Also called a "color lookup table," "lookup table," "index map," "color table" or "color map," it is a commonly used method for saving file space when creating 8-bit color images. Instead of each pixel containing its own red, green and blue values, which would require 24 bits, each pixel holds an 8-bit value, which is an index number into the color palette. The color palette contains 256 predefined RGB values from 0 to 255.
Two or more 256-color (8 bit) images generally cannot display correctly side by side on a 256-color display, because there are too many colors for the system to handle. If the images have very similar colors, there may be little discrepancy, but if they are different, one or more images will suffer. The remedy is to average the palettes in an image editor or to reduce the number of colors to 128 for each (7 bit) image. See bit depth.
Color Palette Index
The pixels in the image contain an index number, which points to the RGB value in the color palette. The RGB values are the ones used by the display system.
Two or more 256-color (8 bit) images generally cannot display correctly side by side on a 256-color display, because there are too many colors for the system to handle. If the images have very similar colors, there may be little discrepancy, but if they are different, one or more images will suffer. The remedy is to average the palettes in an image editor or to reduce the number of colors to 128 for each (7 bit) image. See bit depth.
Color Palette Index
The pixels in the image contain an index number, which points to the RGB value in the color palette. The RGB values are the ones used by the display system.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Sony AW series: The best laptop display?
- With expansive 16:9 displays and Blu-ray drives, the new crop of desktop replacements with 18.4-inch displays are geared toward mobile entertainment. Though its design is nothing special, the Sony VAIO AW series stands out from this group, according to reviews at PCMag.com and LaptopMag.com, thanks to its high-quality, LED-backlit 1,920-by-1,080...
- Blog posts 2008-10-06
- Velocity 103
- We've seen plenty of Windows Mobile devices in our day, and at times they all start to blur together--same story, just different packaging. However, back at CTIA Spring 2008, a new company called Velocity Mobile caught our eye, impressing us with a fresh approach to the user interface. Recognizing that...
- Product reviews 2008-10-03
- Panasonic Viera TH-58PZ800U
- The big-screen HDTV arena is still owned by rear-projection models, but with every passing year flat-panel versions, especially plasmas, fall in price and become attractive targets for folks seeking massive home theater pictures. But prices haven't fallen far enough yet for most people, so for the foreseeable future big-screen plasmas...
- Product reviews 2008-10-03
- The quad-core laptops are here . . . sort of
- Back in August Dell, HP and Lenovo all announced mobile workstations that offer Intel's first quad-core chip for laptops. Those systems are now available for order and reviews of at least one model--the Lenovo ThinkPad W700--are giving a glimpse of the performance you can expect from these 17-inch powerhouses. ...
- Blog posts 2008-10-03
- Skype says Tom violated agreement for Chinese service
- Skype says Tom violated agreement for Chinese serviceSo when do we clean up our own act?First we need to clean up our own operation, put a little sunshine into the dark corners of the domestic-"intelligence" "community", enact and enforce strong privacy legislation (at least on par with what's in effect...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-03
- Amazon, open the Kindle before Apple eats your lunch!
- Amazon, open the Kindle before Apple eats your lunch!The lack of features is a featureThe Kindle is actually eating Apple's lunch. By offering no features other than the ability to read books, the Kindle is doing what Apple typically does best: offer fewer features at a greater price. The Kindle...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-02
- Sony Bravia Internet Video Link (DMX-NV1)
- The moment Sony's Bravia Internet Video Link (also known as the BIVL or DMX-NV1) was announced last year, we knew the product would face an uphill battle. What could Sony's proprietary video streamer offer that you can't already get from Apple TV, Xbox 360, Sony PS3, Vudu, or the Netflix...
- Product reviews 2008-10-02
- D-Link ships new Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router (DIR-825)
- Having pretty much juiced everything they can out of "Draft N" as a buzz term, router manufacturers have turned to "dual band" as the hot concept in 2008. With its new Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router (DIR-825), D-Link adds another one to the list, though...
- Blog posts 2008-10-02
- Obama releases iPhone campaign tool
- Obama releases iPhone campaign toolSay what you will about his politics but this manis on the ball. His fund raising via the web has been a smashing success. Now this tool for the iPhone. He knows what he's doing. He's not arrogant he's confident.Pagan jimDoes it...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-02
- Fans to build own radio as Slacker takes on iPod
- Is it an iPod? Is it an old-fashioned transistor radio? These are the questions the Slacker portable digital music player will have to answer when it hits U.S. stores this month. NEW YORK--Is it an iPod? Is it an old-fashioned transistor radio? These are the questions the Slacker portable...
- News items 2008-10-02
- VISCOM Image Viewer CP ActiveX Control (exe)
- BMP, GIF, ICO, JPEG, JPEG 2000, PCX, PNG, PSD, TIF, WMF, WBMP, TGA, PGX, RAS, PNM Image Viewer ActiveX / OCX. Read, write EXIF image information, binary data types for storage mark a selection, crop, zoom in, zoom out on selection, and rotate the image function. Draw overlay image with...
- Software downloads 2008-10-02
- Brain My Day (exe)
- We are very proud to present our take on how "brain training" game should look like. We really believe this kind of game should be as entertaining as other genres, and even more than that. You really have seen nothing until you try this game. No more of these boring...
- Software downloads 2008-10-02
- JVC KW-NX7000 navigation/DVD receiver
- The JVC KW-NX7000 isn't cleverly named like its sibling the El Kameleon, but it is just as cleverly designed. With its smart features, such as the proximity-based interface or the flash-memory-based navigation data, we found the KW-NX7000 extremely easy to use. However, it was the fun little touches, like the...
- Product reviews 2008-10-01
- Data Guardian (exe)
- Security and privacy are two of the most important issues in today's world; leaving passwords on sticky notes around your computer simply will not cut it anymore. Data Guardian is a secure database application with up to 448-bits of Blowfish encryption regardless of how sensitive your data is. Create multiple...
- Software downloads 2008-10-01
- Tk Torch (zip)
- Do you find yourself using your smartphone or PDA as a torch? This little app utilises the entire screen for maximum brightness and lets you choose how long to keep the backlight on, over-riding the built in limit of 3 minutes auto off. You can also adjust the brightness and...
- Software downloads 2008-10-01
- Samsung Omnia
- Photo gallery:Samsung OmniaAlong with the RIM BlackBerry Bold and Sony Ericsson Xperia X1, the Samsung Omnia is one of the most requested and sought after smartphones of 2008. Why all the buzz? It's not so much the Omnia's touch screen that's drawing attention (after all, we've seen it in the...
- Product reviews 2008-09-30
- Dell All-in-One Wireless Printer V305w - multifunction ( color )
- The Dell V305W is an inexpensive all-in-one AIO printer that also connects wirelessly to your home network. The $129 multifunctional solution does triple duty as a 1,200x2,400 dpi scanner and full range copier. Dell manages to keep the cost of the V305W low by omitting an autodocument feeder and fax...
- Product reviews 2008-09-30
- Nero 9
- German software publisher Nero has taken the wraps off of Nero 9, the latest iteration of its eponymous software suite. The 2008 version featured a revamped interface. In addition to CD and DVD burning, version 9 includes a wide range of functions, including video editing and transcoding, DVD authoring, media...
- Product reviews 2008-09-30
- Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD
- Pioneer markets its Elite lineup of plasma TVs to appeal to the hard-core home theater enthusiast, and that means pricing these panels above and beyond just about anything else. The enthusiast who can afford one, however, can rest assured that the 50-inch PRO-111FD performs above and beyond anything else on...
- Product reviews 2008-09-30
- 1 million Classmates headed to Venezuela
- 1 million Classmates headed to VenezuelaAgreedChavez can control any Open Source software in his country, as the government is taking control of all private industries.This is not really about what he feels is best for all, but instead of what he feels he can control the best.You failed to notice...
- Discussion threads 2008-09-30
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- See how Intel Xeon processors provide data traffic optimization
-
With key platform innovations built-in, the Intel Xeon processor 7400 series offers more headroom, reliability, and the highest expandability for large-scale server consolidation.
- Watch the Flash demo to learn about the Intel® Xeon® processor 7400 series >>
- BNET Industries
- Check out BNET's newest resource for managers and executives. Need to do research on your competitors? Don't have time to read every trade pub? BNET Industries is the new source for daily news, insights, and research on 11 major industries and 9,000 public companies.
-
- The technology industry from a different angle
-
- See what's hot in the auto industry
-
- Stay on top of the energy industry
