Camcorder Low-light Ratings
David Williams
BENEFIT
Arlington, VA, October 16, 1995, - The Electronic Industries
Association's Consumer Electronics Group
(EIA/CEG) developed a standard to measure consumer camcorder low light
sensitivity. The standard, numbered
EIA-639, will help camcorder buyers compare low light performance.
The EIA standard will apply to video camera and camcorder of all
types, including VHS, 8mm and the new
digital products. Manufacturers who adopt EIA-639 are to indicate in
their advertisements the low light
performance as "measured by the EIA standard". Consumers should look
for this wording when buying a new
video camera or camcorder.
The task force assigned to developing this standard was created under
the direction of the EIA Video Systems
Committee and composed of manufacturers, independent test
laboratories, technical media representatives and
consultants.
"Camcorder low light sensitivity or lux rating is an advertised
feature for camcorders. A low lux rating, along
with zoom range, automatic functions and a color viewfinder, are key
features that influence camcorder sales, "
said John H. Stevens, task force chairman and manager of camera
engineering for Thomson Consumer
Electronics. "With this new standard, the industry can provide an
accurate guide for consumers interested in
buying camcorders."
During the course of the standard development, camcorder user tests
were conducted to determine the level of
picture performance a camcorder owner would accept under low light
operation when the camcorder picture
quality was less than optimum. From these tests, information was
gained on minimum acceptable quality levels
for picture brightness and contrast and picture noise and color.
According to the standard, camcorders must equal or exceed the minimum
acceptable level for five performance
parameters:
- luminance level,
- black level,
- luminance signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio,
- chroma level, and
- resolution.
EIA-639 now is in the process of receiving American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) certification.
Steven Bradford
-snip-
>>EIA-639 now is in the process of receiving American National Standards
>>Institute (ANSI) certification.
>
>meaning. We'll have to wait and see how the mfg's dance around the
>standards if and when they are finalized...
>
>
>Larry Jandro
And maybe we can get the broadcast camera manufacturers to do the same.
Spec sheets have become almost meaningless.
Jan Crittenden Sherfy
>CAMCORDER LOW LIGHT SENSITIVITY STANDARDIZED FOR CONSUMERS'
> BENEFIT
>
>Arlington, VA, October 16, 1995, - The Electronic Industries
>Association's Consumer Electronics Group
>(EIA/CEG) developed a standard to measure consumer camcorder low light
>sensitivity. The standard, numbered
>EIA-639, will help camcorder buyers compare low light performance.
>
Thank you for posting this article. It has been a primary beef of
mine that the specs are used and I have had to explain that there has not been
a standard used to manufacture those specs. Some people think I'm making
this up because my camera doesn't match the spec. Some believe me as I am
able to demonstrate it. This standardization will make my job easier.
I am posting this to my engineering group and product management group.
Thank you, it is for stuff like this that I read this newsgroup, please
keep us posted as it is finalized.
Jan Crittenden Sherfy
Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems
EarleVideo
equipment, it would be nice if the manufacturers actually respected us as
the reason they have food on their plates. Without us, they are nothing.
I say that those who follow the standards without trying to manipulate
them to make their products look better, should be heartily supported by
us spenders. Those that don't, should be allowed to die a fast but
painful death.