This is something unexpected I found while doing tests to try to understand what, exactly, the studio/full-range pixel format options do.
Find or create an sRGB (not to be confused with studio levels) grayscale image in linear increments (ie, 0,8,16,24,...) and import it into a Vegas project. If you are using the video levels project properties pixel format, add a computer to studio fx and be sure to check the studio levels box on the secondary display options. If you are using full range in the pixel format, do not apply fx to the image, and be sure to clear the studio levels box on the secondary display options.
In either case, if you have a good monitor, you will see a loss of shadow detail (darkening) when previewing the sRGB grayscale image via the secondary display.
If you don't have a good monitor, you can still see the effect by viewing the waveform in video scopes: the incremental levels show a non-linear rise that compromises shadow detail at the bottom of the range.
This darkening corresponds to darker sRGB images I've observed when burning Vegas projects to BluRay and watching on my HDTV. Initially I thought this was due solely to a failure to properly convert images to video levels, but that is not the case. The problem persists even with properly converted images.
The effect can perhaps be best corrected using Vegas Color Curves FX, and bumping shadow detail while watching the video scopes until the grayscale's increments appear linear.
Speculations: I'm going to assume the Secondary Display preview is correct (since it matches what's appearing in Video Scopes). If that is so, then Vegas is apparently botching the conversion of sRGB still images to YUV video -- the levels aren't mapping correctly.
I suppose it's also possible that this mapping mismatch is supposed to happen (though I really can't imagine why).
The bottom line here seems to be if you're importing corrected images into Vegas, you'll need to correct a second time within Vegas to match the original image's levels (as seen, for example, in Photoshop).
Find or create an sRGB (not to be confused with studio levels) grayscale image in linear increments (ie, 0,8,16,24,...) and import it into a Vegas project. If you are using the video levels project properties pixel format, add a computer to studio fx and be sure to check the studio levels box on the secondary display options. If you are using full range in the pixel format, do not apply fx to the image, and be sure to clear the studio levels box on the secondary display options.
In either case, if you have a good monitor, you will see a loss of shadow detail (darkening) when previewing the sRGB grayscale image via the secondary display.
If you don't have a good monitor, you can still see the effect by viewing the waveform in video scopes: the incremental levels show a non-linear rise that compromises shadow detail at the bottom of the range.
This darkening corresponds to darker sRGB images I've observed when burning Vegas projects to BluRay and watching on my HDTV. Initially I thought this was due solely to a failure to properly convert images to video levels, but that is not the case. The problem persists even with properly converted images.
The effect can perhaps be best corrected using Vegas Color Curves FX, and bumping shadow detail while watching the video scopes until the grayscale's increments appear linear.
Speculations: I'm going to assume the Secondary Display preview is correct (since it matches what's appearing in Video Scopes). If that is so, then Vegas is apparently botching the conversion of sRGB still images to YUV video -- the levels aren't mapping correctly.
I suppose it's also possible that this mapping mismatch is supposed to happen (though I really can't imagine why).
The bottom line here seems to be if you're importing corrected images into Vegas, you'll need to correct a second time within Vegas to match the original image's levels (as seen, for example, in Photoshop).