Color in 1080p24 and Electronic Cinema: Converting between R′G′B′ and 4:2:2

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Publisher: SMPTE — White Plains, NY
Doc Type: Conference Paper
Content Type: Original Research
Volume: 1999, No. 8, pp. 1–8
Abstract: An important challenge in the standardization of electronic cinema is the choice of a color representation. Among the possibilities are R′G′B′ and Y′CBCR. In this paper, I explore the relationship between the two. Film, video, and computer-generated imagery (CGI) all start with red, green, and blue (RGB) tristimulus components proportional to intensity—“linear light.” A nonlinear transfer function is applied to RGB to give gamma corrected R′G′B′. This is the native color representation of video cameras, computer monitors, video monitors, and television. The human visual system has poor color acuity. If R′G′B′ is transformed into luma and chroma, then color detail can be discarded without the viewer noticing. This enables a substantial saving in data capacity—in “bandwidth,” or in storage space. Because studio video equipment has historically operated near the limit of realtime capture, recording, processing, and transmission capabilities, the subsampled Y′CBCR 4:2:2 format has been the workhorse of studio video for more than a decade. The disadvantage of 4:2:2 is its lossy compression. Upon “matrixing” from 8-bit R′G′B′ to 8-bit Y′CBCR, three-quarters of the available colors are lost. Upon 4:2:2 subsampling, half the color detail is discarded. But production staff are facing increasing demands for quality, and increasing demands to integrate video production with film and CGI. The lossy compression of 4:2:2 is becoming a major disadvantage.
Publication Date: 1999-11-01
DOI: 10.5594/M00307
Link: https://doi.org/10.5594/M00307
Author(s): Charles Poynton
Copyright: © 1999 Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, Inc.

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Charles Poynton; Color in 1080p24 and Electronic Cinema: Converting between R′G′B′ and 4:2:2, SMPTE Meetings and Conferences ( November 1999); SMPTE, 1999. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/M00307

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Charles Poynton; Color in 1080p24 and Electronic Cinema: Converting between R′G′B′ and 4:2:2, SMPTE Meetings and Conferences ( November 1999); SMPTE, 1999. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/M00307

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<span class="citation">Charles Poynton; <cite>Color in 1080p24 and Electronic Cinema: Converting between R′G′B′ and 4:2:2</cite>, SMPTE Meetings and Conferences ( November 1999); SMPTE, 1999. Available at <a href="https://doi.org/10.5594/M00307" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.5594/M00307</a></span>

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Charles Poynton; Color in 1080p24 and Electronic Cinema: Converting between R′G′B′ and 4:2:2, SMPTE Meetings and Conferences ( November 1999); SMPTE, 1999
doi: 10.5594/M00307
url: https://doi.org/10.5594/M00307

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<li>
Charles Poynton; <cite id="bib-10-5594-m00307">Color in 1080p24 and Electronic Cinema: Converting between R′G′B′ and 4:2:2</cite>, SMPTE Meetings and Conferences ( November 1999); SMPTE, 1999
<span class="doi">10.5594/M00307</span>
</li>