Use these references alongside the site's TV calibration glossary, practical test patterns, and measured calibration workflow when you want to connect standards language to what you see on screen.
References
This page collects the standards, technical papers, calibration documentation, and test-pattern resources that support the explanations across Why It Looks Like That. The goal is not to turn every article into a footnoted textbook. It is to keep the underlying references easy to find when a reader wants to go deeper.
Core video standards
Parameter values for the HDTV standards for production and international programme exchange
Primary SDR HDTV system reference for Rec.709 colorimetry, white point, transfer characteristics, and HD production exchange.
- Used for
- SDR color space, HD video, Rec.709 references
Reference electro-optical transfer function for flat panel displays used in HDTV studio production
Reference display EOTF used when discussing SDR gamma, BT.1886 behavior, shadow detail, and calibration targets.
- Used for
- SDR gamma, EOTF, reference display response
Parameter values for ultra-high definition television systems for production and international programme exchange
UHDTV image-system reference for wide-color-gamut discussions, Rec.2020 primaries, and UHD signal framing.
- Used for
- UHD, Rec.2020, wide color gamut
Image parameter values for high dynamic range television for use in production and international programme exchange
HDR-TV reference covering PQ and HLG signal parameters, HDR/WCG system assumptions, and HDR production exchange.
- Used for
- HDR, PQ, HLG, HDR/WCG production
High dynamic range television for production and international programme exchange
Background report for HDR-TV concepts, including practical context for HDR transfer functions, display adaptation, and production exchange.
- Used for
- HDR background, PQ/HLG context, production guidance
HDR metadata and delivery formats
High Dynamic Range Electro-Optical Transfer Function of Mastering Reference Displays
Defines the PQ transfer function that underpins HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and many HDR calibration discussions.
- Used for
- PQ curve, HDR EOTF, nits
Mastering Display Color Volume Metadata Supporting High Luminance and Wide Color Gamut Images
Defines static mastering-display color volume metadata used to describe the display conditions behind HDR masters.
- Used for
- Mastering display metadata, HDR10 static metadata
HDR Static Metadata Extensions
Consumer-technology reference for signaling HDR static metadata through HDMI/EDID/InfoFrame structures.
- Used for
- MaxCLL, MaxFALL, HDMI HDR signaling
An Introduction to Dolby Vision
Manufacturer white paper used for general Dolby Vision concepts, dynamic metadata, and display mapping context.
- Used for
- Dolby Vision, dynamic metadata, HDR mapping
HDR10+ official ecosystem overview
Industry source for HDR10+ format positioning, dynamic metadata concepts, and consumer ecosystem language.
- Used for
- HDR10+, dynamic metadata, HDR formats
HDR Game Content Production and Distribution Guidelines
Industry guideline source for HDR gaming best practices and the distinction between guidelines and display-brand menu labels.
- Used for
- HDR gaming, console calibration, tone mapping
Color science and measurement foundations
Colorimetry, 4th Edition
Foundational reference for standard observers, illuminants, tristimulus values, chromaticity, and color-difference calculations.
- Used for
- Colorimetry, CIE diagrams, measurement language
CIE 1931 colour-matching functions, 2 degree observer
Official CIE data set behind the 1931 observer commonly used in color charts and measurement workflows.
- Used for
- CIE 1931, xy diagrams, observer data
CIE standard illuminant D65
Official CIE D65 data set used when explaining video white point, color temperature, and why accurate white may initially look warm.
- Used for
- D65, white point, color temperature
CIE Fundamentals for Color Measurements
Accessible technical overview of CIE colorimetry concepts used to explain why meters, observers, and color coordinates matter.
- Used for
- Color measurement, tristimulus values, color-difference basics
BT.709 RGB encoding registry entry
Reference registry entry for BT.709 encoding characteristics and colorimetric RGB metadata.
- Used for
- Color management, Rec.709 encoding metadata
Viewing environment, monitor behavior, and consumer modes
User requirements for video monitors in television production
Professional monitor requirements that help frame the difference between reference, production, and consumer viewing expectations.
- Used for
- Reference monitors, grading rooms, production displays
About Filmmaker Mode
Consumer-mode reference for preserving frame rate, aspect ratio, D65 white point, and reducing motion/interpolation enhancement.
- Used for
- Picture modes, motion smoothing, D65, overscan
D-Cinema Quality — Reference Projector and Environment
Cinema reference-environment context for understanding why viewing conditions and neutral surroundings matter.
- Used for
- Viewing environment, reference projection, room conditions
Digital Video and HD: Algorithms and Interfaces
Technical reference for digital video concepts, luma/chroma language, transfer functions, and signal representation.
- Used for
- Luma, chroma, digital video fundamentals
Calibration tools and test-pattern resources
Calman calibration software documentation
Software documentation and training resources for meter-based display calibration workflows and reports.
- Used for
- Meters, workflows, reports, calibration software
DisplayCAL documentation
Open-source calibration and profiling documentation useful for understanding meter setup, profiling, verification, and display characterization.
- Used for
- Colorimeters, profiling, verification
AVS HD 709 calibration patterns
Community-maintained SDR test-pattern package frequently referenced for basic black level, white clipping, and color-bar checks.
- Used for
- PLUGE, SDR clipping, basic patterns
UHD HDR Benchmark
Commercial reference-disc source for HDR/SDR test patterns, clipping checks, ramps, and visual verification material.
- Used for
- HDR patterns, ramps, clipping, verification