YCbCr
YCbCr is the digital color format used by almost all compressed video, storing one brightness value (Y) and two color-difference values (Cb for blue and Cr for red). YCbCr lets codecs apply chroma subsampling, keeping full brightness detail while reducing color detail. H.264, HEVC and AV1 video are encoded in YCbCr. It is closely related to YUV.
Why it matters
YCbCr settings decide whether colors and contrast survive the trip from camera to viewer. A mismatch in YCbCr range, limited versus full, is a common reason videos look washed out or have crushed blacks, which hurts how premium a product feels.
How it works
- RGB pixel values are converted into brightness (Y) and blue and red color differences (Cb and Cr).
- Values are scaled into a range, usually limited range, where 8-bit brightness runs from 16 to 235.
- Cb and Cr are often subsampled to save space, then the frames are compressed.
- The player must use the same conversion and range to turn YCbCr back into correct RGB.
Full range vs limited range: why does my video look washed out?
A washed-out look usually means limited range video was shown as full range, or the reverse. Limited range stores 8-bit brightness from 16 to 235, while full range uses 0 to 255. If the player and file disagree, blacks turn gray or shadows get crushed. Tagging the range correctly during encoding fixes most cases.
YCbCr vs RGB: which is better for video?
YCbCr is the right choice for compressed video delivery, while RGB suits graphics and editing. YCbCr separates brightness from color, so codecs can reduce color detail with little visible loss. RGB keeps every channel equal, which is more accurate but much larger.
Where it's used
Online learning platforms and screen recording tools keep the correct YCbCr range when converting screen captures, so lessons and product demos don't look washed out or crushed to black.
By the numbers
- In 8-bit studio range YCbCr, brightness (Y) values run from 16 to 235 and color values (Cb, Cr) from 16 to 240. (Wikipedia: YCbCr)
