Pixel format and color space

Aim

To inform you about the relation between pixel format and color space used to create video.

This topic applies to

Basler digital cameras.

Background

A Pixel format is the format of the image data transmitted by the camera. For example, for monochrome cameras the default pixel format is Mono8. This means that the camera outputs 8 bits of data for each pixel in the image captured by the chip.

tip  You find the Pixel format setting in the pylon Viewer software. See Configure the digital camera

A Color space is a specific organization of colors. Selecting a color space in the camera driver software or in EthoVision XT determines the way color information is encoded in the video file.

tip  You find the Color space setting in EthoVision XT. See Adjust camera settings in EthoVision XT

There is a relation between the pixel format and the color space. When you specify the color space in EthoVision XT, the camera software may automatically change the pixel format. Follow the tables below to find which pixel format is used in your video. This is usually the format that is optimal to convert color into the selected color space.

 

If the starting pixel format is Mono8 or YUV422 (YUYV) Packed

When you set the color space to...

 

Then the pixel format changes to...

UYVY

 

YUV422 Packed

RGB24

 

YUV422 (YUYV) Packed

RGB32

 

YUV422 (YUYV) Packed

YV12

 

YUV422 (YUYV) Packed

YUY2

 

YUV422 (YUYV) Packed

Y800

 

Mono8

BYRG

 

Bayer RG8

 

If the starting pixel format is YUV422 Packed

When you set the color space to...

 

Then the pixel format changes to...

UYVY

 

YUV422 Packed

RGB24

 

YUV422 Packed

RGB32

 

YUV422 Packed

YV12

 

YUV422 Packed

YUY2

 

YUV422 (YUYV) Packed

Y800

 

Mono8

BYRG

 

Bayer RG8

 

If the starting pixel format is Bayer RG8, Bayer RG12 or Bayer GRG12 Packed

When you set the color space to...

 

Then the pixel format changes to...

UYVY

 

YUV422 Packed

RGB24

 

Bayer RG8

RGB32

 

Bayer RG8

YV12

 

Bayer RG8

YUY2

 

YUV422 (YUYV) Packed

Y800

 

Mono8

BYRG

 

Bayer RG8

 

See also

Adjust camera settings in EthoVision XT

Configure the digital camera (in pylon Viewer)