Optical characterization of autostereoscopic 3-D displays

Display-measurement methods different from conventional 2-D display measurements are needed for verifying the optical characteristics of autostereoscopic (3-D) displays and for comparing different 3-D display technologies. Industry is lacking standardized measurement methods, and the reported results can not always be compared. The selected set of characteristics discussed in this paper and partly defining the quality of the 3-D experience are crosstalk, viewing freedom, and optimum viewing distance. Also, more conventional display characteristics such as luminance are discussed, since the definitions for these characteristics in 3-D mode usually differ from those used for the 2D displays. We have investigated how these chosen 3-D display characteristics can be objectively measured from transmissive two-view and multiview 3-D displays. The scope of this article is to generally define those basic characteristics as well as the different measurement methods. Most of the 3-D characteristics can be derived from the luminance and colors versus the viewing angle. Either a conoscopic or a goniometric measurement system can be used, as long as the angular and stray-light properties are suitable and known. The characteristics and methods are currently discussed in the display-quality standardization forums.