Perceived quality of compressed stereoscopic images

Abstract

JPEG compression of the left and right components of a stereo image pair is a way to save valuable bandwidth when transmitting stereoscopic images. This paper presents results on the effects of camera-base distance (B) and JPEG coding on overall image quality, perceived depth, perceived sharpness, and perceived eye strain. In the experiment, two stereoscopic still scenes were used, varying in depth (three different camera-base distances: 0, 8, and 12 cm) and compression ratio (4 levels: original, 1:30, 1:40, and 1:60). All levels of compression were applied to both the left and right stereo image, resulting in a 4 × 4 matrix of all possible symmetric and asymmetric coding combinations. The observers were asked to assess image quality, sharpness, depth, and eye strain. Results showed that an increase in JPEG coding had a negative effect on image quality, sharpness, and eye strain, but had no effect on perceived depth. An increase in camera-base distance increased perceived depth and reported eye strain, but had no effect on perceived sharpness. Results on asymmetric and symmetric coding showed that the relationship between perceived image quality and average bit rate is not straightforward. In some cases, image quality ratings of a symmetric coded pair can be higher than for an asymmetric coded pair, even if the averaged bit rate for the symmetric pair is lower, than for the asymmetric pair. Furthermore, sharpness and eye strain correlated highly and medium, respectively, with perceived image quality.

Magnitude, precision, and realism of depth perception in stereoscopic vision

“…These experiments, by assessing the influence of disparity parameters on the realism of perceived depth, are related to previous studies (IJsselsteijn et al, 1998; Lambooij et al, 2011; Seuntiens et al, 2006). However, unlike these previous studies, which have used natural photographs, we used random circle stereograms to minimize the contribution of pictorial depth cues.…”

“…Stimulus parameters that influence the realism of the 3D experience have also been assessed. These include image quality (Lambooij, IJsselsteijn, Bouwhuis, & Heynderickx, 2011; Seuntiens, Meesters, & IJsselsteijn, 2006), the separation between the left and right cameras and the focal length used in capturing the images and therefore the range of binocular disparities and how these relate to other depth cues (IJsselsteijn, de Ridder, & Hamberg, 1998). When complex images such as natural photographs are used for stimuli, the manipulation of binocular disparity tends to create a conflict between the depth specified by binocular disparity and that specified by pictorial cues.…”

“…Establishing these links is important in understanding the representational correlates of perceptual experience (Allen, 2013; Hibbard, 2008; Peacocke, 1987; Tye, 2002; Vishwanath & Hibbard, 2013; Vishwanath, 2014) and providing an optimal perceptual experience in stereoscopic applications (Häkkinen et al, 2008; IJsselsteijn et al, 1998; IJsselsteijn, de Ridder, & Vliegen, 2000; Lambooij et al, 2011; Seuntiens et al, 2006). To do this, we varied the disparity presented in stereoscopic images and measured how this affects the magnitude and precision of perceived depth, depth realism, and binocular fusion.…”

Blind Stereoscopic Image Quality Assessment Accounting for Human Monocular Visual Properties and Binocular Interactions

“…However, the above models mainly focus on the binocular interaction in the human brain, which is not enough to simulate human visual perception in image quality assessment. Seuntiens et al [22] reported that the overall 3D image quality is not only affected by the binocular information, but also by the information of the left view and the right view (especially for the asymmetrically distorted 3D image). Lv et al [23] summarized that 3D image quality assessment should be account for two types of distortions related to 3D perception quality, that is monocular distortion and binocular distortion.…”

3D Stereoscopy Video Production: Z-Depth Extraction and Optimized Rendering using Foundry Nuke

“…With the brain, it does an astonishing job that helps to determine distance, depth, and location. The vision of the eye is a combination of reflected light on the retina, and then it interpretes into recognizable images by the brain [3]. The area in the back of the brain called occipital lobe processes the information from the eyes.…”