TM

ChromaTRU
Color Processing
Technical Review
Sony Professional LCD Monitors
 Table of contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
1 The reference for today’s video systems – CRT color reproduction . . .4
2 The issues of using LCD technology in professional video systems . . . .5
2-1 The limitations of LCDs today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2-2 The LCD characteristics that cause such problems . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
3 The Sony solution to these issues – ChromaTRU Color Processing . . . .6
3-1 Color Space Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
3-2 White Balance Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
3-3 The actual results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
3-4 The actual adjustment process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
4 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Additive Mixing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Gamma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Color Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
White balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

2 – Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors

Introduction
During the past two decades, LCD devices have LCD devices - lack of color matching between
become an essential element in almost all multiple monitors, and gamma curve
electrical appliances – including handheld discrepancies between CRTs – features that
calculators, cellular phones, PDAs, video games cannot be overlooked in high-end picture
and computer displays. While such monitoring applications.
applications have primarily used LCD The Sony LUMA Professional LCD monitors*
technology for its portability and ease of provide a revolutionary solution to these issues.
handling, on-going research has now elevated Using innovative technology, they not only allow
LCD picture performance to a level approaching near perfect color matching between multiple
conventional CRTs. LUMA monitors but also achieve white balance
The number of consumer LCD televisions seen and gamma color characteristics comparable
on the market today and their continual picture with a CRT display.
enhancements are clear demonstrations of this This manual introduces the innovative
progress. technology used to achieve these benefits, and
Today’s LCD display devices, used by many includes a glossary on related terminology for a
professional video equipment suppliers, have clear understanding. Reading through this
reached a level well suited for professional manual will allow you to reinforce your
picture monitoring in both production and demonstrations when you have a unit on hand,
broadcast applications. While their brightness, or allow you to logically explain how this
contrast and viewing angle limitations were mechanism works to lead your customers to a
once a concern, these have now been brought demo request.
to an acceptable level for most picture We hope this document serves as an invaluable
monitoring applications. However, one issue tool in your LUMA sales activities.
has yet to be resolved, an affect inherent in all * Available on Separate-Type LUMA models.

Monitor image simulated

– Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors 3

 The reference for today’s video systems –
1 CRT color reproduction

From the advent of the first broadcast system, This gamma was required to compensate for
all video system components have been the CRT's unique gamma curve of 2.2, making
designed with consideration to the the entire 'image capture to light display' a
characteristics of a CRT system. This was the linear system.
natural choice for many years given that CRT Today's technology offers a variety of display
television was the only device for delivering systems from LCD to plasma and EL displays –
video to household audiences. none of whose raw characteristics match the
A most well-known consideration is the 'reverse conventional CRT.
gamma' characteristics of a studio video The issue of whether these technologies can be
camera. Although the raw light-to-signal used in a professional environment is clear –
characteristics exhibit a linear relation, all video how close can these match the characteristics
cameras process their signals using a 0.45 of a CRT.
gamma curve. The LUMA Series ChromaTRU technology has
finally given a solid answer.

4 – Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors

 The issues of using LCD technology in
2 professional video systems

2-1 The limitations of LCDs today

For many reasons, including its longevity, issues still remain to make this transition.
stability and high-paced improvements, LCD The following list shows these issues at a
technology has become the choice for replacing glance. These are attributable and common to
the professional CRT by all prominent the raw characteristics of all LCD devices.
manufacturers. However, critical improvement

1 Inconsistent color temperature or color 'temperature shifts'

throughout the grayscale, from black to white.
2 Inconsistent color reproduction from panel to panel even
between same monitor models.
3 Gamma characteristics are compensated to try to match
CRT but a CRT-like gamma is not achieved.

2-2 The LCD characteristics that cause such problems

The raw 'input voltage versus light output' achieved between two non-linear curves
characteristics of an LCD monitor illustrates an introduces extra difficulty.
alphabet 'S-shaped' curve, which is very A second issue is that CRTs use color
different from a CRT’s gamma. What adds phosphors and LCD’s use color RGB filters to
more difficulty is that this 'S-shaped' curve reproduce colors. Although highly pure RGB
varies on a panel-to-panel basis. The key to filters are used in professional LCD monitors,
achieving a CRT-like gamma depends on how this different mechanism is another reason why
accurately this 'S-shaped' curve can be the color of an LCD display does not perfectly
electrically compensated to match a 2.2 gamma. match a CRT, either on a video monitor or on
However, while the amount of compensation is the CIE color map.
significant, the fact that compensation must be

Figure 1

Brightness Brightness

(a) Input voltage (a) Input voltage

LCD S-curve CRT 2.2 Gamma

– Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors 5

 The Sony solution to these issues –
3 ChromaTRU Color processing

Intensive research by Sony has led to the eliminates these color discrepancies.
development of a method to overcome such The diagram below shows a simplified flow of
problems – ChromaTRU processing – an this ChromaTRU technology.
innovative color calibration technology that

Figure 2

R 2.2 0.45 R

Color White
G 2.2 Space 0.45 Balance G
Conversion Calibration

B 2.2 0.45 B

3-1 Color Space Conversion

ChromaTRU technology comprises two main color in additive mixing, this means that the
processes. The first process is called ‘Color same color cannot be obtained from the two
Space Conversion’. devices for the same RGB input signal (refer to
The color coordinates of an LCD’s RGB color Figure-3). This color discrepancy also varies
filters and those of a CRT’s RGB phosphors do from panel to panel since the color filters and
not coincide on the CIE color map. This fact backlight of each LCD panel present different
holds true for all LCD displays. As these ‘RGB characteristics even within the same series of
color primaries’ are the basis of reproducing models.

6 – Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors

 The Sony solution to these issues – ChromaTRU Color processing

To compensate for this ‘color mismatch’ performed in the linear domain. Since video
between LCD color filters and CRT phosphors, signals are subject to a 0.45 gamma in the
Color Space Conversion electrically creates new video camera, the RGB signals fed to Color
color primaries, from its native filter primaries, Space Conversion must be reversed into their
that emulate RGB phosphors. This is achieved linear forms by applying a 1/0.45 gamma ( 2.2).
by using a color conversion matrix that is In ChromaTRU processing, this conversion is
customized for each LCD panel. Although the processed with high precision to avoid any
color space becomes slightly smaller than a degradation. Once the Color Space Conversion
CRT, these new primaries make the light matrix calculates the new color primaries, the
emitted from the LCD panel the same as a CRT. RGB signals are converted back into their non-
RGB primaries are handled as linear signals, linear forms, again with high precision.
thus Color Space Conversion must also be

Figure 3 CIE Color Coordinates

The CIE u’v’ chart is used to evaluate the light output The green and red dots indicate the color of light
of display devices. In this diagram, the raw light output from an LCD and that from a CRT for certain
output of an LCD is compared with that of a CRT. RGB input signals. Note that the same light color is
The triangular areas show their different color not obtained for the same video input.
reproduction capabilities (Color Space).

0.55 Orange yellow

Green
Yellow green Yellow CRT
Orange
Foliage Dark skin
Red LCD
0.50
Light skin Moderate red
Bluish green Whlite
0.45
Magenta
Cyan Blue sky Blue flower
0.40
Purple
v'
Purplish blue
0.35

0.30 Blue

0.25

0.20

0.15
0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.50
u'
CRT LCD CRT LCD panel

– Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors 7

 The Sony solution to these issues –
3 ChromaTRU Color processing

3-2 White Balance Calibration

Following the Color Space Conversion, a This means that the gamma curves of the RGB
second important process called ‘White channels must be the same since a consistent
Balance Calibration’ is applied. This process ratio must be maintained between them.
has two significant roles; it compensates for the In other words, the light output between the
gamma discrepancies between the LCD panel RGB LCD sub-pixels must have the same ratio
and standard CRTs, and further eliminates any for all different video levels.
white balance inaccuracies typically seen in In ChromaTRU White Balance Calibration, a
LCD monitors. significant 208 compensation points are
With conventional LCD monitors, white balance measured and used, from black level to white,
adjustment has been a challenging task. This is to clamp and maintain a consistent color
because the native characteristics of an LCD, temperature. At the same time, each RGB
combined with its color filters, is such that color channel is precisely adjusted to follow an
temperature slightly shifts depending on the accurate 2.2 CRT-like gamma.
input signal’s luminance level – regardless of the Combining this New White Balance Calibration
monitor being set to a specific color function with the earlier mentioned Color Space
temperature. Conversion allows color matching between
In general, adjusting white balance makes all multiple LCD monitors with gamma
other colors come into correct color balance. characteristics just like CRT’s.

3-3 The actual results

The effect of ChromaTRU processing can be WBC) are located in the same position, meaning
seen on the CIE u’v’ chart. the same light output is obtained for the same
With CSC*1 and WB*1 Calibration activated, video input.
LUMA Series LCD monitors*2 reproduce colors *1 Hereafter, Color Space Conversion and White Balance
almost identical to CRTs. In the chart on the Calibration are abbreviated as CSC and WBC, respectively

next page, most Red dots (CRT) and X’s (CSC + 2

* LUMA Series Separate-type monitors only

8 – Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors

 The Sony solution to these issues – ChromaTRU Color processing

Figure 4 CIE Chart with color samples

0.55 Orange yellow

Green
Yellow green Yellow CRT
Orange
Foliage Dark skin LCD
0.50
Light skin Red
Moderate red
Bluish green Whlite
0.45
Magenta
Blue flower
Cyan
Blue sky
0.40
Purple
v' Purplish blue

0.35

0.30 Blue

0.25

0.20

0.15
0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.50
u'
CRT (CRT Colors) LCD (Native LCD Colors) LCD panel
WBC (WBC is made) CSC (CSC process is made) CRT
CSC+WBC (Both CSC and WBC are implemented)

Figure 5
A color comparison between CRT and LCD, with using WBC+CSC (right bottom corner) look almost
different combinations of CSC and WBC applied. identical to the colors reproduced from a ‘CRT’
The color tiles indicate that the LCD colors obtained (center tile).
Color Tile

LCD WBC

CRT

WBC
CSC +
CSC

Legend: LCD: Native LCD Color

Light Skin Bluish Green Purplish Blue
CRT: CRT Color
WBC: White Balance Calibration applied
CSC: CSC process applied
WBC+CSC: CSC and WBC applied

– Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors 9

 The Sony solution to these issues –
3 ChromaTRU Color processing

3-4 The actual adjustment process

As has been discussed, the native color Look up
characteristics of an LCD panel are far different table setting
from a CRT.
They are also different from LCD to LCD. The
goal with the ChromaTRU process (Color Space
Conversion and White Balance Calibration) is to
generate an LCD drive voltage that displays the
input RGB signal as it would be seen on a CRT.
In the below figure, this LCD drive voltage is Calculation
indicated as R’’, G’’, B’’. The output of CSC is
indicated as R’, G’, B’. Calibration are precisely calculated on an LCD
A key point to note is that CSC is a matrix panel basis at production. This calculation is
process and the same conversion calculation is done by measuring the raw light output of the
applied to all different levels of RGB input. In LCD panel*1 and comparing it with the output
contrast, White Balance Calibration is a that would be obtained if the same RGB input
conversion process that differs for each RGB was displayed on a CRT. A sophisticated
signal value and thus a lookup table (a analysis examines the results of this
numerical mapping table) is used. This table comparison*2 and sets the correct matrix
maps the color space corrected R’G’B’ coefficients and lookup table values.
signal values to the White Balance corrected Once these are calculated, the data is
R’’G’’B’’ signal values – the signals that actually registered to the LCD panel memory from the
drive the LCD display. In actuality, the lookup analyzing system so the Color Space
table has as many as 208 variations of Conversion matrix and White Balance lookup
mapping. table are optimized for that panel.
As earlier mentioned, the matrix coefficients of *1 The light output without Color Space Conversion and White
CSC and lookup table values of White Balance Balance Calibration.
*2 In actuality, the light output of each RGB channel is compared
both in its CIE x/y-coordinates and CIE u’/v-coordinates.
Figure 6

3 x 3 Matrix Operations Look Up Table for Serial # 001

A11 A12 A13

= B21 B22 B23
C31 C32 C33

R R
R
Color G White G
G Space Balance
Conversion B Calibration B
B LMD-232W Serial # 001

10 – Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors

 The Sony solution to these issues – ChromaTRU Color processing

Figure 7

A) CRT monitor (gamma 0.45 + gamma 2.2 = Linear)

Brightness Brightness Brightness

Camera
gamma + CRT
gamma =
(a) Input voltage (b) Input voltage (c) Input voltage

B) Conventional LCD monitor (gamma 0.45 + Conventional LCD gamma = problem!)

Brightness Brightness Brightness

Camera
gamma + Conventional
LCD
gamma = ?
(a) Input voltage (b) Input voltage (c) Input voltage

C) LUMA LCD monitor (gamma 0.45 + CSC/WBC = Almost Linear)

Brightness Brightness

Camera
gamma + =
(a) Input voltage (b) Input voltage

4 Conclusion

The different color characteristics of Sony’s ChromaTRU technology now

LCDs and their inconsistency from panel helps overcome this challenge, bringing
to panel had made it a challenge to CRT color reproduction and precise
position them as a replacement for CRTs. panel-to-panel color matching into the
world of professional LCD monitoring.

– Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors 11

 Glossary

Additive Mixing
Prior to the development of the color video This results in the emission of Red, Green
system, experiments in colorimetry proved that and Blue light from each of the R, G, and B
most colors visible to the human eye could be phosphors, with their intensities proportional to
composed using the three primary colors, Red their associated electron beams. To the human
(R), Green (G), and Blue (B). This fact also eye, these lights are perceived as one light
holds true when separating a specific color – beam, with the appropriate color reproduced
that is, any color can be separated into a when viewed from a certain distance.
combination/amount of these three primary
color components. This principle is called The mechanism of a color video camera uses a
Additive Mixing. The mechanism of reproducing reverse function of a picture monitor. The light
color on a picture monitor is based on this that enters the camera’s lens is first separated
principle, and is a good example for into the three primary colors, R, G, and B using
understanding how Additive Mixing works. a prism system. These color light components
are converted into R, G and B signal voltages at
In a video monitor CRT tube, three R, G, and B their associated R, G, and B imager sensors
guns each emit electrons (electron beams) (CCD or CMOS). The R, G, and B signals are
corresponding to the amount of the R, G, and B then processed into the appropriate signal
components in the color to be reproduced. formats to construct the output video signal.

Blue

Sony Trinitron ®
Gun
Cyan Magenta
White

Green Yellow Red

Aperture grill

RGB stripe phosphors

12 – Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors

 Glossary

Gamma
Gamma (γ) is a numerical value that indicates Needless to say, video systems must have a
the response characteristics between the linear relation from the light-capturing device
brightness of a display device (CRT/Flat panel to the light-output device. Thus, the CRT’s
display) and its input voltage. CRT tubes, due to exponential characteristics must be compensated
their beam mechanisms, exhibit a characteristic for somewhere in the system chain. This
in which the brightness of the CRT and the compensation is called gamma correction, and is
input voltage retain an exponential relation, performed within the image-capturing device –
instead of a proportional one (Figure-8 (a)). The the video camera.
exponent index that describes this relation is
the CRT’s gamma, which is usually around 2.2. The goal in compensating for a CRT’s gamma is
Mathematically, this gamma is expressed as in to create a camera output signal that has a
the equation: reverse relation to the CRT’s gamma. In this
L = Vγ way, the light that enters the camera will be in
proportion to the brightness of the CRT picture
where L is the CRT brightness, and V is the tube. This means the camera should apply a
input voltage. gamma correction of about of 1/γ. The exponent
γ '(1/γ) is what we call the camera’s gamma,
On a CRT screen, this means that dark areas of which is about 1/2.2 or 0.45.
a signal will look much darker than they actually
are, and bright areas of the signal will look
much brighter than they should be.

Figure 8

Brightness Brightness

Camera gamma

Gamma correction

CRT gamma CRT gamma

(a) Input voltage (b) Input voltage

– Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors 13

 Glossary

Color Temperature
Color temperature is a parameter used to Coming back to our subject, it might sound
describe the spectrum distribution of the light strange that a ‘temperature’ is used to describe
that an illuminant emits. For video or PC a monitor’s base operating color, white.
monitors, it is used to describe their base However, as mentioned above, color temperature
operating color, which is measured using the can describe the spectral distribution of different
color white. Illuminants or monitors with low color tones using a single temperature number,
color temperatures tend to look reddish, while also making it handy to describe the spectral
those with high color temperatures tend to look distribution of a monitor’s white color – the
bluish. color that determines the monitor’s overall
picture color. For example, if a monitor is set
In order to understand why we describe a up to display images with a reddish color tone,
monitor’s color using ‘temperature’, a brief this adjustment can be precisely expressed
review of colorimetry is required. using the monitor’s color temperature.

Researchers in colorimetry discovered that the

spectral distribution of light emitted from a Color Temperature
Light Source (approx.)
piece of carbon (a black body that absorbs all
Skylight 12000 K - 18000 K
radiation without transmission and reflection) is
NoonSunlight 4900 K - 5800 K
determined only by its temperature. When
Sunrise and Sunset 3000 K
heated above a certain temperature, carbon will
12 V/100 W Halogen Lamp 3200 K
start glowing and emit a color spectrum
Candlelight 2900 K
particular to that temperature. This discovery
led researchers to use the temperature of
heated carbon as a reference to describe
different spectrums of light. This is called color
temperature.

White balance
To achieve consistent color reproduction on a that is, the white balance that translates into
monitor, the monitor must maintain the same 6500K color temperature – throughout the entire
color temperature throughout the entire gray gray scale.
scale. In other words, the monitor must provide
the same color tone for all luminance levels of Professional monitors do however, allow white
white – from black to gray, onto 100% white. balance and color temperature to be adjusted
This is called white balance. should the desired color temperature setting not
be preset in the monitor.
Monitor white balance is adjusted during
production for typical color temperatures, and In the case of LCD monitors, white balance
adjustment by the operator is usually not tended to shift according to signal luminance
required. For example, if the operator selects level, making color matching between monitors
6500K for the monitor’s color temperature, the a challenge.
monitor will maintain the same white balance –

14 – Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors

– Technical Review, Sony Professional LCD Monitors 15
 © 2005 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Features, design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
All non-metric weights and measures are approximate.
MK10307V1 Sony, Trinitron, ChromaTRU and LUMA are trademarks of Sony.