# Configuring color space handling in each output
<a name="color-space-output-handling"></a>

In [Options for handling color space](color-space-handling-options.md), you should have identified how you want to handle the color space in each MediaLive output. When you [assessed the inputs](color-space-input-handling.md), you might have adjusted your plan. You should now have a clear plan for handling the color space in the outputs.

**Topics**
+ [Decide about enhanced VQ mode](color-space-output-config-vq.md)
+ [Set up outputs to process color space](colorspace-output-setup.md)

# Decide about enhanced VQ mode
<a name="color-space-output-config-vq"></a>

You must decide if you should enable enhanced VQ mode in each MediaLive output. This mode applies only to outputs that use H.264. 

In the following table, find the planned handling in the first column, then read across to identify the action to take. To enable enhanced VQ mode, see [Setting up enhanced VQ mode](video-enhancedvq.md).


| Planned conversion | Details | Action | 
| --- | --- | --- | 
|  Convert to SDR  |  The inputs contain both SDR and HDR content.    |  You must enable the mode.  | 
| Convert to SDR |  The inputs contain only SDR content. For example, all the inputs are Rec. 709, and you want to convert the content to Rec. 601.  | You don't need to enable the mode. | 
| Any handling | There is no HDR10 or HLG in any of the inputs. | You don't need to enable the mode. | 
| Any handling | You have already enabled enhanced VQ to improve the video quality. | Leave the mode enabled. | 

# Set up outputs to process color space
<a name="colorspace-output-setup"></a>

Follow this procedure to configure color space handling in each MediaLive output. You can set up each output with different color space handling. For example, you can create one output that passes through the original color space, and another that converts it.

**Note**  
This section assumes that you are familiar with creating or editing a channel, as described in [Creating a channel from scratch](creating-channel-scratch.md). 

**Topics**
+ [Setting up for passthrough](#colorspace-output-setup-passthrough)
+ [Setting up to convert](#colorspace-output-setup-convert)

## Setting up for passthrough
<a name="colorspace-output-setup-passthrough"></a>

You can set up to pass through the source color space in one or more outputs. The key fields to set are **Color space** and **Color metadata**.

1. On the **Create channel **page, in the **Output groups **section, choose the output that contains the video.

1. Display the **Stream settings **section, and choose the **Video **section.

1. For **Codec settings**, choose a codec. For information about the color spaces that each codec supports, see [Supported output codecs](color-space-input-output-requirements.md#color-space-supported-output-codecs).

1. Choose **Codec details**. More fields appear. Choose **Additional settings**. More fields appear. 

   In **Color metadata**, choose **Insert** or **Ignore** to specify how you want to handle the color space metadata.

1. Choose **Color space**. The **Color space settings** field appears. Choose **Color space passthrough**. (Or choose **Don't include**, which is equivalent to **Color space passthrough**.)

## Setting up to convert
<a name="colorspace-output-setup-convert"></a>

You can set up to convert the color space in one or more outputs. There are several fields that must each be set in a specific way.

You can set up to convert the source color space in one or more outputs. 

1. On the **Create channel **page, in the **Output groups **section, select the output that contains the video.

1. Display the **Stream settings **section, and choose the **Video **section.

1. Complete the **Width** and **Height** fields to specify a valid resolution. Make a note of whether you are specifying an SD, an HD, or a UHD resolution.

1. In **Codec settings**, choose a codec. For information about the color spaces that each codec supports, see [Supported output codecs](color-space-input-output-requirements.md#color-space-supported-output-codecs).

1. Choose **Codec details**. More fields appear. Set the **Profile**, **Tier**, and **Level** fields, if they appear for the codec that you chose:
   + If the resolution is SD, enter values that suit your requirements. 
   + If the resolution is an HD or UHD resolution, set the tier and level to suit your requirements, and set the profile as follows:
     + If the output color space will be an HDR color space, you must choose one of the profiles that has **10BIT** in the name.
     + If the output color space will be an SDR color space, you can choose any profile.

1. Choose **Color space**. The **Color space settings** field appears. 

   Set the field to the color space to convert to.

   If you choose **HDR10**, the **Max CLL** and **Max FALL** fields appear. Complete these fields to set the display metadata. 

1. Go back to **Codec details** and choose **Additional settings**. More fields appear, including **Color metadata**. In **Color metadata**, choose **Insert** or **Ignore** to specify how you want to handle the color space metadata.