The color encoding system used for analog television worldwide (NTSC, PAL and SECAM). The YUV color space (color model) differs from RGB, which is what the camera captures and what humans view. When color signals were developed in the 1950s, it was decided to allow black and white TVs to continue to receive and decode monochrome signals, while color sets would decode both monochrome and color signals.
Luma and Color Difference Signals
The Y in YUV stands for "luma," which is brightness, or lightness, and black and white TVs decode only the Y part of the signal. U and V provide color information and are "color difference" signals of blue minus luma (B-Y) and red minus luma (R-Y). Through a process called "color space conversion," the video camera converts the RGB data captured by its sensors into either composite analog signals (YUV) or component versions (analog YPbPr or digital YCbCr). For rendering on screen, all these color spaces must be converted back again to RGB by the TV or display system.
Mathematically Equivalent to RGB
YUV also saves transmission bandwidth compared to RGB, because the chroma channels (B-Y and R-Y) carry only half the resolution of the luma. YUV is not compressed RGB; rather, Y, B-Y and R-Y are the mathematical equivalent of RGB. See color space conversion and YUV/RGB conversion formulas.
Composite Video and S-video
The original TV standard combined luma (Y) and both color signals (B-Y, R-Y) into one channel, which uses one cable and is known as "composite video." An option known as "S-video" or "Y/C video" keeps the luma separate from the color signals, using one cable, but with separate wires internally. S-video is a bit sharper than composite video.
Component Video
When luma and each of the color signals (B-Y and R-Y) are maintained in separate channels, it is called "component video," designated as YPbPr when in the analog domain and YCbCr when it is digital. Component video is the sharpest of all.
The Term Is Generic
In practice, YUV refers to the color difference encoding system whether composite or component, and "YUV," "Y, B-Y, R-Y" and "YPbPr" are used interchangeably for analog signals. Sometimes, "YCbCr," which is digital, is used interchangeably as well, which does not help to clarify the subject. See YPbPr, YCbCr, luma, ITU-R BT.601, YIQ and chroma subsampling.
Video Connections
Analog video can be transmitted as composite video, S-video or component video. High-end consumer and professional equipment uses component analog video (YPbPr) and three separate cables.
YUV Out
The top diagram shows how YUV signals are mixed and distributed to outside connectors, and the device on the bottom shows the actual ports from an NVIDIA display adapter. (Bottom image courtesy of NVIDIA Corporation.)
Analog or Digital?
The outputs on the back of this DVD player are really analog (YPbPr), but designated as Pb/Cb and Pr/Cr just to cover all bases. YPbPr and YCbCr are often used interchangeably, and erroneously.
Luma and Color Difference Signals
The Y in YUV stands for "luma," which is brightness, or lightness, and black and white TVs decode only the Y part of the signal. U and V provide color information and are "color difference" signals of blue minus luma (B-Y) and red minus luma (R-Y). Through a process called "color space conversion," the video camera converts the RGB data captured by its sensors into either composite analog signals (YUV) or component versions (analog YPbPr or digital YCbCr). For rendering on screen, all these color spaces must be converted back again to RGB by the TV or display system.
Mathematically Equivalent to RGB
YUV also saves transmission bandwidth compared to RGB, because the chroma channels (B-Y and R-Y) carry only half the resolution of the luma. YUV is not compressed RGB; rather, Y, B-Y and R-Y are the mathematical equivalent of RGB. See color space conversion and YUV/RGB conversion formulas.
Composite Video and S-video
The original TV standard combined luma (Y) and both color signals (B-Y, R-Y) into one channel, which uses one cable and is known as "composite video." An option known as "S-video" or "Y/C video" keeps the luma separate from the color signals, using one cable, but with separate wires internally. S-video is a bit sharper than composite video.
Component Video
When luma and each of the color signals (B-Y and R-Y) are maintained in separate channels, it is called "component video," designated as YPbPr when in the analog domain and YCbCr when it is digital. Component video is the sharpest of all.
The Term Is Generic
In practice, YUV refers to the color difference encoding system whether composite or component, and "YUV," "Y, B-Y, R-Y" and "YPbPr" are used interchangeably for analog signals. Sometimes, "YCbCr," which is digital, is used interchangeably as well, which does not help to clarify the subject. See YPbPr, YCbCr, luma, ITU-R BT.601, YIQ and chroma subsampling.
Video Connections
Analog video can be transmitted as composite video, S-video or component video. High-end consumer and professional equipment uses component analog video (YPbPr) and three separate cables.
YUV Out
The top diagram shows how YUV signals are mixed and distributed to outside connectors, and the device on the bottom shows the actual ports from an NVIDIA display adapter. (Bottom image courtesy of NVIDIA Corporation.)
Analog or Digital?
The outputs on the back of this DVD player are really analog (YPbPr), but designated as Pb/Cb and Pr/Cr just to cover all bases. YPbPr and YCbCr are often used interchangeably, and erroneously.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Kingdia PSP Video Converter 3.6.17 (Windows)
- Kingdia PSP Video Converter is a powerful video convert tool for playback on PSP. It can convert almost all video formats: DivX, XviD, AVI, WMV, MPG, MPEG, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, ASX, MKV, OGM, 3GP, M4V, H261, H264, YUV, MJPEG, SVCD, and VCD format. It can provide batch file convert....
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Kingdia iPod/PSP/3GP/MP4/AVI Converter 2.1.8 (Windows)
- Kingdia iPod/PSP/3GP/MP4/AVI Video Converter is a powerful video convertion tool for playback on iPod, SONY PSP, Cell Phone, MP4 player, Pocket PC, and Palm. It can convert DivX, XviD, AVI, WMV, MPG, MPEG, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, ASX, MKV, OGM, 3GP, M4V, H261, H264, YUV, MJPEG, SVCD, and VCD video...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Amadis Video to iPod/iPhone/PSP/3GP/MP4/Apple TV/Zune/AVI Converter 3.8.1 (Windows)
- Amadis Video to iPod/iPhone/PSP/3GP/MP4/Apple TV/Zune/AVI Converter is a powerful video conversion tool for playback on iPod, iPhone, Sony PSP, Mobile Phone, Apple TV, Zune, MP4 player, Pocket PC, and Palm. It can convert DVD, DivX, XviD, AVI, WMV, MPG, MPEG, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, ASX, MKV, OGM, 3GP, M4V, H261,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-12
- MPEG Streamclip 1.9.3b2 (Mac)
- MPEG Streamclip converts QuickTime movies, MPEG-1/2/4 files and transport streams into several formats; for MPEG-2 playback and export, the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component is required. MPEG Streamclip can play and convert selectable parts of QuickTime movies, MPEG files and transport streams with MPEG/AC3/PCM audio into DV streams or QuickTime, AVI,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-10
- DVD Ripper Premium 1.1.6.189 (Windows)
- With DVD Ripper Premium you can convert any DVD movies to MPEG-1, MPEG-2, AVI (DivX, XVid, MP43, YUV). It enables you to watch and copy DVD movies on any DVD drive. Combining powerful functionality with a straightforward interface, DVD Ripper Premium provides an easy way to transfer DVD information onto...
- Software downloads 2009-11-02
- Focus DVD Ripper Deluxe 3.0 (Windows)
- Focus DVD Ripper Deluxe is a lightweight, fast, and powerful program for DVD ripping. It can convert your favorite DVD movies to popular video formats, such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, AVI (DivX, XVid,MP43,YUV), MP3, WAV, with a very easy to use interface you can also convert IFO files into above formats....
- Software downloads 2009-10-21
- CHV QC Integration FX 1.7.3 (Mac)
- QC Integration FX allows you to do more than any other plugin package. Using Apple's Quartz Composer technology this package provides you with 88 high quality plugins and the most advanced plugin platform for Final Cut Studio. Quickly create, modify, use and even distribute securely any Quartz Composer file. ...
- Software downloads 2009-10-13
- ViewSonic VX2433wm
- The ViewSonic VX2433wm is a typical Twisted Nematic monitor with DVI and HDMI connections and built-in speakers. It also has several useful color temperature options, but its performance in games and movies is marred by its relatively low brightness level. For about $200, the monitor is a good...
- Product reviews 2009-09-28
- DFG/1394-1 3.01.04 (Mac)
- Delivers full frame, full size 640x480 NTSC @ 29.97 fps or 768x576 PAL @ 25 fps interlaced odd and even fields YUV 4:2:2 color, YUV 4:1:1 color and Monochrome uncompressed video over FireWire.Provides interactive real time access to image controls for adjusting the Hue, Saturation, Brightness, Contrast and Sharpness.Supports up...
- Software downloads 2009-09-11
- VQLab Standard 1.2 (Windows)
- VQLab is a fast, reliable and cost-effective tool for assessing the quality of your processed video. With native support for a wide range of video formats: AVI, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AVC/H.264, VC1, DV, raw YUV format (supported fourCC: YV12, UYVY, AYUV, YUY2, YVYU, YVU9, Y211, Y41P, IYUV, CLJR, I420), VQLab can...
- Software downloads 2009-08-26
- DVD Ripper Premium 1.1.6.165 (Windows)
- With DVD Ripper Premium you can convert any DVD movies to MPEG-1, MPEG-2, AVI (DivX, XVid, MP43, YUV). It enables you to watch and copy DVD movies on any DVD drive. Combining powerful functionality with a straightforward interface, DVD Ripper Premium provides an easy way to transfer DVD information onto...
- Software downloads 2009-08-06
- Kingdia Apple TV Video Converter 3.6.12 (Windows)
- Kingdia Apple TV Video Converter is a video and audio conversion tool for playback on Apple TV. It can convert almost all popular video formats as DivX, XviD, AVI, WMV, MPG, MPEG, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, ASX, MKV, OGM, 3GP, M4V, H261, H264, YUV, MJPEG, SVCD, VCD format to MP4(MPEG-4,H.264),...
- Software downloads 2009-07-31
- Kingdia 3GP Video Converter 3.6.12 (Windows)
- Kingdia 3GP Video Converter is a video convert tool for playback on 3GP. It can convert almost all video formats: DivX, XviD, AVI, WMV, MPG, MPEG, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, ASX, MKV, OGM, 3GP, M4V, H261, H264, YUV, MJPEG, SVCD, and VCD format. It can provide batch file convert. At...
- Software downloads 2009-07-31
- Kingdia iPod Video Converter 3.6.12 (Windows)
- Kingdia iPod Video Converter is a video convert tool for playback on iPod. It can convert almost all video formats: DivX, XviD, AVI, WMV, MPG, MPEG, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, ASX, MKV, OGM, 3GP, M4V, H261, H264, YUV, MJPEG, SVCD, VCD format. It can provide batch file convert. At the...
- Software downloads 2009-07-31
- CDA to MP3 Converter 2.6.819 (Windows)
- CDA to MP3 Converter converts CDA to MP3 quickly. The software is an ALL IN ONE audio converter that converts more than 90 audio and video formats to MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, AAC, M4A, M4B, and AMR. If your CD is an audiobook, you can convert it into M4B audiobooks...
- Software downloads 2009-07-07
- Hoo MIDI to MP3 Converter 2.4.775 (Windows)
- MIDI to MP3 Converter converts MIDI to MP3. It is an all-in-one audio converter that supports more than 90 audio and video files. The software is fully compatible with Vista. You can change encoding parameters of target files such as sample frequency, bit rate, channels, and quality. So it is...
- Software downloads 2009-07-06
- HelloMovie Video to PSP 1.25 (Windows)
- HelloMovie Video to PSP is a video converter designed specially for Sony PSP users. It supports most audio & video formats such as mkv, avi, mp3, mp2, amr, amv, wav, ivr, wma, aac, aif, aiff, voc, flac, m4a, ogg, au, flv, ac3, rm, pmp, mp4, wmv, 3gp, 3g2, asf, swf,...
- Software downloads 2009-06-22
- HelloMovie Video to iPhone 1.25 (Windows)
- HelloMovie Video to iPhone is a powerful, high-speed and simple-to-use video converter. It can convert almost all the audio & video formats including mkv, avi, mp3, mp2, amr, amv, wav, ivr, wma, aac, aif, aiff, voc, flac, m4a, ogg, au, flv, ac3, rm, pmp, mp4, wmv, 3gp, 3g2, asf, swf,...
- Software downloads 2009-06-22
- HelloMovie iPhone Ringtone Maker 1.25 (Windows)
- iPhone ringtone maker converts your favorite music to iPhone ringtones. It supports most audio formats such as mp3, wma, m4r, m4a, aac, wav, oog, wma, FLAC, etc. Besides, it can also extract and convert audio files to ringtones from videos with such formats as avi, mkv, amv, flv, rm, pmp,...
- Software downloads 2009-06-22
- Aigo Video to Zune Converter 2.1.6 (Windows)
- Aigo Video to Zune Converter is a powerful Zune video and audio conversion tool for playback on Zune. It can convert almost all popular video formats, e.g. DivX, XviD, AVI, WMV, MPG, MPEG, ASF, RM, RMVB, MOV, ASX, MKV, OGM, 3GP, M4V, H261, H264, YUV, MJPEG, SVCD, VCD format to...
- Software downloads 2009-05-13
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Reduce risk. Reduce complexity. Increase reliability.
-
A simplified IT environment isn't just less complex. It's also more reliable. Standardize on a single Linux platform with SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, and get the world's most interoperable Linux
- Learn more >>
- Save time with automated shipping solutions
-
The Business Essentials Guide provides you useful tools and templates to help grow your business and save you time with automated shipping solutions.
- Visit the UPS Business Essentials Guide
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- Keep Up With The Latest In Document Management with The DocuMentor.
-
Doc delivers the scoop on today's enterprise content management, printer maintenance, and all other issues related to document management. It's the DocuMentor Blog.
- Learn more >>
Popular Sanity Saver Videos
