Inconsistent Brightness Among Clips?

audiofile wrote on 1/26/2020, 4:36 AM

I have imported 3 different video clips, all from the same camera recorded with the same settings. All clips have around the same brightness level when played in a media player (e.g. WMP). However, after importing, the 3rd clip has very obviously low brightness relative to the others. In the thumbnails seen in the "Scene Overview" view, it looks ok, but in in the preview "video monitor" view and on export, brightness is low - see attached.

Clip 1:

Clip 2:

Clip 3:

I have tried removing the proxy file and recreating proxy, but brightness still appears low. I have also tried modifying Clip 3 using the brightness/contrast effect, but for some reason there is a 'plateau' of sorts in the brightness level for Clip 3 which basically never lets me achieve uniform brightness. Help please!

Movie Edit Pro Premium v18.0.2.225

Comments

CubeAce wrote on 1/26/2020, 7:19 AM

@audiofile

Have you checked in the timeline view that you haven't pulled the last clips transparency down?

Scene mode doesn't show us much. I would prefer to see an expanded Timeline view.

These are consecutive files split by your camera when continuously recording, Yes?

Scenestealer wrote on 1/26/2020, 5:03 PM

Hi @audiofile

In addition to what @CubeAce has suggested:-

Try right clicking each clip and choosing Video effects > Reset video effects.

If that does not work you could try File > Settings > Reset Program Settings to Default - be aware that this will change any customisations you have made in the program setting tabs.

browj2 wrote on 1/26/2020, 5:12 PM

@audiofile

Hi,

You say that they all look the same when played in WMP. How can you tell if you don't have them side by side, visual memory can play tricks on you. Do you have a way to view these side-by-side using a program in which you are sure that the brightness is the same?

Do you happen to have NewBlue ColorFast2 plugin in MEP? If so, you can look at the histogram of each file.

John CB

audiofile wrote on 1/27/2020, 4:12 AM

@audiofile

Have you checked in the timeline view that you haven't pulled the last clips transparency down?

Scene mode doesn't show us much. I would prefer to see an expanded Timeline view.

These are consecutive files split by your camera when continuously recording, Yes?

You were right, the clips transparency was pulled down and it wasn't obvious in the timeline editor. What a noob mistake. This was driving me crazy!

Thanks to you and everyone for the suggestions!

CubeAce wrote on 1/27/2020, 6:09 AM

@audiofile

Thank you for getting back to us. Glad to help.