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chrominance transmission

electronics

Quick Summary

In electronics, chrominance refers to the color component of a video signal, distinct from its luminance (brightness). Compatible color television systems, like the NTSC standard developed in the 1950s, transmit both luminance and chrominance information separately.12

The luminance signal carries the fine detail of the image and is compatible with black-and-white televisions. The chrominance signal adds color information without significantly affecting monochrome reception. In color receivers, the chrominance signal, modulated in amplitude and phase, combines with the luminance signal to create a full-color image. This approach efficiently uses limited broadcast spectrum and allowed for the introduction of color TV without making existing black-and-white sets obsolete.2

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