Higher resolution stimulus facilitates depth perception: MT+ plays a significant role in monocular depth perception

Abstract

Today, we human beings are facing with high-quality virtual world of a completely new nature. For example, we have a digital display consisting of a high enough resolution that we cannot distinguish from the real world. However, little is known how such high-quality representation contributes to the sense of realness, especially to depth perception. What is the neural mechanism of processing such fine but virtual representation? Here, we psychophysically and physiologically examined the relationship between stimulus resolution and depth perception, with using luminance-contrast (shading) as a monocular depth cue. As a result, we found that a higher resolution stimulus facilitates depth perception even when the stimulus resolution difference is undetectable. This finding is against the traditional cognitive hierarchy of visual information processing that visual input is processed continuously in a bottom-up cascade of cortical regions that analyze increasingly complex information such as depth information. In addition, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) results reveal that the human middle temporal (MT+) plays a significant role in monocular depth perception. These results might provide us with not only the new insight of our neural mechanism of depth perception but also the future progress of our neural system accompanied by state-of- the-art technologies.

79‐2: Hyperrealism in Full Ultra High‐Definition 8K Display

“…They found that 60cpd or higher is required as the resolution for visual realness. It is also shown that high resolution beyond the visual acuity acts as depth perception [3][4]. This is considered as a higher level of perception studied by previous resolution displays up to 4K.…”

“…In the preceding study [1], 60 cpd twice as many as 30 cpd shows that realness increases and further cpd is recognized as depth. However, the size of the display used in the study is small and compared only to actual objects, and depth perception is limited by the cylinder of the grey scale [3][4]. We tested the viewing angle using a high-resolution display that is identical to normal TV and verified its effect by using real images, not just graphic images.…”

“…Is it necessary for watching an 8K high resolution TV at a 0.75H distance? There are previous studies on perceptual aspects shown with resolutions above 30cpd which are above the visual acuity level [1,3,4]. Masaoka et.…”

“…High resolution in displays leads to increase to visual realness [1]. While the 4K-UHD (Ultra High-Definition) TV has been launched and settled the psychological effects have been studied in various aspects [1][2][3][4]. Most of the studies on image quality have mentioned about improving quality through software.…”

Cognitive effect on image quality in full ultra-high definition(8 K)

“…This shows that luminance contrast improvement with a more than 8 K resolution increase leads to a distinct separation of the central object and the background, improves the 3D-ness, and expresses the visual information of the object surface in greater detail, thereby also improving the realness. As 4 K UHD TVs have been commercialized and are currently widely used, their psychological effects have been studied in various aspects [4][5][6]10]. As a result, a high resolution above 4 K is required to improve the depth perception and visual realness.…”