Test conducted with iMovie HD and iDVD 5.

Figure 1. 35 Gray Patch Test Chart

Figure 2. Patch Values

Figure 3. Results Magenta 45 degree line would represent no changes from input test image to DVD output image.

As you can see from Figure 3, going from the original test image to the DVD output image resulted in no contrast change. However, there was a density shift that resulted in darkening all test image patches. This is probably most noticable in the darker patches.

Figure 4. Comparison Top half of each patch is the original digital image. Bottom half of each patch is the result of playing through iMovie HD and iDVD 5. (The blue line in Figure 3.)

Note: The DV clip was opened with Apple's Quicktime Player v 6.5.2 and still frame capture was made with Ambrosia Software's SnapzPro X v 2.0.2. Patch G values were read from the screen captured image file with Adobe's Photoshop v 7.0.1. The DVD clip was opened with Apple's DVD Player v 4.0 and still frame capture was made with Ambrosia Software's SnapzPro X v 2.0.2. Patch G values were read from the screen captured image file with Adobe's Photoshop v 7.0.1.