What the heck is “Filmmaker Mode"??

Filmmaker Mode is a new feature for TVs that aims to provide a more authentic cinematic experience in the home by disabling certain post-processing features that can make the image look over-processed and artificial. Endorsed by renowned directors like Christopher Nolan and Rian Johnson, this mode ensures the TV displays the original signal as intended by the filmmaker, including native frame rate, aspect ratio, and color settings. It sets the white point at D65 to achieve a color temperature similar to natural daylight. While some post-processing can be beneficial for non-cinematic content, like sports events, Filmmaker Mode is designed to be easily accessible with a single button on the remote control. Brands like Vizio, LG, and Panasonic are incorporating this mode into their upcoming TVs. However, it may not be the best setting for all TV models, as lower-end TVs might still benefit from some post-processing features.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Filmmaker Mode is a feature endorsed by directors like Christopher Nolan and Ryan Johnson, aiming to provide a more realistic movie experience on home TVs.
• 🔍 It's not about adding new features but rather preventing certain TV features from altering the image, similar to 'subtraction by addition'.
• 📺 The mode disables post-processing features like motion smoothing, noise reduction, and sharpening to show the original signal as intended by filmmakers.
• 🌟 Filmmaker Mode also addresses the issue of unrealistic, vivid color settings by setting the white point at D65, which is akin to natural daylight.
• 📈 It's designed to work with both SDR and HDR content, ensuring uniform color representation across different TVs.
• 🛠️ Many people don't change the default picture settings on their TVs, so Filmmaker Mode is made easily accessible with a single button on the remote control.
• 🏆 Vizio, LG, and Panasonic are among the companies supporting Filmmaker Mode in their upcoming TVs, expected to hit the market by 2020.
• 🤔 There's a debate on whether Filmmaker Mode's single preset will be optimal for all TV models and viewers, as some post-processing can be beneficial for non-cinematic content.
• 📉 While higher-end TVs may benefit the most from Filmmaker Mode, lower-end models might still look better with some of the features it disables.
• 🎧 In a related note, the collaboration between Massdrop and Sennheiser on the HD6xx headphones has been a success, with over 70,000 units sold.
• 🎉 New users on drop.com can get a $20 credit, and the HD6xx headphones come with a warranty backed by Sennheiser.

Q & A

What is the purpose of 'Filmmaker Mode' on TVs?

Filmmaker Mode aims to provide a more realistic and authentic movie experience by disabling certain built-in post-processing features on TVs, allowing the original signal to be displayed as intended by the filmmaker.

Why is there a movement towards 'Filmmaker Mode' in the television industry?

The movement is driven by the desire to present films as they were originally intended to be seen, without the artificial enhancements often added by TV manufacturers to make their products stand out in stores.

Which well-known directors have endorsed 'Filmmaker Mode'?

Prominent directors such as Christopher Nolan, Rian Johnson, and M. Night Shyamalan have endorsed 'Filmmaker Mode'.

What are some of the TV features that 'Filmmaker Mode' seeks to prevent from affecting the final image?

Filmmaker Mode aims to prevent features like motion smoothing, noise reduction, and sharpening, which are often considered to make the image look over-processed and artificial.

How does 'Filmmaker Mode' address the issue of unrealistic and exaggerated color settings on TVs?

It sets the white point at D65, a specific color temperature of around 6500 Kelvin, similar to natural daylight, which helps colors look more uniform across different TVs, whether the content is SDR or HDR.

Which TV manufacturers are on board with implementing 'Filmmaker Mode'?

Vizio, LG, and Panasonic are among the manufacturers that have agreed to include 'Filmmaker Mode' in their upcoming TVs.

Why might some viewers find 'Filmmaker Mode' to be less than ideal for their viewing experience?

While 'Filmmaker Mode' is beneficial for accurately displaying cinematic content, it may not yield the best subjective results for viewers on lower-end TVs, where some post-processing features might enhance the viewing experience.

What is the general consensus in the AV community regarding TV image processing features?

The general consensus is that these features often make the image look over-processed, artificial, and worse than the original in most cases.

Why is it important for 'Filmmaker Mode' to be easy to enable?

Since most people do not change the default picture settings on their TVs, making 'Filmmaker Mode' easy to enable ensures that viewers can quickly access a setting that provides a more authentic viewing experience.

How does 'Filmmaker Mode' affect the display of content that is not cinematic films, such as sports events?

While 'Filmmaker Mode' is designed for cinematic content, some forms of post-processing like motion smoothing can still be beneficial for other types of content, such as making it easier to track the trajectory of a ball during a sports event.

What is the potential downside to 'Filmmaker Mode' being a single preset across many different TV models and manufacturers?

A single preset may not yield the best results subjectively to the viewer's eye on every display, as higher-end TVs might benefit more from 'Filmmaker Mode' than lower-end models, which might still look better with some post-processing features.

What is the collaboration between Massdrop and Sennheiser, and how has it been received by the market?

The collaboration between Massdrop and Sennheiser resulted in the HD6XX headphones, which have sold over 70,000 units and are one of the all-time best sellers on drop.com. They are praised for their balanced mid-range, natural-sounding bass, and tweaks based on community feedback.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 Filmmaker Mode: The Movement for Authentic Viewing Experiences

The paragraph discusses the introduction of 'Filmmaker Mode', a movement endorsed by renowned directors like Christopher Nolan, Rian Johnson, and M. Night Shyamalan. This mode aims to provide a more realistic movie experience by disabling certain TV features that are seen as over-processed and artificial, such as motion smoothing, noise reduction, and sharpening. It is designed to display the original signal as intended by the filmmaker, including maintaining the native frame rate, aspect ratio, and color settings. The mode sets the white point at D65, which is akin to natural daylight, ensuring uniform color representation across different TVs. The push is to make this mode easily accessible with a single button on the remote control. Brands like Vizio, LG, and Panasonic are supporting this feature, which is expected to be available in 2020 models. However, the paragraph also points out that while post-processing can be beneficial for certain content types, a one-size-fits-all preset may not be ideal for every TV model, potentially leading to varied subjective results.

05:02

📢 Engaging the Audience: Suggestions and Subscriptions

The second paragraph serves as a call to action for the viewers, inviting them to leave comments with suggestions for future content. It humorously notes that few people actually provide suggestions but encourages them to share ideas for potential videos. The paragraph also reminds viewers to subscribe to the channel to stay updated and not miss out on future content. It creates a sense of community and involvement, prompting viewers to actively participate in shaping the channel's direction.

Keywords

Filmmaker Mode

Filmmaker Mode is a feature on some modern TVs designed to provide a more authentic cinematic experience by disabling certain post-processing features that can alter the original image intended by filmmakers. It is endorsed by well-known directors and aims to present the content as it was originally intended, without the enhancements that can sometimes make images look artificial or over-processed. It is significant because it represents a shift in the way TVs are marketed and used, focusing on a more accurate representation of the filmmaker's vision rather than simply making images appear more vivid or dynamic.

Motion Smoothing

Motion Smoothing, sometimes referred to by a brand-specific name, is a feature on TVs that aims to make motion appear smoother by creating additional frames between the original ones. However, the script suggests that this feature and others like it can lead to an unnatural look, particularly in the context of watching movies, where the filmmaker's original intention is to have the motion appear as it was captured on set.

Noise Reduction

Noise Reduction is a feature designed to decrease the visual noise or graininess in an image. While it can be beneficial in certain contexts, the script implies that when overused, it can contribute to an overly processed look that detracts from the original quality of the film.

Sharpening

Sharpening is a process that enhances the edges within an image to make them appear more distinct. The script discusses how AI-based sharpening, like other image processing features, can sometimes result in a less authentic viewing experience by making the image look too processed.

Post-Processing Features

Post-Processing Features refer to the various enhancements and adjustments made to the video signal after it has been initially recorded or created. These can include color correction, contrast adjustments, and other alterations. The video argues that these features, when applied by default on TVs, can detract from the original artistic intent of the filmmaker.

Native Frame Rate

Native Frame Rate is the original number of frames per second that a film was shot at or intended to be shown at. Filmmaker Mode ensures that the TV displays the content at this original frame rate, avoiding the 'soap opera effect' caused by motion smoothing.

Aspect Ratio

Aspect Ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and the height of an image. In the context of the video, Filmmaker Mode maintains the original aspect ratio of the film as intended by the filmmaker, without any distortions that might occur from TV settings.

Color Settings

Color Settings on a TV can greatly affect how the content appears. The script discusses how unrealistic, vivid, and exaggerated colors can be a result of manufacturers' settings, which Filmmaker Mode aims to correct by using a more natural color temperature.

White Point D65

White Point D65 is a specific color temperature standard used in the video industry, which is around 6500 Kelvin and is similar to natural daylight. The video explains that setting the white point to D65 helps in achieving a more uniform color representation across different TVs, whether the content is SDR or HDR.

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR is a technology that enhances the contrast and color depth of an image, allowing for a greater range of brightness and more vivid colors. The script mentions HDR in the context of how Filmmaker Mode ensures that colors look uniform across different TVs, regardless of whether the content is in HDR or SDR.

SDR (Standard Dynamic Range)

SDR is the traditional method of displaying video, with a more limited range of color and contrast compared to HDR. The video discusses how Filmmaker Mode works with both SDR and HDR content to maintain the filmmaker's intended viewing experience.

Vibrancy

Vibrancy refers to the intensity and vividness of colors in an image. The script mentions that on lower-end TVs or monitors, the vibrancy might need to be increased to achieve a visually pleasing result, which contrasts with the Filmmaker Mode's goal of presenting content as it was originally intended.

Highlights

Filmmaker Mode is a movement in TVs aiming to provide a more realistic movie experience at home.

Endorsed by big name directors like Christopher Nolan, Rian Johnson, and M. Night Shyamalan.

The mode prevents certain TV features from affecting the final image, similar to 'addition by subtraction'.

Disables built-in post-processing features to show the original signal as intended by the filmmaker.

Addresses unrealistic vivid and exaggerated color settings by setting the white point at D65, similar to natural daylight.

Most people don't change the default picture settings on their TVs, making Filmmaker Mode easy to enable with a single button.

Vizio, LG, and Panasonic are on board with implementing Filmmaker Mode in their upcoming TVs.

Filmmaker Mode may not yield the best results on every display, as some post-processing can be beneficial for non-cinematic content.

Motion smoothing can help track the trajectory of a ball during a sporting event.

Filmmaker Mode is a single preset across many TV models, which might not suit every viewer's preference.

Lower-end TVs might still benefit from some post-processing features that Filmmaker Mode disables.

The HD6XX headphones, a collaboration between Massdrop and Sennheiser, have sold over 70,000 units.

These headphones feature a balanced mid-range with natural sounding bass and community feedback tweaks.

They come with both a 1/8 inch plug for everyday use and a 1/4 inch adapter for professional use.

Sennheiser provides their own warranty for the HD6XX headphones.

New users on drop.com get a $20 credit upon signing up.

The video encourages viewers to like, comment, and subscribe for future content suggestions.