Why is the "Create a still image" lower quality BMP?

[EDV]

I am relatively new to Edius, but....

it seems the "Create a still image" function defaults to BMP. I am looking at the original footage paused side by side with the BMP made in Edius. The BMP still image is large in size ( as you would expect since this is DVCPRO HD footage ) but the colours are all washed out, and brightness and contrast is all flat. I had to go into photoshop, and tweak the hell out of that still image to get a good jpg, not a good option when you got dozens of still images to do!
Isn't there a way to change the default setting from BMP to PSD or at least JPEG?
C'mon, I've tried screen capture with other programs and this is a real let down !

 

[Ted Ramasola]

Use print to file and choose still image so you can have more options.

 

[EDV]

wow, thanks, that helped.
I am now a bit confused with all the options though. Does it matter which "preset" and "exporter" you use? ( Preset seems to default to Canopus HQ ) I did manage to create a PSD still image, but it still looks flatter than the original footage. Brightness and contrast especially, and I'm looking at it in Photoshop.

 

[Ted Ramasola]

That depends on what i use it for, I used sequential Tiffs for cinema projection. Jpegs for DVD labels and PR stills.

 

[EDV]

Oh, okay. Why is my PSD slightly "washed out" though?



....and after some tweaking in Photoshop. The original footage in Edius isn't this good, but it's got nicer brightness and contrast than the picture above.

 

[Ted Ramasola]

do this test, on the timeline, put a cut in the frame you want to print to still image, after that take that exported image and place it on the cut in the timeline, scrub. if there is a diff as viewed in your output monitor. If not then its the gamma difference between applications.

 

[Ted Ramasola]

Ok, I just did the test myself, it seems bmp changes the image, Tiff does not. I suggest you use tiff as it retains the quality you see on the timeline.

 

[EDV]

okay , well you beat me to it, I just did the test too and psd also changes the image. Thanks for that!

 

[GavinAbe]

I use edius alot for edius explosives , missile ,warheads and getting pictures for the cops of crime footage, I have yet to fined any other NLE software give me the results, I use Tiff and PSD's both are fine and you will have to do some PS, Playing with the levels adjustments and the exposure adjustment also you will have to sharpen the red's this I found to to work the best.