ITU boost for 3DTV

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has issued new recommended standards for 3D TV production and distribution.

It has also recommended methods to evaluate 3D TV image quality, depth and viewer comfort level. The ITU said its work will provide a boost to the fledgling 3D TV 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,” ITU secretary-general Hamadoun 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.”

Separately, the ITU has launched its second IPTV Application Challenge, inviting individuals, small-to-medium-sized companies and corporations to submit ideas for socially beneficial smart TV applications.

The winning application in the individual/SME category will be awarded a cash prize of US$3,000 (€2,400). There is a separate category for corporate entries. Winners will be announced at the quadrennial World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA-12), in Dubai from November 20-29.