Gamma / EOTF
Gamma, technically the EOTF, describes how brightness values in your video file are translated into the light your screen shows. It determines whether midtones display lighter or darker than they sit in the file. The right gamma is essential to show your image consistently everywhere.
If the gamma doesn't match between your project, monitor and export, your image looks too dark or too light to the viewer. In DaVinci Resolve you set this via your color management or a color space transform, aligning input and output gamma. For regular Rec.709 video there's a fixed gamma, for HDR you use PQ or HLG. Tip: always check your grade on a well-calibrated monitor, otherwise you unknowingly compensate for the wrong gamma.
Related terms
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The presets on this site set these adjustments up for you as a starting point, which you then fine-tune to taste.