Screen Subtitling Systems is preparing for a high level of interest at NAB this year where they will be demonstrating a new disparity mapping module for their 3D subtitling product, 3DITOR.

The world-leading subtitling solutions company has long been concerned about the inherent problems that will be encountered in 3DTV and recently raised a word of caution, inviting the industry to unite in resolving the issues or face the risk of sabotaging the entire market.

Screen has warned that with the increasing acceptance and use of graphics in TV, like station ‘idents’ or scoreboards, the shortfall in understanding how introducing such graphics can interfere with the 3D viewing experience will have a profound impact on TV audiences and even 3DTV as a whole.

Poorly placed subtitling in 3D footage, as with any other overlaid graphics on stereoscopic material, will destroy the three-dimensional illusion for the viewer and can even result in them feeling unwell.

Pre-empting the issues, Screen undertook early and extensive research to gain an in-depth understanding of the complications arising from adding additional material like subtitles to a 3D scene. This led to the development of 3DITOR, a sophisticated subtitling preparation and review system for 3D.

3D subtitling placement however is a complex process and the additional challenges presented by the apparent disparity of objects in 3D footage add further scope for error.

Manual placement and ensuring that subtitles are not ‘bumping’ in to any other objects can prove laborious and be prone to oversight. Screen’s new disparity mapping module for 3DITOR takes away that guesswork and helps eliminate human error.

By producing a real-time, 3D pin-graph of each scene, the new module makes it possible to easily see where the subtitle is placed within the image and whether it is encroaching on the space of any other objects.

The pin-graph, a graphical interpretation of the 3D screen, can be rotated so that it is viewable from all possible angles, offering an at-a-glance representation of where the subtitle is positioned and thus making it much easier for the user to spot any object encroachment.

A free DVD is available on the Screen Subtitling stand at NAB containing a video illustrating the visual repercussions of incorrectly positioned subtitles in 3D material.

NAB2011: North Hall N5816.

www.subtitling.com