scenes and multiple viewing positions in typical viewing environments with small-, medium-, and large-sized displays. We made every effort to minimize the requirements on the display specifications for presenting 3-D scenes with substantial depth by using `depth compression expressions' that manipulate the scene geometry so that viewers do not feel that the scenes appear unnatural. We conducted subjective evaluation experiments on the simulated views on the light-field displays with various angular resolution settings. As a result, we found that the required angular resolutions depended on the viewing environment and were 0.51, 11.2, and 12.1 views per degree in the small-, medium-, and large-sized display environments, respectively. We also obtained pixel-pitch and micro-lens specifications that would present the estimated angular resolutions on a light-field display and developed a design goal for future display-device development.