How do I render HD 0-255 not 16-235 ?

Jack_HDV · Post by **Jack_HDV** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 6:20 pm

I want to make HD videos from my camera images that are native 0-255 and playback on the PC or PS3 at 0-255.

It seems VS 11.5 is rendering as 16-235 ,
so if I playback on a PC the colors are washed out,
as black=0 is being rendered as 16,
and white=255 is being rendered as 235.

Is it possible to change that, I dont see a levels filter to apply, I've tried a few of the different profiles too???

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:53 pm

Check File>Preferences for the Color Filters setting. The default setting is On.

Jack_HDV · Post by **Jack_HDV** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:22 pm

Black Lab wrote:Check File>Preferences for the Color Filters setting. The default setting is On.

Tried that one, it seems to make no difference?

Here's my test case:

1) Set project properties to 1920x1080 frame based

2) Add the following image the to time line:
http://www.pbase.com/jackcnd/image/75285378/original
Its a 1920x1080 jpg with a 0 -255 step grey scale.

3) Share / Create Video File / Same as Project Settings
note: I see that file info shows
NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 1920 x 1080, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
...

It creates a mpg but playing back in WMP or VLC its washed out as if it was rendered as 16-235?

The prefs change to none or ntsc does not seem to matter?

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:35 pm

The DVD standard does not allow for pure white or pure black and, as a matter of fact no pure base color either. It does not allow for any base color, red, green or blue to be 0 or 255. Hence, you can't get a range of 0 - 255 on a DVD.

That's my understanding of it, happy to be corrected if someone can prove me wrong.

Jack_HDV · Post by **Jack_HDV** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:59 pm

heinz-oz wrote:The DVD standard does not allow for pure white or pure black and, as a matter of fact no pure base color either. It does not allow for any base color, red, green or blue to be 0 or 255. Hence, you can't get a range of 0 - 255 on a DVD.

That's my understanding of it, happy to be corrected if someone can prove me wrong.

Thanks for the reply, ... correct for NTSC DVD where levels are 16-235,
but I just want to make a stand alone HD video file to playback on a PC where the levels are from 0-255 and the source images are 0-255.

It seems the encoder prefs are defaulting to a NTSC TV, the option is greyed out and cant be changed?

etech6355 · Post by **etech6355** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:17 am

There is a setting that some use in ulead products to customize the Main Concept encoder.
In the customized advanced features of the encoder under "Advanced Video Properties" is a "Primary Colors" dropdown box with a few selections related to certain standards.

You add Advance=1 in the uvs.ini file under the [VIODRIVER] section to activate this feature..
When you set your project settings or export customize options you can specify them.
It's easier to do this when adjusting your project settings. Then when ready to create your video goto Share->Create Video File -> Same As Project Setttings.

I think specific instructions on the Advance=1 feature can be found on this forum under the tutorials sections tips & tricks.
I don't know in VS11+ how this setting may affect the encoder if activated.

Jack_HDV · Post by **Jack_HDV** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 1:07 am

etech6355 - thanks for the suggestion but no luck, it does not seem to work in VS11 . I found the tip as you suggested and made the change but no advance button appeared on the settings tabs.

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 1:13 am

VS 11, AFAIK, uses a different encoder...

etech6355 · Post by **etech6355** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 3:25 am

VS11+ - It works, I tested it, that's how I know there is a "Primary Colors" Dropdown box.

Jack_HDV · Post by **Jack_HDV** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 3:59 pm

Thanks for trying to help, Im running 11+ as well.

Update see post below for location of uvs.ini in Vista.

Post by **Ron P.** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:23 pm

You changed the uvs.ini file in the wrong directory. You need to go to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio\11.0, locate the uvs.ini and add the line in that ini file.

Jack_HDV · Post by **Jack_HDV** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:49 pm

Thanks...
I'm running Vista, so I found another uvs.ini here and it worked ! thanks.

C:\Users\All Users\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio\11.0\uvs.ini

Jack_HDV · Post by **Jack_HDV** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:02 pm

Now the question is what to change in the advance tab to output 0-255 I dont see a levels option?

Post by **Ron P.** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:26 pm

I was starting to think that is was not possible in Vista. However I finally found it. I had to do a search of my complete system for it to reveal it. The path is: Computer>Local Disk C:>ProgramData>Ulead Systems>Ulead VideoStudo>11.0

Now you will need to change the permissions to allow you to modify the file. I kept getting a rejection when I tried to save it. To modify the permissions, I right-clicked on the file, selected properties. Then choose the Security tab. There should be SYSTEM, Administrators, and Users. Highlight the Users, then press the Edit button. Go to the bottom pane and place a check in the Allow column, next to Modify, click Apply and Ok.

Now you can modify the file.

I done this on my Laptop, running Vista Home Premium.

Yes that is the one the MainConcept people are talking about.

Jack_HDV · Post by **Jack_HDV** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:41 pm

Thanks Ron, I think the path that finally worked for me was:
C:\Users\All Users\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio\11.0\uvs.ini

Its seems to be in a few places on Vista

No luck yet on getting 0-255, I tried changing the primaries to 709.

If you or anyone would like to try and solve this,
try dropping the greyscale image below on the time line and encoding it as a HD mpg file with the goal to get 0-255 output.
You can test by playing back on a PC using Windows Media Player WMP or VLC both which will default to 0-255.

You can copy the greyscale image from here, its my file.
http://www.pbase.com/jackcnd/image/75285378/original

In VS11+ I just cant get 0-255, its mapping to 16-235 leaving a washed out look when played back on a PC.

Interesting in Sony Vegas which uses the same encoder,
it does work without any changes needed.
Maybe VS11+ is changing source images to 16-235 before rendering.

Would be a useful feature so a user could change quickly from PC to NTSC output levels.