4:4:4 Chroma Subsampling @ Microsoft Remote Desktop on Mac ?

[DrCC]

I need to access some remote Windows PCs for work and I have been through Microsoft Remote Desktop and Splashtop on my Mac. I have issues with the colours though, I need the most precise transfer of colours (4:4:4 Chroma subsampling or bust).

Problem:
Splashtop is so and so for speed but can do 4:4:4 chroma.
MRD is super responsive but on Mac it doesn't seem to do 4:4:4 by default.

I look at X-Rays where very fine shades of grey are important and the greys are messed up compared to the original monitor. MRD seems to do 4:4:4 chroma in Windows. Is there a technical limitation on the Mac app? I prefer MRD for snappiness over Splashtop and better resolution management.

The solution:
Does anyone know how I can force 4:4:4 on the Microsoft Remote Desktop app on Mac? The access is from Apple M devices.

 

[f54da]

Note that even besides the subsampling, any RDP program will compress the frame-buffer before transmitting, which will potentially introduce artifacting. If you are doing something that depends on visual detail then I would not recommend using any of these programs.

 

[gilby101]

Is this for professional purposes - e.g. you are a radiologist making diagnosis from home?

If so, I am not sure that a Windows PC with any remote desktop software is adequate. I suggest the better way is for your Mac (with I assume a radiology quality monitor) to run your radiology software communicating directly with the PACS server (or however the images are stored). I think you should be taking to your PACS (or whatever) vendor about appropriate solutions.

Otherwise a bit more about your X-ray storage and processing would help so that we can understand your complete workflow.

 

[DrCC]

I am not a radiologist, but I do work a lot with X-Rays and I do have to log in from home quite often. I am trying to find a way to connect without loosing colours (shades of grey) but it seems what I need is not possible yet .

 

[Alameda]

I am not a radiologist, but I do work a lot with X-Rays and I do have to log in from home quite often. I am trying to find a way to connect without loosing colours (shades of grey) but it seems what I need is not possible yet .

Nearly every video compression algorithm works by first sub-sampling chroma to 4:2:0, because this cuts bandwidth 50% and makes the compression more efficient. A few sub-sample to 4:2:2, but it’s quite rare. After decompression, the video is often upsampled back to 4:4:4, but the damage has been done.

If you’re trying to view diagnostic images, you’ll need to download them to your remote computer and view the image itself, not a Remote Desktop version of it.