IEC 62977-2-1:2021

Overview

IEC 62977-2-1:2021 - Electronic displays - Part 2-1: Measurements of optical characteristics - Fundamental measurements - defines standardized measurement conditions and methods for determining the optical characteristics of flat-panel, direct-view electronic displays. The standard covers emissive and transmissive displays that render 2D images and specifies darkroom test conditions for display performance driven by relative RGB input signals using typical OETFs (for example IEC 61966-2-1, ITU-R BT.601, BT.709, BT.2020). It explicitly excludes HDR-encoded input signals.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability: Applies to flat-panel modules and systems under stationary, darkroom measurement conditions for standard analogue/digital signals that are not absolute luminance encoded.
• Standard measuring conditions: Environmental, darkroom and setup requirements; starting conditions and measurement-field locations (examples include nine equally spaced measurement points).
• Test patterns and procedures: Definitions of centre-box and tile patterns (e.g., centre-box area choices like 4% and 10%), colour tile sequences and multi-colour patterns for consistent measurement.
• Primary optical measurements:
  • Luminance (purpose, measuring conditions and methods)
  • Darkroom contrast ratio
  • Luminance uniformity
  • Chromaticity and white point / correlated colour temperature (CCT)
  • Chromaticity non-uniformity and colour gamut area (CIE 1931 / CIE 1976)
  • Viewing-direction dependence of luminance and colour
  • CIELAB colour gamut volume with guidance for RGB boundary sampling
• Measurement instrumentation and timing: Requirements for instruments, data acquisition timing and display driving modes to ensure reproducible results.

Practical applications and users

IEC 62977-2-1:2021 is intended for:

• Display manufacturers validating panel optical performance during R&D and production.
• Test laboratories performing standardized optical characterization and certification.
• Quality assurance and compliance teams creating datasheets, verifying contrast, luminance, uniformity and gamut claims.
• System integrators and OEMs assessing display suitability for consumer, professional or industrial products. Practical uses include product benchmarking, colour calibration, manufacturing inspection, and comparison of display performance across models.

Related standards

• IEC 62977 series (other parts covering extended measurements)
• Colour and OETF references: IEC 61966-2-1, ITU-R BT.601, BT.709, BT.2020 Note: IEC 62977-2-1:2021 does not cover HDR-encoded signal testing; refer to separate HDR measurement standards where applicable.

Keywords: IEC 62977-2-1:2021, electronic displays, optical characteristics, display measurements, luminance, chromaticity, darkroom conditions, display testing, colour gamut, CIELAB gamut volume.