Configure Sony DV codec for full level range

Zwampen wrote on 6/27/2006, 7:29 AM

Hi,

Everybody keep saing that the Sony DV codec is far more superior than the Microsoft DV codec. I mainly render to files with with full level range (0-255) for computer video, and here the Microsoft DV codec turns my DV files to this range. If I use the Sony DV codec the range is limited (16-235?) and I don't get the real black and whites that I want. Is there any way to configure the Sony DV codec to full range?

I know I can use the Color Corrector filter with the "Studio RGB to Computer RGB" setting but often that gives too much of stuff I think, especially Chroma.

Comments

Marco. wrote on 6/27/2006, 7:56 AM

It's vice versa. You even cannot configure Sony Pictures DV. It does always pass the signal as it is. If the feeding DV signal is in the range 0-255 - Sony Pictures DV will keep this range. If the feeding DV signal is in the range 16-235 - Sony Pictures DV will keep this range without affecting the luminance in any way.

Actually what happens seems like your feeding Vegas with a DV signal which was encodec with MS DV (or a similar working DV codec) before. MS DV will compress the range to 16-235 when encoding. Now you pass that signal to Vegas and Sony Pictures DV decodes it just the way it is - as 16-235. But if you'd use Microsoft DV instead for decoding the signal will be spreadened again to 0-255.

Once you have used MS DV for encoding you are stuck to use it all the way long. But you'll keep your full luminance range only when using codecs like Sony Pictures DV, Canopus DV and some others all the way long. But never, never mix using MS DV and Sony Pictures DV. Either this one or that one. Not both assembled.

Marco

Jay-Hancock wrote on 6/27/2006, 9:16 AM

One way to avoid this is by setting the preference in Vegas that says "Ignore third party codecs"

GlennChan wrote on 6/27/2006, 9:43 PM

I know I can use the Color Corrector filter with the "Studio RGB to Computer RGB" setting but often that gives too much of stuff I think, especially Chroma.
That preset should be correct... I don't think it gives "too much of stuff".

if you want to be nitpicky...
Vegas does different slightly things between the Color Corrector and Levels filter for the "same thing" (the studio RGB to computer RGB preset). The difference can be explained by the levels filter not performing rounding.

Zwampen wrote on 6/28/2006, 9:12 AM

Thanks for all replies!

By the way, is there a good tutorial for the chroma meter you know about? Would be nice to know where to keep all levels.

Spot|DSE wrote on 6/28/2006, 4:42 PM

Glenn Chan wrote an excellent tutorial on the subject that you can read at the above link.