Looks good on Computer but crappy on TV

dsanders wrote on 7/23/2002, 8:13 AM

I have some projects that I created that are mainly slide shows of pictures from my digital camera. I've edited them together with some transitions between the pictures and I want to burn them out to a DVD. I've rendered the projects to MPEG and reviewed them on my computer and they are fine. But when I watch them TV, the colors are all screwed up and look way over saturated. So, I realized that I screwed up and forgot how crappy TVs are. I went back and added the Broadcast Colors filter to each project (just used the defaults) and re-rendered. The TV pictures are now a little better, but still not very good in some cases. What can I do to correct this? Is there a different filter that I should be using? Should I adjust the Broadcast Colors filters to something different?

Thanks,
Don Sanders

Comments

Tyler.Durden wrote on 7/23/2002, 8:37 AM

Hi Don,

If the primary problem is saturation, you might try dropping the HSL FX on the output (just drop it on the preview window) and reduce the saturation. (I recall from earlier threads that the B'cast clamp is not so effective on chroma. I might remove it and just use HSL.)

If you can use your camcorder (or converter) as a pass-through to your video monitor, you can check the image quality at any number of points in the program prior to rendering. (This is another huge advantage of Vegas.)

HTH, MPH

BillyBoy wrote on 7/23/2002, 10:14 AM

This illustrates the importance of using an external monitor for your editing if you have one that can be feed through a firewire connection to your camera or similar device and on out to a TV monitor. Colors can frequently appear over saturated on your TV that otherwise look fine on your computer. As Martyh suggested the HSL FX filter can help eliminate it.

I don't know if anyone else goes to this extreme or not, I do, and I find the effort worthwhile. I have gotten into the habit of ALWAYS dropping on the HSL, Color Balance, Color Curves and Levels filters to every video I work on BEFORE I start editing or breaking the source files into smaller events.

There is no magic formula, but careful tweaking of the filters I mentioned can and frequently do considerably improve the fidelity and richness of the videos. Rather then dropping the filters on the preview window which effects the entire video I always drop them on the timeline. I start with a rough correction I think the entire video can use, then start breaking the source files into "events" then adjust the filters (which are already there) as each event requires.

After you get the hang of it, you'll be presently surprised how changing gamma and the other level controls and tweaking the color balance along with curves and HSL even by minor amounts improves the end result.

dsanders wrote on 7/23/2002, 10:41 AM

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I don't know a whole lot about color theory, but I know enough to understand that there will be a difference between a monitor and a TV. I guess I need to understand more what the terms HSL, Saturation, Birghtness, Contrast, and Gamma really mean and how they effect the final product.

Can anyone suggest an appropriate "NLE 101" textbook?

Thanks,
Don Sanders

BillyBoy wrote on 7/25/2002, 12:33 AM

I don't know about any textbook, never really looked for any. I'm sure someone wrote one. Unless you have a bunch of lab equipment and are planning on trying to match NTSC standards for some commerical or production that gets broadcast over television, I wouldn't worry too much other than trying to eyeball it.

The thing to keep in mind is many adjustments you can make interact with other adjustments. So for the best results you frequently need to tweak various filters several times, back and forth. For example if you push down the gamma you may want to give lumance on the HSL filter a nudge up. If the video seems a bit too stark, adjust color curves or push up 'output start' on the levels filter a tad. You want to get a little more adventurous try clicking on the composite button at the head of the track and apply hard light to add contrast and adjust the level slider a bit. Its easy to get carried away making adjustments and over do it. Still, it is fun to play what if.

Tyler.Durden wrote on 7/25/2002, 7:29 AM

Hi,

How about: "Nonlinear Editing: Storytelling, Aesthetic, & Craft by Bruce Button. "

"Chock full of provocative ideas, insights, resources, tools, and exercises, this book will serve as your virtual mentor inspiring you to making better decisions in the edit bay and in your career..." (Frank Capria)

They're giving away (funny contest) a copy of this and some other books over at the COW.

Look for the posts on "Giveaway"

Cheers, MPH