3D Visual Communications

4.3 2D-to-3D Video Conversion

In Section 4.2.4, we demonstrated a practical automatic 2D-to-3D video conversion module in a low-power mobile phone system. In this section, we cover the wider scope of 2D-to-3D conversion technology. In general, 2D-to-3D conversion is to convert the current 2D video content in DVD/Blu-ray or other formats into a 3D format with depth sensation. The efforts can be classified into two categories:

• Real-time solution: it is typically connected to the back-end display, and the conversion is done before the output is rendered. Currently, almost all major TV companies have built real-time 2D-to-3D conversion systems in their 3DTVs, some are using their own proprietary technology, and others are using rdthird party vendors, for example, DDD with a technology called TriDef, and Sensio's technology.
• Off-line solution: it handles the conversion in a much finer way with user interaction. The following companies are well known in this area:
  • In-Three plans to re-release the converted 3D version of Star Wars.
  • IMAX has converted a few footages, such as Superman Returns.
  • 3DFusion has an off-line 2D-to-3D conversion solution (built on top of Philip's solution) for membership based services.
  • DDD claimed to have its proprietary offline conversion solutions.
  • Akira provides 2D-to-3D conversion and 3D content creations services for its customers.
  • Legend films, a San Diego based startup company, provides services for converting 2D films into stereoscopic 3D.

In general, ...