ASC releases cinema display evaluation plan & test protocol

The Technology Committee of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has published its “Cinema Display Evaluation Plan & Test Protocol,” which defines a method for the visual evaluation of parameters that characterise next generation cinema projection and active screens.

As part of the industry’s move to high dynamic range (HDR) and wide color gamut (WCG), the document represents the first step towards the goal of identifying where value is created from the filmmaker’s point-of-view. It is available for download now via the ASC Web site.

The “Cinema Display Evaluation Plan & Test Protocol” explores the capabilities in projectors and displays that go beyond those commonly found in cinema today. The focus is on deeper blacks, practical primaries for WCG, effective contrast ratios and optimal peak white levels for HDR cinema. Phase one of this work focusses on understanding how different parameter values impact the perception of image quality, establishing a baseline for further testing.

The protocol is the work of the Next Generation Cinema Display (NGCD) subcommittee of the ASC Technology Committee. The ASC Technology Committee is chaired by Curtis Clark ASC. The NGCD subcommittee is co-chaired by Michael Karagosian, Eric Rodli and Steve Schklair.