Pixel Format setting in Sony Vegas

[Bill615]

Does anyone know what the benfit/difference is between an 8 bit pixel format and a 32 bit floating point pixel format? These are the options in the project settings within Sony Vegas.

I played around a little bit and the 32 bit floating point adds significantly to the render times and effects the color somewhat. Can anyone explain what this setting does?

Bill

 

[D.R. Gates]

As an example, if you apply a gradient, it will look better in 32 bit versus 8 bit. More natural and less obvious.

But as you said, the render times usually dictate if I want to mess with it or not.

 

[Aroon_Narayanan]

It affects the range of colors able to be represented by one pixel. I forget the actual numbers, but with each increase in bit-age is an exponential (I think) increase in the amount of colors.

I'm fairly sure that's the answer, but I could be completely wrong--please correct me if I am!

 

[Fukurou]

Sorry to bump such an old thread, but I'm interested in this question too.
So, I guess 32 is better (even if slower), but there's 2 different 32 bits modes (full range and video levels). Which one should be use, for what purpose ?