Wave Field Synthesis for next generation videoconferencing

Videoconference systems have been around the market for a long time. Their aim is to provide a way of carrying out meetings without the need for having physical presence of the participants. However, the sense of realism achieved by these systems is usually far away from the one expected by the people involved in the communication. This paper presents different advances related with the introduction of Wave-Field Synthesis (WFS) to high-realism 3D videoconference systems. WFS provides an acoustic window that, combined with stereo video screens, generates a very realistic sound field. This paper presents the technologies employed towards the development of real prototypes of these new systems. A multiexcited Distributed Mode Loudspeaker (DML) in the form of Multiactuator Panel (MAP) has been used as an alternative technology to traditional cone loudspeakers. Because of its low visual profile and the fact that the vibration is low enough to be imperceptible to the human eye; they can be integrated into a room interior and simultaneously used as projection screens.