Understanding Colour Differences When Reviewing Remotely
This is an attempt to cover some of the common issues encountered when reviewing files remotely. Obviously the best way to review any file is with a properly calibrated monitor, however due to increases in remote workflows and an expansion of viewing devices being used it is not always possible. These tips are for a Mac and BT.1886 (commonly known as Rec 709) focused workflow. It should also be mentioned that final judgement for creative decisions lays with those that do have access to a calibrated monitor.
In order to troubleshoot any viewing inconsistencies it is always best to work backwards from the signal chain. This means ensuring the monitor is set to the correct settings. If using and external monitor it is best to consult the manufacturer’s guide and set the display to the appropriate setting. If viewing directly on a Mac device you simply skip to verifying that the operating system is matched to the correct display profile.
On Mac, this is quite a striaghtforward process as the appropriate profile is usally listed at the top. While some of the other options shown in the list might seem better it is import to have the software colour profile matching that of the physical display. Mac operating systems include various adaptive settings such as True Tone or Night Shift settings. My recommendation is to switch both of these settings off. Finally, display brightness can also impact perception and here I would recommend setting the device to about 3/4 of its maximum brightness.
Now we come to the software used to view the files. This is where things start to get complicated - the more pieces that are added to a system, the more chances there are for things to go wrong. When not using a dedicated grading monitor, I have had good success using an iPad Pro and a dedicated review software such as Frame.io. Otherwise reviewing on an Mac Laptop is also possible, so long as the file is downloaded and viewing with a dedicated video player, not a web browser.
To illustrate some of the possible differences software packages can introduce I suggest watching this video below from fellow UP.GRADE Alumni, Anton Sievert.
As suggested, when possible, files should be downloaded and viewed using a dedicated application such as VLC or Quicktime. Quicktime is known to have some issues, most of which can be address by properly utilising the NCLC tags used in file. This is a lesser known feature in the MacOS system which means it can sometimes be difficult to setup correctly. Daniele Siragusano covered the tagging system of Quicktime in great detail in the video below.
In summary, there are just a few small steps to take care of, all of which focus on matching to the delivery standard. Make sure that the montior has the correct settings, the display profile is selected to match the standard, any review files have also been tagged with the correct standard and that files are viewed with using a dedicated player application and we will all be one step closer to eliminating differences during review. For those wanting to dive even deeper into the topic I highly reccommend reading Charles Poynton’s Gamma FAQ notes.