MPEG2 playback via VLC or WMP darker than when viewed on NLE timeline

[sdsumike619]

I was just doing some encoding tests and noticed after I encoded MPEG2 from Sony Vegas and played the file back via VLC and Windows Media Player, the encoded file looks significantly darker than when I view the same encoded video on the Vegas timeline. Is this normal? I will actually be using Adobe Encore CS3's encoder when the time comes. Is it wise to make the video a little lighter if encoding makes it darker?

[Baldrick]

VLC and wmp uses video hardware acceleration/video overlay and it might have different brightness settings than just with a software decoding like vegas timeline.

[sdsumike619]

Thank you for the clarification

[jagabo]

Use your graphics card's video proc amp settings to adjust video playback.

[edDV]

You need to adjust both to a color bar or ramp. But a properly adjusted video level will always appear slightly dark on the desktop. It is a mistake to adjust video levels to look good on a computer display although you can get the overlay close. Computers and TV displays use different gamma.