Why Is Gamma Display Assist Grayed Out with Cine EI?

If you’ve ever wondered why is Gamma Display Assist is grayed out with Cine EI, you’re not alone. Many users experience this problem when fine-tuning their display settings for a cinematic experience. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this issue, provide answers to common questions like “How do I turn on Gamma Display Assist?”, “What is Sony Cine EI mode?”, and offer a step-by-step guide to help you resolve it. Let’s dive in to ensure you get the best possible viewing experience.

Understanding the Basics: What is Sony Cine EI Mode?

Cinema exposure index mode, called Cine EI mode, can be especially useful to filmmakers and cinematographers. They do this to give the footage the look of a specific film stock. It can be found in various cameras, including the FX3 and FX6. It provides a controlled way of setting the exposure, which enables a dynamic range suited for color correction during editing.

While in Sony Cine EI mode, some of the settings, such as Gamma Display Assist, may be automatically turned off to achieve a set filmic aesthetic. But why does this occur, and what measures can you take to avoid it?

Why Is Gamma Display Assist Grayed Out with Cine EI?

Turning on Cine EI mode will make some users sad since Gamma Display Assist will likely be grayed out, and you won’t be able to use it. A few of the key factors that cause this are listed as follows: 

1. Pictorial Aspects

Camera Cine EI mode has its own altering picture preferences, including gamma levels and other alterations. Such adjustments are intended to help create a particular movie look in each captured scene; thus, it will be difficult to make any customizations. To avoid any possible conflicts, the Gamma Display Assist settings of the camera or the television may be rendered inoperative while using the Cine EI mode. 

Anecdote: Imagine you are trying to prepare the space for “movie night,” which requires a particular projector cut out for the film being viewed. There’ll be a set option labeled “Cinema” that allows you to forgo the hassle of adjusting the light and color yourself. It’s the opposite scenario when you’re using the feature “Cine EI mode, where it’s impossible to alter the brightness settings.

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2. Default Settings

Considering that there are plenty of mask options when in the Gamma Details screen functioning within Cine EI mode, the small number of people utilize such features. In this instance, Cine EI mode has exposure and color rendering presets, which might lead to the dispersion of such displays.

3. Specifications Limitations of the Camera: FX6 Do I Have Gamma Display Assist?

The FX6 camera from Sony has an inbuilt Gamma Display Assist feature cut-off; however, when the camera is set to record while in the Cine SI mode, this option may be jammed. This is because a timeline mode locks the S-Log3 curve, which is an industry-standard, as the preferred option. In this context, the expansion of Gamma Display Assist suffices in situations when the user wishes to record in S-Log, which is also possible in this case. But in the case of cinema EI, this may move forward in that there is a default setting of conversion in the view, which makes this enhancement unnecessary and, as such, inhibits it.

Yes, the Gamma Display Assist is a function available on the Sony FX6, although its use might be greyed out when using Cine EI mode. This happens because the Cine EI mode uses a set gamma curve, which is normally a professional-use curve like S-Log3. In this context, Gamma Display Assist is primarily useful for previewing what a Rec.709 coverage modification looks like while shooting in S-Log. However, in Cine EI, the conversion preview might already be incorporated, making the manual option unnecessary and, therefore, disabled.

How Do I Turn On Gamma Display Assist?

If you find that Gamma Display Assist is grayed out and want to enable it, follow these steps:

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Enable Gamma Display Assist

  1. Switch Out of Cine EI Mode:
    • Cine EI mode locks certain settings to maintain its cinematic look. If you want to access Gamma Display Assist, try switching to a different mode, like Custom Mode.
    • Navigate to your camera’s Shooting Menu.
    • Select a picture profile that supports Gamma Display Assist, such as S-Log3 without Cine EI.
  2. Update Camera Firmware:
    • Sometimes, a firmware update can resolve compatibility issues.
    • Go to Menu > Setup > Software Update on your camera.
    • Follow the instructions to ensure your camera is using the latest firmware.
  3. Adjust Picture Profile:
    • Go to Picture Profile Settings.
    • Select PP8 or PP9, which are typically pre-configured for S-Log3 shooting.
    • This should enable Gamma Display Assist, allowing you to preview the footage with a Rec.709 LUT (Look-Up Table).

By following these steps, you should be able to enable Gamma Display Assist and have greater control over your image settings, even if you’re working outside of Cine EI mode.

How Do I Turn On Gamma Assist FX3

For users of the Sony FX3, the process of enabling Gamma Display Assist can be a bit different, especially when shooting in Cine EI or S-Log3. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it:

  1. Go to the Camera’s Menu:
    • Access the Shooting Menu on the FX3.
    • Scroll to Gamma Display Assist.
  2. Select the Appropriate Gamma Setting:
    • Choose between S-Log2 or S-Log3, depending on your shooting profile.
    • Gamma Display Assist should then be activated. This allows you to preview your footage with a more standard look while retaining the benefits of shooting in log format.
  3. Troubleshoot Grayed-Out Options:
    • If it remains grayed out, check if Cine EI mode is enabled. As mentioned earlier, switching out of Cine EI can often solve the problem.

Improving Your Cinematic Experience

When you look at how the Gamma Display Assist works together with the Cine EI mode, you will see that it helps you achieve great footage at the end. The Cine EI mode tends to work much better when you want a more film-like quality, but the Gamma Display Assist is a handy feature for providing a preview of the footage closer to the finished graded footage.

Tips on Using Sony’s Cine EI Mode in The Best Manner

  • Use External Monitors: When using a monitor with a LUT, Gammas that embed the LUT Workstation LUT or specific video feed integrations can help. This allows a Rec.709 conversion to be viewed even without gamma display assist.
  • Practice with Different Profiles: It would be useful to try out Custom Mode and Cine EI to observe and grasp their differences.
  • Professional Calibration: Tools that allow for professional calibration should be invested in so that gamma cannot be under or over-adjusted for a specific look.

Conclusion: Solving the Mystery Behind Grayed-Out Gamma Display Assist

The matter of Gamma Display Assist being grayed on the display while using Cine EI can be largely attributed to the unique attributes and priorities of the Sony Cine EI mode. They can be quite irritating, but understanding how to go around these configurations gives you better control over your footage. Such a feature may be restored by changing picture profiles, upgrading the firmware, or requesting expert assistance. It is quite possible to get the desired cinematic look while maintaining the flexibility of the gamma settings with such adjustments.

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