Adobe RGB vs. Rec 709

[Bruce Watson]

What's the difference? Does an NLE require a monitor capable of Rec. 709 to get good results?

Said another way, is it possible to do decent color grading with a calibrated computer monitor using AdobeRGB?

[Kirk Candlish]

If you want correct color you need to work in the color space you're delivering your product in. Different color spaces have different primaries and different white points.

If you're working in one color space, and delivering in another, what are you expecting your client will see ?

[Sareesh Sudhakaran]

Originally Posted by Bruce Watson

What's the difference?

Rec 709 is an HDTV profile. If you expect your end users/clients to watch on HD television sets, then you need to grade to this standard.

Adobe RGB is another standard, used for many purposes too complicated to get into here.

What you should also look into is sRGB (the computer standard). This is the standard most computer monitors adhere to.

So the typical scenario is to use sRGB monitors to do Rec 709 grading, with something called LUTs (look-up tables). You can simulate the look of another color space if your software/hardware is capable of doing it. It's not as easy as it sounds.

Said another way, is it possible to do decent color grading with a calibrated computer monitor using AdobeRGB?

Yes. Adobe RGB is quite capable if your customers are going to see your result in Adobe RGB. If they are using sRGB (computer screens) or Rec 709 (HD TV sets), then they will not see what you intended them to see.

Hope this helps.