Review and future directions for 3D-video

This paper reviews some basic technologies for the complete 3D video transmission chain, i.e. multi-camera pick-up, 3D representation, multi- view coding, 3D visualization and 3D displays. In addition some current development trends in 3D-video, especially in Free Viewpoint Video are discussed. Free viewpoint video allows the user to freely navigate within real world scenes, similar as within virtual worlds known from computer graphics. Suitable 3D scene representation formats are classified and the processing chain is explained. Examples are shown for image-based and model-based free viewpoint video systems. Then the principles of 3D video are introduced providing the user with a 3D depth impression of the observed scene and some principles of 3D displays are explained. Example systems are described focusing on their realization based on MPEG-4. Finally multi-view video coding is described as one key component for 3D and free viewpoint video systems.