2D-plus-depth format: for each pixel in the 2D image (left) a greyscale bitmap (right) indicates if the pixel will be visualized in front (white) or behind (black) the screen plane

Philips’ 3D displays, using “WOWvx” technology, deliver 3D effects without the need for special glasses or filters. These professional displays aimed at use inside shopping malls, casinos, restaurants and museums where the 3D displays are used as a differentiator, immediately grabbing the attention of the visitor.

A simulated image of the 3D display at "The Mart" - Hope that they're not going to cry over that

To support its customers in the creation of the 3D content, Philips has developed a suite of 3D content-enabling software, to unlock the customer’s new and existing material for visualization in 3D using the ‘2D-plus-depth’ format. This includes plug-ins for animation software, OpenGL Control for real-time applications, and semi-automated video conversion from 2D to 3D as well as real-time stereo to 3D conversion tools.

Philips’ semi-automated 2D to 3D conversion tool can use existing HD 2D video as input. An operator can manually indicate depth information to key-frames. The software uses these to automatically calculate the depth information for each of the image frames of the remaining part of that scene. At CES, Philips is showing a commercial that has been converted from the original 2D material into barrier bursting 3D.

Two Grass Valley HD Cameras to capture things stereoscopically

HD stereo video footage can be converted in real-time with Philips’ stereo to 3D conversion tool. It calculates the depth information using the disparity between the left and right image. To demonstrate the potential of visualizing stereo video, Philips is showing a production that was created using a stereo HD two camera setup. (Two cameras are needed to capture stereoscopic information, similar to how your two eyes are used to percieve depth.)

Philips’ WOWvx 3D content enabling software, Open GL Control and the 3D animation software plug-in are now available from the company. The semi-automated 2D-to-3D conversion tool and the Stereo-to-3D tool will be commercially available in Q2 of 2007. Moreover, from February 2007 onwards, Philips will provide semi-automated 2D to 3D conversion and Stereo to 3D content conversion services to selected customers.

With this camera setup and a 3D display, school kids can swing into your living room

Philips is focusing first on the professional application market for its 3D displays, but company representatives said that the goal is to bring the 3D experience to the wider consumer entertainment market, hopefully into gaming and home theater.
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