RGBvarianten

RGBvarianten refers to the different implementations of the RGB additive color model used in digital imaging and display systems. Each variant specifies a particular set of primaries (red, green, blue), a white point, and a transfer function that defines how color values map to light output. Together these choices determine the color gamut that can be represented and how colors are encoded for storage and display.

A key concept in RGBvarianten is the gamut, the range of colors that can be reproduced. Different variants have different gamuts, which means the same numeric RGB triplet may produce different colors on devices that support different spaces. Variants also differ in how luminance is encoded through gamma or tone curves, affecting perceived brightness and contrast.

Common RGB variants include sRGB (the standard for most web content and consumer devices), Adobe RGB (broader gamut often used in professional photography), ProPhoto RGB (very wide gamut used in high-end workflows), and Display P3 (widely adopted in newer displays and Apple ecosystems). For video and broadcast, Rec. 709 (HD) and Rec. 2020 (UHD) define widely used color spaces, with HDR content sometimes employing specialized transfer functions like PQ or HLG.

Gamma and linear RGB are important distinctions within RGBvarianten. Linear RGB represents light intensities directly, while nonlinear RGB spaces apply transfer functions to optimize perceptual uniformity and storage efficiency. Color management systems use ICC profiles to convert colors between variants while preserving intent and appearance.

In practice, the choice of RGBvariant depends on the workflow, destination medium, and device characteristics. Web content typically uses sRGB, professional print may use Adobe RGB or ProPhoto RGB, and video or HDR media follow Rec.709 or Rec.2020 specifications.