HDR VDP is a perceptual tool that can anticipate if variations between two pictures are noticeable to the human eye or not.
The metric takes an HDR image or an ordinary 8-bits-per-color image, converted to the actual luminance values, as input. By taking into account aspects of high-contrast vision such as the scattering of light in the optics, non-linear response to light for the full range of luminance, and local adaptation, the metric offers highly accurate image analysis.
The HDR VDP has two unique advantages. Firstly, the metric works with a full range of luminance values that can be found in HDR images in the real-world, enabling highly accurate analysis of high-contrast visual content. Secondly, this powerful tool comes with complete source code for free.
It should be noted, however, that the human visual system is highly complex and therefore difficult to model with complete reliability. While the HDR VDP should make correct predictions in the majority of cases, there may be instances where the wrong parameters are used that can impact the accuracy of the analysis.
The default parameters of the tool work well for natural images and a 19" display with a resolution of 1280x1024 observed from 0.5m distance. However, users may need to adjust these parameters to gain the best results for their specific use case. Overall, the HDR VDP is a highly effective and invaluable tool for visual image analysis.
Version 1.6: N/A