(Because we can't let this thread die out until it reaches at least 20 pages...
)
As mentioned previously, I'm preparing to export a feature-length documentary to a streaming aggregator. I obviously have no control over or knowledge of how the resulting file will be viewed - via a web browser or via a proprietary app, on a PC, on a Mac, on a TV, etc etc.
Having spent a lot of time with this thread, after grading on an Eizo monitor hardware calibrated to Rec 709 Gamma 2.4 viewed in a dim room and fed by an Ultra Studio Monitor 3G box, I'm planning to simply export a ProRes 422HQ Rec 709 Gamma 2.4 file tagged 1-1-1. It will look like cr*p when viewed on any Mac application managed by Apple ColorSync, but that's just the way it goes. Before I send out the file however, I wanted to check with more knowledgeable folks that the discrepancy I'm seeing between the file played via Quicktime on a Mac and the file played via Resolve or virtually any PC application is no worse than what you'd expect. If there does seem to be a bigger discrepancy than usual, then there may be a problem with my workflow.
Here's a screen shot from the exported file played on Quicktime on my Mac. It appears comparatively washed out as one would expect:
- Screen Shot from exported file played via Quicktime on a Mac
- Screen Shot 2024-04-11 at 5.20.16 PM.jpg (711.99 KiB) Viewed 357 times
And here's a screenshot of the same file played in Resolve. This matches almost exactly what I see through the UltraStudio 3G box into my reference monitor, as well as when I view the file on a PC plugged into my reference monitor using Windows 11 Media Player or uploaded to Youtube and viewed through any Windows browser.
- Screen Shot from exported file played via Resolve on a Mac
- Screen Shot 2024-04-11 at 11.41.27 PM.jpg (662.71 KiB) Viewed 328 times
It's a bit hard to tell given the small sizes of the images and the bright white surround (and yes the foreground figures are supposed to be in near-silhouette), but does the the QuickTime screen shot look flatter than you would expect, or would you say the difference is about normal?
Thanks for any feedback!