linear will be dis-

 

V I D E O

 

the primaries with-

cussed at another

 

 

 

 

out changing their

time, but with the availability of digi-

levels for the white color. It is

tal signal processing, such transfor-

adjusted until the signal levels of

mations are practical, but expensive.

each primary alone matches its sig-

Some approximate

corrections can

nal level, and therefore brightness,

be made more simply on consumer

in white. The Hue control varies the

displays.

 

 

relative signal levels of the primaries

 

 

 

to each other, except in white, so

 

 

 

that the brightness of any one pri-

7. Color and Hue

mary is the same in two complemen-

Adjustments

 

 

tary colors. For instance, the bright-

I have shown that color accuracy is a

ness of green should be the same in

yellow as it is in cyan. When the sig-

function of grayscale and phosphor

nal format conversion to RGB is cor-

accuracy when a monitor is driven by

rectly calibrated, the brightness of

RGB signals. However, no video

any one primary will appear the

sources produce RGB signals direct-

same everywhere it is used in the

ly. Instead we have composite, S-

color bars.

 

 

Video, or YPbPr component video

 

 

On many consumer monitors, it

from our sources. These signal for-

is not possible to adjust the Color

mats must always be converted to

and Hue controls for the proper

RGB signals to drive the display

results. This means that the conver-

device, either in a TV monitor or per-

sion circuits are not capable of being

haps externally in a line doubler, or

accurately calibrated to generate the

other upconverter, to drive a projec-

correct RGB signals. This can be an

tor. This introduces another source

intentional decision by the manufac-

of color errors. Hue and Color con-

turer who believes that the resulting

trols are usually provided to calibrate

colors, although inaccurate,

are

the conversion from the source sig-

more likely to attract purchasers.

nal format to the RGB signals.

Conversely, Sony now includes addi-

Color bars are used to adjust

tional service level adjustments in

Color and Hue because we know

its top-end products to improve the

that the three RGB signal values

conversion and color accuracy.

 

should be the same everywhere

 

However, it should now be appar-

they are used in the color-bar pat-

ent that even if the color decoding is

tern. Therefore, with proper cali-

adjusted correctly, the colors will still

bration, the same brightness of blue

not be accurate unless the grayscale

light should come from each color

is properly adjusted and the phos-

that contains blue (blue, white,

phors match the SMPTE standards.

cyan, and magenta). The same is

The blue-filter method works perfect-

true for red or green. Remember

ly for professional broadcast moni-

that the brightness of red, blue, or

tors be-cause the latter condition is

green is different and that was set

satisfied. In consumer monitors, this

by adjusting the white color tem-

method will produce colors only as

perature. But the brightness of any

accurate as the phosphors and con-

one primary should be the same

version circuits allow. A highly

everywhere it is used in the pattern,

knowledgeable

calibrator,

who

including white.

 

 

 

 

understands all the concepts we’ve

Using this principle, calibration

discussed, can use a color analyzer to

DVDs like Video Essentials and the

adjust all parameters and achieve

AVIA Guide to Home Theater pro-

better color accuracy. For this rea-

vide filters (blue in Video Essentials

son, the blue filter method must be

and red, blue, and green in AVIA) so

considered an

approximation

for

that the light from only one primary

consumer monitors. The AVIA DVD

can be viewed at a time. Most CRT

provides an additional test pattern

projectors provide a means to turn

that can aid in fine tuning the Hue

on one primary at a time (or you can

and Color adjustments, but that is the

cover the lenses), so filters are

best a user can do without expensive

unnecessary. The

Color saturation

 

 

 

 

control adjusts the signal levels of

instrumentation.

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Sony G90 manual Color and Hue, Adjustments, Avia Guide to Home Theater pro