Contrast Changing in Export Only on Certain .MXF Files

[WK3]

Hi all!

Has anyone had an issue where the contrast changes in the export, but only on some clips? The clips in question are .MXF files, using a LUT. I've tried applying the Lumetri color correction to the clip, to the source, to an adjustment layer, exported using Premiere, using software encoding in Media Encoder, using hardware encoding...to no avail. But other clips in the same sequence, also .MXF with a LUT applied, are exporting just fine. I am using LucidLink and wondering if that is part of the issue.

I have screenshots showing the exported color (on the left) and the color in Premiere (on the right). The first screenshot shows the incorrect contrast and the second shows the correct contrast. Thank you!

Specs:

OS: Windows 10 Pro version 22H2

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 8-Core Processor 3.60 GHz

RAM: 32.0 GB

Storage: footage stored on LucidLink with local cache on SSD

[R Neil Haugen]

Most likely this is a basic color management issue, and sadly you didn't give us any information.

What's your hardware ... OS and etc. ... and provide a screengrab or two of the entire Lumetri panel Settings tab ... the one named Settings. With all sections twirled down, so we see all the things as set.

And are you comparing this inside Premiere? Or via a player outside? If so, what player, and when re-imported, are the clips different or the same?

[WK3]

Hi there,

Thank you for your response.

As far as hardware, can you share what specs you need outside of what I already shared?

As far as software, the Premiere Pro version is 24.5. 

I attached screenshots of the Lumetri settings tab. One is from the clip in the screenshot above with the incorrect color after export. One is from the clip in the screenshot above with the correct color after export.

The original screenshots I sent are comparing VLC (left) to the Premiere program window (right). I have also tried uploading the exported file to frame.io and it had the incorrect color on there also. When I import the exported file (which is an H.264 MP4) into Premiere and open it in the Source window, it has the incorrect color. When I drag it to the timeline and view it using the Program window, the export clip still has the incorrect color. 

Thank you!

[R Neil Haugen]

I was curious about your monitor to, but your CM settings aren't good.

You probably should have the Display Color Management 'on'. Especially if using a normal computer monitor fed via your GPU.

As unless you are running a 'clean feed' Transmit Out to a monitor through a decklink card or other breakout device, with a good calibration and profile pass to check the calibration, you should have the Display Color management on.

Next, is auto detect log ... which needs to be on to match up with auto tonemapping except in certain, specialized circumstances that you are technically aware of.

I think the above suggestions would probably fix your issue.

[WK3]

I tried the settings you recommended and the color did change quite a bit, but it's still not the same after exporting it (specifically, the contrast is not the same). Attached are the new Lumetri settings. I just checked the two boxes you recommended and Premiere did the rest. I also attached a screenshot of the exported file imported into Premiere in the Source window, next to the Program window.

I am using proxies for this project and I noticed that when I toggle the proxies off, the contrast in the export matches the contrast in Premiere. Could that be the issue? 

[R Neil Haugen]

The Source monitor is Source ... the original clip, with only Source effects applied. So to check an export, re-import the export to Premiere and put it on the sequence at the end of the original one, typically. Makes it easy to see differences in the scopes.

And a lot of us just leave the "import into project" export option on, as it makes checking the export quick & easy.

Your last comment ... as there is a setting about using proxies for export ... there are two settings at the very bottom of the Export page, use previews, use proxies. Turn those both off, and see what you get.

[WK3]

I exported the file as H.264 using the preset Match Source - Adaptive High Bitrate, with Use Previews and Use Proxies both off. I then imported the file and put it at the end of my sequence. Unfortunately, the contrast is still not the same in Premiere with proxies as in the exported file. 

[R Neil Haugen · Accepted solution]

Proxies color is never the "right" look in my experience. Or at least, rarely.

So I never go by the color with proxies "on" ... only with them off.

[WK3]

That seems to be the solution, turning proxies off to color correct. 

Thank you for your help!