Macworld editor Rob Griffiths recently noticed that exported video using Apple’s new H.264 codec looked extremely washed out compared to the source video. This is something I’ve noticed as well, after exporting video in native iPod format (which is also H.264/MPEG-4) using QuickTime Player’s Pro feature.
Like Rob, one of the first settings I change on a new Mac is the ColorSync profile, where I usually choose the Generic sRGB profile, adding a little needed saturation and contrast to the OS X interface. I don’t print often, so my color-to-paper syncing needs are next to nil, but the picture onscreen is what matters when I’m working in Photoshop. It appears as though changing this ColorSync profile has some effect on MPEG-4 video, but it is limited to playback on the machine which did the exporting. For the full scoop, check out his detailed investigation, which both explains what’s going on and presents a great solution: Set up a custom ColorSync profile instead of relying on the built-in ones. Thanks for the information, Rob — this one has been driving me crazy, and I’m sure many readers will also appreciate knowing what’s happening behind the wash-out.
