Pixel Format 32 bit or 8 bit?

xstr8guy@sbcglobal.net wrote on 12/8/2008, 5:54 PM
I've been testing the best settings to archive videos. My source is 1080-50i PAL .m2t. I set the Project Properties to HDV 1080-50i 1440x1080 25fps). And when I render with the settings for Pixel Format set to 32 bit 2.222 (video) or 1.000 (linear) I get more contrast than the original source video. It actually looks kind of nice. Colors seem deeper.

But it's not an accurate representation of the source video. So I set the Project properties to 8 bit and I get a perfect mirror of the source video.

So what exactly is the advantage of using 32 bit Pixel Format?

Comments

GlennChan wrote on 12/8/2008, 7:52 PM
This article explains it:
http://www.glennchan.info/articles/vegas/linlight/linlight.htm

The deeper colors you are seeing has to do with Vegas not displaying the image correctly in 8-bit mode. (See the levels article linked to in the one above.)
xstr8guy@sbcglobal.net wrote on 12/9/2008, 3:00 AM
Thanks Glenn. I read the article and it's great.

But it really seems to be more about getting a certain effect by using 32bit pixel format. What I want to do is not change my source material at all unless I've applied effects to individual clips or the entire video. And 8bit seems to give me a more accurate copy. Whereas 32 bit (linear or 2.222) gives me a deeper and brighter result. And that can mean that dark areas get too dark and bright areas get too bright.
GlennChan wrote on 12/9/2008, 2:27 PM
Take a look at the levels article. If you do things correctly (i.e. manually wrangle your levels if necessary), there shouldn't be much difference between 8bit and 32bit.
xstr8guy@sbcglobal.net wrote on 12/9/2008, 7:58 PM
It looks like VASST deleted or moved your article. The link on your website index page redirects to the VASST homepage now.
GlennChan wrote on 12/9/2008, 8:16 PM
Oh that's a different article (though thanks for pointing out the broken link).

I was referring to this article on levels:
http://www.glennchan.info/articles/vegas/v8color/v8color.htm
Yoyodyne wrote on 12/9/2008, 10:25 PM
Wow, thanks Glenn! This is a great explanation. Can that info be made a sticky?
Rory Cooper wrote on 12/10/2008, 12:35 AM
Thanks Glenn

Very useful info I’ve also noticed that PNGs with a soft glow or Boris light fx’s render better in 32 bit “project settings”
In 8 bit they tend to have a if I can call it a “bur” or edge in the diffusion

The articles are both very helpful thanks once again

Rory
GlennChan wrote on 12/10/2008, 12:34 PM
Can that info be made a sticky?
You'd have to ask the moderators of this forum??? (Once in a blue moon you will see them post. I'm pretty sure SCS lurks on this forum and reads every post... kinda creepy if you think about it.)

The easiest way for you to make it a sticky is to bookmark it. ;)