Digital image displays - Resolution, brightness, and grayscale calibration

Digital radiographs from CR, DR, RF, and XA systems are displayed on monitors when the exam is performed, when a radiologist interprets the examination, and when the referring physician or surgeon review the image. The various monitors used typically vary in image quality. Display resolution is influenced by pixel size and viewing distance. Displayed field of view varies with the monitor array size and image zoom. Image brightness influences low contrast detection, peripheral vision, and may effect observer fatigue. The display grayscale influence contrast and may alter the appearance for different viewers unless matched on all monitors. The requirements for resolution, brightness, and grayscale are considered for various situations including RF and XA exam room displays, technologist QC stations, radiologists reading stations, general clinic review stations, surgical display, and conference case presentation. Educational Objectives: 1. Understand how pixel size and viewing distance influence resolution in relation to visual limits of the human eye. 2. Understand how image brightness influences observer performance. 3. Learn how the grayscale characteristics of clinical display systems can be calibrated to match diagnostic systems. 4. Learn the performance characteristics of displays now available for various applications. © 2005, American Association of Physicists in Medicine. All rights reserved.