Luma and Color Correction / Codecs? /

atlfilmguy

atlfilmguy

Well-known member
I have been a DP since 1994, I usually use a pro editor, but have been getting more into editing lately. I used to make only films, but now it is almost all HD. I know some of this but I want clarification that I am on the right track. Please assume I know nothing....


I understand that computer monitors and TVs are way different in regards to the dynamic range they show. I also know that DVD compression will reduce some dynamic range.
Most people on this board note that the DVD makes their rendered project appear "darker". I find that mine is not only darker in parts, but just right in some and way over exposed in others.

I think this is all fixable by use of color and luma correction in vegas.
Which are the best and tools for fixing these issues?
Luma: HSL adjust, levels, Brightness and Contrast?
Color? What about Colorvista?

Can all this be avoided by correctly setting up a production monitor?
See: http://66.225.214.124/~dvxuser/V6/showthread.php?p=1326265#post1326265


When I use the above filter/correctors with the waveform monitor up, do I need to have every bit of the signal between 7.5 IRE and 100 Ire? I know for asthetic reasons it is ok to have some above, but what about being refused by broadcasters?




I use raylight. What is the best Intermediate and final codec to use within the .avi and .mov wrappers for the following situations. Assume all is HD 720 24pN.

Windows:
Avi for clients that do not have raylight codec? - this is a big one for me.
Viewing HD content on a computer?
Intermediate for archiving and CC?
DVD for end user?
HD for use on Vimeo?
Projection?

Any other fun codecs you know about.


Mac, RE .mov:
HD MOV for clients with quicktime on either mac or windows?


Thanks for your time and I love this resource.
 
A few quick points; will try to get to more detail later . . .

Perhaps the best way to deliver your P2 content to Avid is to make virtual P2 cards. (P2 Maker.) This will avoid any possible format compatibility issues.

HD viewing -- AVC/MP4 or WMV

Archiving and CC should be full-quality; use the MXFs.

MPEG-2 is the only option for standard DVD.
 
Sorry I meant an .avi to a client to view on a computer.....

The wmv files seem to be too small to be good HD?
 
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You can pump WMV up to almost any resolution/quality level.

If you are meaning for your client only to view it, there are better options than the codecs under .avi. If you mean for editing, then it may be platform/NLE-specific.
 
David Jimerson said:
You can pump WMV up to almost any resolution/quality level.
Click to expand...


David, Ive tried rendering a short clip using wmv hd. I rendered the same clip using 12Mbps. I also rendered the same clip again using 200Mbps. But it turns out the resulting file had the same size as the 12Mbps one ? So is there actually a quality difference at all ? And why isnt there a notable size difference ?
 
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plainman007 said:
David, Ive tried rendering a short clip using wmv hd. I rendered the same clip using 12Mbps. I also rendered the same clip again using 200Mbps. But it turns out the resulting file had the same size as the 12Mbps one ? So is there actually a quality difference at all ? And why isnt there a notable size difference ?
Click to expand...

Encoding WMV can be tricky as you have discovered.

FOr a free solution I would recommend the Huffyuv codec for uncompressed quaility AVI's that are about 1/3 the size of uncompressed format. The codec is free and you can find it by searching dvfilm.com. Also many computers nowadays (but not all) can play Huffyuv in real time. A Core 2 duo will play 1280 x 720 24p Huffyuv no problem in windows media player. These AVIs will play back only on PC's however.

You can also try DVCPROHD quicktime format encoded with raylight encoder pro. They play back with Raylight Decoder which is $95 vs. $195 for DVFilm Raylight. There is also a free version with a watermark. These QT's will also play back on any Mac with FCP installed as-is so you are fully cross-platform compatible. We sell encoder pro to a lot of broadcasters because they like that, virtually anyone can play those files.
 
But i think i tried the huffyyuv codec and it didnt playback properly.
If i remember, that is.
Anyway i tried the sonyyuv codec and it seems pretty good in quality though its a little large in size sorta like Uncompressed.
Is the sony yuv codec supposed to be like huffyyuv ? Or lesser in quality ?
 
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