[Released] Mad Max (1979) original color timing & mix

[spoRv]

Just spot watched a top/bottom version of v5/v3, and the new one is way better than the old one, in every shot; just a random pic (top new, bottom old):



Now, if only I knew what the *$#£ format lossless files is accepted in Resolve, I'd give it a try...

[marin888]

I think we're still mobile.

Resolve - free variant is enough
For editing UHD BDs, we need a format that can handle resolution and bit depth. So it is only DNxHR in question.
DNxHD would be for normal BDs if we wanted to work with Resolve.
Resolve can also handle AVC / HEVC, depending on the platform and GPU of course - but not good in the free version.

[spoRv]

I read that it *must* recognize uncompressed 8bit AVI, yet I was not able to let it import...

[marin888]

Is your file RGB 8 bit...

AVI format is on DaVinci Resolve supported video format list, but only AVI encoded with Cineform YUV 10 bit, Uncompressed RGB 10 bit or Uncompressed YUV 8 & 10 bit is supported. And that roughly means that AVI encoded with DivX, XviD, H.264, etc are not supported by DaVinci Resolve 15, 14, etc. .
https://www.idealshare.net/video-convert...solve.html


I have now virtualdub2 with the GoPro Cineform codec working and using the compression settings: YUV 4:2:2 10-bit intermediate bit depth: 16 bit, Filmscan1
These AVI files generated can be directly imported into Resolve 15 without the need for transcoding/remuxing.
https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewt...21&t=78557

[Stamper]

Sporv could send me the nightrider clip in loosless?

I'm going to try color matching shot by shot in resolve, and then we'll look if it's good or not.

[spoRv]

@marin888: I tried YUV 8bit uncompressed, but Resolve does not like it...

@Stamper: tell me frame numbers (begin, end)

[spoRv]

Analyzed better the "salmon + grey faces" phenomenon... I've noted it's present - albeit not so frequently - also in other movies, like Jurassic World and Indepence Day: Resurgence.
My guess is it happens due various factors - illumination on the set and color grading (digital) or timing (analog); face skin color partly turn to grey; I think it happen also in another parts of the image but, as we are humans and our brain works in a certain way, we note much more on faces ("hey, that face color is a bit strange!")

I noted that it's present in the DVD (also not helped by low resolution and MPEG compression) and in the UHD (partially hidden because contrast is lower and colors are less saturated), so the regrading could not be free of it, but... I managed to smooth colors (and added a grain plate), and now result is much better - yes, still not perfect, but again, look at the DVD...

http://www.framecompare.com/image-compar...n/E0MJNNNU

this is one of the worst offender - take a look at the faces and hand. Ah, and, about aspect ratio, I changed it to 2.25:1 to match better the DVD, and because it was filmed in TODD-AO and, despite final distribution was in 2.39:1, I *guess* the UHD master used the negative, and it was *probably* 2.20:1...

Sure a shot-by-shot regrade (in Resolve or other software) could help if someone wants to replicate the DVD colors perfectly; as I think DVD colors are off sometimes, to get colors "right" (avoid magenta blankets and so on) one would always make some subjective choices. At least, with my regrade the guilty is not me (directly), but the algorithm I used...

EDIT: making a comparison between HDTV and VCD, found that SW1 has the same "salmon + grey faces" syndrome (we should find out a better and shorter name for this, IMHO!)

sure there are hundred or thousand other cases around!

[spoRv]

I think this last revision is the best - I really thought the previous complete one was good (and it was), yet when I put it in comparison with the latest one, it is clear how much better the latter is, in particular in some problematic shots...

top v3, bottom v5smooth

Is it perfect? Nope. But oh boy it's very VERY good - better colors (jacket, face), and right aspect ratio IMHO.

[Stamper]

I still think it looks off and digital. Send me from the moment the car of Max get on the road to stop the Nightrider and he waits, up until the fade out after the car explosion.

Regarding the format, I believe the lenses they used were 2.35:1, so the HDR format is probably just right.

The Warner DVD have fluctuations in colors, with sometimes dominant reds, or yellow, but that is natural when it comes to interpositives, or internegatives, which is probably what they used.

[spoRv]

OK, this is the last version (v7, just to let you know... ) - and now "I quit, I give up..."

https://diff.pics/9sr7c0Kp405q/1 - this is the closest version to DVD color and contrast you can ever get using automatic color regrading; if someone thinks all DVD colors/contrast are right and wants to regrade it shot by shot, he's welcome!