Zarx264GUI from avi to mp4 - videos go darker

[Scrilax]

Hi,
I'm using Zarx264GUI to convert files from .avi to .mp4
Already converted a lots of them without problem but now that I opened one 'Original.avi' to compare with 'Original_Converted.mp4' I see that the converted one is darker than the 'original.avi'

Am I doing something wrong ?

When I import the video to Zarx264GUI I choose: 'Directly' between 'AviSynth DirectShowSource', 'AviSynth AVISource', or 'Directly'

Settings I use:
Mode > Constant Quality
Preset > Very Fast
Quantizer > 20
Tune > Animation

The 'Advanced' tab I doens't even touch it

[mirkosp]

It is not directly related to zarx264gui, I'd say. One of the following probably applies:
- You have exported the video as fullrange YUV from your NLE, but encoding it as limited range (by default, fullrange is set to undef, which is indentical to off by the spec, aka limited range). This is the most likely chance.
- You have encoded as fullrange avc but the decoder/renderer/whatever would be at fault is treating it as limited range. Very much doubt it could be this.
- Something else is fucking up for god knows whatever reason during playback.
See if adding

Code: Select all

--fullrange on

to the the command line tab helps. If it doesn't, I guess you have case 3 and the first thing I'd try to suggest is getting CCCP, installing it, running the settings application to reset defaults (just to play it safe) and see if MPC-HC show the correct colours.

[Scrilax]

I guess I have something messing with the reproduction of the video.

Thanks for the answer =D

[Enigmo]

It goes darker? After I encode with Zarx and play the video back on Windows Media Player, it all looks de-contrasted. Like there's a lack of contrast from the original video. However, once uploaded on to places like YouTube, the contrast is back to normal. And I'd consider this to be something going on with my Windows Media Player when it comes to playing back my encoded videos.

[mirkosp]

It goes darker? After I encode with Zarx and play the video back on Windows Media Player, it all looks de-contrasted. Like there's a lack of contrast from the original video. However, once uploaded on to places like YouTube, the contrast is back to normal. And I'd consider this to be something going on with my Windows Media Player when it comes to playing back my encoded videos.

This happens if your player thinks the video is encoded with pc levels, whereas it is tv levels and yotube always assumes tv levels even if it isn't (youtube also always assumes bt601 even if the content is bt709).
Just make sure everything is properly flagged as fullrange if it is or leave the tag alone/set it to off if it isn't. Using a better player with a better renderer would definitely help too.

[Ikore]

I'd try to suggest is getting CCCP, installing it, running the settings application to reset defaults (just to play it safe) and see if MPC-HC show the correct colours.

hahaha, I was having exactly the same issue, this fix it, good tool thanks mirkosp