Mac Gamma used to be 1.85.

As of FCP7 and Snow Leopard the Mac default gamma is now 2.22, the same as Windows/Vegas.

It's only the same as Windows / Vegas IF you use video levels. If you work in linear, it won't match. And even with Snow Leppard the problem is not fully solved from what I read some time back. I don't know what the issue was, but some were still complaining about gamma issues.

First they move over to x86 architecture after years of nonsense about how much better macs were and how x86 was obsolete, now Apple tries to bring it's other problems like this gama level nonsense up to windows standards, but macs are still poorly designed, overpriced toys and not much more.

Do not use macs, a very simple solution to all your problems and headaches.

I can't say I agree with this, but there are certainly issues back and forth with the platforms. Actually, one of the reasons I started using the DNxHD codec, was that it was essentially immune to these types of problems when going back and forth between PCs and Macs. Very helpful in cross=platform workflow.

It is probably important to note that some Quicktime codecs are expecting Computer RGB and not Studio RGB which Vegas uses by default. If you render to Quicktime from Vegas, you need to render Computer RGB. This should fix the washed out blacks.

Just place the Sony Color Corrector with the "Studio RGB to Computer RGB" preset on the master video bus. Don't forget to remove it after the render. I learned this from Glenn Chan and it fixed the Quicktime problem for me at least on the Windows side.

~jr

Apple tries to bring it's other problems like this gama level nonsense up to windows standards
You're right, the gamma level is higher in Windows.

...but macs are still poorly designed, overpriced toys and not much more.

There's a sucker born every minute....

And a few who just need to work with whatever the industry uses.

And a few who need the 25x more mid- to high-level features available in the most popular ecosystem for this.

You're working on your own, so you don't need to worry about that when choosing your tools.

Vegas is by far the best NLE for lone wolves (as long as they don't need to work with a more complex time code-based workflow or some pro media formats). It is the sports car of NLEs.

Others sometimes need a sedan or a moving van, and that's no insult to the sports car for not doing the best job moving four people or four tons of stuff as well as the sedan/moving van.


If you work in linear, it won't match.
By linear, I assume you mean 1.0 gamma, which leaves the old superwhite and superblack headroom issue which is a choice that needs to be checked carefully on any NLE/compositor. There are good cases to be made for each choice.


I don't know what the issue was, but some were still complaining about gamma issues.

There are gamma issues everywhere, the biggest ones with After Effects which hasn't kept up with the times for 4:4:4:4 codecs and even 4:2:2 in some cases.

You have to test each workflow and codec choice carefully.

The Bitjazz Sheer codecs have been brilliant for cross-platform work for many years.

Bjorn, have you used the Bitjazz Sheer codecs with Vegas?

Yes, many times in the past.

I think it was Spot who originally recommended it to me a long time ago.

I don't do much cross-platform work nowadays, as it is easier to work in either Vegas or FCP, so I haven't tested it with Vegas Pro 9. They do have a trial version with "20 days of actual use" (as opposed to calendar days) so you can try it for free.

Thanks for the info. I went to their web site--looks like something pretty promising.

Thanks, Johnny (and Glenn). That sounds like it. I was using the DNxHD codec and was still getting the problem. With the DNxHD codec, you have a choice, either 709 or RGB, I thought for sure this was the problem, but after testing both, they looked identical in Final Cut, and the black levels were elevated in both.

And thanks to everyone else, didn't mean to start yet another mac/pc flame war. The fact is that the two platforms exist and I know that this particular project is going to be evaluated on a Mac, so I want to make sure it's right.

Just to follow up, I did a new DNxHD quicktime render in Vegas, with Johnny's suggested effect applied and brought it into Final Cut 7 on Snow Leopard, and viola, all is good. A million thanks.

Glad that worked for you but all the credit goes to Glenn. I'm just the messenger. ;-)

~jr