Black converting to dark gray?

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LloydGM
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:44 pm

Black converting to dark gray?

Post by LloydGM »

I'm cropping an MKV file and blacks are converting to dark gray. How do I get HandBrake to retain black colors?

Following are my processing steps. Can anyone see what I'm doing wrong and maybe offer advice on what I can change? (My main 2 scenarios are DVD rips (using MakeMKV) or recording streamed videos using a web browser and OBS Studio creating MKV files.)

1. Drag an MKV file to HandBrake for my source.
2. My default is using preset Fast 1080p30 customized by changing Framerate to Same as Source
3. I check Dimensions, tweak if needed, then start encoding.

Post conversion, I review the output video and the pure black portions are now very dark gray. Here's a sample of a black screen recorded by OBS, verified pure black on playback, converted via HandBrake, then played back in VLC. You can see the pure black bar VLC adds to the left and the dark gray produced by HandBrake on the right:
https://silicondragon.com/Black.png

How can I retain pure blacks?

Do I need to add any Advanced Options, change Encoder Level, or do something similar?
Deleted User 11865

Re: Black converting to dark gray?

Post by Deleted User 11865 »

No, you need to provide your encode log as per the forum rules. That rule is suspended when our crystal ball is operable, but it's undergoing repairs at the moment :P
LloydGM
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:44 pm

Re: Black converting to dark gray?

Post by LloydGM »

LOL I need 1 of those crystal balls so I could read the instructions like I should've. ;) (Sorry about that, 3 hrs sleep and breaking 1 of my bottles from today's merlot bottling has me a bit off my game.)

HandBrake version: 1.5.1 (2022011000)
Operating system and version: Microsoft Windows, Version 10.0.19044.2604

Latest activity log:

Code: Select all

HandBrake 1.5.1 (2022011000)
OS: Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.19044.0
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X 8-Core Processor             
Ram: 65457 MB, 
GPU Information:
  NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 - 31.0.15.2647
Screen: 1920x1080
Temp Dir: C:\Temp\
Install Dir: D:\Program Files\HandBrake\
Data Dir: C:\Users\Lloyd\AppData\Roaming\HandBrake

-------------------------------------------
[12:26:57] hb_init: starting libhb thread

 # Starting Scan ...

[12:26:57] CPU:
[12:26:57]  - logical processor count: 16
[12:26:57] Intel Quick Sync Video support: no
[12:26:57] hb_scan: path=D:\_Staging\1080p OBS Test Pattern White.mkv, title_index=0
udfread ERROR: ECMA 167 Volume Recognition failed
src/libbluray/disc/disc.c:333: failed opening UDF image D:\_Staging\1080p OBS Test Pattern White.mkv
src/libbluray/disc/disc.c:437: error opening file BDMV\index.bdmv
src/libbluray/disc/disc.c:437: error opening file BDMV\BACKUP\index.bdmv
src/libbluray/bluray.c:2646: nav_get_title_list(D:\_Staging\1080p OBS Test Pattern White.mkv\) failed
[12:26:57] bd: not a bd - trying as a stream/file instead
libdvdread: DVDOpenFileUDF:UDFFindFile /VIDEO_TS/VIDEO_TS.IFO failed
libdvdnav: vm: vm: failed to read VIDEO_TS.IFO
[12:26:57] dvd: not a dvd - trying as a stream/file instead
Input #0, matroska,webm, from 'D:\_Staging\1080p OBS Test Pattern White.mkv':
  Metadata:
    ENCODER         : Lavf59.27.100
  Duration: 00:00:11.88, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2785 kb/s
  Stream #0:0: Video: h264 (High), yuvj420p(pc, bt709, progressive), 1920x1080 [SAR 1:1 DAR 16:9], 60 fps, 60 tbr, 1k tbn, 120 tbc
    Metadata:
      DURATION        : 00:00:11.884000000
  Stream #0:1: Audio: aac (LC), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp
    Metadata:
      title           : simple_aac
      DURATION        : 00:00:11.861000000
[12:26:57] scan: decoding previews for title 1
[12:26:57] scan: audio 0x1: aac, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=1 Unknown (AAC LC) (2.0 ch)
[12:26:57] scan: 10 previews, 1920x1080, 60.000 fps, autocrop = 0/0/0/0, aspect 16:9, PAR 1:1, color profile: 1-1-1, chroma location: left
[12:26:57] libhb: scan thread found 1 valid title(s)

 # Scan Finished ...

[12:26:58] decomb: deinterlaced 1 | blended 0 | unfiltered 0 | total 1
[12:27:15] decomb: deinterlaced 1 | blended 0 | unfiltered 0 | total 1
# Playing Sound: S:\Audio\WAV\Babylon 5\TransferOfDataComplete.wav

Latest (Black) encode log:

Code: Select all

HandBrake 1.5.1 (2022011000)
OS: Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.19044.0
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X 8-Core Processor             
Ram: 65457 MB, 
GPU Information:
  NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 - 31.0.15.2647
Screen: 1920x1080
Temp Dir: C:\Temp\
Install Dir: D:\Program Files\HandBrake\
Data Dir: C:\Users\Lloyd\AppData\Roaming\HandBrake

-------------------------------------------

 # Starting Encode ...

[12:27:18] base preset: Fast 1080p30 (Modified)
[12:27:18] Remote Process started with Process ID: 7500 using port: 8037. Max Allowed Instances: 1
[12:27:18] Worker: Starting HandBrake Engine ...
[12:27:18] Worker: Starting Web Server on port 8037 ...
[12:27:18] Worker: Disconnected worker monitoring enabled!
[12:27:18] Compile-time hardening features are enabled
[12:27:18] VCE: Init Failed
[12:27:18] hb_init: starting libhb thread
[12:27:18] Starting work at: Sun Mar 05 12:27:18 2023
[12:27:18] 1 job(s) to process
[12:27:18] json job:
{
  "Audio": {
    "AudioList": [
      {
        "Bitrate": 160,
        "DRC": 0,
        "Encoder": "av_aac",
        "Gain": 0,
        "Mixdown": 4,
        "NormalizeMixLevel": false,
        "Samplerate": 0,
        "Name": "simple_aac",
        "Track": 0,
        "DitherMethod": 0
      }
    ],
    "CopyMask": [
      "copy:aac",
      "copy:ac3",
      "copy:dtshd",
      "copy:dts",
      "copy:eac3",
      "copy:flac",
      "copy:mp3",
      "copy:truehd",
      "copy:mp2"
    ],
    "FallbackEncoder": "ac3"
  },
  "Destination": {
    "ChapterList": [
      {
        "Name": "Chapter 1"
      }
    ],
    "ChapterMarkers": true,
    "AlignAVStart": false,
    "File": "d:\\_Staging\\1080p Test Pattern Black.mkv",
    "Mp4Options": {
      "IpodAtom": false,
      "Mp4Optimize": false
    },
    "Mux": "av_mkv"
  },
  "Filters": {
    "FilterList": [
      {
        "ID": 4,
        "Settings": {
          "mode": "7"
        }
      },
      {
        "ID": 3,
        "Settings": {
          "block-height": "16",
          "block-thresh": "40",
          "block-width": "16",
          "filter-mode": "2",
          "mode": "3",
          "motion-thresh": "1",
          "spatial-metric": "2",
          "spatial-thresh": "1"
        }
      },
      {
        "ID": 13,
        "Settings": {
          "crop-bottom": "0",
          "crop-left": "0",
          "crop-right": "0",
          "crop-top": "0",
          "height": "1080",
          "width": "1920"
        }
      },
      {
        "ID": 6,
        "Settings": {
          "mode": "0"
        }
      }
    ]
  },
  "PAR": {
    "Num": 1,
    "Den": 1
  },
  "Metadata": {},
  "SequenceID": 0,
  "Source": {
    "Angle": 1,
    "Range": {
      "Type": "chapter",
      "Start": 1,
      "End": 1
    },
    "Title": 1,
    "Path": "D:\\_Staging\\1080p OBS Test Pattern Black.mkv"
  },
  "Subtitle": {
    "Search": {
      "Burn": true,
      "Default": false,
      "Enable": true,
      "Forced": true
    },
    "SubtitleList": []
  },
  "Video": {
    "Encoder": "x264",
    "Level": "4.0",
    "TwoPass": false,
    "Turbo": false,
    "ColorMatrixCode": 0,
    "Options": "",
    "Preset": "fast",
    "Profile": "main",
    "Quality": 22,
    "QSV": {
      "Decode": false
    }
  }
}
[12:27:18] CPU:
[12:27:18]  - logical processor count: 16
[12:27:18] Intel Quick Sync Video support: no
[12:27:18] hb_scan: path=D:\_Staging\1080p OBS Test Pattern Black.mkv, title_index=1
udfread ERROR: ECMA 167 Volume Recognition failed
src/libbluray/disc/disc.c:333: failed opening UDF image D:\_Staging\1080p OBS Test Pattern Black.mkv
src/libbluray/disc/disc.c:437: error opening file BDMV\index.bdmv
src/libbluray/disc/disc.c:437: error opening file BDMV\BACKUP\index.bdmv
src/libbluray/bluray.c:2646: nav_get_title_list(D:\_Staging\1080p OBS Test Pattern Black.mkv\) failed
[12:27:18] bd: not a bd - trying as a stream/file instead
libdvdread: Encrypted DVD support unavailable.
libdvdread: Can't open file VIDEO_TS.IFO.
libdvdread: DVDOpenFileUDF:UDFFindFile /VIDEO_TS/VIDEO_TS.IFO failed
libdvdnav: vm: vm: failed to read VIDEO_TS.IFO
[12:27:18] dvd: not a dvd - trying as a stream/file instead
Input #0, matroska,webm, from 'D:\_Staging\1080p OBS Test Pattern Black.mkv':
  Metadata:
    ENCODER         : Lavf59.27.100
  Duration: 00:00:12.15, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2774 kb/s
  Stream #0:0: Video: h264 (High), yuvj420p(pc, bt709, progressive), 1920x1080 [SAR 1:1 DAR 16:9], 60 fps, 60 tbr, 1k tbn, 120 tbc
    Metadata:
      DURATION        : 00:00:12.150000000
  Stream #0:1: Audio: aac (LC), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp
    Metadata:
      title           : simple_aac
      DURATION        : 00:00:12.074000000
[12:27:18] scan: decoding previews for title 1
[12:27:18] scan: audio 0x1: aac, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=1 Unknown (AAC LC) (2.0 ch)
[12:27:19] scan: 10 previews, 1920x1080, 60.000 fps, autocrop = 0/0/0/0, aspect 16:9, PAR 1:1, color profile: 1-1-1, chroma location: left
[12:27:19] libhb: scan thread found 1 valid title(s)
[12:27:19] Skipping subtitle scan.  No suitable subtitle tracks.
[12:27:19] Starting Task: Encoding Pass
[12:27:19] Skipping vfr filter
[12:27:19] Skipping crop/scale filter
[12:27:19] work: track 1, dithering not supported by codec
[12:27:19] work: only 1 chapter, disabling chapter markers
[12:27:19] job configuration:
[12:27:19]  * source
[12:27:19]    + D:\_Staging\1080p OBS Test Pattern Black.mkv
[12:27:19]    + title 1, chapter(s) 1 to 1
[12:27:19]    + container: matroska,webm
[12:27:19]    + data rate: 2774 kbps
[12:27:19]  * destination
[12:27:19]    + d:\_Staging\1080p Test Pattern Black.mkv
[12:27:19]    + container: Matroska (libavformat)
[12:27:19]  * video track
[12:27:19]    + decoder: h264 8-bit (yuv420p)
[12:27:19]    + filters
[12:27:19]      + Comb Detect (mode=3:spatial-metric=2:motion-thresh=1:spatial-thresh=1:filter-mode=2:block-thresh=40:block-width=16:block-height=16)
[12:27:19]      + Decomb (mode=39)
[12:27:19]    + Output geometry
[12:27:19]      + storage dimensions: 1920 x 1080
[12:27:19]      + pixel aspect ratio: 1 : 1
[12:27:19]      + display dimensions: 1920 x 1080
[12:27:19]    + encoder: H.264 (libx264)
[12:27:19]      + preset:  fast
[12:27:19]      + profile: main
[12:27:19]      + level:   4.0
[12:27:19]      + quality: 22.00 (RF)
[12:27:19]      + color profile: 1-1-1
[12:27:19]      + chroma location: left
[12:27:19]  * audio track 1
[12:27:19]    + name: simple_aac
[12:27:19]    + decoder: Unknown (AAC LC) (2.0 ch) (track 1, id 0x1)
[12:27:19]      + samplerate: 48000 Hz
[12:27:19]    + mixdown: Stereo
[12:27:19]    + encoder: AAC (libavcodec)
[12:27:19]      + bitrate: 160 kbps, samplerate: 48000 Hz
[12:27:19] sync: expecting 729 video frames
[12:27:19] encx264: min-keyint: 60, keyint: 600
[12:27:19] encx264: encoding at constant RF 22.000000
[12:27:19] apply_h264_level [warning]: framerate (60.000) too high for level 4.0 at 1920x1080 (max. 30.118)
[12:27:19] encx264: unparsed options: level=4.0:ref=2:8x8dct=0:weightp=1:subme=6:vbv-bufsize=25000:vbv-maxrate=20000:rc-lookahead=30
x264 [info]: using SAR=1/1
x264 [warning]: MB rate (489600) > level limit (245760)
x264 [info]: using cpu capabilities: MMX2 SSE2Fast SSSE3 SSE4.2 AVX FMA3 BMI2 AVX2
x264 [info]: profile Main, level 4.0, 4:2:0, 8-bit
[12:27:19] sync: first pts video is 0
[12:27:19] sync: "Chapter 1" (1) at frame 1 time 0
[12:27:19] sync: first pts audio 0x1 is 0
[12:27:23] reader: done. 1 scr changes
[12:27:23] work: average encoding speed for job is 169.024567 fps
[12:27:23] comb detect: heavy 0 | light 0 | uncombed 726 | total 726
[12:27:23] decomb: deinterlaced 0 | blended 0 | unfiltered 726 | total 726
[12:27:23] aac-decoder done: 566 frames, 0 decoder errors
[12:27:23] h264-decoder done: 726 frames, 0 decoder errors
[12:27:23] sync: got 726 frames, 729 expected
[12:27:23] sync: framerate min 15.152 fps, max 60.000 fps, avg 59.756 fps
x264 [info]: frame I:2     Avg QP: 9.50  size:   848
x264 [info]: frame P:182   Avg QP:11.00  size:    73
x264 [info]: frame B:542   Avg QP:14.66  size:    68
x264 [info]: consecutive B-frames:  0.4%  0.0%  0.4% 99.2%
x264 [info]: mb I  I16..4: 100.0%  0.0%  0.0%
x264 [info]: mb P  I16..4:  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  P16..4:  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%    skip:100.0%
x264 [info]: mb B  I16..4:  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  B16..8:  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  direct: 0.0%  skip:100.0%
x264 [info]: coded y,uvDC,uvAC intra: 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% inter: 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
x264 [info]: i16 v,h,dc,p: 99%  0%  1%  0%
x264 [info]: i8c dc,h,v,p: 100%  0%  0%  0%
x264 [info]: Weighted P-Frames: Y:0.0% UV:0.0%
x264 [info]: kb/s:34.11
[12:27:23] mux: track 0, 726 frames, 51926 bytes, 34.19 kbps, fifo 1024
[12:27:23] mux: track 1, 567 frames, 3456 bytes, 2.28 kbps, fifo 1024
[12:27:23] Finished work at: Sun Mar 05 12:27:23 2023
[12:27:23] libhb: work result = 0

 # Job Completed!
Deleted User 11865

Re: Black converting to dark gray?

Post by Deleted User 11865 »

Code: Select all

  Stream #0:0: Video: h264 (High), yuvj420p(pc, bt709, progressive), 1920x1080 [SAR 1:1 DAR 16:9], 60 fps, 60 tbr, 1k tbn, 120 tbc
Your source is marked as full range (yuvj420p instead of yuv420p); since HandBrake always outputs TV range, it converts the input from full to TV range. If your source is actually TV range to begin with (but incorrectly marked as full range), this is the kind of thing that can happen.

What encoding settings are you using in OBS to create your source?
LloydGM
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:44 pm

Re: Black converting to dark gray?

Post by LloydGM »

Video recorded with OBS Studio appears with perfect blacks and whites. Even if I trim a recording using MKVToolNix, black stays black. Black only downgrades to dark gray if running through HandBrake. :(

Output settings...
Recording Quality: Same as stream
No custom muxer settings

Video settings: all default, resolution matching my monitor, 1920x1080, 60fps, no downscaling

Advanced settings...
Renderer: Direct3D 11
Color Format: NV12 (8-bit 4:2.0 2 planes)
Color Space: Rec. 709
Color Range: Full
SDR White Level: 300 nits
HDR Normal Peak Level: 1000 nits

If it helps, here's MediaInfo data on a file I recorded via OBS Studio earlier today...maybe it'll give some hints, too?

Code: Select all

General
Unique ID                                : 223012202815692444720084060741917436007 (0xA7C69683042C8505B6F3A3BDD84B6867)
Complete name                            : D:\_Staging\2023-03-05 11-47-49.mkv
Format                                   : Matroska
Format version                           : Version 4
File size                                : 533 MiB
Duration                                 : 23 min 51 s
Overall bit rate                         : 3 123 kb/s
Writing application                      : Lavf59.27.100
Writing library                          : Lavf59.27.100
ErrorDetectionType                       : Per level 1

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L4.2
Format settings                          : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames        : 4 frames
Codec ID                                 : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration                                 : 23 min 51 s
Nominal bit rate                         : 2 800 kb/s
Width                                    : 1 920 pixels
Height                                   : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 60.000 FPS
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.023
Writing library                          : x264 core 164 r3101 b093bbe
Encoding settings                        : cabac=1 / ref=2 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=6 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=24 / lookahead_threads=4 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=1 / keyint=120 / keyint_min=12 / scenecut=0 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=30 / rc=cbr / mbtree=1 / bitrate=2800 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / vbv_maxrate=2800 / vbv_bufsize=2800 / nal_hrd=none / filler=1 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Default                                  : No
Forced                                   : No
Color range                              : Full
Color primaries                          : BT.709
Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                                 : A_AAC-2
Duration                                 : 23 min 51 s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Title                                    : simple_aac
Default                                  : No
Forced                                   : No

ReportBy                                 : MediaInfoLib - v22.06
CreatedOn                                : UTC 2023-03-06 01:25:42
LloydGM
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:44 pm

Re: Black converting to dark gray?

Post by LloydGM »

"Your source is marked as full range (yuvj420p instead of yuv420p)"
MediaInfo says Color space: YUV, Color range: Full, Color primaries: BT.709. I don't see "yuvj" except with HandBrake's media scan; is it possible that the scan's incorrect? The pre-HandBrake file looks perfect in various players, so maybe there's a HandBrake setting I need to tweak? I did notice that the OBS recording says level 4.2 but HandBrake's preset says 4.0; could that be a problem? I tried the same preset and set it at 4.2, no difference, still dark gray. I tried the other 1080p presets, with their default level and setting it to 4.2, no Difference. My HandBrake setting for Colourspace is set to Off which, according to the docs, says it's supposed to keep whatever the source video has; I tried it with other values, no difference.

Note: I did my various HandBrake settings tests using an all-black test video which correctly plays as pure black in VLC before running it through HandBrake.
Deleted User 11865

Re: Black converting to dark gray?

Post by Deleted User 11865 »

LloydGM wrote: Mon Mar 06, 2023 2:51 am "Your source is marked as full range (yuvj420p instead of yuv420p)"
MediaInfo says Color space: YUV, Color range: Full
So MediaInfo agrees.

Can you upload your sample source somewhere?
LloydGM
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:44 pm

Re: Black converting to dark gray?

Post by LloydGM »

I uploaded the OBS recording and the same file HandBraked to my server:
http://silicondragon.com/1080p_OBS_Test ... _Black.mkv
http://silicondragon.com/1080p_OBS_Test ... Braked.mkv

The OBS file is a pure black test pattern recorded from Youtube. If that doesn't work for you, I can duplicate the test with OBS recordings from other sources. In any case, they're 1080p@60fps as they're recorded from a stream playing fullscreen in a browser.
Deleted User 11865

Re: Black converting to dark gray?

Post by Deleted User 11865 »

Thanks, I got the files. Both look equally black here (in VLC, mind you), I'll have to take a look at the bitstreams later.

On your end, could you try switching hardware-accelerated decoding off (or on if it's disabled) and see if it makes any difference?

https://wiki.videolan.org/VLC_HowTo/Har ... eleration/
LloydGM
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:44 pm

Re: Black converting to dark gray?

Post by LloydGM »

Ok, here's a screenshot of 2 VLC windows side-by-side, a raw OBS recording on the left, same file HandBraked on the right (i.e. the same 2 files uploaded already above): http://silicondragon.com/Black_OBS_n_Ha ... in_VLC.png You can clearly see that the HandBraked version is dark gray. I also turned off Nvidia hardware encoding, same result...dark gray. I also tried converting to MP4 instead of MKv, same result also.
Deleted User 11865

Re: Black converting to dark gray?

Post by Deleted User 11865 »

That's just weird, they both look the same even side by side on my system.
Screenshot 2023-03-09 at 05.45.31.png
Screenshot 2023-03-09 at 05.45.31.png (170.83 KiB) Viewed 657 times
In your case, it looks like VLC is somehow decoding it as though it were full range video (which after HandBrake, it isn't anymore) but that doesn't make sense, it's clearly marked as TV range at both the bitstream and container levels.

Maybe try https://mpv.io/installation/ to see if it has the same issue?
User avatar
Ritsuka
HandBrake Team
Posts: 1650
Joined: Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:29 am

Re: Black converting to dark gray?

Post by Ritsuka »

VLC on my Windows 11 PC can't play back full range properly, even Windows Media Player can't. It's probably related to the AMD drivers and the hardware decoder.
MPV seems more reliable.
Deleted User 11865

Re: Black converting to dark gray?

Post by Deleted User 11865 »

Ritsuka wrote: Thu Mar 09, 2023 7:51 am VLC on my Windows 11 PC can't play back full range properly, even Windows Media Player can't. It's probably related to the AMD drivers and the hardware decoder.
MPV seems more reliable.
In the above case it's the opposite though, it's the TV range (i.e. post-HandBrake) that's rendered incorrectly. It does still seem like a possible VLC bug though.
LloydGM
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:44 pm

Re: Black converting to dark gray?

Post by LloydGM »

Hey, HEY!! You guys are geniuses! Totally right, it's VLC itself. OMG, you trust something for decades and THEN discover a deficiency, grrr!

MPV plays -before and -after files perfectly and whites are correct, too. I'm a game programmer, so not a genius here, but it doesn't smell like a hardware problem, but more of a VLC rendering problem. I verified this also with a couple other media players, all of which play the HandBraked file with pure blacks and whites. Tonight, I'll test with Plex on the PC and ChromeCasted to my TV and see if I can spot any differences as well, since I watch 90% of my content on the TV, the rest on my phone or tablets; I'll see if I can test on my iPhone 14 Pro as well.

Guys, if UPS weren't so frigg'n expensive, I'd ship you guys 6-packs of my latest Marzen. I'm that stoked! lol
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