Previously recorded videos play back darker
Sep 20, 2018
In mid-2016, I created a series of learning modules that included video screen casts of my actions while completing a form using a webapp. This was done with Storyline 2 (SL2). Because I had personal identifying information (PII) to blur, I created masking images that I overlaid on top of the slide. I used existing frames from the video and made most of the resulting images transparent. This worked fine when I published them at the time.
Today, I am in the midst of updating one of the last modules in the same learning series, but I discovered that there is a difference in the colour of the videos when they play back with Storyline 3 (SL3). The differences are quite apparent when I have a pure white background for one of my masks and the same background becomes a darker version (254,254,254) vs. (255,255,255). (On other slides the gray colour is even darker.)
Part of the problem is those transparent images. I decided to replace them on a single slide, and it brightened up substantially. However, the video still darkens when compared the .jpg background image that SL2 created. (It is the first frame of the video clip on the slide.)
I have tried everything that I can think of. I went so far as to compare the SL2 version of the slide##.xml against the SL3 version of the slide##.xml. The only major differences in the <actSubFrm> element were the element <dialData indicatorPaintMode> and an <alpha> element missing from the <srgbClr> element which is a grandchild of <shdw>.
I went a step further and pulled out the .flv Flash video for the slide that I was using in my tests. I inserted into a new SL3 project. I inserted a basic rectangle that straddled the right edge of the slide. I changed its fill and outline to pure white. On screen, before publishing, the rectangle blends in with the background. After I published the single slide, the video darkened and the rectangle stood out like a sore thumb. (see the attachment)
At this point, I am guessing that there has to be something with the HTML5 output. I cannot test the Flash version, because it seems that my company is preventing its use. (I attempted to load the story_flash.html, but I needed to install the plug-in. I am not permitted.)
Can someone explain to me why an existing video, that I has not changed since SL2 is playing back darker in SL3 with HTML5?
Thank you.
6 Replies
Hello Michel. I'm sorry you're seeing that difference in coloration in the published version. I'm curious to know if you have your slide background settings in the Player set to have any transparency. We had a similar issue where the published output appeared darker when the slide background had around 50% transparency or so.
Can you go to Player Properties and check the advanced color editing? The Base >> Slide Background is the setting I'm referring to. Check for transparency and also set the color to white.
If that doesn't help, please send your .story file to our support team for a closer look! You can include this discussion URL in your case for context. Thank you!
Hi Michael,
Does that dark tink disappear once you start the video? Or it's consistent throughout?
If you're able to share a copy of the .story file I'm also happy to take a look.
Hello Crystal. I found an article for SL2 about the same thing. I already performed that test on the colour of the slide background. I set everything to white. There was no difference to the output. I even went so far to set the top colour to red and the bottom colour to black, which are the diametrically opposite colours on the colour wheel for the green and the white of my video. Nothing happened. I never changed the transparency from 0% at any time during my tests.
I am just curious why the slide background would affect something in the foreground (i.e., sitting above the background). Wouldn't the video have to be transparent for the background to "bleed" through? From my own research through the .xml code, videos that are created by SL cannot have a transparency attribute. Also, there are no options through the ribbon (i.e. tool bars) to alter these videos at the level of their alpha channels.
Right now, I am trying to finish the job of publishing these modules as they are.
Also, any files that are shared with the support team are treated with confidentiality? These are training modules that are geared for advisor and assistants in the financial industry and the application is proprietary.
Hello Ashley. Actually, it is once the video starts that the dark tinge appears.
At the lowest order of the stack, I believe is the .jpg that SL makes of the first frame in the short video clip. (It is not selectable or editable as an object in the timeline but it is part of the .xml code for the slide.) Because the masking images and captions are sitting above the video (always at the bottom of the stack order), they are what allow me to see the difference between the .jpg before the video starts and the darker video when it plays (even for only one frame). The masking images and the .jpg background image are indistinguishable.
If you revisit the slide or replay it, the original background .jpg is not visible. The dark video under the masking images is what you will see on the slide. That is when it is easy to distinguish where the edges of the masking images are located.
Please see my question to Crystal about sharing and uploading files to your support team.
Hey Michel. Yes - we keep your files confidential! I've opened a case for you so our team can help find out why those videos are coming out darker. You should have a confirmation email with an upload link where you can share your files.
Hello Crystal. Thank you for the reply and the email. I am just publishing the file (for my own purposes and review). When it is finished, I will attach and upload the .story file to the case you created. I am curious what the answer turns out to be.
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