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SSTV Black & White Mode
Black & White Mode Overview
Black & White (BW) SSTV Mode is used for transmitting monochrome images, providing higher resolution or faster transmission speeds.
BW Mode Variants
BW12 Mode
- Resolution: 320×240 pixels
- Transmission Time: 167 seconds
- Bandwidth: 1.5 kHz
- Gray Levels: 12 levels
- Purpose: High quality black & white
BW8 Mode
- Resolution: 320×240 pixels
- Transmission Time: 125 seconds
- Bandwidth: 1.5 kHz
- Gray Levels: 8 levels
- Purpose: Medium quality black & white
Black & White vs Color
Comparison
| Aspect | Black & White | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | Lower | Higher |
| Transmission Speed | Faster | Slower |
| File Size | Smaller | Larger |
| Resolution | Can be higher | Limited |
| Use Cases | Documentation, Weather | Scenes, Landscapes |
Application Scenarios
Black & White is Best For
- Document Transmission - Reports and newspapers
- Weather Maps - Meteorological data
- Technical Diagrams - Schematics and charts
- Low Bandwidth - Weak signal conditions
- Archive Images - Historical photographs
Color is Best For
- Live Reports - News and events
- Landscape Photography - Natural scenes
- Artwork - Color-related content
- Test Patterns - RGB color space
Technical Details
Grayscale Encoding
- 8 Levels: 3-bit encoding (minimum data)
- 12 Levels: 4-bit encoding (more detail)
- More Levels: Increase bandwidth requirements
Frequency Allocation
Black & White Mode uses only a partial frequency range:
- Frequency Range: 1500-2300 Hz
- Bandwidth: 1.5 kHz (less than color)
- More tolerance for noise resistance
Receiving Black & White Signals
- Select BW Mode
- Tune the signal
- Adjust volume
- Wait for sync pulse
- Receive and display image
Optimization Tips
- Increase contrast for better definition
- Avoid background noise
- Use appropriate antenna direction
- Use longer modes in weak signal conditions
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