Camera Video Output
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Vectorscope display
Histogram display
Audio metering display
Vectorscope Display
Vectorscope is useful for monitoring the color balance and saturation of your Blackmagic camera's
video signal. If your signal has a dominant green color cast then the majority of image information
will be located towards the green area of the vectorscope. In comparison, an image with a neutral
color balance will have information evenly distributed around the center.
The center of the vectorscope represents zero saturation. The further an object is from the center,
the more saturated it appears. For example, if shooting green screen for compositing, you want the
green screen to be as saturated as legally possible to achieve the best key or matte. Broadcast legal
colors are maintained by ensuring the saturation levels don't go beyond the graticule boxes on your
vectorscope display.
The vectorscope can also be used to check your camera's white balance on location. When zooming
into a white object so it fills the camera's frame, the vectorscope will show a cluster of information.
Correct white balance will display information evenly clustered around the center. Adjust your camera's
white balance setting to see how it affects the display.
Histogram Display
Using histogram is another way to check for clipping, crushing and image contrast in your Blackmagic
camera signal. The horizontal axis represents the luminance range with black on the left (0 in a 10
bit image) and white on the right (1023 in a 10 bit image). Clipping is displayed as image information
clustered at the 1023 mark. Crushing is displayed as information clustered at the 0 mark. An image
with good contrast will display information covering the entire horizontal axis, whereas a low contrast
image will display information predominantly in the middle.
Audio Metering Display
Audio metering display shows you the audio levels embedded in your Blackmagic Camera's video
signal. The 2 channels of embedded audio are displayed in either dBFS or VU format. dBFS is
essentially a meter of the overall digital audio signal and is common on modern digital equipment.
The VU meter shows average signal levels, is easy to use and very common on older equipment.
To monitor your audio levels, watch the VU meter and ensure the levels never peak above 0dB. Peaking
above 0dB means your audio is clipping.
You can also monitor audio phase and balance using the audio metering display.