In October last year the EBU released a set of UHD-1 test sequences to enable scientific testing of studio compression formats and video codecs for distribution to the home. The test set has now been enhanced with the addition of stereoscopic 3DTV content. The sets are available free-of-charge to EBU Members, with two sequences each from the UHD-1 and 3DTV sets being made freely available under a Createive Commons licence.

While it remains unclear whether 3DTV will win over audiences in the long run, broadcasters and the industry continue to experiment with the formats. The availability of these new sequences will enable further testing of the newer “service compatible” 3DTV format, as opposed to the frame compatible system that has typically been used up to now. The sequences, shot at the RAI Production Centre in Turin last June, consist of two times 1080p/50 images.

This highly compressed sample reel shows the content that is available. (Note: no audio track; sample reel not in 3D)

Among the sequences in the 3DTV Test Set are three that are specifically designed to demonstrate the affect that misaligned shots can have. These “error” sequences will help towards the education of directors of photography and camera operators.

ARRI Alexa M cameras were used to shoot the sequences, with ARRI Prime lenses. Post-production was done on the Quantel Pablo 5.2 system. In addition to the EBU Beyond HD project group and Italian broadcaster RAI, other contributors to the shoot included Kamerawerk, Technicolor, Sisvel Technology and TVLogic.

EBU TEST SEQUENCES
The EBU Technology & Innovation Department together with its Members and partners generates and maintains a set of test sequences in different formats for research and assessment. They represent critical but not unduly so reference material which can be used to test broadcast systems.

4k Production
Date/location: June 2012/RAI Production Centre, Turin
Camera: Sony F65 system
Resolution: 4096×2160 pixels
Frame rate: 50 fps, progressive
Data format: RAW, 4:4:4, 16 bit
Gamma: S-Log2
Lens: LEICA SUMMILUX prime lens T1.4 Ø95
(18/35/50/75 mm)
Post production system: Quantel Pablo 5.2

UHD-1 Output
Resolution: 3840×2160 pixels
Frame rate: 50fps, progressive
Data format: DPX, RBG, 4:4:4, 10 bit
Gamma: ITU-R BT.709

3D Production
Date/location: June 2012/RAI Production Centre, Turin
Camera: ARRI Alexa M
Resolution: 2880×1620 pixels
Frame rate: 50 fps, progressive
Data format: ARRIRAW, 4:4:4, 12 bit
Gamma: Log-C
Lens: ARRI Prime lenses (24/32/50/135 mm)
Post production system: Quantel Pablo 5.2

3D Output
Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels
Frame rate: 50fps, progressive
Data format: DPX, RBG, 4:4:4, 10 bit
Gamma: ITU-R BT.709

tech.ebu.ch