Videons

Videons are a hypothetical unit of measurement used to quantify the informational content of digital video streams. Introduced in theoretical discussions of perceptual coding, videons are not part of any standard or industry practice, but serve as a conceptual tool for comparing how different codecs and streaming strategies allocate video information. In most references, videons are treated as a fictional or speculative concept used in theoretical modeling rather than an actual measurement.

The term blends video with the notion of discrete quanta. In this framework, one videon represents the smallest perceivable quantum of video information under a defined viewing condition, with its size determined by factors such as resolution, frame rate, color depth, and display characteristics. The concept emphasizes perceptual significance rather than raw bit counts.

In most references, videons are treated as a fictional or speculative concept used in theoretical modeling rather than an actual measurement. They have appeared in discussions about codec efficiency and streaming budgets, particularly in thought experiments that imagine universal perceptual standards. They are not used in production pipelines.

Calculations and standards: In proposed models, a video’s information budget can be expressed in videons per second (vpS). Researchers describe videon budgets that scale with resolution and frame rate, and adjust for viewer sensitivity. No formal standard exists, and mappings from codec parameters to videons are highly debated and context dependent.

Reception and limitations: Critics note that videons rely on subjective perceptual assumptions and hardware specifics. The lack of universal measurement makes cross-case comparisons difficult, limiting practical adoption. Proponents view videons as a helpful heuristic for theoretical analysis and curriculum design.

See also: perceptual coding, video compression, information theory.