3DTV gets a boost with new ITU-R Recommendations

Programming, picture quality and viewing comfort to be enhanced

Geneva, 31 May 2012 – New ITU Recommendations on 3DTV will provide much needed tools to evaluate, make, and exchange 3DTV programmes. Intended to promote the further use of this format worldwide, the new Recommendations are being submitted to Administrations for accelerated approval.

ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) has developed the standards – or Recommendations – in collaboration with experts from the television industry, broadcasting organizations and regulatory institutions in its Study Group 6.

3DTV: A major leap forward

The ITU-R Recommendations focus on 3DTV programme production and broadcasting in the two formats that are in use worldwide: the ‘720p’ and the ‘1080i/p HDTV’ environments.  Recommendations were also agreed on the digital interfaces used in studios for 3DTV programme production, and on the general requirements for 3DTV.

ITU-R Study Group 6 also agreed a Recommendation for the methods to evaluate the quality of 3DTV images, which relates to three aspects, or quality factors: picture quality, depth, and comfort levels.

ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing development of the 3DTV format in ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector. “3DTV has made a huge impact on TV viewers around the world and led to new developments and opportunities in the broadcast and manufacturing sectors,” Dr Touré said. “The new ITU-R Recommendations will provide fresh impetus to this exciting television format.”

David Wood, Chairman of ITU-R Working Party 6C (WP 6C), said, “These Recommendations will be of great value to those who make and distribute 3DTV programmes today and in the future. They will make the 3DTV world more comfortable for the media community, and will surely encourage the success and further development of 3DTV.”

Christoph Dosch, Chairman of ITU-R Study Group 6 added,  “This suite of Recommendations illustrates the coordinated work of experts from various disciplines working together in the ITU Study Group. The ITU-R’s main job is to agree Recommendations, and we are clearly succeeding with 3DTV.”

The Director ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau François Rancy noted, “The future of the media looks extremely exciting with options like 3DTV. We can and should contribute all we can to the success of such systems. I once again congratulate Study Group 6 for their outstanding work.”