Antenna Hungária - iPONT: successful live, glasses-free 3DTV test on digital terrestrial television platform

Antenna Hungária and iPONT executed a pioneer live 3DTV test even worldwide on digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) platform recently: the two companies transmitted a 3D video content through the digital terrestrial television system which was displayed on a special device and could be viewed without glasses.

Antenna Hungária, the operator of nationwide digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) networks, and iPONT, the software developer for a special, glasses-free 3D LCD display, executed a successful joint test recently in many aspects.

In the course of the test executed in the laboratory of Antenna Hungária, the 3D video content was transmitted through digital terrestrial television platform and could be viewed live, on a special, glasses-free LCD display based on the 3D software developed by iPONT. All of the network elements - encoding, transmission, decoding, visualisation - operated properly. The transmission was executed in Full HD (1920x1080), 50i format and with a data rate of 8 megabit/s. Until now there has been no precedent for the usage of the autostereoscopic 3D technology in a digital television environment in Hungary, moreover this is a pioneer initiative even worldwide.

‘Laying special emphasis on innovation, Antenna Hungária considers it important to test the conditions of 3DTV transmission, a promising future trend, in a digital television environment' - Jean-Francois Fenech, CEO of  Antenna Hungária explained after the test was successfully completed.

‘The glasses-free 3DTV we have just tested may become a worldwide success as broadcasters and major manufacturers still tend to focus on the technologies requiring glasses' -  Zoltán Korcsok commented on the achievements. In the opinion of the managing director of iPONT Kft. with intensive development the groundbreaking solution may be available to customers in the foreseeable future, which may subsequently prove a successful product on the global market.

                     Antenna Hungária                                           iPONT

Autostereoscopic visualization: with this method you need not wear glasses. In the new technology, a filtering layer consisting of lenticular lenses or a parallax barrier is positioned in front of the display. Each lens or slit extends to various pixels, diverting light in specific directions or allowing each eye to see a different set of pixels.

'side-by-side' technique: the images designed to be seen by the right and left eyes are transmitted side-by-side over the high-resolution television channel. The right and left views are separated on the display so that each eye of the viewer can see the appropriate image.

Digital terrestrial television (DVB-T): The pan-European platform branded DVB was created in 1993 in order to develop digital broadcasting, an emerging technology in television broadcasting. Through its solutions, DVB-T, the terrestrial digital television broadcasting standard, offers a wider range of programs, outstanding quality and reliable service to viewers. In addition to the above, DVB-T also represents a ‘future-proof' system capable of creating new market and business opportunities.

Further information:

About Antenna Hungária (www.ahrt.hu)

AH is an innovative, customer-oriented telecommunication company, a market leader in terrestrial nationwide television and radio transmission and microwave-based network services in Hungary. Guided by its strengths, its people, and its experience, the company adapts and develops technologies and solutions to bring inspiration, innovation and success for its business customers and the entire industry. As a member of the international TDF Group and as an independent market player, AH is aiming to play a pivotal role in the transition to digital TV and radio transmission, and in the convergence of broadcasting and telecommunication. The company offers a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art services based on our unique tower infrastructure and on a highly experienced and motivated team. AH lays emphasis on technical innovation, service development, superior customer service and operational excellence.

About iPONT (www.ipont.hu)

Established in 2003 as a typical ‘garage business', iPONT Consulting Kft., specialising in business management software solutions, has been diversifying into three-dimensional imaging since 2007. The Hungarian-owned company currently employs a staff of 40 engaging in the development of its unique 3D software. Using the display developed by German partner Tridelity, the application creates a three-dimensional image offering autostereoscopic image, i.e. a stereoscopic image without the use of 3D glasses, which is different from the products of major home electronics manufacturers. In 2009, iPONT launched a hardware development project of a budget of HUF 430 million, including a grant of about HUF 270 million from EU funds. The company is currently planning reorganisation involving the raising of risk capital of € 3 to 5 million. The trade awards iPONT has received for its solutions include the Grand Award of the 1^st HiTech Show in December 2009 and the InnoMax Award in 2010.