dark video

roxylee wrote on 12/11/2008, 6:07 AM

I've have converted a VOB file to avi (using AVS Video Converter) and opened that in vegas pro 8. The preview video looks great. When I render (Main Concept MPEG2) and play back the MPG file, the video is too dark to see much detail. Are there settings to compensate for this?

Windows xp pro, athlon dual core, 2GB ram, oodles of hard drive space.

roxylee

Comments

Lou van Wijhe wrote on 12/11/2008, 2:33 PM

On the output (preview window) put the Sony Levels FX and choose the "Computer RGB to Studio RGB "option. See if that helps.

Lou

rs170a wrote on 12/11/2008, 3:13 PM

Lou, doing that (Computer RGB to Studio RGB) will make the video even darker.

roxylee, are you watching the clip on a computer monitor or a TV set?
Also , why are you bothering to use the AVS Video Converter?
Vegas will import VOBs directly, thereby avoiding conversion losses.

Mike

Lou van Wijhe wrote on 12/12/2008, 2:55 AM

Lou, doing that (Computer RGB to Studio RGB) will make the video even darker.

Not with me. I do the conversion before rendering and it gives me better shadow detail. Maybe some other factor is involved.

Lou

rs170a wrote on 12/12/2008, 3:45 AM

Lou, I just looked at the Levels FX and it only has "Studio RGB to Computer RGB" available as a preset so I'm assuming you meant to say this instead of "Computer RGB to Studio RGB".

Mike

roxylee wrote on 12/12/2008, 6:37 AM

Thanks for the reply. I have to work on this as I am able so there is some downtime between my availability.

I am watching the output on the computer monitor and TV. The preview window playback is fine prior to rendering (on the computer) and too dark after rendering (on both the monitor and the TV. I am converting because the program allows me to do frame by frame in real time as an AVI, but in VOB, it is soooooooooo slow I can't get anything done.
Finally, I have not found the setting of "Computer RGB to Studio RGB" to test the change. I saved a small 30 second section that is too dark using my current methods, so I can test out anything rather quickly as suggestions come in.
Look forward to reply's. Thanks,
roxylee

roxylee wrote on 12/12/2008, 6:57 AM

I found the Computer RGB to Studio RGB settings and set the gamma to 2.0 and tested. It does lighten the picture up and I can play with the appropriate setting(s). 2.0 seems too bright. Also, it affects the entire render and some sections don't need brightening, or at least, not as much. When I set the gamma to 2.0, it brightens up the too dark, but tends to blow out some of the other scenes that don't need as much. Can this be applied on a sliding scale?

roxylee

rs170a wrote on 12/12/2008, 6:57 AM

Try this instead.
Apply the Sony Color Correcto (Secondary) FX to the clip and select the "Studio RGB to Computer RGB" preset.
That should help a bit.
Ideally you'd use the Color Curves FX on it but, if you've never played with it before, it takes a bit to wrap your head around it.
If you can post a full-resolution still frame from the video, I'm sure we can offer some suggestions.

Mike

Lou van Wijhe wrote on 12/12/2008, 7:08 AM

Roxylee,

You can also apply the Computer to Studio RGB FX to specific events and yes, you can also apply it on a sliding scale (using keyframes).

Lou

roxylee wrote on 12/12/2008, 8:11 AM

Thank you, I need more hours in the day, much to learn......
roxylee

Lou van Wijhe wrote on 12/12/2008, 8:13 AM

Re: Lou, I just looked at the Levels FX and it only has "Studio RGB to Computer RGB" available as a preset so I'm assuming you meant to say this instead of "Computer RGB to Studio RGB".

Mike,

I meant what I said. If your "Computer RGB to Studio RGB" preset is missing, you can recreate it by setting Output Start to 0,063 (equals 16) and Output End to 0,922 (equals 235). You can then save it again as preset.

Lou