(
Picture
Line-
Up
Generation
Equipment)
A test pattern used to calibrate NTSC video display Contrast, Brightness and Gamma levels. Commonly seen on TV station's off-the-air test patterns.
A common pattern is as follows:
... ... ##########
... ... ##########
... ... ##########
... ... ##########
... ... ##########
... ... ##########
... ... ##########
... ... ##########
... ... **********
... ... **********
... ... **********
... ... **********
The two ... bars should be barely visible and the space between them 'almost black' should appear as dark as the rest of the background.
The
#######, ####### and ******* blocks go from brightest to mid-grey and should be the same size (no blooming).
Properly tuning the levels will ensure that black won't show up as dark grey and that the maximum picture brightness won't exceed the CRT's capacity, resulting in blooming (bright picture stretched and distorted) or burn-in (the phosphor coating is actually etched by excess brightness).
Some THX-certified DVDs include this and other test patterns to help you calibrate your home theater setup.