Is BT.1886 gamma only for video, or can it be used for still-image editing too?
Asked 3/21/2016
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I’m trying to understand whether the BT.1886 gamma specification is intended only for video work, or whether it also makes sense for still-image editing. Are there limitations or drawbacks when using BT.1886 for photos compared with a more typical display gamma such as sRGB/2.2?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
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ITU-R BT.1886 defines the reference electro-optical transfer function (EOTF / EOCF) for CRT and LCD displays used in HDTV studio production.
It was made in an effort to officially specify and standardise CRT EOCF and thus adopts a gamma of 2.4.
It should be used on HDTV reference mastering displays and is usually associated with BT.709 opto-electrical transfer function (OETF / OECF) that HDTV cameras adopts. The combination of both produces an overall colour imaging system gamma (end-to-end gamma) of 1.2 which is suitable for dim / very dim viewing conditions such as when you are watching television.
Considering the above, BT.1886 is indeed defined for video applications. It has a stronger gamma than sRGB EOCF (2.2) which is dedicated for desktop graphics applications.
Theoretically you should not use BT.1886 for image editing tasks that target desktop graphics but sRGB EOCF.
Originally by user20809. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user20809
10y ago
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BT.1886 is primarily a video standard. It defines the reference display EOTF for HDTV mastering displays and is typically paired with Rec.709 video workflows. In practice it corresponds to a display gamma around 2.4, intended for dim or very dim viewing conditions such as TV viewing environments.
For still-image editing, BT.1886 is usually not the normal target. Desktop and photo workflows more commonly assume sRGB-like behavior, roughly gamma 2.2, for general display viewing. Because BT.1886 is steeper than sRGB, using it for stills can make images appear different than they will on typical computer displays.
So yes, you can use BT.1886 on a monitor, but it is mainly appropriate when your goal is video grading/mastering for HDTV-style delivery and controlled viewing conditions. For photo editing intended for normal computer, web, or general-purpose display use, a standard sRGB/2.2-oriented setup is generally the better fit.
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