Dark capture

BBigJ · Post by **BBigJ** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:20 am

So my first pack of mini DV tapes are all filled, so it is finally time to learn how to transfer video from my camcorder to DVDs. I'm using a Panasonic PV-GS120 camcorder, and VS 10 sp1. I've got the basic process down OK, but I've hit a few snags and I'm sure there are more to come.

The most pressing issue is there are a bunch of scenes that are consistently captured too dark. These scenes look great on the camera, but once they are transferred they are way too dark on the computer monitor. The funny thing is that there are other scenes on the same capture that look fine. Am I doing something wrong with the capture? Is there a way I can fix the appearance after the capture?

The other thing I'd like to figure out, is how to use the DV to DVD wizard. There are two problems with the way it is working now. First, the wizard will not capture the entire tape, even if I have clicked the "entire tape" option. When that didn't work, I told the wizard to scan the entire tape for scenes, then manually selected every scene, and finally started the wizard. It still didn't capture the entire tape. WTF? The other problem with the wizard, is that it insists on putting in all kinds of cheesy music and transitions. I'm not trying to make a home movie at this time. I just want to archive the tapes onto a DVD so we can re-use the tape and assemble a movie later. Can the wizard do a simple transfer?

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 6:13 am

I have never used the DV to DVD wizard, so can't help you there.

On your first problem though, you say some of the captured videos are too dark, and then ask

Am I doing something wrong with the capture?

Well the simple answer to that is that we don't know because you don't tell us how you captured the files in the first place!

Did you, as you should have, use firewire?

BBigJ · Post by **BBigJ** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 12:52 am

Yes, the captures were done with Firewire. I'd say more, but I don't know what other options I need to tell you about.

roy wood · Post by **roy wood** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:15 am

>Is there a way I can fix the appearance after the capture?
Hi yes there is in Edit Mode just below 'Tools' is a drop down arrow clk on this and from the list clk -video filter then clk- hold and drag the Brightness filter onto the problem clip in the Timeline, a control box will open which will allow you to change 'Brightness-Contrast and Gamma for that clip, the other 'Filters' work in the same way.

roy wood · Post by **roy wood** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:21 am

Hi I think I can help you further.
(1) I have a Samsung camera and have the same problem with some clips being darker... use the filter solution as posted earlier.

(2) Quote I'm not trying to make a home movie at this time. I just want to archive the tapes onto a DVD so we can re-use the tape and assemble a movie later. Can the wizard do a simple transfer?

NO its purpose is to make a quick movie disc to be played on a DVD player. hence the transitions and cheesy music.

What you need to do is capture your film to Hard drive in either DV/AVI or MPEG2 format once this is done you can edit when ready.
At the top of this forum is a sticky message 'User Reccomended Procedure' I would suggest you read this.
You also mentioned re-using your tapes remember Hard drives can break
and discs can get scratched so to delete your original tape could be risky.

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:32 am

DV .avi's can appear to be "darker" when played on a computer monitor (and depending on how the monitor is color calibrated, it can look way too dark, or moderately dark). Of course, this wouldn't explain why the other clips appear "normal" -- perhaps they are a little too bright?

I would suggest you author a quick test DVD with one of the "darkest" scenes, and play it back on your TV to see if it still looks dark...

Regards,
George

BBigJ · Post by **BBigJ** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:34 am

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'll let you know if that works.

As for the wisdom of erasing the tapes, the hard drive I'm capturing to is set up in a mirror RAID, so it is a bit more secure than a simple HD. If I still end up losing the RAID, well, hopefully we sent anything we liked to family.

BBigJ · Post by **BBigJ** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 4:12 am

The brightness and gamma controls definitely help, but the image is still much worse than on the camera LCD. I tried doing the same capture using the windows software, and it ended up looking the same. I guess the next step is to see if this is a known issue with the camera.

Post by **Ron P.** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 4:33 am

How about the drivers for your video card? Have you checked to see if they are up to date? I had the same problem a couple of years ago, and about pulled all my hair out trying to figure out why. I adjusted my monitor so that the captured video looked right, then the video would be way too bright on the DVD. After updating the video card, I no longer had the dark captures.

dazzler · Post by **dazzler** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 8:41 pm

Hi,
This issue of a video being too dark on the monitor is one I fought for a long time and never solved...that is until I bought a new monitor. The problem was the monitor itself and this can drive you batty because you don't normally suspect it since it is typically your reference.

TVs and monitors aren't the same of course, but you could play a normal commercial DVD on your TV then try the same DVD in your computer and see if you can adjust your monitor to make it look as good. If so, maybe use that setting when you capture and edit videos. Just an idea...hope it works.
Don