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HDV Color Correct
Hello, I’m working on a documentary shooted and edited in HDV 1080i60 and I want to do a basic color correction within Final Cut Pro. The problem is that I can´t monitor the sequence through external video to my ntsc video boradcast monitor (sd) because Final Cut does not allow to monitor HDV material the way I was used to monitor standard dv-ntsc material. Or I don‘t know how to do it, but I think FCP converts HDV material to some format that can’t be monitored through external video. Excuse my ignorance but this HDV technolgy is new to me and is the first time I work with it. So what can I do to monitor the sequence so I can do a reliable color correction for broadcast? I’m workink on a Mac book Pro with an extra display attached to the DVI output and I can monitor the sequence on that display but I’m not sure of doing the color correction with this because is not broadcast. I’ve heared of Maxtor MXO but I dont’t truly understand the function of this device because I see on the Maxtor website that it works also with a computer display attached. If anyone can help me I will appreciate it.
Felgue.
Editing and Motion Graphics -
10 Replies
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Least expensive way to monitor your HD is on a 23″ Cinema Display and with the MXO in use. The MXO will correct the problem of that display being progressive when you’re using interlaced footage (which you are)… and it will correct for the gamma differences between a video monitor and the output of a dvi connector from your Mac.
It’s not the best, but it’s sure better than without the MXO… lots better, and by far the least expensive way to setup a “very close” broadcast quality display. It’s close, but no cigar. Problem is the black levels… they really aren’t dead black. AND when you have the money for a REAL HD broadcast monitor, the MXO will feed the signal to that too. It will also down convert the HD to SD so you can use your present monitor albeit it will not be HD…
Jerry
Apple Certified Trainer
Author: “Jerry Hofmann on Final Cut Pro 4” Click here
Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D
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Thank you very much for the info. I’ve also read Shane Ross’s article about Matrox MXO and now I’m very clear about how MXO works. But I don’t clearly understand if I can use my current SD NTSC Monitor with MXO because, if I’m not wrong, this device will only output through DVI. How can I conect the MXO to my SD MONITOR?
If I can down convert HD to SD and use my SD NTSC Monitor with MXO knowing that I will not see an HD image, But SD, would be very wrong to do the color correction on the Final Cut HDV sequence anyway?
Sorry for my English, I’m from Venezuela and I don’t know if I’m explaining my self very well. I have another question and maybe you will laugh becasuse probably its an stupid idea what I’m about to say. What happens if I Copy my HDV sequence and paste it into a SD DV-Ntsc sequence, render, and monitor trough External video via firewire on my SD video NTSC Broadcast Monitor (don’t know if this is possible). Do the color correction on that DV sequence and then copy and paste the filters (one by one) on my HDV sequence.
Is this possible? Am I crazy? I know it would be a tedious task to copy all the filters to another sequence and I don’t know if this process will finally result on a reliable broadcast color correction, I guess not, but I’m just wondering and learning about HDV.
Manuel F. Rugeles
Editing and Motion Graphics -
I should add to this thread that the black level problem I see is with an older 23″ CD. The one surrounded in plastic. The black levels from the MXO on my NTSC broadcast monitor are dead black. It’s a PVM 14″ with all the bells.
So what I’d guess, it’s the fault of the LCD I’m looking at, not the MXO.
Jerry
Apple Certified Trainer
Author: “Jerry Hofmann on Final Cut Pro 4” Click here
Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D
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I should also add that the in the initial release of the MXO it didn’t provide the ability to monitor super black or super white on the DVI monitor.
Since release 2.0, this ability to monitor super black and super white on the DVI monitor has been added.
Added to that is the monitor calibration utility and you should be all set to go.cheers,
Joe
Joseph Trepanier
Matrox Video Products Group
Product Specialist -
The calibration utility? you mean the Apple display calibration or another app that you guys supply?
Jerry
Apple Certified Trainer
Author: “Jerry Hofmann on Final Cut Pro 4” Click here
Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D
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The proc amp controls. You can find them in System Preferences, Matrox MXO, Mastering section. Down near the bottom of the pane. We provide Hue, Chroma, Contrast and Brightness and a blue only. This allows you to calibrate the DVI monitor for use in Mastering mode.
cheers,
Joe
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I was aware of those controls for sure… it’s what makes the MXO a solution! Just wondered about the other controls you were talking about…
You think the order then should be to use the Apple display calibration first then use the proc amp controls that the MXO supplies… right?
Jerry
Apple Certified Trainer
Author: “Jerry Hofmann on Final Cut Pro 4” Click here
Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D
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“You think the order then should be to use the Apple display calibration first then use the proc amp controls that the MXO supplies… right?”
Yes that’s right. Calibrating with the Apple display calibration or a hardware utility like the Spyder or Eye-One will ensure the monitor is set for all modes of display and using the Proc Amp utility will ensure it’s bang on when playing video out with the MXO.
cheers,
Joe
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Hello again. I’ve decided to go with de Matrox MXO Solution with the 23” Apple CD for color correction of my HDV documentary. So, with the ability to monitor super balck and super white with MXO I should not worry about the black levels on the Apple Cinema Display? Or this will be allways a problem with the DVI display?
Manuel F. Rugeles
Editing and Motion Graphics -
Just make sure you calibrate your DVI monitor as outlined in the MXO manual and you should have no problems!
cheers,
Joe
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