The pro version offers a Vegas pro plugin.
And it stabilizes 3D shots while" easy" version do not stabilize 3D shots ...
The website has 6 different languages ... german is not a problem for those who do not understand it ...

"german is not a problem for those who do not understand it". Not if you use Google translate. :-) Works really well these days. And yes, the 'Pro' version provides plug-in to Vegas, PLUS a stand-a-lone app if you want it. The 'Easy' version does not. TBH, I've not bothered to even use it.

German is easy, even little children speak it.


I've always been confused about which version of Mercalli to get. I don't quite see the difference between V2 and V3. Can anyone clarify?

Mercalli V3 is stand alone only where as V2 is stand alone and has a Vegas plug-in version as well. I've used the V2 plug-in in Vegas but have recently been using the V3 SAL version - which I now much prefer. The main difference is that V3 allows you to import a bulk load of files, work on them individually, and then export them all as a bulk lot. Also, V3 SAL gives you a much bigger screen than the V2 plug-in version which makes it much easier to view the results.
I haven't used the V2 SAL version so can't comment on the difference between V2 and V3 SALs other than I understand that V2 SAL only works on a one file at a time basis whereas V3 has the advantage of working with bulk files. Only downside with V3 appears to be only being able to export to MP4 files,

The New European Language

Ze drem vil finali kum tru

...Jerry

Dexcon: "Only downside with V3 appears to be only being able to export to MP4 files,"I have Merc3SA, and it shows MOV too:



There is so much more in the ProMerc3SA, as stated above, PLUS its actual ease and intelligent viewing and editing - yes, editing - and being away from the Vegas Timeline helps too.

Grazie

+1 for Mercalli Plug-in. I upgraded through the Mercalli Easy path last month . . . a sweet deal.

I did not bother with the SAL 2.0 version as it wanted to install K-Lite Codec. The plug-in did not need any such codecs and it's brilliant.

Note if you are rendering to a framerate that is different than your source, you may need to render to a new track (or something like that) to avoid problems in your render. I'd read about that, and I encountered it firsthand yesterday when rendering NTCS 23.97p to PAL 50i.

Regards,

Kimberly

I think the NewBlueFX Stabilizer is much better.

I think the NewBlueFX Stabilizer is much better.

I have many NewBlue FX and they work great for me. I tried very hard over the last year to like their Stabilizer. I ran the demo over and over, I watched the tutorial over and over to make sure I was applying it correctly. The result -- for me -- were negligible regardless of the footage I used.

When I trialed the Mercalli plug-in I did a side by side comparison with NewBlue. The Mercalli results blew away NewBlue. My footage is handheld underwater. I have a medium size housing so it is generally stable anyway. Mercalli makes it look as if it's on a tripod; NewBlue does . . . nothing. Oh well, glad to hear NewBlue is working well for you.

Regards,

Kimberly

My footage is handheld underwater. I have a medium size housing so it is generally stable anyway. Mercalli makes it look as if it's on a tripod;

Kimberly: I'm just curios - but why do you want this kind of video to look like made on a tripod? when I make documentaries etc. I use the camera movements from walking, driving in a car, skiing, trains, sailing etc. actively to give (IMHO) some "ambience", "life" and "reality" to the video.

As the Sony Optical Lens Stabilization became mature like in HDR CX 550 and later similar cameras with built-in stabilization I stopped stabilizing in post - and now only use it to "salvage" indispensable recording mishaps.

Besides most not Pro cameras always add some blur to (fast) moving scenes - and this blur looks totally strange on pictures seemingly taken with a camera on a tripod (= after some heavy stabilization in post) and rather looks like some strange autofocus.

If I hate one thing on TV today, its all the shaking. There is way too much of it already and it has no place in a "slow" scene. Granted, it looks good where it does contribute, JJ Abraham's Star Trek movies come to mind but please stop it when I want to see Nature! That's just all my opinion.

"Oh well, glad to hear NewBlue is working well for you."

I was completely wrong in saying NewBlueFX be better than the Mercalli. I did a little comparison, and yes it must be said that the Mercalli is better.Here's a comparison:

[I]Kimberly: I'm just curios - but why do you want this kind of video to look like made on a tripod? when I make documentaries etc. I use the camera movements from walking, driving in a car, skiing, trains, sailing etc. actively to give (IMHO) some "ambience", "life" and "reality" to the video.[/I]

I just got Mercalli about a month ago so I haven't put it through all its paces yet. But I did try it out on a bunch of footage I saved from January to June of this year. I also used it on a couple of clips in my "Manta Valley" video (http://vimeo.com/77182797), in particular to remove a nasty bump when I slipped off my rock.

I won't stabilize everything, but it will come in handy for 1) macro/close-up shots when I'm set-up for general purpose, 2) bumping into stuff when inside the wrecks, and 3) removing the cadence that comes with my frog kicking, which is far more pronounced than flutter kicking but far less desirable for wreck diving.

Mainly I want whatever keeps the viewer's attention on the divers, wrecks, and marine life. Mercalli will come in useful from time to time!

Regards,

Kimberly

I think I messed up by getting the SAL3 trial a few months ago. I can't convince the deutschlanders to send me the code....with my current email at least.

MikeyDH,
No need to google-translate or learn Deutsch : the website is also available in English :
http://www.prodad.com/home/community_login/register_cobi01,l-us.html?product=cobi01

(website in 6 different languages)

Kimberly: "I won't stabilize everything, but it will come in handy for 1) macro/close-up shots when I'm set-up for general purpose, 2) bumping into stuff when inside the wrecks, and 3) removing the cadence that comes with my frog kicking, which is far more pronounced than flutter kicking but far less desirable for wreck diving."Ah, now I understand what your use for Merc is I can understand your comments regarding the non-necessity for MercProSA3 - got it.

For a non-SCUBA, frog-kicking, Land-Lubbers, with wonky joints and more than ancient cartilages, the full Merc is a real bonus.

Grazie

Being a bit concerned about the quality loss in the image after stabilisation in Mercalli, I did a comparison test between the pre and post-Mercalli images. The original material is .mts at 1920x1080/25i at around 22 Mbps. I created a Vegas project with 6 or so original shots (no FX or other processing) with each shot being immediately followed by the same shot but processed by Mercalli 3 SAL using the basic Universal Camera setting. An .m2v file was then created and then burned to a Blu-ray RE disc via DVDA6. The BD disc was then played through a JVC X9 projector onto a 100" wide screen.
I was pleasantly surprised and very pleased that there was not a noticeable difference between the pre and post Mercalli shots, though there was a little bit of jaggy aliasing on one of the Mercalli processed shots, but not to the extent that it would be obvious to the casual viewer when the shot forms a few seconds within the final product.
Given that there is a loss in the number of pixels because Mercalli effectively zooms in to carry out its processing, the results are nonetheless impressive (to me anyway).
BTW, I did trial NewBlueFX's stabiliser some months ago and wasn't all that impressed by it. Mercalli 2 was better but, after using Mercalli 3 SAL only over the last few weeks, this is the version that I much prefer.

I followed the link posted by the OP. A bit convoluted but you do get there. However the discount was 20% so not nearly as high savings as I was expecting. I did it all on the German site, got the discount code etc, but my registration details are UK - don't know if that affected it.

The code worked for both V2 and V3 - though I did have to copy and paste it, just typing it in would not work for some reason.

I chose V3 following G's comments. Thanks for that. The batch processing capability is a biggie for me.

I tested it with a short clip. The initial "Easy" product downloaded via the OP's link was OK but not spectacular. V3 was very impressive. I exported to MP4 at the highest quality setting. The file size of this Panasonic AVCHD mts file increased by 3.6 times.

I'm looking forward to using it for a job involving shooting loads of little kids at a birthday party (yes its a paying job!). Means I shouldn't scare the living daylights out of them with a huge "meccano" rig, instead I can handhold with a monopod :- )

Pete

I'm also in the UK Peter. Did you follow the upgrade link? They appear to be still offering the upgrade price. See bottom right here: http://www.prodad.com/home/products/video_optimization/300391667/buy,l-us.html?__utma=30066873.2029150969.1380450344.1385379626.1385551086.9&__utmb=30066873.1.10.1385551086&__utmc=30066873&__utmx=-&__utmz=30066873.1385551086.9.7.utmcsr=mercallieasy.com|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/&__utmv=-&__utmk=198509229

It's actually cheaper now. :-(

@Peter "I chose V3 following G's comments. Thanks for that."

You're welcome. Just a dab of Merc turns a just so-so clip into a very usable, salvageable piece.

I've used SteadyMove(?) then Deshake and DeShake New and toyed with Mercalli over the years, but this ProMerc3SA has much of what I was wanting and extra that just makes it the canines gonads - which is an ironic statement in itself! - Now I'm wondering what that saying would be in the German language? - Ah! Google translate - yah gotta luv it:

"Keimdrüsen des Eckzahns"

Perfect. I wish this Forum allowed for auto signatures..... Product Idea?

TAXI!

. . . G

Arthur I did follow the original link. I also just tried the link you just posted which took me to the Prodad store. Same 20% so I don't know whats going on but I saved £27 anyway so thats fine.

I was aware that Mercalli or a form of Mercalli was included in Vegas Pro 10 but it was the standalone batching that sold me on V3. I use Vegas Pro 12 - I'm not sure if the Mercalli version in 10 was carried forward but processing within Vegas was of no particular interest to me when with V3 I can just dump a bunch of short clips into it and then review which ones I want to use afterwards.

I have NewBlue's version from 2010 but I must admit I'm wary of NB's products as there seemed to be a lot of posts - at least once upon a time - suggesting Vegas instability problems could be linked to some of their installed plugins. That may be just Titler, can't remember. I can't afford to get into that sort of endless loop.

Pete

When I did my Mercalli Easy upgrade, I didn't get a discount coupon. I got the Mercalli Easy through the German mini-site, then went to the full Mercalli site and upgraded there. I paid about $150 USD.

At the time (last month) the discount was right on the face of the webpage down in the lower right:



Maybe that has changed?

Oh PS. The V2 Pro is the Plug-in + V2 SAL. I didn't install the SAL because it wanted K-Lite Codec and I didn't want to install that. I'm just using the plug-in and it meets my needs.