Why 8 bits instead of 10?

The choice of 8 bits instead of 10 bits in early video games, computer systems, and digital media was primarily due to hardware limitations and cost considerations. Here's an explanation of why 8-bit became the standard for many systems and video formats:

1. Historical Hardware Limitations:

• Early video game consoles and computer systems, particularly those from the 1980s and 1990s, had limited processing power and memory. A 10-bit system, while offering better color representation, would require more memory and greater processing power to handle the additional data for each pixel.
• The 8-bit standard was a compromise between performance and hardware limitations, allowing for good-enough visual fidelity for the time, while keeping the system affordable and practical for both manufacturers and consumers.

2. Memory and Storage Constraints:

• Memory was expensive in the early days of computing and gaming. The 8-bit color depth (256 shades per channel) required less memory storage for each frame of video or each sprite in a game, making it more feasible for the hardware available at the time.
• With 10 bits per channel, the required memory would increase significantly. For example, a system using 8-bit color (24-bit color depth overall) would use 3 bytes (24 bits) to store each pixel's color (8 bits for red, green, and blue). A 10-bit color system would require 4 bytes (32 bits) for each pixel, making it harder to fit large amounts of data into the limited memory of older systems.

3. Processing Power and Performance:

• Early processors were much slower compared to modern processors, meaning they couldn't handle the increased data load that 10-bit color would demand.
• The 8-bit systems had 8-bit processors, so working with 8-bit data made it easier to process, and the overall performance would be faster, which was important for gameplay and real-time applications.
• Implementing 10-bit processing would have required more advanced hardware and processing power, which was not cost-effective or feasible for mass-market products at the time.

4. Cost Efficiency:

• Manufacturers had to consider cost when designing gaming consoles, computers, and video displays. The 8-bit system kept costs low, which was essential for the success of early consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Sega Master System.
• Implementing 10-bit systems would have increased the price of hardware components (such as graphics chips and memory) and limited the market to higher-end products, which was not ideal for mass adoption.

5. Sufficient Visual Quality for the Time:

• Despite the limited color range of 8-bit, the visual quality was still considered good enough for most applications, especially in video games. Many developers and artists found ways to maximize the potential of the 8-bit palette, often using creative techniques like color dithering to create the illusion of more colors and smoother transitions.
• Early games like Super Mario Bros., Pac-Man, and Tetris showed that developers could make visually engaging experiences within the constraints of 8-bit color, leading to the widespread adoption of the format.

6. Industry Standardization:

• Once 8-bit color became an established standard in the 1980s, it created a baseline for compatibility across platforms. Manufacturers, game developers, and consumers all adapted to the 8-bit limitation, so it became the default for video games, computer displays, and consoles during that era.
• Changing the standard to 10-bit would have required widespread industry adoption and would have increased complexity for both hardware and software.

7. The Transition to 10-Bit:

• Over time, as technology advanced and processing power and storage capacities increased, it became more feasible to move from 8-bit to 10-bit, and eventually to 12-bit and 16-bit systems.
• With the advent of modern HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology, 10-bit color is now common for high-definition televisions, video production, and gaming consoles. This is because 10-bit color provides a wider range of colors and smoother transitions, which are especially important for HDR content.

Why Was 8-Bit the Standard for So Long?

In summary, 8-bit became the standard because it struck a good balance between visual quality, hardware limitations, and cost efficiency. It allowed for reasonable visual fidelity without overwhelming the computing power, memory, and storage resources of early systems. As hardware improved, 10-bit and higher color depths became possible and more practical, leading to their adoption in modern displays and gaming.