Osprey vs. Gemini Air and HDR/4.2.2 Chroma

[kovach]

So the Osprey seems to do a pretty good job with HDR in full time. Is it my imagination or does the Gemini Air look a little more...color intensive (for lack of a better word)? Is the software different?

Regarding 4.2.2 Chroma (only available on the Gemini Air) my understanding that is for DolbyVision, correct? I've read other things that says it's for PC monitors...is there any truth to that? Also it seems to really distort colors on non DolbyVision content when used in any of my variety of TV types.

Obviously these would be awesome if they turned on and off dynamically based on the content being watched but I don't think either device or setting does that (and if you change it manually you have to restart the device).

 

[b4pjoe]

The Gemini, formerly known as the Osprey, is HDR only while the Gemini Air is Dolby Vision.

 

[b4pjoe]

Regarding 4.2.2 Chroma (only available on the Gemini Air) my understanding that is for DolbyVision, correct?

The Chroma 4:2:2 setting on your TV or streaming device refers to a color encoding method called chroma subsampling. Specifically, 4:2:2 indicates that the color information (chroma) is sampled at half the horizontal resolution of the brightness information (luma). This is a form of compression that reduces the amount of data needed to store or transmit the video signal, while still maintaining a relatively high level of visual quality.



Here's a breakdown:

• Chroma Subsampling:
  This technique is used to reduce the amount of color data in a video signal, as the human eye is less sensitive to color variations than to brightness variations.

• 4:4:4:
  This represents the highest quality, where no chroma subsampling is used, meaning the color information is captured at the same resolution as the brightness information.
  
• 4:2:2:
  In this setting, for every four points of brightness information, there are two points of color information. This means the horizontal color resolution is halved compared to 4:4:4.
  
• 4:2:0:
  This is a more aggressive form of compression, where the color information is sampled at half the horizontal and vertical resolution of the brightness information, resulting in lower bandwidth requirements but potentially noticeable color artifacts.

In essence, 4:2:2 is a compromise between image quality and data reduction, offering better color reproduction than 4:2:0 while still being more efficient than 4:4:4.

When to use 4:2:2:

• When your TV or streaming device supports it and you want to optimize for better color quality, especially in situations where the content is mastered in 4:2:2 or higher (e.g., some high-end video formats or professional cameras).

• When you have a high-bandwidth HDMI connection that can handle the increased data rate of 4:2:2.
• When you are using external recorders or video editing software that support 4:2:2 color sampling.

When 4:2:2 might not be noticeable:

• When the source video is mastered in 4:2:0 (which is very common for streaming and most consumer content), the benefits of 4:2:2 may be minimal or not noticeable, according to a Reddit thread.

• If your display or playback device doesn't support or properly handle 4:2:2, it might not make a difference or could even introduce issues