Method and System for Mastering and Distributing Enhanced Color Space Content

A method and system for mastering and distributing enhanced color space content for different display devices (target color space) having display capabilities beyond that of CRT color space. The content creator(s) establishes base or reference color space and enhanced color space data for each target color space. The enhanced color space data is stored as metadata and transmitted over an enhanced color channel separately from the base/reference color space. Both the base/reference data and metadata are encoded before transmission and decoded on the consumer side either by a separate decoder or a display device having an integrated decoder. In other aspects of the invention, auxiliary data relating to the target color space, such as, for example, brightness, luminance, contrast and other display settings can be transmitted over the enhanced color channel and decoded to control the target color space settings (i.e., display settings). The color adjustment metadata could be included in the auxiliary data or maintained separate from the same depending on the desired implementation.