28.03.13
Ericsson adds third dimension to browser based conferencing
Ericsson Labs has demonstrated 3D videoconferencing via a web browser using stereocopic 3D video and 3D video with an associated depth map. Technologies such as WebRTC, recently reported on in InAVate magazine, are bringing video communications into browsers on any device. Now, Ericsson has expanded on that trend by adding a third dimension.
Julien Michot, Ericsson Research, explains the two demonstrations on the Ericsson Labs website, arguing that 3D visual communication is a natural extension of 2D conferencing systems.
The research body is currently participating in the development of 3D extensions to the H.265/HEVC standard, which will cut the bit rate required to send 3D videos in HD quality.
The stereoscopic demonstration consisted of two browser-based clients calling each other in a peer-to-peer configuration. The clients were running browsers based on Chromium and Ericsson H.264/AVC encoder/decoder implementations. One client was connected to a stereo HD video camera and was transmitting the two views of the stereo camera.
In the second demonstration, one client was connected to a HD video camera and a depth sensor, that was transmitting synchronised data from both sensors.
The second client was connected to a 2D screen that was rendering the 3D video in a 3D environment in which the user could navigate. Ericsson says with the transmission of the associated depth map it is possible for the receiver to synthesise as many new views as needed and support various types of displays (2D, 3D stereo screens, multiview glasses-free display).
Furthermore it can also integrate the content into a 3D environment to pave the way for additional applications such as augmented reality.
[Via Ericsson]