A general optimal pixel aspect ratio model for stereo-based 3D reconstruction and visualization

We propose a mathematical model for optimizing pixel aspect ratio for the best 3D estimation in both stereo-based 3D reconstruction and 3D viewing applications. We analyze the 3D reconstruction through a 3D display medium and reduce the whole process to a single stereo system so that a unified model can be applied to both direct reconstruction from stereo images and indirect reconstruction through stereo content presented on a 3D display. We use this unified model to extend our earlier work to a general solution for determining the optimal pixel aspect ratio for both applications. Unlike earlier work, the solution proposed here relates the optimal pixel aspect ratio to the device-specific parameters, rather than the stereo configuration parameters, which makes it more easily applicable in design and manufacture of stereo capture and display devices. In general, our mathematical model and subjective user studies suggest that, for a given total resolution, a finer horizontal discretization with a ratio of about 0.6 leads to a more accurate 3D reconstruction and a better 3D visual experience.