Development of a digital 3D broadcasting system using progressively scanned digital broadcasting

A digital 3D broadcasting system which uses a 525-line progressively scanned digital broadcasting system was developed. Up to now, extensive research has been conducted on 3D systems themselves. but little research has been carried out on the actual broadcasting of 3D signals. One reason has been the inherent difficulty of sending multiple channels using conventional terrestrial analog broadcasting technology. We have recently developed a vertical multiplex method which converts a stereoscopic image consisting of two 525-line interlaced scan video signal (525i), into one 525-line progressive; scan video signal (525p). This converted signal is then transmitted using a 525p digital broadcasting system. This 3D system has several merits. 1) It is possible to broadcast 3D video signals using simple equipment attached to a 525p broadcasting system. 2) It is possible to receive left and right eye's information at the same tune and no synchronization process is necessary In order to test this 3D system, we have carried out experiments using a 525p broadcasting system which was constructed for satellite transmission experimentation the year before last. Through these experiments, operating at a bit rate of 9Mbps, we have confirmed that the 3D system we have constructed does work without any loss of quality of the 3D effect. We are expecting this 3D broadcasting system to be one of the applications of our 525p experimental broadcasting.