Report #4 on stereo errors: 3D quality does matter

Graphics & Media Lab of MSU continues to work on VQMT3D (Video Quality Measurement Tool 3D) Project. The project’s aim is to improve stereoscopic films. The Lab intends to provide a reliable quality-assessment tool and therefore to help filmmakers and conversion studios to produce high-quality 3D video.


The first three reports on stereoscopic errors in 3D films have been published earlier this year. Now the Lab presents the 4th evaluation results of 5 S3D films, captured with stereoscopic camera systems.

The main errors in 3D films, causing headache and eye-strain:

• excessive horizontal disparity
• vertical disparity
• color mismatch
• sharpness mismatch

Example of vertical disparity mismatch

Fabien Remblier (S3D and 4K Director, Stereographer, Producer) commented on the problem:

“This problem is real and we must be keenly aware of it. Most headaches come from verticaldisparities. Correcting them is simpler now because almost all stereoscopic correction tools includea specific function. But we can’t trust these tools 100%; a final check is necessary.”


Analysed films:

• A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011)
• Pina (2011)
• Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
• Step Up Revolution (2012)
• The Amazing Spiderman (2012)

The report is free downloadable for all industry professionals. We are open for yourcomments, ideas and proposals to cooperate. Together we can make the S3D video quality better.