Natural/Pure ATW setting for PMW 200 at DVinfo.net

Duane Dubiel · October 13th, 2012, 08:05 PM

What is the difference between the Natural and Pure ATW setting in the PMW 200? When would you use them?

Lynn Weissman · April 9th, 2015, 09:35 AM

Has anyone answered this question yet?

I have found this here; looks like if you _not_ going to match cameras, best to use Natural white.

From PMW-EX1R to PMW-200 : United Kingdom : Sony Professional
"Allow users to set AutoTracing White (ATW) in “Natural” White and “Pure” White. Better ATW Balance reproduction depending on customer profile : Natural ATW for corporate shooting. Pure ATW for PDW-68 , PDW-700, PDW-F800 matching in broadcast shooting"

This other 'explanation' from page 87 of the Manual is very confusing:

Sony PMW200 | User Manual (PMW-100 Memory Camcorder Operation Manual for Firmwar - Page 87
“ATW Mode ATW mode setting Natural / Pure Natural: Depending on the brightness of scenes, automatically adjusts the white balance to natural ambience. Pure: Not leaving the blue color or red color, automatically adjusts the white balance closer to original colors. Set to "On" when a wide-conversion lens is attached”

Still, I'd love to hear a better answer on this question of which setting when: Natural vs Pure ATW setting for PMW 200?

Thanks!

Doug Jensen · April 9th, 2015, 04:34 PM

This is a topic I talk a little about in my PMW-200 training video.
Mastering the PMW-200-160-150-100 Camcorders

At the time it was introduced on PMW-200/160/100 it was a new feature for Sony cameras, and I don't know if they've ever used it on any others. “Natural” is programmed to provide a white balance with natural-looking whites -- like you’d see with your naked eye under the current lighting conditions. On the other hand, “Pure” tries to keep whites looking pure white. Its mostly designed to be used in conjunction with tungsten lighting. In fact, if you’re working with daylight-balanced LEDs or fluorescents, you might not see any difference at all between the two modes.

But for most professionals it shouldn't matter how it works. The main thing to keep in mind is that it only works with ATW, and I strongly advise against the use of automatic white balance for professional video.

Doug

October 13th, 2012, 08:05 PM	#1
Duane Dubiel New Boot Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Whitehall WI Posts: 15	Natural/Pure ATW setting for PMW 200 What is the difference between the Natural and Pure ATW setting in the PMW 200? When would you use them?

April 9th, 2015, 09:35 AM	#2
Lynn Weissman Tourist Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Somerville, MA, USA Posts: 3	Re: Natural/Pure ATW setting for PMW 200 Has anyone answered this question yet? I have found this here; looks like if you _not_ going to match cameras, best to use Natural white. From PMW-EX1R to PMW-200 : United Kingdom : Sony Professional "Allow users to set AutoTracing White (ATW) in “Natural” White and “Pure” White. Better ATW Balance reproduction depending on customer profile : Natural ATW for corporate shooting. Pure ATW for PDW-68 , PDW-700, PDW-F800 matching in broadcast shooting" This other 'explanation' from page 87 of the Manual is very confusing: Sony PMW200 \| User Manual (PMW-100 Memory Camcorder Operation Manual for Firmwar - Page 87 “ATW Mode ATW mode setting Natural / Pure Natural: Depending on the brightness of scenes, automatically adjusts the white balance to natural ambience. Pure: Not leaving the blue color or red color, automatically adjusts the white balance closer to original colors. Set to "On" when a wide-conversion lens is attached” Still, I'd love to hear a better answer on this question of which setting when: Natural vs Pure ATW setting for PMW 200? Thanks!

April 9th, 2015, 04:34 PM	#3
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,450	Re: Natural/Pure ATW setting for PMW 200 This is a topic I talk a little about in my PMW-200 training video. Mastering the PMW-200-160-150-100 Camcorders At the time it was introduced on PMW-200/160/100 it was a new feature for Sony cameras, and I don't know if they've ever used it on any others. “Natural” is programmed to provide a white balance with natural-looking whites -- like you’d see with your naked eye under the current lighting conditions. On the other hand, “Pure” tries to keep whites looking pure white. Its mostly designed to be used in conjunction with tungsten lighting. In fact, if you’re working with daylight-balanced LEDs or fluorescents, you might not see any difference at all between the two modes. But for most professionals it shouldn't matter how it works. The main thing to keep in mind is that it only works with ATW, and I strongly advise against the use of automatic white balance for professional video. Doug __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools