Source Tweaking

[Piper]

I've recently started playing around with the settings in virtualdub for my AIW Radeon 8500 (128MB version) and while the brightness,contrast etc settings are generally fine for the tv tuner, I've noticed that they're not quite right for capturing VHS using the composite source.

Prior to adjusting these settings, I've been using AVISynth's Limiter() function to help, and while it does make a difference, I'd rather tweak it at the source rather than after the fact.

The current settings I'm using are:
Brightness: 135
Contrast: 115
Saturation: 133
All others defaulted to: 128

While this combination looks better to my eyes, I'm wondering if there's any sort of benchmark I can use to accurately set these. Is there such a thing?

[dar1us]

You will generally find that the colour options (brightness...) are perfect as is, adjusting your moniter will retain colour. Occasionally, you may need to knock down the contrast as it is set with american defaults (a myth?) but the rest should suffice as they are.


harrison

[ppera2]

Optimal setting of contrast, bright. etc. depends much from video source. It's normal that your VCR has different video levels and amplitudes than tuner.

Best adjust is possible with hystogram - Virtual Dub has built in.

[Piper]

Best adjust is possible with hystogram - Virtual Dub has built in.
Of course, thanks for reminding me. I had completely forgotten about this feature.

[birdy]

Ok stupid question probably but when u don't know u should ask!

How do one use the histogram?
I load it in vdub and it looks like winamp playing a song! :)
What next?

[Piper]

Luke's Video Guide (http://www.lukesvideo.com/videotuning.html) has a great tutorial on using the histogram in VirtualDub.