lowbitdepth

Lowbitdepth is a term used to describe digital data in which each sample is represented with a relatively small number of bits. It commonly applies to audio, images, and video, where the bit depth determines the precision of each sample and thus the dynamic range and potential noise.

In images and video, low bit depth often means reduced color or grayscale precision. For color images, a typical standard is 8 bits per channel (24 bits per pixel), but lower bit depths per channel or per pixel can be used for memory or bandwidth savings. Fewer levels lead to quantization artifacts such as color banding and posterization, especially in gradients. Low bit depth is sometimes chosen deliberately for retro aesthetics, streaming under limited bandwidth, or on devices with constrained memory.

In audio, bit depth defines the number of possible amplitude levels for each sample. Common formats use 16-bit or 24-bit depth; 8-bit or lower offers significantly less dynamic range and more quantization noise, producing a lo-fi or vintage sound. Dithering and noise shaping are techniques used when reducing bit depth to mask quantization artifacts, particularly during mastering and downsampling.

In practice, many workflows perform processing at a higher bit depth to preserve fidelity and convert down to a lower depth only at final output. The choice of bit depth hinges on fidelity requirements, storage or transmission constraints, and the intended aesthetic.

See also: quantization, dithering, color depth, dynamic range.