-
NEED PRO ADVICE!!! APPLE COLOR PROFILES
I am currently editing DVCAM and DVCPRO NTSC and HD content using Final Cut Pro 5. For the most part, I am monitoring the color correction process using three monitors: an Apple LCD monitor, a Sony CRT computer monitor, and a FireWire-output to a DVCAM deck, which is then sending S-Video to an upconverting Sony 1080i CRT Television.
The Sony 1080i CRT Television has been carefully calibrated to look like a best-case “consumer” monitor using the THX Optimizer DVD as well as some other off-the-shelf DVD calibration tools. It HAS NOT been ISF-Certified, but that’s ok in my opinion, since I produce DVDs that are viewed primarily on consumer TVs without ANY calibration (sad, but true).
My question is this: between my CRT TV, CRT Monitor, and LCD Monitor, my colors are totally inconsistent. I have noticed that in the Apple System Preferences, I can select from a variety of color profiles for the computer displays, including various versions of RGB, NTSC (1953) and SMPTE-C. Does anyone know which of these profiles, if any, I should assign to my various monitors? I’ve especially noticed the difference between the LCD and the CRT displays, and I’m wondering if there is some way to compensate for this.
Thanks very much in advance for your professional advice!
– Jordan
-
4 Replies
-
Jordan,
You will never get your various monitors to accurately display the same video quality because they display very differently. Since you are not outputing for broadcast your best bet is to chose one of your monitors, preferably the 1081 CRT TV, and use your eyeballs to achieve the best qulaity you can. Then, take your DVD to a friend’s house and play it back on a SD TV and then go somewhere to play it back on an HD TV. If they look good, then you’re good to go.
DRW
-
Understood, BUT, what color profile should an LCD monitor use to most-closely portray the NTSC video material? As I understand it, the Apple LCD RGB profile doesn’t come close. Anyway to improve this?
– Jordan
-
In the Apple Desktop Pictures system preference panel, chose grey for both desktops. Take a picture of the desktop and put that into FCP so you send the same grey to your external monitor.
Now…in the DISPLAYS system preference, chose COLOR then select CALIBRATE. Use the ADVANCED mode, as it has more options. Now, go thru the settings and make the grey of the two computer monitors match as closely as possible that of the external TV. That way, you know that they are as close to the look of the TV as they can be.
I have two LCD computer monitors, the same model, and even they aren’t exactly the same. The default settings of both were selected and they still didn’t match. I had to use the above method.
Shane Ross
Alokut Productions
http://www.lfhd.net -
No, not really… I have been editing for years and always monitor on NTSC Televisions. Still, I noticed the color profiles the other day and I figured that they must serve SOME purpose to get the LCDs and Computer CRTs into the ballpark (usually, the client prefers the look on the computer screen, and it’s difficult to explain what you just told me – “illegal” values – when they simply want what they see, despite the technical facts about what they shot).
– Jordan
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up