Abstract
As new displays and cameras offer enhanced color capabilities, there is a need
to extend the precision of digital content. High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging
encodes images and video with higher than normal 8 bit-per-color-channel
precision, enabling representation of the complete color gamut and the full
visible range of luminance.However, to realize transition from the traditional
toHDRimaging, it is necessary to develop imaging algorithms that work with the
high-precision data. Tomake such algorithms effective and feasible in practice,
it is necessary to take advantage of the limitations of the human visual system
by aligning the data shortcomings to those of the human eye, thus limiting
storage and processing precision. Therefore, human visual perception is the key
component of the solutions we discuss in this book.
This book presents a complete pipeline for HDR image and video processing from
acquisition, through compression and quality evaluation, to display. At the HDR
image and video acquisition stage specialized HDR sensors or multi-exposure
techniques suitable for traditional cameras are discussed. Then, we present a
practical solution for pixel values calibration in terms of photometric or
radiometric quantities, which are required in some technically oriented
applications. Also, we cover the problem of efficient image and video
compression and encoding either for storage or transmission purposes, including
the aspect of backward compatibility with existing formats. Finally, we review
existing HDR display technologies and the associated problems of image contrast
and brightness adjustment. For this purpose tone mapping is employed to
accommodate HDR content to LDR devices. Conversely, the so-called inverse tone
mapping is required to upgrade LDR content for displaying on HDR devices. We
overview HDR-enabled image and video quality metrics, which are needed to
verify algorithms at all stages of the pipeline. Additionally, we cover
successful examples of the HDR technology applications, in particular, in
computer graphics and computer vision.
The goal of this book is to present all discussed components of the HDR
pipeline with the main focus on video. For some pipeline stages HDR video
solutions are either not well established or do not exist at all, in which case
we describe techniques for single HDR images. In such cases we attempt to
select the techniques, which can be extended into temporal domain. Whenever
needed, relevant background information on human perception is given, which
enables better understanding of the design choices behind the discussed
algorithms and HDR equipment.
Table of Contents: Introduction / Representation of an HDR Image / HDR Image
and Video Acquisition / HDR Image Quality / HDR Image, Video, and Texture
Compression / Tone Reproduction / HDR Display Devices / LDR2HDR: Recovering
Dynamic Range in Legacy Content / HDRI in Computer Graphics / Software
