HELP! Color Difference in FCP and Exported Video

mjmcneese

mjmcneese

Veteran
See below:

Comparison of logo of THE EXACT SAME ProRes422 video in QT (left) and FCP (right):
fcpcolor1.jpg


And here is some video from the same file (QT left, FCP right):
fcpcolor2.jpg


And this is the RGB logo with the correct color:
MT-logo-1.jpg


Obviously, I want the Master video to be representative of the true color - especially of their logo. But, I am looking at the EXACT same file in two different applications, and wonder why the difference? I get the same washed out blue if I export from FCP to a H.264LAN video.

HELP!!!
 
welcome to FCP gamma shift hell. You can thank quicktime for this. I've been fighting for correct gamma on a mac for a while now and still not sure.

Let me guess ... you're using quicktime X and snow leopard?
 
FCS 2, QT X, Snow Leopard.

In my QT Player, I have no Preferences option.

Not sure why I'm just now noticing this, but THIS SUCKS!!! How...why...whe...but...WHY would the most popular NLE on the planet even have a possibility of having this issue!? Very unacceptable.
 
If I open the PR422 in MPEGStreamclip it's still washed out...so, would that mean that it's not the QT Player?
 
First stop using quicktime x, get your original OS X install disks and install QT7, once its running go to QT prefs and click "use FCP gamma" as per post 3 of this thread.
Doing this partially solved my issues but I still hate apple gamma with a passion. It's a f*cking joke, nothing matches. Take a QT file put it thru color (or even shake back in the day)
and watch the huge gamma shift.
 
OK, I've got QT 7 installed...the video looks 30% closer to the original when I open in QT 7, but still not close.

So, I'm Googling all around looking for a work-around. Nothing. Someone has to have figured this out.
 
Yes, I did. Restarted, trashed prefs, and all that jazz. Says "Source colors are read in 2.2 gamma, and are displayed in 1.8" Should I adjust the gamma in the FCP Prefs?

I just need to provide the client with an H.264 that looks decent.

I'm confused about where the problem occurs. The RGB code (0, 80, 163) looks one way in PhotoShop, and different in FCP, and different in QT X, and different in QT 7. Four different colors for one RGB code. Amazing.
 
Mike McNeese said:
I'm confused about where the problem occurs. The RGB code (0, 80, 163) looks one way in PhotoShop, and different in FCP, and different in QT X, and different in QT 7. Four different colors for one RGB code. Amazing.
Click to expand...

There's a reason people use Avid at twice the price...
 
I'm testing a project in ppro on a mac now. Not great results as FCP is optimized for prores and ppro is not. Sluggish response plus gamma shifts caused by Quicktime - not ppro. Also testing a matrix mxo as well. I really need to step up and away from the apple gamma nightmare.

edit:
believe it or not I'm even considering a PC with cineform, ppro and a black magic infinity
just biding my time to see what Jobs says on the 20th
 
Last edited:
I just tried taking the PR422 file from my Snow Leopard machine, and ran it through Compressor on my MacBook with OS 10.5. Same issue. I am guessing that once QT X gets is grubby paws on the FCP files, you're screwed.
 
Mike McNeese said:
I just tried taking the PR422 file from my Snow Leopard machine, and ran it through Compressor on my MacBook with OS 10.5. Same issue. I am guessing that once QT X gets is grubby paws on the FCP files, you're screwed.
Click to expand...

I've been dabbling a bit, and are you sure it's not just altered on playback? As in, when played as a file on your computer it looks off, but from a different computer (PC) the same file looks fine? Snow Leopard's switch to 2.2 gamma is so frustrating. PLEASE, we need a FCP update!
 
Nah, it's the actual export. Client has been concerned about the web videos I've been posting for them.

Embarrassing - I don't know the answer to such a simple problem. Amazing that Apple has gotten away with this.

But my phone works great. Keep it up, Jerkstores.
 
Mike McNeese said:
Amazing that Apple has gotten away with this.
Click to expand...

No it's not. The Apple fan base let's them get away with murder nearly. As soon as Jobs uttered the words that Apple TV was the future, not BluRay, I'd have put my Mac on eBay. But people keep buying them like hotcakes, spending twice the money, and just overlooking the obvious issues.

Mike McNeese said:
But my phone works great. Keep it up, Jerkstores.
Click to expand...

Mine works pretty good too. My old iPod works great too.


I wish you the best with this, but people have been fighting these issues for years now with no solution in site.
 
PerroneFord,

I agree with your comments. FCP is not the greatest thing since sliced bread but the Apple Kool Aid sure tastes great. Many FCP users are starting to look at Avid and PP CS5 as an option. In the end everyone needs to use what works best for their needs rather than what works best for Walter Murch.
 
I think I'm going to walk into the Apple Store nearby and show them the issue I'm having, and then ask them how I explain this to a major loyal client of mine.
 
medeamajic said:
. In the end everyone needs to use what works best for their needs rather than what works best for Walter Murch.
Click to expand...

Murch gave a talk last fall at the LAFCPUG on how he was cutting in Avid again. Of course, that happened very quietly, unlike his WELL publicized move away from Avid. There are a lot of people out there who are fed up with FCP's issues. But more than the issues, it's the total lack of response from Apple in addressing the issues that seems to be putting people off. I mean seriously, in 2010, how do you say you aren't supporting BluRay when Hollywood has standardized on it, and has invested BILLIONS in it? That's a "Pro" decision?
 
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