Why when converting from avi to mkv picture looks different?

[ma-fia]

Hi... I am rather new to the world of vide conversions and when I try to search, I simply don't understant more than half of the slang/terms used. So I would really appreciate some help.

I was looking for a tool that would allow me to make a custom container with video+audio+subs that I want, and mkv format is perfect. I have learned how to use MakeMKV, MkvMerge, MkvExtract... From what I have read and understood, MkvMerge does not change ANYTHING in the tracks, it just "repacks" them. Is that right?

Then why when I take an .avi file the picture in .mkv file looks slightly darker/lighter compared to original .avi file when playing back?

[jagabo]

From what I have read and understood, MkvMerge does not change ANYTHING in the tracks, it just "repacks" them. Is that right?

Yes.

Then why when I take an .avi file the picture in .mkv file looks slightly darker/lighter compared to original .avi file when playing back?

Are you playing two video side by side? If so, that's your problem. One will be using the graphics card's video overlay feature, the other the desktop. They have different brightness/contrast/color controls in the graphics card's setup applet.

[ma-fia]

Well. I use VLC player. I open 2 windows, and put the video in the same spot... Am I doing it wrong?
...

I guess I am. I just tried to open the files one by one, and they seem to have the same video quality (as far as I can tell). Thank you.

Does MakeMkv also preserve all of the video quality when converting a DVD into an .mkv file?

[jagabo]

If you swap the videos in the two players you'll find the color differences stay with the player. As an experiment you can set VLC to use Windows GDI as the output device. Both players will look the same after that.

Tools -> Preferences -> Video -> Display (box) -> Output -> Windows GDI video output

[ma-fia]

I did. It does. I wish I had education in electronics!

[jagabo]

Using Windows GDI isn't the best solution. It's more CPU intensive since it doesn't use the graphics card's video processing abilities. It's best to adjust card's video proc amp settings to get proper playback. You can use a levels calibration video like the one in this post:

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/326496-file-in-Virtualdub-has-strange-colors-when-o...=1#post2022085

[ma-fia]

Well, that was for testing purposes only. Once I saw with my own eyes that they're the same, I rejoiced, set video in VLC back to default and the issue's over. Now I know for sure that I can just process all the videos that I want to keep to mkv and be happy.

..."card's video proc amp settings"... I have no idea what it is and unfortunately it would be a waste of your time trying to explain. I read the thread you referenced to and, alas, did not understant 99% of it. Useless, useless. At this point I am just happy to know "how" and leave details and "why's" alone. That's why I try to use programs that have no settings to change the input, just to rearrange it in desirable way. Apart from subtitles. I did learn how to sync and edit subtitles, and remove all this "hard of hearing" stuff...

Thank you very much for your help!

[jagabo]

Well, that was for testing purposes only. Once I saw with my own eyes that they're the same, I rejoiced, set video in VLC back to default and the issue's over. Now I know for sure that I can just process all the videos that I want to keep to mkv and be happy.

Yes, but your computer is displaying videos incorrectly using VLC's Default rendering device.

..."card's video proc amp settings"... I have no idea what it is

It's just the brightness, contrast, saturation, and hue controls in the "video" section of your graphics card setup applet (Control Panel -> Display...). Here's one from the computer I'm on now:



Different drivers will have a different interface. Just be aware there are two areas where you can adjust these settings. One is for everything on the Desktop. You don't want to use that one. The other is specifically for video playing in a media player. You want to adjust that one.

and unfortunately it would be a waste of your time trying to explain.

All you have to do is play the video in VLC then adjust the brightness and contrast settings until the video looks like first image in that post.

[ma-fia]

Below is a screenshot of the NVidia Control Panel. Is that where I play with settings?
Mine is an ex-Vista computer running XP (I set it up from scratch), so I know for sure that it makes my monitor "tick".


[Attachment 9464 - Click to enlarge]

How DO you make the picture visible in the post right away? Mine showed up as a link...

[jagabo]

I can't see your image, even if I click on the link. But here is where you adjust the video settings on the Nvideo control panel:

[ma-fia]

Yep, that's exact same image I tried to upload. I'll give it a shot.