This informative overview describes the documents in the SMPTE 2073 suite.

Scope – SMPTE ST 2073-1:2014 Elementary Bitstream

SMPTE ST 2073-1 defines the compressed representation and decoding process for the VC-5 elementary bitstream. Any image or array of data that can be unpacked into component arrays can be represented by a VC-5 elementary bitstream.

Scope – SMPTE RP 2073-2:2014 Conformance Specification

SMPTE RP 2073-2 specifies the criteria and procedures for testing the conformance of encoder and decoder implementations to the VC-5 standard and describes the test materials used for conformance testing. The test materials used for conformance testing comprise a reference decoder for testing bitstreams created by implementations of a VC-5 encoder for compliance with the VC-5 standard and reference bitstreams for testing implementations of a VC-5 decoder for compliance with the VC-5 standard.

Scope – SMPTE ST 2073-3:2015 Image Formats

The VC-5 elementary bitstream defined in SMPTE ST 2073-1 does not specify the type of components that are represented in the bitstream.

SMPTE ST 2073-3 extends the elementary bitstream syntax with new elements for representing R′G′B′(A) images, Y′C′1C′2(A) images without color difference component sub-sampling, and Color Filter Array (CFA) images including Bayer image formats.

Scope – SMPTE ST 2073-4:2015 Subsampled Color Difference Components

SMPTE ST 2073-4 extends the Y'C'1C'2(A) image format defined in SMPTE ST 2073-3 to include subsampled color difference components, including 4:2:2, 4:2:0, 4:1:1, and 4:1:0 subsampling. An alpha channel is optional and can have the same resolution as the Y′ channel or the same resolution as the C'1 and C'2 channels.