Internet-based assessment of image sharpness enhancement

Two internet-based psychophysical experiments were conducted to investigate the performance of an image sharpness enhancement method, based on adjustment of spatial frequencies in the image according to the contrast sensitivity function and compensation of MTF losses of the display. The method was compared with the widely-used unsharp mask (USM) filter from PhotoShop. The experiment was performed in two locations with different groups of observers: one in the UK, and the second in the USA. Three Apple LCD displays (15" studio, 23" HD cinema and 15" PowerBook) were used at both sites. Observers assessed the sharpness and pleasantness of the displayed images. Analysis of the results led to four major conclusions: (1) Performance of the sharpening methods; (2) Influence of MTF compensation; (3) Image dependency; and (4) Comparison between sharpness perception and preference judgement at both sites.