Right now, I'm hard coding the render template in the function calls (where is says /NTSC DV$/). For now, you should be able to change it yourself faily easily. I'll add a section at the top of the script with configuration variables.

Thanks for the suggestion!

I'm also wondering if the two renders are absolutely necessary. I'm planning on testing a slightly different way of doing this so I can compare the results. If my theory is correct, I can eliminate the render of the temporary avi.

Paul

Neat script. I wonder if it would be possible to create a dialog that would allow me to select a letter-box mask graphic, and also a add the film grain effect to the upper track. In the end, I would select my edited project, then run your script to get a letter-boxed film look. Or am I dreaming?....

I hadn't really thought of that. My vision for this script only involved unedited footage. I suppose you could use the script on the final product, in which case what you're asking could be handy.

I'd probably argue that letterboxing shouldn't just be casually slapped on. I would personally rather use pan/crop to ensure the framing on the shots was correct. Otherwise you could end up with stuff inadvertantly being cut off.

Paul

You make a very good point about the letterboxing, so like the Film Grain idea, perhaps it's an option. When I shoot I use framing references on my monitor so I don't have to reframe it with pan/crop -- but it is nice to have that available to me when I screw up a shot! ;)

I've updated the script so it works with the shipping version of Vegas 4.

I also added a configuration section that allows the user to choose a render template. You can pick from NTSC DV, NTSC DV Widescreen, PAL DV, and PAL DV Widescreen.

Here it is

All you have to do is run the script and choose one or more DV AVI files. The script does the rest. You'll end up with a new AVI for each AVI you initially selected. If you choose D:\Video\Movie.avi, the script will create D:\Video\Movie FINAL.avi.

If anyone has suggestions, comments, or anything else they would like to share, please feel free to contact me (preferably here in the forum).

Thanks!

Paul G. Fitzgerald

What's the difference between this method of de-interlacing and Selecting "Progessive" when rendering ?

The difference? Technically, I don't know. I just think it looks better.

I've heard this process called a "homegrown deinterlacing technique" and I beleive it rivals the output created by products such as DVFilm Maker.

Basically, you duplicate the footage, place a lower-field-first version on top of an upper-field-first version, and set the opacity of the top layer to 50 percent.

Unfortunately, this process is tedious and error prone when you have to deinterlace dozens of clips. That's why I created this script.

Anybody tried it? How's the script working for you guys? Any comments or suggestions?

Regards,

Paul G. Fitzgerald

I have DV Film Maker. I will do some tests using your script and DV Film Maker. A couple of things to consider... DV Film Maker does a couple of additional things (does a red boost and adds grain) and only de-interlaces footage where there is movement. This technique produces crisper footage when there is a lot of movement. That will be the best comparison: a clip with lots of movement.

Roy

On a side note, I see SPOT has posted this script on the Sundance Media Group Tutorials section of his web site.

Thanks SPOT!