Image Capturing Apparatus HDR SDR Conversion and Playback Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods require cumbersome display setting changes when playing both Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR) video signals, as they do not account for seamless playback across devices supporting either SDR or HDR.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus that includes an image sensor and processors for converting video signals between HDR and SDR formats, associating conversion characteristic information with the signals for recording, allowing for playback according to display device capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If only HDR video signals are recorded, then HDR display quality is improved, but compatibility with SDR display devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The video signal is divided into two separate streams: an HDR video signal for HDR display devices and an SDR video signal for SDR display devices. Each signal is recorded separately with its own conversion characteristic information, allowing the playback device to select the appropriate signal based on the display device's capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Conversion characteristic information acts as an intermediary between the HDR and SDR video signals. This metadata contains the conversion parameters needed to transform the HDR signal to SDR or vice versa, enabling seamless compatibility between different display types without requiring direct conversion during playback.
2Adaptability or versatility
If only SDR video signals are recorded, then compatibility with all display devices is improved, but HDR display capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The recording system separates the video signal into HDR and SDR components, allowing both formats to be stored simultaneously. This segmentation enables the system to maintain full HDR capability for capable displays while ensuring backward compatibility with SDR displays through the separate SDR signal track.
3Manufacturing precision
If display settings are changed manually for each video type, then correct image quality is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The playback device automatically detects the display device's capabilities and selects or converts the appropriate video signal without user intervention. The system self-adjusts by reading the conversion characteristic information and applying the necessary transformations, eliminating the need for manual display setting changes by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The conversion characteristic information is prepared and associated with the video signals during recording. This preliminary preparation of conversion parameters allows the playback device to immediately perform the correct conversion when playing back the video, without requiring users to manually configure display settings.
4Adaptability or versatility
If video signals are converted in real-time during playback, then display compatibility is improved, but processing complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conversion characteristic information is pre-calculated and associated with the video signals during the recording process. This preliminary preparation of conversion parameters reduces the processing complexity during playback, as the device only needs to apply pre-computed conversion tables rather than performing complex real-time calculations.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides an image capturing apparatus which comprises an image sensor configured to obtain a video signal, and at least one processor which function as a first converting unit configured to convert the video signal obtained from the image sensor into an HDR video signal; a second converting unit configured to convert the HDR video signal obtained by the first converting unit into an SDR video signal; and a controller configured to associate at least one of the HDR video signal obtained by the first converting unit and the SDR video signal obtained by second conversion means with conversion characteristic information, the conversion characteristic information representing conversion characteristics for converting the HDR video signal and the SDR video signal to one another, the controller being configured to store the associated HDR video signal or SDR video signal in a recording medium.