FTV standardization in MPEG

FTV (Free-viewpoint TV) enables to view a 3D world by freely changing the viewpoint. MPEG has been developing FTV standards since 2001. MVC (Multiview Video Coding) was the first phase of FTV, which enabled the efficient coding of multiview video. View synthesis is not considered in MVC. 3DV (3D Video) is the second phase of FTV, which enables the efficient coding of multiview video and their depth maps for multiview displays. View synthesis between linearly arranged cameras is considered in 3DV. Based on recent development of 3D technology, MPEG started the third phase of FTV in August 2013, targeting super multiview and free navigation applications. They need more flexible camera arrangement, more efficient video coding and better view synthesis. The vision of this FTV standardization is to establish a new FTV framework that revolutionizes viewing of 3D scenes.