3D imaging in the studio (and elsewhere ...)

At 3DV Systems Ltd. we developed and built a true 3D video camera (Zcam), capable of producing RGB and D signals where D stands for distance or depth to each pixel. The new RGBD camera makes it possible to do away with color based background substitution known as chroma-key as well as creating a whole gallery of new effects and applications such as multilayer foreground as well as background substitutions and manipulations. The new multilayerd modality makes possible the production of mixed reality real time video as well as post-production manipulation of recorded video. The new RGBD camera is scannerless and uses low power laser illumination to create the D channel. Prototypes have been in use for more than 2 years and, are capable of sub-centimeter depth resolution at any desired distance up to 10 m. on the present model. Additional potential applications as well as low cost versions are currently being explored.