ISO 2910:2018
(Main)Cinematography - Screen luminance and chrominance for the projection of film motion pictures
Cinematography - Screen luminance and chrominance for the projection of film motion pictures
ISO 2910:2018 specifies the screen luminance level and chrominance white point for theatrical projection of 70 mm, 35 mm and 16 mm motion-picture prints at a rate of 24 frames per second. ISO 2910:2018 can also be applicable to the non-theatrical presentation of 70 mm, 35 mm and 16 mm motion-picture prints intended for projection at 24 frames per second. NOTE Throughout this document, the term "screen" means the screen-picture area appropriate to the film format and projection system in use.
Cinématographie — Luminance et chrominance des écrans pour la projection de films sur pellicule
General Information
Relations
Overview
ISO 2910:2018 - "Cinematography - Screen luminance and chrominance for the projection of film motion pictures" specifies required screen light levels and white-point chrominance for the theatrical (and applicable non‑theatrical) projection of 70 mm, 35 mm and 16 mm film at 24 frames per second. The standard defines how to measure screen luminance and chrominance, reference values, acceptable tolerances and recommended distributions to ensure consistent visual reproduction in cinemas, review rooms and presentation venues.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and operating conditions
- Applies to 70 mm, 35 mm and 16 mm film projected at 24 fps; measurements taken with the projector running and no film in the gate.
- Reference luminance
- Screen centre reference luminance: 55 cd/m² for all formats.
- Recommended acceptable indoor range: 35–65 cd/m² (non‑theatrical lower limit may be 25 cd/m²).
- Luminance distribution and tolerances
- Edge luminance measured at 10% of screen width should be 50%–85% of centre (recommended 75%).
- Evenness should be symmetrical and checked from seating extremes, especially for high‑gain screens.
- Multiple-projector luminance match: same-format projectors ≤ 7 cd/m² difference; different-format sequential projectors ≤ 14 cd/m² difference.
- Chrominance (white point)
- Reference correlated colour temperature: 5800 K with an acceptable single-projector tolerance of ±400 K.
- Two-projector chrominance match should not differ by more than 400 K.
- Measurement instruments
- Luminance: photometer with acceptance angle ≤ 2° (recommended 1.5°), spectral sensitivity of the CIE Standard Observer.
- Chrominance: colour‑temperature meter or spot spectroradiometer with acceptance angle ≤ 2°.
- Measurement positions
- Primary measurement: ~1 m above floor on the theatre longitudinal axis at two‑thirds of the distance from screen to back row; additional checks at two positions one‑third of theatre width to each side.
- Stray light limits
- No visible stray source with luminance > 3.5 cd/m² from standard observing area.
- Stray light on screen: review rooms ≤ 0.4% of projector luminance; theatres ≤ 1.0%.
Applications and who uses it
- Cinema operators, projectionists and facilities managers - to set and verify projector output and screen performance for compliant theatrical presentation.
- Post‑production, mastering and QC teams - to validate reference viewing conditions in review rooms.
- Equipment manufacturers and calibrators - to design and certify projectors, photometers and spectroradiometers for film projection.
- Venue planners and acoustical/lighting consultants - to specify screening room lighting and stray‑light control.
Related standards
- CIE publications on colorimetry (referenced: CIE 15:2004) and other ISO/IEC color and measurement guidance.
- Developed by ISO/TC 36 (Cinematography); consult ISO 2910:2018 for full normative text and Annex A recommended distributions and tolerances.
Keywords: ISO 2910:2018, screen luminance, chrominance, 55 cd/m², 5800 K, theatrical projection, 35 mm, 70 mm, 16 mm, 24 fps, photometer, spectroradiometer.
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 2910
Fourth edition
2018-02
Cinematography — Screen luminance
and chrominance for the projection of
film motion pictures
Cinématographie — Luminance et chrominance des écrans pour la
projection de films sur pellicule
Reference number
©
ISO 2018
© ISO 2018
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
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below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Measurement method . 1
4.1 Operating conditions . 1
4.2 Luminance measuring device. 1
4.3 Chrominance measuring device . 1
4.4 Position of measuring device in theatres . 2
5 Luminance level of screen centre . 2
6 Chrominance . 2
Annex A (informative) Recommended distributions, limits and tolerances for
luminanceand chrominance . 3
Bibliography . 5
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 36, Cinematography.
This fourth edition is a minor revision and the title changed to include the word film.
iv © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 2910:2018(E)
Cinematography — Screen luminance and chrominance for
the projection of film motion pictures
1 Scope
This document specifies the screen luminance level and chrominance white point for theatrical
projection of 70 mm, 35 mm and 16 mm motion-picture prints at a rate of 24 frames per second.
It can also be applicable to the non-theatrical presentation of 70 mm, 35 mm and 16 mm motion-picture
prints intended for projection at 24 frames per second.
NOTE Throughout this document, the term “screen” means the screen-picture area appropriate to the film
format and projection system in use.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in th
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Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 2910:2018 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Cinematography - Screen luminance and chrominance for the projection of film motion pictures". This standard covers: ISO 2910:2018 specifies the screen luminance level and chrominance white point for theatrical projection of 70 mm, 35 mm and 16 mm motion-picture prints at a rate of 24 frames per second. ISO 2910:2018 can also be applicable to the non-theatrical presentation of 70 mm, 35 mm and 16 mm motion-picture prints intended for projection at 24 frames per second. NOTE Throughout this document, the term "screen" means the screen-picture area appropriate to the film format and projection system in use.
ISO 2910:2018 specifies the screen luminance level and chrominance white point for theatrical projection of 70 mm, 35 mm and 16 mm motion-picture prints at a rate of 24 frames per second. ISO 2910:2018 can also be applicable to the non-theatrical presentation of 70 mm, 35 mm and 16 mm motion-picture prints intended for projection at 24 frames per second. NOTE Throughout this document, the term "screen" means the screen-picture area appropriate to the film format and projection system in use.
ISO 2910:2018 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 37.060.10 - Motion picture equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO 2910:2018 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 2910:2007. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
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