ESSENTIAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE AND INTEGRATED TVS
SEEING IS BELIEVING
Rec. 2020 promises better and more realistic greens
Nick Osborne, Key Account Manager at Invision, discusses why the colour range of a TV is an important factor to think about for truly realistic visuals. Ernie Kovacs, an American comedian, actor
now on its sixth version, states, ‘that the
While DCI-P3 is the colour gamut that
and writer, stated that television was called a
parameters defined for all these systems meet
most Ultra HD displays can reliably reproduce,
medium because it was “neither rare nor well
the quality goals set for HDTV’ and ‘should have
it is, effectively, a halfway point between Rec.
done”. This may have been true in the past, but
maximum commonality’.
709 and Rec. 2020, and is important as a
with the introduction of superior technology
Spring forward to 2012, and the ITU
comparison point between displays. However,
and streaming, this much-loved ‘medium’ has
released its recommendations for the Ultra HD
there’s still a way to go to reach full Rec. 2020.
increased in popularity, driving the demand for
market, commonly referred to as Rec. 2020 or
When it comes to Ultra HD, the more colour
an enhanced viewing experience. But what other
BT. 2020. These specifications, which include
gamut the better.
aspects do we think push this entertainment
resolution, bit depth, colour range, frame rate
For example, in Rec. 709 a majority of the
technology forward?
and other values, are ITU’s suggested standards
green colours that the eye can see are left out.
Over the years, there have been numerous
for Ultra HD projectors and televisions - as
This means that the true variation in colours
advances in technology that have helped with
well as any additional equipment related to
of spring leaves and flowers can be lost when
our viewing experience. While the jump from
their broadcasting.
reproduced on digital displays. However,
standard definition to high definition took a
the
autumnal colours of red, orange, and yellow
while to complete, the move from Full HD to
specifications mentioned above, the colour
are mostly reproduced easily since Rec. 709
Ultra HD looks to be moving apace.
change from the preceding Rec. 709 and
covers a majority of these. With the suggested
International
DCI-P3 to Rec. 2020 is a noticeable step up.
widening in the colour gamut for Rec. 2020,
Telecommunications Union (ITU) launched a
This wider colour gamut captures more colour
more of the previously missing greens, as
new worldwide standard that set the parameters
accurately to reflect what we see in the real
well as expansion of the other colours, are
for image encoding and signal characteristics of
world. Ultimately, this results in a more realistic
encompassed – allowing for more vivid colours,
high-definition television. This was known as
and more natural image and therefore, creates a
more detail and a visual nearer to what you
Rec. 709 or BT. 709. The recommendation,
truly immersive experience for the viewer.
would see in real life.
Back
in
52 AUGUST 2021
1993,
the
Although
Rec.
2020
covers
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