inexpensive color chart to allign 2 DVXs?

D

dvxStephen

Active member
I'm gearing up for a number of 2 camera shoots with DVX100a cameras. I'd like to be able to confirm matching color settings using a vectorscope and waveform monitor. Anyone know of a color target that would do the job and not cost too much?

I'm imagining I'd ideally want an image that would match vectorscope bezel markings, like a reasonably accurate printout of NTSC bars, but I'm not sure.

Suggestions?

Thanks.
 
Re: inexpensive color chart to allign 2 DVXs?

Not quite what you asked for (because of cost) but I would suggest it is worth investing in DV Rack software if you are going to do this exercise regularly. Brilliant as well as useful in many other ways.  Would pay for itself quickly.

Big Fan of DV Rack

Not sure how you would line up two cameras just by looking at a simple colour chart anyway.
 
Re: inexpensive color chart to allign 2 DVXs?

Yes, I've DV Rack and I love it so much even if I have only one DVX!
 
Re: inexpensive color chart to allign 2 DVXs?

Shooter wrote, "Not sure how you would line up two cameras just by looking at a simple colour chart anyway. "

As I understand it, you set both cameras cheek to cheek, pointing at a carefully lit color chart (maybe a NTSC color bar graphic card or a chip chart) and switch the vectorscope and waveform monitor display between the two cameras, tweaking as needed until both cameras produce essentially the same color vector and luminance values.

With same model DVXs, I may well find that if they're set the same, the output will in fact match, but I've heard this is definitely something not to take for granted.

I know about DV rack, and the software is reasonably priced, but we're a Mac shop and it would mean buying a Windows laptop and all that imples for someone not familiar with the platform.

However Final Cut does have a vectorscope and waveform monitor that work during capture or just when viewing a live camera feed via firewire, and for our needs that (plus a good calibrated NTSC monitor) seems like it'll do the trick.

So my question is, where could I buy an affordable color chip chart or NTSC Bars card that would give me an appropriate image to work with (and what chart should I be looking for?)
 
Re: inexpensive color chart to allign 2 DVXs?

What control will you "tweak" to adjust the two cameras.?

Colour Charts - FujiFilm make a very good one, Kodak make one, There are colour chip charts for the printing industry. All cheaper than a Macbeth chart and sometimes free.
 
Re: inexpensive color chart to allign 2 DVXs?

More precise and better than vector and/or waveform monitor for camera matching is the following procedure:
Print out (or display on a good* LCD screen) one of the many free available color test patterns (color bars).
Point both cams to the test pattern (close together)
Get a split field (using a mixer or NLE) so that you get cam 1 on the upper part and cam 2 on the lower part on the same monitor and adjust saturation contrast...for best matching.
*on viewing angle performance
P.S. Vectorscopes and WF monitors are needed for calibration, not needed for just matching video sources
 
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