What is rec 709?

Rec 709 is a standard for high definition television (HDTV) developed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It defines the parameters for the RGB color space used in HDTV systems, including the primary colors red, green, and blue, as well as the white point and gamma curve.

Rec 709 specifies a color gamut that covers approximately 35.9% of the visible colors defined by the CIE 1931 color space, making it suitable for capturing and displaying high-quality images on HDTV monitors and screens. It is widely used in broadcast, film, and video production, as well as in consumer electronics.

The color space defined by Rec 709 is typically used for the storage, encoding, and transmission of digital video content in various formats, including Blu-ray, DVDs, and digital television broadcasts. It is considered the standard for HDTV color management and is essential for ensuring consistent and accurate color reproduction across different devices and platforms.

Overall, Rec 709 helps to ensure that images and videos displayed on HDTV screens are vibrant, accurate, and consistent with the original content captured by cameras and other recording devices. It is an important standard in the world of digital video production and broadcasting.