x264 end-result is much darker than the original video?

[20/20]

When I convert my DV-cam material to x264, the result seems darker than the
original video (as previewed through "AVS-script+filters")

I understand this has something to do with colorspace.
But I do not know what causes my encoded end-results to look much darker than the original.

This is what I did:
DV-cam material -> PC using FireWire -> footage in AVS-script+filters ->
Megui, x264 CE-Main Profile ->result video is too dark.

This is my AVS-script:
LoadPlugin("C:\Program Files\AviSynth 2.5\plugins\MSharpen.dll")
Avisource("C:\DV-test.avi")
edeintted = last.AssumeBFF().SeparateFields().SelectEven().EED I2(field=-1)
TDeint(order=0,edeint=edeintted)
bicubicresize(400,320)
#Levels(0,0.760,255,0,255)
#Tweak(Sat=0.8,cont=0.8,coring=false)
MSharpen(threshold=25,strength=90,mask=false,highq =true)
ConvertToYV12()

When I open this AVS-script in VDubMod or Megui/Preview or AVsP+Preview
they all look the same (they show the same brightness/color)
But the end-result (x264) seems much darker.

-> I want my end-results to look just as the "video+AVS-script+filtering" is showing in
VDubMod, MeGui-Preview and AVsP.
What must I do to achieve this/what did I do wrong?

[celtic_druid]

Probably just playback related. If your script is YV12 then no colouspace conversions are preformed when encoding.

As I understand it PAL DV is 4:2:0 so basically YV12. Most decoders I think output YUY2 though.

[20/20]

So none of the filters I used in the script could have caused this?

[celtic_druid]

Well you said it yourself
When I open this AVS-script in VDubMod or Megui/Preview...
If the script looks fine, then it can't be the script.

[20/20]

Ok. thanks. I'll look into it more when I get some other things done zround the house.
(My eyes get sore from all the reading since 3AM )
If I can't find what it is, I'll just leave it at that, I guess.

[jagabo]

Open your script in Windows Media Player. Does it look dark there? If so, you just need to adjust your video overlay settings.

[Nelson37]

You have not specified the playback software or the viewing device.

For instance, many cards TV-out (which would be a natural assumption to use for the final output display) is significantly darker than the display on the PC monitor. Simple answer is to increase the brightness.

[Scorpion King]

Since I don't use script I might be wrong but your script line: #Levels(0,0.760,255,0,255) will darken the file. The (0.760) entry is darkening the midtones in the video. Default values for the levels filter would be 0,1.000,255,0,255 I believe.

Good luck.

[celtic_druid]

#Levels(0,0.760,255,0,255) won't do anything since it is commented out.

[edDV]

A before (DV format) and after (x264) frame grab analysis could help separate playback issues.

[Soopafresh]

Maybe bt709tobt601() would be helpful. I dunno if DV is BT709 (perhaps the HD versions are ?)

[20/20]

@soopafresh: Is that a Matrice of some sort?
I read about that, Never knew that till 20 minutes ago either :P
(wow theres much to learn)

I will post a before and after x264 framegrab in BMP later-on.
My viewing device(s) are:
*CTX PR-FL trinitron, calibrated with adobe software.
*Samsung trinitron TV (set to neutral)
*Nvidea geforce mx440 64MB vc

The thing is. I know Tv luma is brighter than a PCMonitor.
When I play a XVID file I can clearly see the difference.

When I prview my scripts though, on both sets. The color and brightness of my vids look pretty much the same
Is this in any way good?
When I encode, I see a difference!
On my monitor (wich is darker) and TV.

I also use vLC media player btw.

Before you say, HEY! its your software player you Fr*** !

I use the preview mode in AVsP to preview my settings in Avisynth.
And I use VLC as external player to preview it with!