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Have you heard of color coverage or 'color gamut' when using electronics like smartphones, tablets, PCs, or laptops? While sRGB represents the traditional color standard, DCI-P3 stands out as a high-quality standard offering vibrant and lively colors. So, what is DCI-P3 color coverage, and why is it increasingly preferred? Discover the answers in today's article!
Referenced from tech sites: MSI, Tipsmake, Tom's Hardware, and Android Authority.
See also: What does the sRGB specification mean? How does sRGB differ from Adobe RGB and DCI-P3? Which color coverage suits you best?
What is DCI-P3 Color Coverage?
Color coverage, also known as color gamut, refers to the spectrum of colors that a device can reproduce, encompassing the range of colors visible to the human eye. This term is relevant for digital imaging and graphic devices like cameras, screens, printers, laptops, and computers.
Color gamut measures the spectrum of colors a display can reproduce. Source: B&HDCI-P3, also known as P3 or Display P3, stands for Digital Cinema Initiatives - Protocol 3. Launched in 2010 by the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), DCI-P3 represents a color standardization effort in cinema, offering a color range approximately 25% wider than the sRGB standard.
The DCI-P3 color range is the most commonly used in the film industry, according to ViewSonic.Initially developed for cinema, DCI-P3 now enhances high-end PC monitors, TVs, and mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, offering HDR experience improvements. Products from Apple, Sony, Samsung, and Google benefit from the DCI-P3 standard by displaying richer colors.
DCI-P3's popularity continues to rise, as noted by Tom's Hardware.DCI-P3 Standards
When it comes to color spaces, whether it's sRGB, Adobe RGB, DCI-P3, or any other color gamut, they are all defined by a triangle on the CIE XY 1931 Chromaticity Diagram created by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). In this diagram, the standard color gamut of DCI-P3 is represented by the green border line. DCI-P3 typically uses a pure gamma curve of 2.6 and a white point with a correlated daylight temperature like D63 but greener in hue.
DCI-P3 boasts a color space over 25% larger than sRGB and is only 4% behind NTSC 1953. Source: Tom's HardwareColor coverage of DCI-P3 is presented as a percentage (e.g., 70% DCI-P3, 85% DCI-P3,...). Additionally, DCI-P3 has a wider color gamut than sRGB by over 25% and can handle 10-bit color, providing richer, more vibrant images, which is also key for HDR. Speaking of HDR, DCI-P3 is also the color space used by HDR.
DCI-P3 is considered a solid foundation for HDR displays. Source: TM BroadcastComparing DCI-P3, sRGB, and Adobe RGB
sRGB, developed by HP and Microsoft in 1996, standardizes color display on electronic devices, widely supported across OS, software, PCs, and printers. It's the most common color space, universally backed by web browsers.
sRGB stands as today's most adopted color standard. Source: Learn PhotographyAdobe RGB, created by Adobe Systems in 1998, aims to optimize CMYK color printing. Covering about 50% of the CIE XYZ color space, it offers a wider gamut than sRGB's 30%, particularly in the green spectrum, enabling more saturated color representation.
Adobe RGB sets the standard for printing technology. Source: PinterestWhile sRGB is the traditional standard color range, DCI-P3 dominates cinema and Adobe RGB excels in the printing industry, offering a wider color gamut for professional environments like Adobe Photoshop.
DCI-P3, similar to Adobe RGB but focused on video, is internationally standardized. Source: ViewSonicDCI-P3's compatibility spans all digital cinema projectors, offering a 25% larger color gamut than sRGB for more vibrant, true-to-life images. Ideal for full HDR enjoyment, it also supports 10-bit color, outperforming sRGB's 8-bit.
DCI-P3 offers viewers a broader color spectrum compared to sRGB devices, enhancing visual experiences. Source: ViewSonicDCI-P3: The Color Space of the Future
Since its inception for digital media, DCI-P3 has gained favor over Adobe RGB and sRGB, offering designers more freedom for vibrant and sharp creativity. The rise of HDR imagery has further boosted the demand for this expansive color space across games and TV shows, leading to more screens adopting it for richer colors.
The adoption of DCI-P3 is increasing across computer monitors, TVs, and mobile devices, making colors more vivid. Source: BenQWhat are your thoughts on DCI-P3? Do you prefer DCI-P3, sRGB, or another color gamut? Share your opinions in the comments!
Credits: MSI, Tipsmake, Tom's Hardware, and Android Authority.
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