vectorscope

A vectorscope is a specialized electronic instrument used in video production and television broadcasting to display a visual representation of the color information in a video signal. It plots the saturation and hue of the color against the luminance, essentially showing a scatter plot of the color data.

The display on a vectorscope is typically a graticule or overlay that indicates specific color regions and their corresponding positions. For example, primary and secondary colors are often marked on the graticule. When the video signal is fed into the vectorscope, the display will show a shape or pattern that corresponds to the colors present in the image being monitored.

Technicians and colorists use vectorscopes to ensure that colors are balanced, consistent, and within broadcast standards. By observing the patterns on the vectorscope, they can identify and correct color shifts, over-saturation, or under-saturation. It is an essential tool for maintaining a professional and accurate color rendition across different video sources and displays. Unlike a waveform monitor which displays the luminance and chrominance of a signal over time, the vectorscope focuses solely on the color characteristics of the video signal.