How important is 10-bit color, really?

[RWetmore]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

All true, but no TV can take advantage of a 10 bit panel as no consumer content is encoded with 10 bit information.

10 bit and even higher bit rate panels will be needed as Ultra HD evolves into larger color pallets, like DCI or rec. 2020.

Additionally, the reason 10 bit panels will reduce banding is because we'll finally see more steps of gradation, 8 bit panels can produce 256 shades, 10 bit displays can deliver 1024 steps. 10 bit panels are also capable of displaying a larger color space.

-Robert

Yeah, though I tend to think 10 bits is not quite sufficient for rec. 2020 and 12 bits is really needed; however, I sense the BD association is not going to give us more than 10 bit for UHD Blu-ray. We'll see though I guess.

Do you have any insider info on this? Any chance we might get 12 bits?