Color quality loss in capturing

[dewaynespaw]

We shot some video and I am capturing from the same camera we used to shoot with. The problem is, the color quality of the captured video is not as brilliant and bright as it is when you view it on a TV screen directly from the camera. I am capturing from a Canon GL2 using a Firewire connector. I have tried capturing in Adobe Premier, Pinnacle Studio and ULead Video Studio 7 and still the same result. Could there be a possibility that my Firewire is not plugged in correctly? I first adjusted my monitor color thinking maybe that was the problem. Then I hooked my TV up to the computer as a monitor to see if it looked the same. The footage looks great on a TV. I can't imagine what the problem could be because this is a fully digital transfer. I would appreciate any advice or help.

[edDV]

We shot some video and I am capturing from the same camera we used to shoot with. The problem is, the color quality of the captured video is not as brilliant and bright as it is when you view it on a TV screen directly from the camera. I am capturing from a Canon GL2 using a Firewire connector. I have tried capturing in Adobe Premier, Pinnacle Studio and ULead Video Studio 7 and still the same result.

So you are viewing the camcorder direct to the TV (Alt A)

How are you displaying the captured result? DV-AVI capture should show an identical result if your method of display is proper.

Could there be a possibility that my Firewire is not plugged in correctly? I first adjusted my monitor color thinking maybe that was the problem. Then I hooked my TV up to the computer as a monitor to see if it looked the same. The footage looks great on a TV. I can't imagine what the problem could be because this is a fully digital transfer. I would appreciate any advice or help.

Nope, those are all inferior display methods.

OK the supreme test.

1. Use WinDV to transfer your captured file back to the camcorder.
2. Compare playback of the original file to the file transferred back from the computer. They should be identical.

[jagabo]

Computer monitors have very different gamma curves than televisions. Video will normally look dark and dingy on a computer monitor.

[dewaynespaw]

I tried capturing and sending back to the camera and it looked identical. I guess it was just the monitor settings. I adjusted the monitor color and it looks some better now. Thanks for your help guys.

[edDV]

Advanced editors like Premiere Pro, FCP, Avid XPress, Vegas, etc. allow direct timeline monitoring out the IEEE-1394 port allowing the DV camcorder to be used for monitor interface. The TV is connected to the camcorder.

Ulead Video Studio allows playing files out the IEEE-1394 port. See "Instant Playback target" in Preferences.

These are the preferred methods to monitor video. The SMPTE DV color bar should be used to set montor brightness, contrast, chroma saturation and hue (for NTSC). If using a DV camcorder, NTSC monitor calibration will need to be 0-100IRE. That means the TV setup is different for monitoring the camcorder vs playing the resulting DVD (7.5-100IRE).