Integral imaging as a modality for 3D TV and displays

The development of 3D TV systems and displays for public use require that several important criteria be satisfied. The criteria are that the perceived resolution is as good as existing 2D TV, the image must be in full natural colour, compatibility with current 2D systems in terms of frame rate and transmission data must be ensured, human-factors concerns must be satisfied and seamless autostereoscopic viewing provided. There are several candidate 3D technologies, for example stereoscopic multiview, holographic and integral imaging that endeavor to satisfy the technological and other conditions. The perceived advantages of integral imaging are that the 3D data can be captured by a single aperture camera, the display is a scaled 3D optical model, and in viewing accommodation and convergence are as in normal sighting (natural) thereby preventing possible eye strain. Consequently it appears to be ideal for prolonged human use. The technological factors that inhibited the possible use of integral imaging for TV display have been shown to be less intractable than at first thought. For example compression algorithms are available such that terrestrial bandwidth is perfectly suitable for transmission purposes. Real-time computer generation of integral images is feasible and the high-resolution LCD panels currently available are sufficient to enable high contrast and high quality image display.