European project investigates four-camera technology for glasses-free 3D

The European MUSCADE (Multimedia Scalable 3D for Europe) project has begun exploring a four-camera system to shoot multi-view 3D content suitable for rendering on auto-stereoscopic display devices that do not require viewers to wear special glasses.

MUSCADE partners, who include Astrium, Disney, the EBU, Frauhofer HHI, Holografika, Rai, SES Astra, Thomson and KUK, met yesterday to align their activities on the project.

3D specialist KUK has built a four-camera rig that can be aligned with the aid of a stereoscopic analyser (STAN) developed by the Frauenhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute. This tells camera operators which controls to adjust. An initial test shoot using the system is planned for this summer in the 1080p/25 format.

According to the EBU, the project will also look at rendering content on stereo, auto-stereo and advanced light-field displays as well as well as 2- and 4-view MPEG MVD encoding technology with multi-dimensional audio.