Video-Based Rendering (VBR) is a new research field which promises to revolutionize the visual media technologies. VBR utilizes multiple real-world video streams to display photo-realistic views of the acquired scenes from arbitrary perspectives.

This book provides an in-depth overview of various state-of-the-art VBR algorithms. Some are clever tricks played on mordern GPUs. Others are based on solid mathematical frameworks. All of them are clearly presented in a well organized structure and quite easy to follow. Readers could also refer to the companion web site www.video-based-rendering.org to find up-to-date information and resources related to the VBR research.

Adequate background knowledge, resolutions to practical engineering issues, and algorithms in details make this book well-suited for those who are involved in scientific teaching and research.

Marcus A. Magnor's book "Video-Based Rendering" provides an in-depth introduction to the emerging field of real-time video-based rendering (VBR). This book is suited for general audiences with scientific background as well as graduate students in this field.

The text is clearly structured. The preface and the introduction give a broad overview of VBR and point towards possible future applications in everyday life. The first chapter provides a basic motivation for VBR, while the second chapter lays the groundwork in terms of technical hardware and basic image reconstruction algorithms. The detailed discussion of image based rendering proves especially useful for the understanding of the various VBR algorithms that follow in chapters 3-6. The book concludes with an outlook on novel applications based on VBR as well as required technological advances needed to make real-time VBR a reality.

Each chapter starts with a brief motivation and summary of the topic that is being discussed. Technical terms are clearly defined and frequently cross-referenced throughout the book. In Appendix A these terms are defined separately for additional clarity. Each section begins with a general intuitive overview of the topic and gradually progresses towards more and more complex ideas. Magnor's clear language and his vast number of references throughout the book allow the reader to get an in-depth look into the current state of the art in VBR. Multiple figures allow the reader to visualize the concepts discussed. [...]

I strongly recommend this book as both an accessible and in-depth introduction to VBR as well as a useful resource for graduate students and scientists in the field.