Color Correction and Gamma Issue

Question

Color Correction and Gamma Issue

I am about to start color correction on a recent project using a properly calibrated monitor. However, I have been reading that their is a long running issue in that Quicktime displays it's Gamma at 1.8 not 2.2. And how that relates to me is that Final Cut Pro X runs off of Quicktime files. Is it true that even if I am using a properly calibrated monitor, because FCPX runs from these Quicktime files with the gamma issue, the colors still will not be true when displayed on the monitor?

Final Cut Pro X

Posted on Jan 21, 2013 11:42 AM

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Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,022 points

Jan 21, 2013 11:52 AM in response to PuffyAnderson

Don't know what you've been reading but QuickTime has no control over gamma of your monitor.

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Answer 2

Jan 21, 2013 1:29 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

It has nothing to do with the monitor. But rather Quicktime itself plays back all files at 1.8 gamma as opposed to 2.2. This is commonly referred to as the "QuickTime Gamma Bug."

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Answer 3

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,022 points

Jan 21, 2013 1:39 PM in response to PuffyAnderson

There's a gamma shift in the QT player. There was a gamma shift in FCP handling YUV, but FCPX is only RGB, like After Effects.

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Answer 4

Jan 21, 2013 1:51 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Isn't the gamma shift in the QT player going to be an issue when I'm color correcting in FCPX though? Because the source video is QT (Final Cut Events Folder). Even when I do a test in the program Compressor by bringing up the preview window and putting it along side the Final Cut Pro X video display the difference is very noticeable.

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Answer 5

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,022 points

Jan 21, 2013 5:01 PM in response to PuffyAnderson

Are you comparing the Viewer display with the original display in the Compressor preview or the output preview?

You can color correct on a broadcast monitor, or you can color correct as best you can on your computer. To be honest it's all pretty much up the air and of little practical importance unless you are doing color correction to maintain broadcast specifications, then you need a properly calibrated monitor. Even then, aside from maintaining technical specs, color rendition is pretty much a joke. People have difference color and luminance perception. They'll be viewing on different devices under different lighting conditions. You simply can't color correct for everybody, and the gamma shift in QuickTime is least of the variables involved.

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