Hi folks,

I am exporting my FCP timeline using h.264 and the resulting image looks blown out, much brighter than what I see in the canvas. Why is this?

I compare the two images side-by-side on my display and the results are dramatic. My monitor is calibrated and there are no filters on export. Does h.264 do something funky to it?

I was wondering if FCP is doing any calibration to the image that is displayed in the canvas. I have Gamma Correction set to accurate in FCP. I'm working with normal DV/NTSC footage.

Frustrated! Any thoughts?

Thanks!

- H

Hans,
I think you will find that any time you add some compression to video files it tends
to wash out some. Whenever I compress for Mpeg 2 or H 264, I always bump the gamma
a bit. Don't do it with the compression software. Add the gamma with a filter in your
time line. Sometimes when compressing to Mpeg2 , you have to add about a 2% to 4%
sharpening also. With the H264 compression, even after you bump the gamma, the color
will be a little bit different but it wont be as washed out. Your final movie in your
time line will look a bit too dark and vibrant but it will compress very well.