Gain should really only be used if you absolutely need it. Generally, whether you are working in HD or SD (high definition or standard definition), you probably want to avoid ever going past +6 db (“db” is a measurement of gain).

One of the main reasons for video noise (those little black specks dancing around the screen), is gain. Video noise can either get introduced when the tape was shot (with the gain boost on) or during the posting/color timing process, (most commonly when trying to bring detail out of the shadows).

Camera manufacturers may tell you it's okay to use gain as high as +12 db, but remember, they may be referring to what is acceptable for television where the video noise may not show as much!

During color timing, try not to “raise the blacks” when brightening a picture or seeking more detail in the darker areas. It is better to achieve consistent “rich blacks” and achieve more detail by stretching the mid point gamma.

Remember, if you don't have any detail in the blacks, making them gray by over-boosting the lower part of the signal is not going to help.

Keeping the blacks looking black is often more important than trying to make the picture seem brighter at the cost of destroying rich blacks.

As you may have gathered, color-timing for film output or digital projection is a highly specialized area of knowledge.

We strongly advise that you speak with one of experienced Digital Film Specialists before commencing with the color correction for your film output or digital projection master.