Rec 709 vs Rec 2020: Which One to Choose?

Suppose you are working on digital displays, photography or video production, selecting the appropriate color space can improve or ruin your images. Rec 2020 and Rec 709 are mostly used formats. However, how do these terms affect your work and what do they actually mean?

The major differences between Rec 709 and Rec 2020 will be clearly explained in this blog post. We have everything you need to know about Rec 709 and Rec 2020 . Let' get started and see which one best meets your needs.

Part 1. What Is Rec 709 and What Is Rec 2020?

In terms of color standards, Rec 709 and Rec 2020 are similar to one another but they are both necessary but serve distinct functions. If you want to get the best color and resolution, it is important to know the both standards. What are the distinctions then? Let's discuss this.

What Is Rec 709?

Rec 709 is also known as ITU-R BT.709, is long-established standard for HD video. It's used on traditional TV and on most online video services.

• Colour Gamut: Constrained but well-balanced for the HD screens, filling in only 35.9% of the colour gamut visible.
• Bit Depth: Traditionally, 8-bit is usually supported for a smooth display on most common screens.
• Resolution Support: Designed with 1920x1080 Full HD resolution in mind, Rec 709 is the ideal solution for HD broadcasting.

What Is Rec 2020?

The future-forward Ultra High Definition, or ITU-R BT.2020, commonly referred to as Rec 2020, is what the modern, color-breaking, and resolution-bashing displays are created for.

• Colour Gamut: Covers 75.8% of the visible spectrum. It gives better, richer colours.
• Bit Depth: Offers up to 12-bit, therefore smoother gradients, finer details.
• Resolution Support: Specifically designed for 4K and 8K, ideal for latest viewing scenarios.

Part 2. Main Differences of Rec 709 vs Rec 2020

After introducing you to Rec 2020 vs Rec 709, it's time to examine how they work. Each color space has characteristics that suit particular purposes, ranging from color richness to resolution capabilities. Let's examine five major areas that may help you select the best to achieve your goal

1. Color gamut

One of the most significant variances is the range of colors that each standard can display.

• Rec 709 is a restricted color range suitable for typical HD screens. It reproduces colors that appear natural and lifelike on most televisions and monitors. While adequate for regular content, it may seem limiting for high-end projects.
• Rec 2020 has a greatly wider color range and captures rich and brilliant colors. It can produce previously unattainable shades, which is particularly visible in high-end 4K and 8K TVs. This makes it suitable for delivering a more immersive viewing experience.

If you're working on a project that requires color accuracy and vibrancy, such as movies or games, Rec 2020 is the clear victor.

2. Bit Depth Support

Bit depth determines how smooth and detailed the color transitions seem in your photographs.

• Rec 709: primarily supports 8-bit color depth, capable of displaying 16.7 million colors. While it is suitable for most HD footage, it may show banding in minor gradients, such as sunsets or skin tones.
• Rec 2020: Supports up to 12 bits of color depth, resulting in an astounding spectrum of 68.7 billion colors. This allows for more finely detailed color transitions and completely eliminates noticeable banding, making it excellent for high-production-quality products.

3. Resolution Compatibility

Resolution is used to characterize video quality and each standard has a preferred resolution.

• Rec 709: It is designed for high-definition resolutions such as 1920x1080 which make it the standard for TV broadcasting and online video streaming.
• Rec 2020: Rec 2020 supports UHD resolutions such as 4K (3840x2160) and 8K (7680x4320) which may ensure the clarity and detail.

If your organization requires UHD screens, Rec 2020 guarantees compatibility with the highest resolutions available.

4. HDR Support

High Dynamic Range (HDR) increases contrast and brightness to provide more realistic pictures.

• Rec 709 does not allow HDR due to its limited brightness and color spectrum. It is mostly utilized for SDR material.
• Rec 2020: Fully supports HDR, resulting in dazzling highlights, deeper blacks, and a broader color palette. These characteristics make it popular for cinematic experiences and complex content.

4. Target applications

Every standard has a niche where it excels.

• Rec 709 is suitable for TV broadcasts, web movies, and any project requiring older or standard HD screens. It's dependable and widely supported across platforms.
• Rec 2020: Designed for cutting-edge technology such as 4K/8K video creation, gaming, and cinematic experiences. It is the preferred option of experts seeking the best visual impression.

Part 3. Pro-Tips. Best HDR Video Enhancer Free Try

Having the appropriate tools is essential if you are dealing with HDR content or want to improve your videos to satisfy modern quality standards. HitPaw VikPea (originally named as HitPaw Video Enhancer), an effective video enhancer made to effortlessly and precisely improve the visual appeal of videos, will help you with that.

Even novices can easily enhance videos with HitPaw VikPea's simplified approach. This tool can help you upgrade your video quality or make the switch from Rec 709 to Rec 2020 standards.

Features of HitPaw VikPea

• HDR Conversion: Convert your films to HDR for richer colors and contrast.
• Upscale Resolution: Transform HD videos into 4K or even 8K for stunning clarity.
• AI Color Adjustment: Automatically adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation to create lifelike graphics.
• Noise Reduction: Make your films look more professional by removing grain and unwanted noise.
• Frame Rate Optimization: Improves motion for fluid and cinematic playback.

Steps to Enhance Video

1. Download and Install

Visit the HitPaw's official website and download the software on your computer.

2. Choose SDR to HDR Model

Select the video that you want to improve and click on Upload. Depending on your requirements, you can choose between AI Upscaling and HDR Enhancement.

3. Preview and Export

Once you are satisfied, save the enhanced video in the format of your choice in desired location.

Learn More about HitPaw VikPea

Conclusion

The main distinctions between Rec 709 and Rec 2020, such as color gamut, bit depth, resolution, and HDR capability, have been discussed in this article. We suggest HitPaw VikPea to easily improve your videos and make these ideas come to reality. It is the ideal tool for modern video enhancement because of its sophisticated features, which include HDR conversion and resolution upscaling.