Advanced Television

SMPTE backs “dazzling” HDR spec

September 9, 2014

By Chris Forrester

The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) on September 10 is to release a technical standard covering High Dynamic Range (HDR) images that will – in essence – match the Dolby Vision proposals from Dolby Labs.

The concept could allow viewers to see what has been described as “dazzling” in its treatment of whiter whites and permitting much more variation in representing blacks/grays and items in shadow.

One commentator, The Hollywood Reporter’s Carolyn Giardina, says early demonstrations have shown that the difference is a “more noticeable upgrade compared to moving from HDTV to Ultra-HD”.

The September 10 meeting at IBC will see SMPTE publish its ‘transfer function’ document which outlines a roadmap for the technology, starting at the camera’s lens and on to colour grading and post-production and eventual delivery to broadcasters and the home.

Dolby, and Philips of the Netherlands (which is working with the BBC), each have their individual proposals as does Technicolor, and covering next-generation image capture and designed to exploit the much higher dynamic range possible with digital image capture from the latest high-end camera systems.

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, Regulation, Standards, UHD, Ultra-HD/4K