The temporal MTF of displays and related video signal processing

The modulation transfer function (MTF) is a well established method in the field of image processing, to characterize the spatial resolution of display systems. For the display of video material, the temporal, or ´dynamic´, resolution of a display is at least equally important. Non-ideal temporal characteristics can lead to a variety of artifacts, such as motion blur, dynamic false edges and colour break-up. Although, typically, many individual properties of the display influence the temporal performance, they can be combined into the temporal equivalent of the spatial MTF. This paper deals with the temporal MTF, and its relation to motion blur. The temporal MTF is used to discuss some recent developments in the field of display processing and driving, aimed at improving the dynamic resolution.