Reds in VP13 not matching .mp4 on PC

prairiedogpics wrote on 12/30/2015, 3:26 PM
Hi All,
Not sure what vfx or what to use to solve this issue.
I have an Apple Pro Res 422 .mov file on my Vegas Pro 13 timeline (it's a flat scan of some Super 8 film). I've tweaked the color and contrast/brightness within Vegas on my calibrated monitor and like what I see. However, whenever I render it to any flavor of .mp4 and play the .mp4 outside of Vegas on the same monitor (or on YouTube) the color is different in the .mp4. Most notably the fire engine reds are shifted to a red cranberry color.
What step am I missing to keep the color consistent? It's not "broadcast levels is it?

Comments

astar wrote on 12/30/2015, 4:01 PM
If the scan was done correctly, then the 422 file has more color info which you are controlling in Vegas. Assuming you have a monitor and video card capable of displaying the 422 info. Even if not the extra info will optimize your lower end displays. Once you render to .mp4, you drop the 422 down to 420, which is a lot less color information, and will change the tones of color representation. That is why you do CC for each display format you are outputting to. You can make changes, and test, until your colorimeter displays the same tones you are going for. Also make some tests and verify your black levels are being maintained. You know the whole sRGB to cRGB issue.

Pretty sure there are ASC guys that make the same complaint, but they just laugh all the way to the bank.
musicvid10 wrote on 12/30/2015, 4:52 PM
Adjust the colors so they are pleasing in the Vegas preview, then add a Computer->Studio RGB filter just before rendering, so that your files comply with mp4 standard.
Then make sure to view the rendered file on a PLAYER, not the Vegas preview!
prairiedogpics wrote on 12/30/2015, 8:17 PM
Thx astar and musicvid10,
I tried musicvid10's suggestion (that was the one I was trying to remember), but still the same result.
Note in this image that I have unchecked the Levels fx button to show the colors I want in the Vegas preview but I did render the test portion with it enabled. You can see the more "cranberry" color in the QT playback below (same thing happens in VLC)...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1mdsudkgyo2d1ps/Vision_50D_colors.jpg?dl=0

BTW, I am clueless as to how to use a colorimeter (is that in Vegas?)...
prairiedogpics wrote on 1/10/2016, 3:30 PM
Just as a follow up, and after installing a video card (I previously used the Intel HD 4000 chipset), I downloaded and installed DaVinci Resolve 12 (free version). DaVinci Resolve requires a GPU.

All I did in Resolve was to tweak the brightness and contrast of the Super8 film scan.
Rendered out to an MPEG4 .mov file.

Guess what? When played back using QT, VLC, WMP, or Zoomplayer, the colors of the rendered .mov file match the preview window in Resolve exactly (on the same calibrated monitor).

I can only conclude that Sony Vegas handles colorspaces in a way only accessible to the Gods of this forum, and should not be messed with by mere amateurs.
Grazie wrote on 1/10/2016, 11:15 PM
Nicely put prairiedogpics. there are several places in VP where a User needs to have there colour space head on. It has taken me years to get what I need to do my humble work flow correct.

G