Video Preview window

Independence Films wrote on 1/26/2016, 2:24 AM

Hi guys,
I'm noticing that video clips on the timeline played back through the Video Preview look quite different from what I see when the same clip is played back through Windows Media Player.
-Even when both (Vegas and WinMP) are played back on the same physical monitor .

In fact, footage looks quite consistent in camera, camera monitor, TV, and WinMP. The image in the Vegas Video Preview looks slightly dull, less contrasty and slightly fuzzy by comparison.

...Before you ask, yes, I did check to see if any clip or track effects are running; all clear.

So is this a matter of other playback devices (including software) having enhanced contrast and sharpness? I feel like I can't trust the Video Preview in Vegas to show me what's really going on. Did I botch a setting somewhere?

Thanks in advance
-Ross

Comments

Satevis wrote on 1/26/2016, 4:24 AM

In short, it's a matter of studio levels vs. computer levels. When importing and exporting from/to studio levels, what you see in the (internal) preview window is not what you get. You can use a temporary Levels filter with the "Studio RGB to Computer RGB" preset to preview the final result. My Preview levels extension (part of SeMW Extensions) somewhat automates that process.

astar wrote on 1/26/2016, 5:18 PM

If you use 2 monitors and one for external preview, there is a check box to convert the preview device to cRGB levels. This way you get both sRGB levels on preview window and cRGB levels on the external full screen preview.

When rendering, you want to render levels to sRGB, this is because YouTube an other players expand your levels to cRGB.

Vegas preview is attempting to show you what is in the file, and not auto converting levels for you like Media Player.

Independence Films wrote on 1/26/2016, 6:01 PM

Thanks!

JackW wrote on 1/26/2016, 7:26 PM

Also, make sure your Preview Window is set up for "Best Full" and not "Draft." This will make quite a difference in detail.

Jack