Hitachi has unveiled a film processing technology that solves a problem that has challenged TV design engineers for more than years. Since the advent of television, there has always been a mismatch between the motion of films seen in a movie theater and the way that same motion appears on television. Through a technology called Reel60, Hitachi applies a technique that correctly translates the 24fps motion of movies to video frame rates.
Hollywood’s 24fps do not match TV systems that show 60fps. A conversion technique called 3:2 pull-down correction is used to make the 24 frames of film fit the television’s faster 60 frames. As this conversion is done, the viewer can often observe a jerky visual effect that is called judder. It appears as if the image is jittery or stuttering and is especially noticeable when the picture pans or makes sweeping, side-to-side movements.
With Reel60, a technique is applied that accurately and automatically eliminates the jerky motion. By creating interpolated frames based on the original film images, the technology smoothes out the movement and correctly matches the original motion. The result is smooth motion, whether it’s a passing vehicle or a camera pan from across the screen.
Reel60 applies sophisticated algorithms to assess and interpolate missing picture information during rapid motion interlaced video sequences. The Hitachi processor references various film frames to predict motion at any given space and time to increase detail and correct for motion artifacts in those sequences. The result is an ultra-fast technique, available in Hitachi’s new HDTVs, that is designed to replicate the original motion of objects and make corrections in real time for the smoothest viewing experience possible.
Consumers can take advantage of the benefits of Reel60 technology in three new HDTV flat-panel displays: the 1080 50in HDTV (model P50V701), and the Director’s Series 1080 HDTVs in both 50in (model P50X901) and 60in (model P60X901) screen sizes.
For more information, visit www.hitachi.us/tv.
