Purpose and use of contrast slider in xLignts

[djmc2002]

Sorry I guess I failed art, or light science or whatever but can someone give me a basic rundown of the use of the contrast slider and how it alters the light output of nodes/pixels in xLights.

Yes I'm hanging my head in shame but I've adjusted it alot of different ways and can't see much of a difference. 

Thanks

[Stosh]

I believe the original intent was to adjust video, but it works on all effects.  The reason you're not really seeing a difference is likely because your effects are already at full brightness.  Increasing contrast makes every pixel above 50% intensity even brighter, and every pixel below 50% intensity darker.  The amount of contrast affects how much of this brightening and darkening.  But if a pixel is already at full brightness, contrast will have no effect.  Same for 0% brightness - no effect.

To more clearly see the difference, choose an effect that has the option box "3D."  This will usually mean the color will fade to black in the effect.  Without contrast it should fade very smoothly.  With contrast added it will fade more abruptly.

[djmc2002]

I believe the original intent was to adjust video, but it works on all effects.  The reason you're not really seeing a difference is likely because your effects are already at full brightness.  Increasing contrast makes every pixel above 50% intensity even brighter, and every pixel below 50% intensity darker.  The amount of contrast affects how much of this brightening and darkening.  But if a pixel is already at full brightness, contrast will have no effect.  Same for 0% brightness - no effect.

To more clearly see the difference, choose an effect that has the option box "3D."  This will usually mean the color will fade to black in the effect.  Without contrast it should fade very smoothly.  With contrast added it will fade more abruptly.

That make things much clearer. I as standard practice don’t run above about 50% but that does make sense on fades and such.  Thank you


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[Stosh]

No Prob.  And just to be clear, you mentioned you mostly don't run above 50%.  If this 50% you speak of is defined at the controller level, xLights' contrast can't override that.  Max contrast in xLights would mean xLights would output 100% intensity, then your controller would take it down to 50%, or whatever your max is defined as.

[Gilrock]

I've never touched the contrast slider.  You don't need it.