Setup Level vs. Master Ped at DVinfo.net

Josh Dahlberg · July 3rd, 2006, 11:47 PM

Hi guys,

I've been trying to sort out the difference between Setup Level and Master Pedestal for a while. I'm perfectly comfortable with all the other preset options.

Yes I have watched the DV creators video on the XL2 and it sheds no light on this issue.

I have a general - but rather crude - idea about them and their effect, but don't know the specific differences between them, their relationship, which one has primacy over the other, what the trade offs are in using one over the other.

Can anyone enlighten me? I'd really appreciate any expert help.

Josh

Greg Boston · July 3rd, 2006, 11:52 PM

Josh,

Setup level is setting the minimum signal level from the camera which is to represent absolute black.

Master Pedestal is sort of the opposite of the knee setting at the top where the highlights begin to roll off (forming a knee shape). At the bottom, where the curve starts to roll off gently towards black is the 'pedestal' since that's sort of what the curve looks like. MP sets the point (height) where this roll off begins to occur.

Hope this helps,

-gb-

Josh Dahlberg · July 4th, 2006, 01:04 AM

That's a wonderfully eloquent description Greg - now I can understand the difference clearly on a technical level, thanks a lot!

Maybe it's a little too much to ask, but in a real world situation, when would I adjust one but not the other? Is it a general rule that you adjust them in unison, for example switching them both down a few notches for a contrasty look, and both up a few notches to preserve detail?

Thanks

Jason Varner · July 4th, 2006, 03:03 AM

You'll never be able to tell in the viewfinder but if you have a monitor you can get some nice detail in the blacks by tweaking setup, pedestal, and black stretch.

July 3rd, 2006, 11:47 PM	#1
Josh Dahlberg Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 513	Setup Level vs. Master Ped Hi guys, I've been trying to sort out the difference between Setup Level and Master Pedestal for a while. I'm perfectly comfortable with all the other preset options. Yes I have watched the DV creators video on the XL2 and it sheds no light on this issue. I have a general - but rather crude - idea about them and their effect, but don't know the specific differences between them, their relationship, which one has primacy over the other, what the trade offs are in using one over the other. Can anyone enlighten me? I'd really appreciate any expert help. Josh

July 3rd, 2006, 11:52 PM	#2
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Josh, Setup level is setting the minimum signal level from the camera which is to represent absolute black. Master Pedestal is sort of the opposite of the knee setting at the top where the highlights begin to roll off (forming a knee shape). At the bottom, where the curve starts to roll off gently towards black is the 'pedestal' since that's sort of what the curve looks like. MP sets the point (height) where this roll off begins to occur. Hope this helps, -gb-

July 4th, 2006, 01:04 AM	#3
Josh Dahlberg Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 513	That's a wonderfully eloquent description Greg - now I can understand the difference clearly on a technical level, thanks a lot! Maybe it's a little too much to ask, but in a real world situation, when would I adjust one but not the other? Is it a general rule that you adjust them in unison, for example switching them both down a few notches for a contrasty look, and both up a few notches to preserve detail? Thanks

July 4th, 2006, 03:03 AM	#4
Jason Varner Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 119	You'll never be able to tell in the viewfinder but if you have a monitor you can get some nice detail in the blacks by tweaking setup, pedestal, and black stretch.