How to tell if a video is 8-bit or 10 bit?
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To determine whether a video is 8-bit or 10-bit, you need to look at the color depth of the video. This refers to how much color information is stored for each pixel in the video file. Here’s how you can check:
1. Using Media Info Software
A reliable method is to use specialized software that can analyze video files and provide detailed information, including the bit depth.
Steps:
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Download and Install MediaInfo:
- You can download MediaInfo (a free program) from here.
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Check Video Properties:
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Open MediaInfo and load your video file.
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In the program, switch to the "Text" or "Tree" view.
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Look for the "Bit Depth" field. It will tell you whether the video is 8-bit, 10-bit, or some other depth.
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For example:
- 8-bit will show "8".
- 10-bit will show "10".
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2. Using Video Players (with Supported Info)
Some advanced video players also provide bit-depth information for supported files. However, this is less common in basic players.
Example:
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VLC Media Player:
- While VLC doesn't directly show bit depth, you can use it to view some metadata:
- Open the video in VLC.
- Go to Tools > Codec Information or press
Ctrl + J
(on Windows). - Check for color information like the Pixel format and codec info.
- While VLC doesn't directly show bit depth, you can use it to view some metadata:
However, to get detailed bit-depth information, MediaInfo is the most reliable method.
3. Checking for HDR (High Dynamic Range) Content
If the video is HDR (High Dynamic Range), it is highly likely to be 10-bit because HDR requires a higher color depth (10-bit or more) to display the wider range of colors and brightness levels.
- HDR videos (for example, HDR10, Dolby Vision) generally use 10-bit or higher color depth.
- You can check whether a video is HDR using tools like MediaInfo or by looking at metadata in video players (e.g., VLC or HDR-compatible players).
4. Check the Video Source
If you know the source of the video, you may have a better idea of whether it’s 8-bit or 10-bit. For instance:
- YouTube or streaming services often compress videos into 8-bit for standard delivery, but 10-bit might be used for HDR content.
- Professional video production (like films, TV shows, or raw camera footage) often uses 10-bit color depth for editing and grading.
5. Observing Visual Artifacts (for Experts)
Experienced video editors or viewers may notice banding artifacts in 8-bit videos, especially in smooth gradients like skies or skin tones, which can indicate the video has limited color precision. 10-bit videos, however, offer smoother gradients with fewer visible color transitions. However, this method requires a trained eye and is not as reliable as software-based checks.
Summary:
To reliably determine whether a video is 8-bit or 10-bit, the best method is to use a tool like MediaInfo to check the bit depth of the video file. 10-bit videos are common in professional video production, HDR content, and some high-end digital formats.