How Digital Video Signals Are Measured in Final Cut Pro
The Final Cut Pro Waveform Monitor displays Y´C
B
C
R
values as percentages instead of
bit values because digital video can use 8 or 10 bits per luma sample. Using 8 bits
provides up to 256 tones from black to white, although the actual range used in Y´C
B
C
R
video is 16 (black) to 235 (white). The remaining values, 236 through 254, provide
additional headroom used to record super-white levels such as specular highlights on
shiny objects.
Percentage in Final Cut Pro
Waveform Monitor
Values for 8-bit Y´C
B
C
R
Values for 10-bit Y´C
B
C
R
–10%
n/a
n/a
0% (black)
16
64
100% (white)
235
940
109% (super-white)
254
1019
Chapter 26
Measuring and Setting Video Levels
535
III