Video export different than preview (HDR source/HDR output)

Report · Nov 04, 2023

I have scoured the forums and interwebs for a definitive answer/solution to my problem, and still can not find a proper solution. My project to is color correct and re-grain the 4K release of Terminator 2.

My monitor, a Dell u3818dw is a true 10bit panel.

So, I have a 4K rip of the film. According to mediainfo, my source file is as follows:

Color space : YUV

Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0 (Type 2)
Bit depth : 10 bits

Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.2020
Transfer characteristics : PQ

I am using the latest version of Premiere Pro, and, am also using the plugin FilmCovert Nitrate 3.0 to do to re-grain and color correction.

So, my preview looks fantastic. But, like so many have reported with similar projects, my export looks a bit devoid of the color/contrast/punch of my preview window in Premiere.

Here are my results:

My sequence settings have the working color space set to Rec. 2100 PQ

Auto-tone map media is checked.

Under the Lumetri color settings, I have the following:

Display Color Management: √

Extended Dymanic Range Monitoring: √

Source Clip Media Color Space: Rec. 2100 PQ

Here is a pic of the preview window in Adobe Media Encoder. I am sure this is fine, as it is HDR and the previews have always looked washed out.

Here are my Media Encoder settings:

If I remember correctly, if I change the Export Color Space to "Rec. 2100 HLG" it is a bit more vibrant, but not correct.

Any help would be appreciated!

Report · Nov 04, 2023

First, what are you comparing? On what screen, how viewed, to what?

Second, you seem to be trying to set an export to PQ, did you use an export preset that had PQ in the preset name?

If not, try that change.

Third ... why is the graphics white so low, only 100? That would normally be expected to be the 203 setting ...

Report · Nov 06, 2023

What am I comparing? Per the visuals included in my original post, the preview vs. the export in media encoder.

On what screen? Also as I mentioned, on my Dell 10-bit monitor.

Regarding the export to PQ, per the Media Encoder screenshot, I just selected the PQ setting per media infor reporting that my source material transfer characteristics were encoded in PQ.

In my media encoder settings, I set it to 100 as somewhere I read to keep it there. That of course, could be bad advice. So, I changed it to 200, and 300 and noticed no difference.

But an update on my monitor...though rtings.com states it is a 10-bit monitor, it does not suport HDR. This could be part of my problem as I assumed that all 10-bit monitors handled HDR natively.

Report · Nov 06, 2023

That last is an issue, certainly. HDR is very much the Wild Wild West still.

Most colorists have not delivered a paid job in HDR yet, though the numbers are climbing faster now. Over the next six months to a year, that will have 'tipped'.

And many screens do not handle HDR forms at all, and many that supposedly do, only handle one or two formats, not the whole variety, and the ones they do "handle" they more mishandle than not.

But when it works even "mostly sorta .... " ... it can be pretty cool.