HDV color correction workflow question.

GregFlowers wrote on 12/22/2005, 3:29 PM
I have what seems like a pretty basic question that I would like your help with. I have an FX1, and use Connect HD and Vegas 5. The ultimate goal is to color correct HDV footage for DLP/LCD HD projection. Since Vegas 5 only externally previews DV via firewire output, and the preview window on the computer monitor doesn't reproduce colors accurately for an HD projector, how can I accurately color correct HDV? Could I do color color correction on externally previewed DV proxies (mabey with Gearshift) and get in the ballpark? Can I calibrate my computer monitor so the preview window will be close to what an HD display will show? Can the full resolution external preview in Vegas 6 be used to color correct on an HD projector? The video doesn't have to be 100% perfect, just as close as possible. I tried to search for the answer without success.

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 12/22/2005, 4:37 PM
The preview window you on your computer DOES provide accurate color IF you're correcting HD footage, not SD footage, and *if* your monitor is calibrated, and *if* you're using a secondary monitor as your monitor via the Prefs/Video display tab. The difference is in the color space, SD in the US is ITU 601, HD is ITU-709. Your LCD monitor can manage 709 just fine/correctly)
You can also use GearShift because it applies a matrix to the colorspace that is correct for HD.
You can get "close" with SD on an external SD monitor, but it's very hard to get the skin tones just right, and you'll want a very good external monitor to do this in SD.
gdstaples wrote on 12/22/2005, 5:44 PM
Spot - is that "Windows Secondary Display" under the Preview Tab or something else? I don't see an option under the Video tab for secondary monitor.

How should this be setup?

Thanks.

Duncan
Spot|DSE wrote on 12/22/2005, 6:08 PM
Preview Device tab, my error. Sometimes memory fails. :-)
gdstaples wrote on 12/22/2005, 7:05 PM
So just select the Windows Secondary Display in the Preview Tab and then the Video Preview will be color correct for HDV assuming the LCD or CRT is properly calibrated?

If so which settings should one use for "Windows Secondary Display"?

Custom Settings, Scale to Fit, Apply Deinterlace, No Color Management?

Thanks,
Duncan
GregFlowers wrote on 12/22/2005, 7:49 PM
I don't see "Windows Secondary Display" under the Video or Video Device tabs in Preferences. I'm using Vegas 5 rather than Vegas 6.
The only options I see are (none), OHCI CompliantIEEE 1394/DV, and Video for Windows Standard. If I extend my Windows desktop to an additional monitor, and move my "Video Preview" Window onto it in Full mode, will that be accurate for color correction? I'd try it but I don't have a second monitor handy.
Spot|DSE wrote on 12/22/2005, 7:50 PM
I'd recommend Scale to Fit, unless you've got a 1900 x 1200 monitor, and Apply DeInterlace, unless you're shooting with a JVC cam.
Don't use color management unless you have color management applied at the video card driver levels.
I don't use custom settings on our systems at all.

[edit] Greg, Vegas 5 doesn't have secondary monitor capability. This is one of the other benefits of Vegas 6. For you, the only external option available is the Decklink HD card with component or SDI output.
gdstaples wrote on 12/22/2005, 9:47 PM
Thanks Spot.

Duncan
GlennChan wrote on 12/23/2005, 1:06 AM
It may be correct to enable color management and check studio RGB 16-235 (Vegas 6)

I'm not sure which of the icc profiles does nothing, but wide gamut may be it.
MH_Stevens wrote on 12/23/2005, 8:30 AM
Spot (Happy Christmas by the way) you say color is true "...... *if* you're using a secondary monitor as your monitor. "

Does this imply that the smaller Vegas preview window does NOT give true color?
Michael