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Videostandards

Videostandards are formal specifications that define the technical parameters for video signals throughout their life cycle from production to display. They establish common rules for aspects such as resolution, frame rate, color space, bit depth, compression, and transport, enabling interoperability between cameras, displays, encoders, decoders, and storage. Standards may apply to analog or digital signals and to broadcast, cable, streaming, or archival contexts.

Historically, videostandards began with analog systems such as NTSC, PAL, and SECAM used for terrestrial broadcasting.

Video colorimetry and metadata standards define how color information is represented. Common color spaces include Rec.

Key industry bodies include the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Society of Motion Picture and Television

The
shift
to
digital
television
introduced
broadcast
standards
like
ATSC
(North
America),
DVB
(Europe
and
elsewhere),
ISDB
(Japan
and
parts
of
the
Americas),
and
DTMB
(China),
as
well
as
corresponding
compression
and
transmission
specifications.
In
addition
to
distribution,
standards
cover
file
formats
and
codecs
used
for
recording
and
playback,
such
as
MPEG-2,
MPEG-4
Part
2,
H.264/AVC,
H.265/HEVC,
and
AV1,
and
containers
like
MP4,
MKV,
and
MPEG‑TS.
601
for
standard-definition,
Rec.
709
for
high-definition,
and
Rec.
2020
for
ultra-high-definition.
High
dynamic
range
and
wide
color
gamut
standards
such
as
HDR10,
Dolby
Vision,
and
HLG
specify
how
luminance
and
color
are
encoded
to
achieve
greater
realism.
Frame
rate,
resolution,
and
bit
depth
are
also
specified
to
ensure
consistent
viewing
experiences
across
devices.
Engineers
(SMPTE),
the
Moving
Picture
Experts
Group
(MPEG)
under
ISO/IEC,
and
regional
projects
such
as
DVB,
ATSC,
ISDB,
and
DTMB.
Together
they
publish
standards
and
recommended
practices
that
guide
television
broadcasting,
video
distribution,
and
consumer
electronics
worldwide.
Standardization
continues
as
new
formats
emerge,
including
4K
and
8K
resolutions,
higher
dynamic
range,
and
next‑generation
codecs.