Coolest XL2 Settings. at DVinfo.net

Alfredo Castil · October 7th, 2004, 01:51 PM

An open invitation to all XL2 owners to disclose their custom settings with the result and a film grab. hopefully we will be able to annotate various looks with the collaboration of this great forum.

Ralph Roberts · October 8th, 2004, 10:24 AM

Now that's a GREAT idea... a library of "looks" would be very beneficial!

--Ralph

Marty Hudzik · October 8th, 2004, 10:48 AM

It will even be better if we can save them and post them here for download to the XL2.

Alfredo Castil · October 8th, 2004, 12:54 PM

It might be possible in the future to download your presets from your XL2 to your computer via SDK, but at the time it is impossible.

I will tinker with my XL2 this weekend and hopefully have some presets to post on Monday.

Any requests?

Marty Hudzik · October 8th, 2004, 01:07 PM

At the risk of getting flamed :) ...........

I'd like to find a good DVX100 look! Of course I am kidding....well...kinda.

what I am looking for is to get the same type of curves that the DVX100 has in Cinnegamma Mode. The Xl2 looks very high res and very clean.....it has that over the DVX100 for sure. But in my limited time fiddling with the settings I just haven't been able to get that same "s" curve look of film that the DVX comes so close to. I mean....it doesn't look exactly like film but its curve is far enough from the curve (or lack of curve) in video and adds to the "suspension of disbelief" we all want when doing more dramatic work.

Don't get me wrong. I can achieve this in post production. But I'd love to get it in camera for the times that I don't want to go through all of that effort. (when i shot some plays and events in Cinegamma 24P on the DVX I would sometimes hand over the raw footage to the client and all they could say is "it doesn't look like video...it looks like a movie." for those times I'd like to get closer to DVX look in camera with the Xl2. )

Yi Fong Yu · October 8th, 2004, 01:58 PM

another vote for a library of customize settings to get a good 'look' for the xl2.

Alfredo Castil · October 8th, 2004, 02:02 PM

Marty,

I'll try to get the punchy saturated look of the DVX100, however I have not seen much of it and I have never used one so it might not be the same.

However the first thing I want to do is to get a rich saturated look anyway.

Marty Hudzik · October 8th, 2004, 02:21 PM

I can get a good rich saturated look but it deosn't work in all environments. In average to medium color settings it looks great. If I shoot anything with a lot of rich colors it tends to "bloom" or "blowout" too much. I know one setting doesn't fit all situations but with the DVX I didn't have this type of drastically different results based on environment.

I mean there were obviously different results but just not to the major degree I see with the setings I have tried to use on the XL2.

Still experimenting though.

Alfredo Castil · October 8th, 2004, 03:30 PM

As you know, we can have up to 3 custom settings, maybe you might be able to tone down the RGB saturation for when you have saturated colors, yet the difference won't be as drastic so you can use the different settings in the same scene (intercut).

For what I know, the DVX 100 has that "kodak-esque automatic saturation" thing, it basically adapts the curve slightly so you won't have those kind of problems, I personally prefer the manual options, it's more responsibility; more risk, more control.

--Keep on filmin'

Alexis Vazquez · October 8th, 2004, 09:39 PM

Here is a recomended settings I found on another forum, I havn't try it so can't tell how good it is.....

Frame Rate = 24P

Shutter = 1/48th. 1/60th sec may also be used, but only to reduce flicker with florescent or arc lighting in 60Hz countries (like the USA). Use 1/50th sec for florescent/arc lights in 50Hz countries (Europe).

Program AE (Auto Exposure) = OFF

Aspect Ratio = 16:9 (for transfer to 35mm)

2:3:3:2 pulldown

Gamma = Cine

Color Matrix = Normal

Knee = Medium

Black = Normal

Vertical Detail = Low

Coring = 0

Sharpness = 0

Noise Reduction = OFF

Color Gain = 0

Color Phase = 0

Film Grain = OFF

Total Image Control = 0,0,0

Setup Level = 0

Skin Tone Detail = 0

AE Shift = N/A

AE Lock = N/A

Zebra Pattern = 100%

Audio = 2-channel (16-bit).

Alexis

Bill Ravens · October 9th, 2004, 07:27 AM

As with the XL1, I like to put the setup level=-6, i.e. full black. There's no reason I can see to limit your available bandwidth. If I'm staying in DV all the way, no changes in post are needed. If I'm going out to NTSC, I can run a black level remapping on my NLE to set black to 7.5 without crushing the blacks.

Chris Chung · October 11th, 2004, 12:10 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Alexis Vazquez : Here is a recomended settings I found on another forum, I havn't try it so can't tell how good it is.....

Frame Rate = 24P

Shutter = 1/48th. 1/60th sec may also be used, but only to reduce flicker with florescent or arc lighting in 60Hz countries (like the USA). Use 1/50th sec for florescent/arc lights in 50Hz countries (Europe).

Program AE (Auto Exposure) = OFF

Aspect Ratio = 16:9 (for transfer to 35mm)

2:3:3:2 pulldown

Gamma = Cine

Color Matrix = Normal

Knee = Medium

Black = Normal

Vertical Detail = Low

Coring = 0

Sharpness = 0

Noise Reduction = OFF

Color Gain = 0

Color Phase = 0

Film Grain = OFF

Total Image Control = 0,0,0

Setup Level = 0

Skin Tone Detail = 0

AE Shift = N/A

AE Lock = N/A

Zebra Pattern = 100%

Audio = 2-channel (16-bit).

Alexis -->>>

That is DV film's suggested setting for transfer to film
http://www.dvfilm.com/xl2/index.htm

I like shooting my footages as normal(realistic) as possible then using magic bullet plug ins to make them look more creative and filmic during post production.

Marty Hudzik · October 12th, 2004, 09:18 AM

Has anyone come up with some settings that closer emulate a film curve? I personally don't think it is possible with the limited controls. I know it has more than any other camera in its class but still feel that the curve is just not right by default and we need more conrol points to tweak it. I prefer the DVX default curve. Granted you can't change as much on the DVX but it is closer to what I'd like to get right from the camera if possible. But it is looking more and more like I will need to rel on post work to get it.

Holly Miller · October 12th, 2004, 09:27 AM

Canon might be releasing a developer's kit which would allow more in-depth control, and "camera to camera installation". I think the user control of color and image will be much more advanced when this happens.

Alfredo Castil · October 12th, 2004, 09:47 AM

I'm hoping that would be the case.

I've been struggling to get that curve and I haven't quite gotten it. Marty, consider changing your white balance settings to a cooler or warmer than normal, it will add a more saturated and filmic look to your curve. A basic component for the XL2 is another ND filter that will force open your iris, and reduce DOF. try that too.

October 7th, 2004, 01:51 PM	#1
Alfredo Castil Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 40	Coolest XL2 Settings. An open invitation to all XL2 owners to disclose their custom settings with the result and a film grab. hopefully we will be able to annotate various looks with the collaboration of this great forum. __________________ Ask not whether you can afford to make it, but whether can you afford not to.

October 8th, 2004, 10:24 AM	#2
Ralph Roberts Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Alexander, NC Posts: 188	Now that's a GREAT idea... a library of "looks" would be very beneficial! --Ralph __________________ --Ralph Roberts, CEO 1VIDeo / aBOOKS / Creativity, Inc.

October 8th, 2004, 12:54 PM	#4
Alfredo Castil Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 40	It might be possible in the future to download your presets from your XL2 to your computer via SDK, but at the time it is impossible. I will tinker with my XL2 this weekend and hopefully have some presets to post on Monday. Any requests? __________________ Ask not whether you can afford to make it, but whether can you afford not to.

October 8th, 2004, 01:58 PM	#6
Yi Fong Yu Trustee Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vulcan Posts: 1,564	another vote for a library of customize settings to get a good 'look' for the xl2. __________________ bow wow wow

October 8th, 2004, 02:02 PM	#7
Alfredo Castil Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 40	Marty, I'll try to get the punchy saturated look of the DVX100, however I have not seen much of it and I have never used one so it might not be the same. However the first thing I want to do is to get a rich saturated look anyway. __________________ Ask not whether you can afford to make it, but whether can you afford not to.

October 8th, 2004, 10:48 AM	#3
Marty Hudzik Trustee Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 1,771	It will even be better if we can save them and post them here for download to the XL2.

October 8th, 2004, 01:07 PM	#5
Marty Hudzik Trustee Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 1,771	At the risk of getting flamed :) ........... I'd like to find a good DVX100 look! Of course I am kidding....well...kinda. what I am looking for is to get the same type of curves that the DVX100 has in Cinnegamma Mode. The Xl2 looks very high res and very clean.....it has that over the DVX100 for sure. But in my limited time fiddling with the settings I just haven't been able to get that same "s" curve look of film that the DVX comes so close to. I mean....it doesn't look exactly like film but its curve is far enough from the curve (or lack of curve) in video and adds to the "suspension of disbelief" we all want when doing more dramatic work. Don't get me wrong. I can achieve this in post production. But I'd love to get it in camera for the times that I don't want to go through all of that effort. (when i shot some plays and events in Cinegamma 24P on the DVX I would sometimes hand over the raw footage to the client and all they could say is "it doesn't look like video...it looks like a movie." for those times I'd like to get closer to DVX look in camera with the Xl2. )

October 8th, 2004, 02:21 PM	#8
Marty Hudzik Trustee Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 1,771	I can get a good rich saturated look but it deosn't work in all environments. In average to medium color settings it looks great. If I shoot anything with a lot of rich colors it tends to "bloom" or "blowout" too much. I know one setting doesn't fit all situations but with the DVX I didn't have this type of drastically different results based on environment. I mean there were obviously different results but just not to the major degree I see with the setings I have tried to use on the XL2. Still experimenting though.

October 8th, 2004, 03:30 PM	#9
Alfredo Castil Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 40	As you know, we can have up to 3 custom settings, maybe you might be able to tone down the RGB saturation for when you have saturated colors, yet the difference won't be as drastic so you can use the different settings in the same scene (intercut). For what I know, the DVX 100 has that "kodak-esque automatic saturation" thing, it basically adapts the curve slightly so you won't have those kind of problems, I personally prefer the manual options, it's more responsibility; more risk, more control. --Keep on filmin' __________________ Ask not whether you can afford to make it, but whether can you afford not to.

October 8th, 2004, 09:39 PM	#10
Alexis Vazquez Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: USA Posts: 188	Here is a recomended settings I found on another forum, I havn't try it so can't tell how good it is..... Frame Rate = 24P Shutter = 1/48th. 1/60th sec may also be used, but only to reduce flicker with florescent or arc lighting in 60Hz countries (like the USA). Use 1/50th sec for florescent/arc lights in 50Hz countries (Europe). Program AE (Auto Exposure) = OFF Aspect Ratio = 16:9 (for transfer to 35mm) 2:3:3:2 pulldown Gamma = Cine Color Matrix = Normal Knee = Medium Black = Normal Vertical Detail = Low Coring = 0 Sharpness = 0 Noise Reduction = OFF Color Gain = 0 Color Phase = 0 Film Grain = OFF Total Image Control = 0,0,0 Setup Level = 0 Skin Tone Detail = 0 AE Shift = N/A AE Lock = N/A Zebra Pattern = 100% Audio = 2-channel (16-bit). Alexis

October 9th, 2004, 07:27 AM	#11
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	As with the XL1, I like to put the setup level=-6, i.e. full black. There's no reason I can see to limit your available bandwidth. If I'm staying in DV all the way, no changes in post are needed. If I'm going out to NTSC, I can run a black level remapping on my NLE to set black to 7.5 without crushing the blacks.

October 11th, 2004, 12:10 PM	#12
Chris Chung New Boot Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18	<<<-- Originally posted by Alexis Vazquez : Here is a recomended settings I found on another forum, I havn't try it so can't tell how good it is..... Frame Rate = 24P Shutter = 1/48th. 1/60th sec may also be used, but only to reduce flicker with florescent or arc lighting in 60Hz countries (like the USA). Use 1/50th sec for florescent/arc lights in 50Hz countries (Europe). Program AE (Auto Exposure) = OFF Aspect Ratio = 16:9 (for transfer to 35mm) 2:3:3:2 pulldown Gamma = Cine Color Matrix = Normal Knee = Medium Black = Normal Vertical Detail = Low Coring = 0 Sharpness = 0 Noise Reduction = OFF Color Gain = 0 Color Phase = 0 Film Grain = OFF Total Image Control = 0,0,0 Setup Level = 0 Skin Tone Detail = 0 AE Shift = N/A AE Lock = N/A Zebra Pattern = 100% Audio = 2-channel (16-bit). Alexis -->>> That is DV film's suggested setting for transfer to film http://www.dvfilm.com/xl2/index.htm I like shooting my footages as normal(realistic) as possible then using magic bullet plug ins to make them look more creative and filmic during post production.

October 12th, 2004, 09:18 AM	#13
Marty Hudzik Trustee Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 1,771	Has anyone come up with some settings that closer emulate a film curve? I personally don't think it is possible with the limited controls. I know it has more than any other camera in its class but still feel that the curve is just not right by default and we need more conrol points to tweak it. I prefer the DVX default curve. Granted you can't change as much on the DVX but it is closer to what I'd like to get right from the camera if possible. But it is looking more and more like I will need to rel on post work to get it.

October 12th, 2004, 09:27 AM	#14
Holly Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 56	Canon might be releasing a developer's kit which would allow more in-depth control, and "camera to camera installation". I think the user control of color and image will be much more advanced when this happens.

October 12th, 2004, 09:47 AM	#15
Alfredo Castil Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 40	I'm hoping that would be the case. I've been struggling to get that curve and I haven't quite gotten it. Marty, consider changing your white balance settings to a cooler or warmer than normal, it will add a more saturated and filmic look to your curve. A basic component for the XL2 is another ND filter that will force open your iris, and reduce DOF. try that too. __________________ Ask not whether you can afford to make it, but whether can you afford not to.