Is There a Standard Observer in the House?

Digital technology is allowing a better color control for all kinds of display. At the same time digital evolution brings new challenges with wider color gamut, higher dynamic range and new color gamut conversions. Color measurements are based on age-old definition of a standard observer. For many reasons, there is little chance for a given spectator to match this average. Worse, new projection systems are causing larger perception deviations. And color sensations and perceptions are strongly influenced by language, culture and education. There is a visible contradiction between reduced calibration tolerances and uncertainties inherent to human perception. How can we use measures and calculations to ensure that every potential viewer is experiencing an audio-visual work as consistent as any other viewer? The solution is to be found by understanding the mechanisms of perception. This knowledge must be applied to the specific situation of audio-visual work projection, using metameric rendition. This means also the perception of whole images and not of a set of single colors. It is even necessary to include whole scenes. It is suggested that digital content analysis is the way to ensure a coherent metameric rendition for any theatrical audience.

Published

2015-10

Content type

Original Research

Keywords

Standard observer, color perception, metamerism, color gamut conversion, color measurement, color constancy, Retinex, Gestalt theory

DOI

10.5594/M001665

ISBN

978-1-61482-956-0