ADVANCED VIDEO COMPRESSION AND RENDERING FOR HIGHLY IMMERSIVE 8K+ APPLICATIONS

In this article we present a set of tools designed to simplify the distribution, playback, and adaptation of high-quality immersive content for new immersive environments. The tools are based on a high-performance HEVC codec that allows to encode, decode, and play ultra-high-resolution video in 8K and 16K resolutions using standard computing systems. In addition, a flexible video rendering engine allows to adapt the content to different output display environments. The new tools have been validated in two advanced immersive installations, and using new immersive content created with different techniques (8K camera, 3D CGI, and point clouds) that has been produced in the context of the Immersify European Project. Initial results show that the new tools enable ultra-high-resolution immersive video playback, and first evaluations indicate that a better immersive experience for final users can be achieved, while at the same time using a simpler workflow.