HDR objects and 8-bit objects in the same HDR project: Can it be done?

vjsouza wrote on 5/25/2019, 6:26 AM

Hello guys. I still do not have a camera that shoots HDR-12bit. But I have several photos in OpenEXR 32-bit, and I'd like to know how I can create and export an HDR project in Vegas Pro.

In Project Settings I can change properties for HDR, pixel format 32-bit floating point (full range), colorspace ACES 2065-1, etc. But when I change Project Properties from 8 bit to HDR, things change drastically in the timeline. What do I do?

How do I have 8-bit JPEG images, 8-bit PNG, 8-bit AVCHD footage and OpenEXR 32-bit HDR in the same 32-bit HDR project? It is possible?

Why is Vegas Pro unable to maintain the "8-bit footage look" of an 8-bit AVCHD object in a 32-bit HDR project?

Please, somebody help me!

Comments

Kinvermark wrote on 5/25/2019, 8:54 AM

@vjsouza

I don't do HDR projects (yet 😀) but I think the answer is yes, you just need to select the color space for those events ( right click event - properties - media - color space = set to Rec 709, SRGB, whatever is appropriate for that media.)

ACES works on the basis of converting (i.e. input transform) all input media to a "common" linearized gamma working color space, then doing output transforms for monitoring and export as selected. All those settings have to be correct for things to look right.

PS If you need to change the color space for multiple media, you can do that in the project manager window.

fr0sty wrote on 5/25/2019, 10:32 AM

You can share a timeline with non-HDR media, but first you need to make sure of:

1. You have a HDR capable GPU hooked up to an HDR capable TV and windows 10 HDR/Deep color mode is enabled. You should see the HDR logo pop up on your TV if this is done right (after enabling win 10 HDR mode).

2. The proper project settings are enabled by clicking the HDR check box on the project settings menu, or by enabling 32 bit full range, ST2084 (1000 nits) view transform, then go into preferences under preview device, and make sure your secondary monitor is selected, then click "enable HDR" at the bottom.

3. You will need to do levels adjustments to all media. Use your scopes to see when you get it where you need it. Current HDR tops out at 1000 nits, so your whites should top out around there, blacks at 0 nits. Open waveform scopes, make sure 10 bit and HDR scopes are enabled (click the little gear icon on the scopes and make sure the top 2 boxes are checked). Then adjust levels and gamma for each clip until it is where you want it. You can also use the gain and offset in color corrector to further adjust levels. DO NOT use curves, it currently is only capable of 8 bit and it will crop your levels to 100 nits if you enable it.

4. Understand you will gain no quality at all by placing non-HDR assets in an HDR timeline, the only thing that will look better will be your native HDR content, which must be 10 bit or higher (there currently is no 12 bit HDR, but there will be eventually).

When done, you must select HEVC HDR 10 preset as your render output in order to get a HDR-compliant file out of Vegas.