CIE Components in Electronics
Lattice Semiconductor will be demonstrating 3D Impact Media’s RealityBox, a low density LatticeECP3 FPGA-based real-time 3D video converter, in its private “Mobile Innovation” meeting suite at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) January 8-11 in Las Vegas. Using the RealityBox, any 2D as well as stereoscopic 3D video stream can be converted and shown on glasses-free 3D displays in real-time, enabling new applications such as broadcasting of live events in public venues or digital signage, where 3D content is seldom available and expensive.
The RealityBox hardware is designed to support full 1080p resolution up to 60 fps, or 720P up to 120fps, using an HDMI interface. The video pipeline supports 2D/S-3D to S-3D/AS-3D conversion, real time playback of 2D+Z videos and allows disparity analysis of S-3D input signals. The main building blocks are an input/output scaler, disparity/motion estimator, temporal stability filter, image peaking, contrast, brightness adjustment and a programmable multi-view generator. The hardware can be used for barrier and lenticular technology-based glasses-free 3D displays. All parameters are freely programmable to support different types of 3D displays, including fractional views. The maximum amount of views that can be generated is 1024.
The cost attractive, high quality 3DIM conversion pipeline has an onboard OSD (on-screen display) that can be customised and includes ticker and image overlay options that can be added to the video stream. Due to its flexible design and low latency, as well as the LatticeECP3 device’s low power, the RealityBox can be used in many different 3D applications, including next generation gaming machines and in-flight entertainment. In medical applications, the RealityBox can help improve depth perception, allowing for more precise surgical procedures, and in automotive applications it can be used for object recognition and assistance to make driving safer.
“The combination of Lattice”s low density FPGA technology and 3D Impact Media’s conversion IP creates a product for customers who want a cost effective, high quality conversion pipeline,” said Laurent Mueller, Chief Executive Officer at 3D Impact Media.
“It is exciting that 3D Impact Media has selected the LatticeECP3 FPGA as the processing engine in their RealityBox, enabling the best 3D viewing experience without the need for special glasses,” said Kambiz Khalilian, Lattice Marketing Manager for Industrial Markets. “This is another example of how Lattice’s portfolio of low density and ultra-low density FPGAs is finding broad use in a wide variety of new applications and markets.”
