Psychophysics and the Improvement of Television Image Quality

Worthwhile improvement in television image quality is obtainable by signal processing at the receiver. However, improvement to the level demonstrated by NHK requires a large bandwidth expansion if only straightforward means are used, such as increasing the line and frame rates. This paper discusses a number of methods for obtaining maximum quality for a given bandwidth. Some of these methods take advantage of visual psychophysics, which is reviewed. Others deal with the special characteristics of TV cameras, displays, and scanning patterns. Quite complicated signal processing, expected to become practical in the next few years, is proposed to improve system performance.