RC-X does not match export, gamma/black level issue?

[Bill Moore]

I have been having a heck of a time with this, and it has already affected several jobs and is just destroying my sanity. See the attached screenshot. On the right is the image graded in RC-X, and on the left is what it looks like when I export to ProRes HQ. It's like the gamma or black levels aren't correct. This also happens with other flavors of ProRes. I'm using build 487, but it has been doing this to me for the last several builds. I'm on OS 10.6.7, Final Cut Pro 6. I've tried opening them in QT7 and QTX, same thing. In FCP they are darker, I suppose due to the 1.8/2.2 gamma conversion, but they still look nothing like RC-X and when I send them back out to h264 which is my delivery on all of my projects, it's washed out again. I've found similar posts on reduser, but the solutions that worked for them haven't worked for me.

Please help?

RC-X Build 487
OSX 10.6.7
FCP 6.0.6

 

[jimhare]

I have achieved the best results by turning off both gamma correction and SMPTE levels in RCX. Almost exact match in FCP, though I do tend to do minor corrections.

 

[Bill Moore]

I turned off SMPTE, but I do not see an option for gamma correction. Where would I find that?

 

[jimhare]

Hey Bill,

It's in the Video Setup button under the QuickTime Setup button.

 

[Bill Moore]

Ah. I do not have that option, I also do not have access to 4444, because I am running FCP 6. Is there a way to upgrade to the new ProRes codecs without installing FCP7?

 

[Joe Kleber]

Ah. I do not have that option, I also do not have access to 4444, because I am running FCP 6. Is there a way to upgrade to the new ProRes codecs without installing FCP7?

...if I understand what you are saying here, the gamma correction setting is in the "setup" window in Redcine-X Pro.

If you know someone who has FCP 7, you could copy their codec list onto your system.

 

[Bill Moore]

Not to be a pain, but how would one do that? I do have access to a FCP7 machine. I've opened the Application contents, but I don't see anything referencing 'codecs'.

 

[danu prasd]

You should go to your Library/QuickTime. Copy the QuickTime's folder to the same location on your machine. But please do a backup first, just in case something wrong happens.