h264 changing color after export

[thomasm53751421]

Hi guys, I'm sitting here with a problem, when export to mp4 from After Effects, through the media encoder.

As you can see here, the logo on the facebook page, and the logo in the after effects project are the same colors, but when I export to mp4, the mp4 changes color slightly, and then when uploading to facebook, as a cover video, the file then changes yet again.

https://imgur.com/a/9TkQvy9

My main problem is that the mp4 is not the same colors as the project file - anyone that can help?

(I've tried almost all combinations in the color settings, under project settings in After Effects, none of them gives me perfect colors.)

[foughtthelaw]

Can you tell us a little bit more about which version of after effects you're using. Please be specific and include the entire version number and any information about the platform you're working on.

[thomasm53751421]

Hi there!

I am using the most recent update (as of 06-08-2018) which looks like it's Adobe After Effects CC 2018 Version 15.1.2 (Build 69).

And it's a laptop I'm working on:

Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Intel i7-3610QM @ 2.30GHz (8CPUs)
8GB RAM

NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 1 GB

It's an older machine now

[dj.summitt]

Hi! Welcome! By default video p[layers are configured to handle their own color settings. This means you'll get slightly different color representation in every player. To change to allow the video card to handle the video settings look in your video card's control panel.

In my case, Windows 10 & NVIDIA, Control Panel>NVIDIA Control Panel>Video>Adjust video color settings>With NVIDIA Settings>Advanced> Change that setting to Full (0-255)

[Rick Gerard]

One of the hardest lessons for folks without an extensive background in video production to learn is color management. The first thing you have to accept is that color is not consistent between devices. There is no way to make it consistent. You can get closer if you understand and properly use color management. This requires testing, calibration, and persistence on your part. When you get all your devices synced up you have to start worrying about your client's devices. It is a never-ending process. Facebook, Vimeo, and YouTube are going to recompress your footage so there will be color changes. If you properly manage your production you can minimize this color shift.

The best thing you can do is calibrate your system with a device and some software, then implement the best color management workflow you can for your standard workflow. This will require some reading and some testing. Since I don't have your machine sitting on my desktop I cannot give you precise settings but I would suggest that you spend some time running some tests and checking the results by color sampling screenshots rather than loading footage into Premiere Pro or AE or media players and guessing.

[thomasm53751421]

Hi Rick Gerard!
Thank you for your answer, when you say read and test, do you have a link or somewhere that I can start from?
Also you're saying 'calibrate your system with a device' what kind of device?

Thanks!
Thomas M

[thomasm53751421]

I am also using an NVIDIA card (GeForce GT 650M), but I do not get the option to click 'video' in my NVIDIA control panel.
Check screenshot here: https://imgur.com/a/6CjP4zX

Thanks!
Thomas M

[Rick Gerard]

When I say read I mean just type "color management" into the Search Help field in the top right corner of After Effects and check out the community resources. There is also a lot of great information on the web if you take the time to sort through the nonsense published by amateurs.

When you talk about color calibration you can start here: B&H Photo:Color Calibration

I use the X-Rite i1Display Pro and I have a bunch of charts and standard color test images that I use on location and on the set to manage my color. This one X-Rite ColorChecker Passport Video is always with me. I even use it on occasion with my iPhone.

There are also color test images available on the web. Just make sure you get a good one. You can drop them in a timeline and use them as references when color grading. Make sure you dig up good ones and make sure they are not compressed. You may have to pay for some of them. I don't have time to dig up a link for you right now.

[thomasm53751421]

Thank you for taking the time the answer me in depth Rick Gerard.

I will now take some time to look into what you've suggested, I just needed a place to start - thank you!   

Thomas M

[Kevin-Monahan]

Found a solution yet, Thomas? Let us know.

Thanks,
Kevin

[thomasm53751421 · Accepted solution]

No not yet, I have just accepted that it won't look alike on all screens.
My biggest problem is that it turns greenish on instagram and blueish on facebook - I know that they render it themselves when we upload but yeah.

What Rick referred to was mainly my own screen, I have to worry about everyone elses screens, because I am producing content for social media.

[Guest]

if the project settings are not 32 bpc in AE the colors will change, funny these Adobe professionals don't mention that first as it's the first thing that will unexpectedly change your colors. Make sure your project in After effects isn't 16 or 8 bpc.