DV footage goes dark when compressed to MP2…. Why?

[Jonathan Miller]

Danny, until someone else can post on this thread, I’m going to say that it’s an issue with Compressor.

Can you try to do a test by using another encoder? Perhaps you still have an old version of Cleaner laying around?

If not, then maybe you can try one of my new favorite encoding applications, ffmpegx? You can use it for free to see if it works, and then donate $15 to register it if you like it. I have to admit, I only use it to make iPod-compatible H.264 files, but I just love it. It can do so many things…

https://homepage.mac.com/major4/

You can tweak the settings as much as you like, and if you get it to work just right, then you can save a preset. Sure, it’s not as easy as just exporting your timeline to Compressor…you’ll have to make a QT reference movie, but this may just solve your problem.

I seem to remember reading recently that the issue you’re having is a known problem–especially since it does not affect uncompressed codecs. I hope you can get it to work, and if you need anything just hollar!

Good luck!

Jon
TreeLine Productions
Fort Collins, CO USA

Currently producing these popular podcasts:

[Alexander Gao]

I hope it’s just a problem with compressor, as if it happens to be an inherent property of MPEG-2 video, then all that color-corrrection is for nothing when going to a dvd.

I have noticed this problem also when using compressor, but I will post my other results when using sorenson squeeze.

Alexander Gao

“When the revolution happens, I’ll be leading it.”

[Alan Lacey]

No, it’s compressor.

Export using QT conversion and you pictures will look beautiful.

I’ve even had compressor wrecking keying logos and all sorts. I never use it now for mpeg2 work

Alan

[Jonathan Miller]

Cool.

Do you mean export using a movie or ref. movie and then export to MPEG2 using QT?
I don’t think you can export to MPEG2 using QuickTime comversion in the export menu of FCP 5 any longer.

Jon

Good luck!

Jon
TreeLine Productions
Fort Collins, CO USA

Currently producing these popular podcasts:

[Don Greening]

Here’s someone’s test to see why footage exported from FCP can be visibly darker one way, then brighter when exported another way. Different workpath, different result.

https://www.visiontracks.com/compressortests/

– Don

“Please take a moment to fill out your profile, including your computer system and relevant software. Help us help you.”

[Danny Dodge]

Thanks to everyone who replied. Like you, I believe it’s a funky compressor issue. At least now I know it’s not just my system. I wish they had just kept things the same so that you could still export an mp2 movie from quicktime export. I’m going to do some more testing and find the best path to take. I hate making color corrections only to have them screwed up by compressor.
Danny

[Mantrafilm]

For a real good Mpeg 2 compressor with decent gamma correction and great results (I’m a user, not involved with this company) get the BitVice Encoder here: https://www.innobits.se/

[Danny Dodge]

Here’s a link to a test I did. It shows how poor of a job Compressor did comparitively.
https://www.roadrunnerproductions.tv/dv_codec_to_mp2_test.jpg
Danny

[Alexander Gao]

So does this mean the problem no longer exists as long as the compressor is fed a ref file to work with?

Alexander Gao

“When the revolution happens, I’ll be leading it.”

[Chris Poisson]

I know there’s a lot of answers to this post, but Compressor is pretty complicated, so it’s worth looking at a few options. Personally, I believe it works best through FCP as the attached article attributes. Also, I like it for it’s preview window and excellent filters, all of which can help you with any gamma and color problem. And you can save those adjustments as a custom preset.

Read this and go to work.

https://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/compressor_warmouth.html

Have a wonderful day.