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![]() ![]() I can’t think of a single case where I want to raise black levels, but I can think of many where I need to adjust the maximum white level. The problem, and it is a BIG problem, is that adjusting the slider pulls white levels down but it ALSO pulls black levels UP. You can adjust where the limits are using the Amount slider in the effect itself. For many years, PBS set maximum white levels to 90%. ![]() Not all distribution outlets want white levels exactly at 100%. NOTE: Excessive chroma levels are also clamped, but you don’t see this in the Vectorscope because the current levels are within safe criteria. You can see this in the sky where the gray shading in the clouds has turned into a universal blob of undistinguished white. The problem is that when you clamp levels, you lose the inherent texture in those highlights and shadows. When we apply the Broadcast Safe effect to this same image with the excessive levels illustrated in the earlier screen shot, notice how the white levels are clamped precisely at 100%. Both of these are illegal levels meaning that they are outside of the technical specs required for broadcast, cable or OTT. Notice that while the chroma levels are within spec (indicated by the red bar, which I added in Photoshop), the white levels exceed 100% and the black levels go below 0%. NOTE: You could drag this effect on top of each individual clip in your edit. Double-clicking applies the effect to all selected clips. Otherwise, select all the clips in your project, then double-click the Broadcast Safe effect in the Effects Browser. Here’s an article that explains how to create one. The easiest way to apply it is to use an “adjustment layer.” However, these are not supplied natively with Final Cut. You can either search for it, or find it in the Color category. Like any effect you apply Broadcast Safe using the Effects Browser. At this point, I don’t recommend using Broadcast Safe for HDR video. 2020) has totally different specs and we will ignore it for this article. By default, this means no white levels over 100% and no black levels below 0%. What Broadcast Safe does is “clamp,” or “lock” your white and black levels so that they don’t exceed the levels you specify. Here’s an article that explains its use in both Premiere and FCP X in more detail. NOTE: This effect also exists in Final Cut Pro 7 ( Broadcast Safe) and Premiere Pro ( Clamp Signal). It’s a big deal at the high-end of the market. Excessive video levels mean your program will be rejected for image quality, it won’t air and you won’t get paid. ![]() However, if your work is heading to broadcast, cable, OTT or DVD, you need to be SURE that video levels stay within spec. ![]() If the image looks good to you, it is good. If your work is heading to the web, you don’t need to worry about video levels. As well, it guards against the chroma (color) levels in a clip from over-saturating. But it does have a new behavior that you may not know about.īroadcast Safe is an effect in Final Cut Pro X that prevents video white levels from exceeding 100% or black levels from going below 0%. Lydia sent me an email asking: “Is Broadcast Safe in Final Cut Pro X broken? It doesn’t seem to work for me any more.” ![]()
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