CableLabs announced the release of a new 3D TV technical specification that enables 3D programming producers, programmers and distributors to format or “panelize” 3D content into “a frame-compatible format for use by cable television systems.” Dubbed Content Encoding Profiles Specification (OC-SP-CEP3.0-IO1-100827), the new spec ensures that 3D content from whatever programming source can be received and decoded by cable system operators and transmitted on to viewers nationwide.
The new standard replaces VOD-Content Encoding Profile 2.0. Developed with support from cable operators, programmers and equipment vendors, “a key part of this specification includes the definitions for signaling 3D content over existing digital video infrastructure that uses either MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 (AVC/H.264) coding,” Jim Occhiuto, vice president of technology and engineering at Showtime Networks, said in a news release. “This signaling is critical for the receiver/decoder to enable automatic format detection and simplified user experiences when going between 2D and 3D programs.”
