3DTV Services Research Articles

Development of 3DTV Emission Multiplexer and Reception-Signal Status Analyzer for ATSC 8-VSB & MDTV Hybrid 3DTV Services

ABSTRACT This paper describes the development of a real-time three-dimensional television (3DTV) emission multiplexer and reception – signal status analyzing system for Advanced Television Systems Committee 8-vestigial side-band (ATSC 8-VSB) & mobile digital television (MDTV) hybrid 3DTV service. Recently, this system has been adopted as a standard (ATSC A/104 Part 5) of the terrestrial 3DTV broadcasting service under the name of service compatible-main and mobile hybrid (SC-MMH) 3DTV. Compared to the existing ATSC MDTV 2D systems, the SC-MMH 3DTV system requires 8-VSB (left-eye images) and MDTV (right-eye images) frame synchronization. 3DTV shall receive both 8-VSB and MDTV signals simultaneously. For a seamless SC-MMH 3DTV service within these service constraints, broadcasters should deploy transmitters and measuring services over the coverage area. In this paper, we introduce the implementation of SC-MMH 3DTV emission multiplexer and reception-signal status analyzer to configure the transmitter and signal measurements more efficiently. The options of the proposed system are verified by the SC-MMH 3DTV field test in a real terrestrial broadcasting environment.

Design of Synchronization and T-STD Model for 3DTV Service over Hybrid Networks

The objective of digital broadcasting has evolved from providing a plain video service to offering a realistic visual experience. Technologies such as 3DTV and UHDTV have been suggested to achieve this new objective by providing an immersive and stereoscopic visual experience. However, owing to the high bandwidth requirements of such services, the broadcasting industry has faced a challenge to find a new transport mechanism for overcoming the bandwidth limitation. The standardization organizations, the Advanced Television Systems Committee, Digital Video Broadcasting, and Telecommunications Technology Association, have been working on the integration of broadcasting and a broadband network (IP) to resolve the bandwidth issue of realistic video services. This paper introduces a frame-level timeline synchronization and transport system target decoder model for providing a stable 3DTV service over a hybrid network. The experimental results indicate that the proposed technologies can be successfully adopted as a reference model in a broadcast-broadband hybrid 3DTV service and other IP-associated hybrid broadcasting services.

Next Generation Television

We are blessed with UHD 4K curved TV, choremecast, 3D TV and various breakthrough services. A story with no illustration leads us to imagination, eventually we end up penetrating to a larger depth. Still , Television = idiot box. We portray here big and small ideas on how our next generation TV. can cope up with injustice, corruption, blues, provide advertisement pleasure, cartoon creation, gesture feedback, data storage and awareness, disaster help, festival togetherness, past pattern , ingredients love, magnificent features of entertainment and rejuvenation coupled with dictionary effect.

Utilization of the Software-Defined Networking Approach in a Model of a 3DTV Service

In article a new concept concerning multimedia service modeling of stereoscopic motion pictures distribution is depicted. Presented conceptual model utilizes functionality approach supported by a Software-defined Networking (SDN) architecture. The core elements composing the proposed 3D television service are stated, depicting internal arrangement of a modern 3DTV service. Moreover, investigated examples of a functional utilization of the SDN approach in a 3DTV service model realization reveal key improvements towards greater flexibility and efficiency in heterogeneous users environment.

Repetitive Delivery Scheme for Left and Right Views in Service-Compatible 3D Video Service

This paper introduces a novel repetitive delivery scheme for the left and right views in service-compatible (SC) 3D video that provides full backward compatibility to a legacy DTV system while retaining HD 3D visual quality without additional bandwidth or a codec over the legacy broadcasting channel. The proposed SC delivery scheme transmits individual view sequences of a 3D video in interlaced form, that is, a left-view sequence of a 3DTV program to be used repeatedly is transmitted first and stored locally, and the right-view sequence of the 3D program is then transmitted. This paper specifically describes the signaling, synchronization, and storage format methods used to validate the proposed SC delivery scheme. The experiment results show that the proposed SC delivery scheme can be effectively applied for an SC 3DTV service without degrading the DTV quality using only legacy DTV platforms.

Synchronous 2D/3D Switching System for Service-Compatible 3DTV Broadcasting

This paper proposes a new broadcasting system for the service-compatible 3DTV in which the 3D service can coexist with the conventional digital TV broadcast. In the proposed system, the commercial 3DTV service can be implemented via the existing DTV channel without utilizing the dedicated 3DTV system. This 2D/3D system interworks with the conventional system and can switch to 2D or 3D service according to the broadcast programming and schedule. The system also provides a mechanism that can prevent the synchronization mismatch between left and right video streams and between the stream and the associated signaling in the 2D/3D transition periods. The picture quality measurements are carried out based on the ITU-R recommended test to check the level of quality of service provided by the proposed scheme. The conformity tests are also performed with the conventional channel and the receiver for the DTV system to confirm the feasibility of the proposed one for the commercial service.

Analysis of Content Quality Evaluation within 3DTV Service Distribution Systems

In the following paper, evaluation of quality of content distributed within 3DTV service is assessed. The performed analysis reveals a multiplicity of parameters as a compound factor defining the contemporary approach towards quality assessment. Taking into consideration a successful telecommunication service creation, an examination of content chain identifies crucial stages founding the path of modern services of stereoscopic content distribution quality evaluation.

Standards for efficient delivery of future services [Series Editorial

The papers selected for this Series present various standards that assist in meeting the explosive demand for content delivery by efficient use of network resources. The first article, Efficient HDTV and 3DTV Services over DVB-T2 using Multiple PLPs with Layered Media, by Hellge et al., describes how DVB-T2 can be adapted to the high transmission rates of future High Definition TV (HDTV) services including three dimensional digital TV (3DTV) services. The DVB-T2 standard from the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) consortium is designed to reuse the transmission infrastructure of the first generation digital TV but improves throughput and allocates the bandwidth and frequency resources in a flexible manner [1].

Efficient HDTV and 3DTV Services over DVB-T2 using multiple PLPs with layered media

The high bit rates of high-definition or 3D-services require a huge share of the valuable terrestrial spectrum, especially when targeting wide coverage areas. This article describes how to provide future services with the state-of-the-art digital terrestrial TV technology DVB-T2 in a flexible and cost-efficient way. The combination of layered media such as the scalable and 3D extension of the H.264/AVC or emerging H.265/HEVC format with the physical layer pipes feature of DVB-T2 enables flexible broadcast of services with differentiated protection of the quality layers. This opens up new ways of service provisioning such as graceful degradation for mobile or fixed reception. This article shows how existing DVB-T2 and MPEG-2 transport stream mechanisms need to be configured for offering such services over DVB-T2. A detailed description of the setup of such services and the involved components is given.

A Hybrid Stereoscopic Video Coding Scheme Based on MPEG-2 and HEVC for 3DTV Services

Recently, 3DTV has drawn much attention as a new broadcasting service. In spite of technical advances in 3DTV broadcasting services, there are two barriers that hinder the new services from being launched for terrestrial broadcasting: the lack of available bandwidth for transmission of additional-view video via terrestrial channel and backward compatibility with the legacy 2-D HDTV services. As an alternative, a hybrid stereoscopic video coding scheme is proposed for a stereoscopic 3DTV service, where one-view video is transmitted through the legacy broadcasting systems and the other one is delivered via broadband networks to which TV terminals are connected. In this paper, the proposed hybrid stereoscopic video coding scheme incorporates an MPEG-2 codec for backward compatibility with a legacy 2-D HDTV service and an HEVC codec with inter-view prediction coding as an extension to encode additional-view video sequences with high coding efficiency. The proposed inter-view prediction coding scheme in the extended HEVC incorporates an advanced motion and disparity vector prediction (AMDVP) method for enhanced motion- and disparity-compensated coding. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid stereoscopic video coding scheme achieves an average coding efficiency of 38.22% (32.86%) in BD-rate or 1.394 dB (1.235 dB) in BD-PSNR for the out-band (in-band) scenario.

A 3DTV Broadcasting Scheme for High-Quality Stereoscopic Content Over a Hybrid Network

Various methods are used to provide three-dimensional television (3DTV) services over a terrestrial broadcasting network. However, these services cannot provide high-quality 3D content to consumers. It is because current terrestrial broadcast networks are allocated with limited bandwidths to transmit 3D content while 3D content requires larger bandwidth compared to that of 2D content. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes a hybrid 3DTV broadcasting system, which utilizes both a terrestrial broadcast network and a broadband network. In the proposed system, two elementary streams of left and right views for a stereoscopic video service are transmitted over a terrestrial broadcasting network and a broadband network, respectively. In addition, the proposed system suggests a new mechanism for synchronization between these two elementary streams. The proposed scheme can provide high-quality 3DTV service regardless of bandwidth of the terrestrial broadcast network while maintaining backward compatibility with a 2D DTV broadcasting service.

비실시간 기반 스테레오스코픽 비디오 부호화를 위한 적응루프필터 적용기법

스테레오스코픽(stereoscopic) 3D 비디오 서비스는 기존 2D와의 호환성을 유지하면서 새로운 3D 비디오 서비스를 제공할 수 있다. 전송 대역이 제한된 지상파 방송의 경우 높은 부호화 효율을 갖는 스테레오스코픽 비디오 코덱이 요구된다. 따라서 기준영상은 기존 2D 비디오 서비스와의 호환성을 위해 MPEG-2로 부호화하는 반면 3D를 위한 부가영상 부호화를 위해 부호화 효율이 높은 H.264/AVC, HEVC(High Efficiency Video Coding) 등을 고려하고 있으며, 또한 부가영상을 비실시간으로 전송하는 NRT(Non-Real Time) 3D 서비스도 고려되고 있다. 본 논문에서는 NRT 3D 서비스를 위한 스테레오스코픽 비디오 부호화에 있어서, HEVC에서 고려되었던 적응루프필터(ALF: Adaptive Loop Filter)를 전/후처리 필터로 적용하는 기법을 제시한다. 특히, 부가영상의 후처리에 ALF를 적용하기 위하여 부호화 과정에 결정되는 CU(Coding Unit) 구조를 이용하는 HEVC와 달리 MVC(Multiview Video Coding)로 부호화한 부가영상의 매크로블록(MB) 부호화 모드 및 참조영상 인덱스 등의 MB 부호화 정보를 이용한 ALF 적용 기법을 제안한다. 부가 영상 부호화에 있어서 제안한 기법으로 전처리 및 후처리 과정으로 ALF를 적용함으로써 최대 약 24.9%의 비트율 감소를 확인하였다. A stereoscopic 3D video service is able to provide a 3D video service while keeping backward compatibility with the existing 2D video service. In the terrestrial digital television (DTV) system, a stereoscopic video codec is required to have high coding efficiency in order to provide a 3D video service in the same channel capacity. A hybrid codec consisting of MPEG-2 for base video and H.264/AVC or HEVC for 3D auxiliary video is considered. Furthermore, Non-Real-Time (NRT) delivery of stereoscopic video is also considered as a service scenario for 3DTV services to overcome the limited bandwidth. In this paper, we propose a stereoscopic video coding scheme using adaptive loop filter (ALF) which had been considered in HEVC as a pre-/post-filter for enhancing coding efficiency in NRT-based 3DTV services. In order to apply ALF as a post-filter to the reconstructed additional view coded by H.264/AVC, we devise a method in which ALF is adaptively applied based on a structure determined by using macroblock (MB) coding information such as MB mode type and reference index instead of coding unit (CU) structure on which ALF is applied in the HEVC. Experimental results shows that the proposed stereoscopic video coding scheme applying ALF obtains up to 24.9% gain of bit saving.

Design of a 40/50 GHz satellite ground station for fade mitigation experiments

Due to the increasing demand in satellite capacity, driven by applications such as high-definition television (HDTV), 3D-TV and interactive broadband services, higher frequency bands will have to be exploited. The capacity on Ku-band is already becoming scarce and Ka-band systems are more commonly used. It can be expected that 40 and 50GHz (Q and V band) will have to be used in the future. At these frequencies the wave propagation effects have a significant impact on the performance. The traditional approach of implementing large fade margins in the system design is not suitable as it leads to expensive ground terminals. Fade mitigation by adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) is a cost-efficient method. To investigate the Q/V-band for future commercial exploitation, ESA's ALPHASAT satellite will provide experimental payloads for communications and wave propagation experiments. In Graz a Q/V-band ground station is currently under development. It will be equipped with a 3m tracking antenna, a 50W Klystron amplifier and a 290K LNA. Fade mitigation experiments will be conducted, initially using DVB-S2 modems which allow to vary the modulation scheme, the Forward Error Correction code and the symbol rate under control of the ACM computer. In addition, uplink power control can be combined with the ACM methods. A specially developed signal analyser provides precise measurement of the signal/noise ratio. In addition, propagation data will be available from a beacon receiver, also developed by Joanneum Research. Important goals of the experiment are to investigate the reliability of links under realistic operating conditions using ACM and to develop efficient ACM and signal/noise ratio measurement algorithms which can be later implemented in optimised modems for Q/V-band.The paper describes the ground station design and addresses the planned fade mitigation experiments.

고화질 스테레오스코픽 영상 서비스를 위한 비실시간 콘텐츠 연동 지상파 3DTV 방송 표준규격 설계 및 검증

This paper proposes a new terrestrial 3DTV broadcasting standard specification based on synchronization with non-real-time contents in order to overcome quality limitations of the current 3DTV services that are arisen from the limited bandwidth of the legacy broadcasting channel. In the services using the proposed specification, one view sequence of a stereoscopic video content is delivered as a non-real-time content in idle time, and the other view sequence is transmitted in real time broadcasting signal, thereafter two sequences are synchronized in a receiver for display. Thus, it is possible to provide higher-quality stereoscopic video content services than the current 3DTV services. In order to realize these services, a new mechanism is required which enables synchronization between the data that are from different transmission media and time. Therefore, this paper suggests a solution by multiplexing the synchronization signals of non-real-time contents into broadcasting signals with real-time streams together. This solution can provide a accurate synchronization mechanism by minimum updates of legacy broadcasting systems while maintaining compatibility with legacy services.

Perceived 3D TV Transmission Quality Assessment: Multi-Laboratory Results Using Absolute Category Rating on Quality of Experience Scale

Inspired by the rapidly increasing popularity of 3D movies, there is an industrial push for 3DTV services to the home. One important factor for the success and acceptance by the viewers is a positive quality of experience (QoE) of the new service when delivered. The questions of how to efficiently deliver 3DTV service to the home, and how to evaluate the visual quality perceived by end users are a recent research focus. We have investigated users' experience of stereoscopic 3D video quality by preparing two subjective assessment datasets. The first dataset aimed at the evaluation of efficient transmission in the transmission error free case, while the second focused on error concealment. A total of three subjective assessments, two for first dataset and one for the second, were performed using the Absolute Category Rating with Hidden unimpaired Reference video (ACR-HR) method. The experimental setup allows to show that the ACR-HR subjective method provides repeatable results across labs and across conditions for video quality. It was also verified that MVC is more efficient than H.264 simulcast coding. Furthermore it was discovered that based on the same level of quality of experience spatial down-sampling may lead to better bitrate efficiency while temporal down-sampling is not acceptable. When network impairments occur, traditional error 2D concealment methods need to be reinvestigated as they were outperformed by displaying the same view for both eyes (switching to 2D presentation).

3DTV as a social platform for communication and interaction

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a predictive model of attitudes toward 3DTV.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling is used to construct a predictive model of attitudes toward 3DTV. Individuals' responses to questions about attitude and intention to use 3DTV were collected and analyzed.FindingsThe model shows significant roles for social presence and flow, both of which affect attitude as well as perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment. This set of factors is a key to users' expectations of 3DTV. Given the significant role of social presence, the study attempts to conceptualize social presence in the 3DTV context.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings imply that social presence may be enhanced by illusions of advanced technical manipulation, but it can be more effectively enhanced by a sense of belonging or emotional connection.Practical implicationsSpecific design features and characteristics of 3DTV services can be utilized to achieve meaningful social presence.Originality/valueThe proposed model brings together extant research on 3DTV and supports eventual 3D acceptance.

A Study on Feasibility of Dual-Channel 3DTV Service via ATSC-M/H

This paper analyzes the feasibility of a new 3DTV broadcasting service scenario via Advanced Television Systems Committee Mobile/Handheld (ATSC-M/H). We suggest a dual-channel system in which a left-view image is encoded by MPEG-2 with HD quality and a small-sized right-view image is encoded by AVC. Also, the left view is transmitted through ATSC main channel and the right view is transmitted through ATSC-M/H channel. Although the transport stream formats of two channels are different from each other, we demonstrate that it is possible for the ATSC 2.0 decoder to synchronize the display of the left and right views when both encoders use a common wall clock and time stamp. We also propose a program specific information descriptor which guarantees full compatibility with the conventional 2D HDTV and emerging mobile TV services. Finally, we provide the results of subjective visual quality assessment of the proposed system in support of its 3DTV service quality.

A Study on Feasibility of Dual-Channel 3DTV Service via ATSC-M/H

A Study on Feasibility of Dual-Channel 3DTV Service via ATSC-M/H

3DTV 방송을 위한 스테레오스코픽 비디오 영상 및 전송 포맷 기술규격의 검증

멀티미디어산업에 있어서 3DTV 서비스를 위한 스테레오스코픽 비디오는 Post-HD(post Hi호 Definition) 시대의 주요 콘텐츠로 부상하고 있으며, 콘텐츠 제작, 방송 및 가전 등 관련 산업 전반에 걸쳐 파급을 일으키며 3DTV 서비스 인프라를 구축시키고 있다. 이에 국내에서는 3DTV 방송 송수신 정합규격 표준화를 목표로 TTA에서 3DTV 송수신 규격 실무반(WG8061)을 구성하여, "3DTV 방송을 위한 스테레오스코픽 비디오 영상 및 전송 포맷 기술규격"의 표준안을 작성하고 있다. 본 논문에서는 현재 표준화 작업이 진행 중인 상기 표준규격을 적용한 test-bed를 설계하여, 규격의 기능을 검증하고 기존의 기술과의 역호환성에 대한 검증을 하며 향후 보완 및 검토되어야 하는 기술적 문제들을 도출하고자 한다. Stereoscopic video for 3DTV service is emerging as a main content of the Post-HD age in the multimedia industry, and also it starts a ripple effect to build infrastructure for 3DTV service throughout the related industries such as creating contents, consumer electronics and the broadcasting. Thus, "Technical Specification of Stereoscopic Video over MPEG-2 TS for 3DTV Service" for providing a standard for 3DTV broadcasting transmitter and receiver interface is under development by the 3DTV WG8061 in ITA, Korea. This paper provides verification of the functionalities, problems and future work of the above specification with designed test-bed. Through making a test bed, this paper try to verify not only the functionality of standard but also backward compatible for the present technology and abstract problems to would be reviewed and supplemented.

3DTV Broadcasting and Distribution Systems

In this paper, the authors present three-dimensional television (3DTV) broadcasting and distribution systems that are employed to deliver a pair of stereoscopic images to mobile users, as well as users at home. First, mobile 3DTV systems and services based on DMB and DVB-H are respectively introduced. Second, fixed and high-definition 3DTV systems and services based on terrestrial digital broadcasting are described along with an introduction of experimental 3DTV services in Korea. To be specific, the authors summarize 3DTV systems from the viewpoints of target services, system and user requirements, system configurations, broadcasting trials, related standards, and technical challenges.