Black setup levels and 6 hour DVD's- aftermath

[gwoiler]

First off, thanks for all the posts to these topics last week and before.

I finally got the 6 hour DVD's to play with no audio-video sync problems. I had been making them with MPEG audio, but tried converting them to AC3 and that fixed the problem. They did work on most players at first, but not my Sanyo player.

I dusted off the Waveform monitor this weekend and hooked it up to the Sanyo DVD player. ALL my DVD's that are from consumer DV clips have zero IRE for black levels. that explanes why they are too contrasty. even a pro made movie was that way. The funny thing is... that in the movie extras, one of the interviews was at 7.5 IRE and it looked like they put more time into it than the other extra clips. So, now I have to test some other DVD players here in the upper or lower 48, (depends on where you are) and find out if any of them add the 7.5 setup to DVD's? Mine obviously does not.

For me the question is, how to add it and not wash it out? ahhhh.... Oh... none of the whites were over 100IRE, so I can not use TMPG to add the setup or the whites will get crunched. hmmm....

glenn

[gwoiler]

Since I had the waveform monitor hooked up, I looked at a satellite feed that I usually watch and whadayaknow.... it had ZERO ire black levels. It originates in Illiniois. Is this legal? Or, are transmission, or broadcast specs changing? Now I know why their programs look more contrasty than our local stations. Sure will be nice when there is just one standard.

Glenn

[andie41]

gwoiler wrote:

ALL my DVD's that are from consumer DV clips have zero IRE for black levels . that explanes why they are too contrasty. even a pro made movie was that way.

That certainly is consistent with my observations; however, I am surprised that your DVD player does not add setup. I have two players, an Electrohome and a Norcent and the analog coming out of these units is at 7.5 IRE. Your Sanyo was purchased in North America, I presume? As you had problems with the audio synch problems with the Sanyo, is it possibly non-standard?

I wish we could get more input from people able to test their DVD players. If most players add setup and you add it in your encodes and then provide the video to someone with a player that does add setup, the blacks will be gray.

[gwoiler]

I bought the Sanyo at Wallmart. It very well could be made for other areas instead of North America. I guess I could try to get in touch with Sanyo and ask them about it. Your right... I need to know what the norm is so I don't make lousy looking DVD's! Thanks for your input.

Glenn Woiler