Most video (the codec usually inside an MP4 file) defaults to limited range for archival and YouTube distribution. This standard originated from analog television, where "footroom" (0-15) and "headroom" (236-255) were reserved to prevent signal interference or "clipping" at extreme ends of the spectrum.
Typically used by PCs and digital cameras for internal processing. It uses the entire spectrum, where 0 is absolute black and 255 is absolute white. 235 mp4
If you need to deliver a file directly from a camera without editing, 16-235 is often the safer "necessary" choice to ensure it looks correct on all displays immediately. Most video (the codec usually inside an MP4
One of the most frequent headaches in video editing is the "BT.709 vs. BT.601" mixup. This occurs when software misinterprets the limited range, causing reds to shift toward orange or blacks to lose their depth. To avoid this, ensure your export settings in tools like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve are explicitly set to match your intended output range. How I encode videos for YouTube and archival It uses the entire spectrum, where 0 is
If you are planning significant color grading, recording in Full Range (0-255) is often recommended because it uses the entire 8-bit range for more detail in the midtones.