NEW NewBlue Video Stabilizer

JJKizak wrote on 2/22/2010, 4:46 AM

Where are they hiding the "trial demo" button? Never mind. I jumped through about 10 hoops to find it. Not a good sign.

JJK

vtxrocketeer wrote on 2/22/2010, 5:55 AM

"Agreed, so is it possible that NewBlue isn't the problem? Just like Vegas works on some systems and not others. Therefore, one is left with the idea that it must be an individual configuration issue."

Possible, yes. As to probability, it is the very first (and to date the only) plugin or scrap of software that hasn't worked for me. I even have other NB fx installed, and they work fine.

Hrrmm. Maybe I'll give the demo another shot, perhaps this time with the 64-bit compatible plugin (for 8.1).

Rory Cooper wrote on 2/22/2010, 6:45 AM

Remember if you select analyze and the visual analyze tecno grid disappears NB Stabilizer will still be doing the analyze in the background

This will also apply If you have a few instances on the timeline and all of a sudden the grid disappears.

I know NB is working on this

Tom Pauncz wrote on 2/22/2010, 6:53 AM

I am starting to think that the problems some of us are seeing are Vegas 9 related.

Tried the MJPEG vid file that wouldn't work on 9.0c with 8.0c and no problem.

I then tried a regular SD AVI file with 9.0c again a variety of ways and the results are anything but consistent or repeatable.

1. Two clips butted up - first at 0.0 OK, second would not stabilize
2. Same two clips, but moved second along a bit on t/l - OK
3. Removed FX from second clip, added it back, same pos on t/l - wouldn't stabilize.
4. Shut down Vegas, restarted with same clips - couldn't duplicate above.

Hmmmm....

Tom

Tom Pauncz wrote on 2/22/2010, 6:56 AM

Rory,

Have never seen the grid on the preview disappear. When I say that stabilize didn't work, I mean that the "Analyzing" pop-up window comes up mometarily and then shuts down, still showing the "Analysis Required" over the preview window.

Tom

Rory Cooper wrote on 2/22/2010, 7:04 AM

Apologies Tom that’s exactly what I was referring to

I had the same problem when testing it out just before the release and I couldn’t replicate it on demand. So I was a bit confused as to what was happening

Sometimes the pop up might disappear after a few frames of analyzing, this is all related to the same issue

Rory

Rory Cooper wrote on 2/22/2010, 7:19 AM

Tom When stabilizing some clips it can help to reduce detail by adding threshold fx on to the clip first .this will give hard edges and shapes to stabilize. When stabilize is complete remove threshold

In NB Stabilize I don’t see threshold applied the clip it looks normal but in comparison with the same clip without threshold applied I can see a difference so I assume it as stabilizing the clip with threshold on

Rory

PerroneFord wrote on 2/22/2010, 8:02 AM

"Comparisons overall.... Vdub is free but does a pretty bloody good job... but lots of hoops to jump to get it to go and extremely slow (too slow IMO to be of any serious value)."

Well, I'll go on record as disagreeing with this statement. The clips I stabilized for our recent movie director took a while to do, but he found it if TREMENDOUS value since the entire movie was shot hand-held. Every one of the stabilized version found their way into the final cut.

I've also used it on a number of other personal and corporate shots where I needed a dolly and didn't have one. Value to me was exceptional. I also like that VDub can leverage my rather powerful GPU which makes things go quite a bit faster.

To each their own I suppose.

farss wrote on 2/22/2010, 4:08 PM

if you buy it through Toolfarm.
Not that $5 is a huge discount but it's enough to buy a fishburg or a beer :)

Bob.

NewBlueFX wrote on 2/22/2010, 11:29 PM

Hi Tom,

We have a new version in test that addresses the file format issues that have come to our attention, typically resulting in the behavior you are seeing.

http://www.newbluefx.com/downloads/Windows/Beta/NewBlueStabilizerForWindowsSetup13.exe

This version also removes the need to click on the clip. We figured out a way to get around that!

Thanks,

Todor

Grazie wrote on 2/22/2010, 11:47 PM

Todor, still trying to get into NewBlueFX site.

Any ideas?

Grazie

Grazie wrote on 2/23/2010, 12:12 AM

Ah! Used FireFox, instead of IE; downloaded TRIAL and is installed.

Kicking tyres now . . ..

Grazie

NewBlueFX wrote on 2/23/2010, 6:22 AM

Sorry about the problems accessing the site. Last night, Westhost told us that they had an "accidental discharge of the fire suppression system" in the server farm and though our server was not directly hit, it seems to have caused rippling side issues.

It looks fine now. We'll be monitoring it all day,

Todor

Tom Pauncz wrote on 2/23/2010, 10:11 AM

Hello Todor,

Much improved - thanks for such quick turnaround on fixes.

All but the MJPEG issue, for me at least, has been solved on 9.0c.

The MJPEG behaviour has changed with the latest update.

Still cannot stabilize. It starts, progress window comes up, works for a 'bit', then closes down with "Analysis Required" still showing.

However, by chance, I muted the audio track and then the analysis phase seemingly went to completion, but at the end Vegas crashed with an unhandled exception. As long the audio was either muted or the track deleted, the crash is 100% reproducible on one system I tested.

If you want me to upload this file somewhere, email me privately via the forum.

Tom

update: tried on main editing system (see sys #1 specs in profile) and MJPEG analyzed fine, with or without the audio as mentioned above. One thing I did see is that on playback of 'analyzed' clip, the "Analysis Required" text appeared on the very last frame.

Byron K wrote on 2/23/2010, 10:59 AM

I wonder if New Blue can offer a discount to Vegas users for taking the time, providing all the feedback and troubleshooting their product. (:

This may be the only plug-in that I could use from them but NOT at $100.

Has anyone tried to uninstall the demo?

rs170a wrote on 2/23/2010, 11:19 AM

I wonder if New Blue can offer a discount to Vegas users ...

Would you settle for a special offer from NewBlue?
$100 and they give you NewBlue Audio Scrubbers ($60) free.

Mike

NewBlueFX wrote on 2/23/2010, 11:39 AM

Hello Tom,

Thanks for the feedback. We have isolated two extra issues (including that regretable crash) and have uploaded a new update with these fixes. These fixes just went live.

http://www.newbluefx.com/downloads/Windows/NewBlueStabilizerForWindowsSetup13.exe

See if it does fix for you. If not, then yes, I would like to take you up on your offer.

Thanks,

Todor

Tom Pauncz wrote on 2/23/2010, 12:11 PM

Hello Todor,

The MJPEG crash without audio is fixed, I am delighted to report, as is the ability to stabilize the test MJPEG clip with audio.

However, as per my previous 'update', the last frame of the analyzed MJPEG file still shows the blue text 'Analysis required'.

Otherwise, I can't reproduce any of the errors I have so far reported on either of the two systems.

Tom

edit: Sorry .. forgot to mention that on one system I was asked to restart Windows after installing this update, not on the other. Have not seen this before.

bsuratt wrote on 2/23/2010, 12:13 PM

<<Would you settle for a special offer from NewBlue?
$100 and they give you NewBlue Audio Scrubbers ($60) free.>>

How about $40. and leave the Audio Scrubbers off!

Value wise, this appears to be basically a simplified GUI for a VirtualDub-like Deshaker with no apparent improvement in quality of output.

Conversely, $99. for PluralEyes is a no-brainer must-have pliug-in for anyone doing multi-camera/multi audio track and is the only one of it's kind.

Comparatively, this seems overpriced.

I have no problem paying for good tools that help me be more productive. But plug-in developers should keep in mind that there is a huge amount of technology in the Vegas product itself at < $600.

When a plug-in or add-on approaches onefourth or one fifth the price of Vegas itself one has to consider the comparative value of what you are getting for your money.

Grazie wrote on 2/23/2010, 12:37 PM

I really do wish NB got their "wheels" to be operated by my own Rodent's Finger-wheel?

Grazie

JJKizak wrote on 2/23/2010, 2:42 PM

So why does the New Blue 64 bit Stabilizer install in program files (86) instead of program files? I thought all the 64 bit stuff was supposed to be in program files.
JJK

vtxrocketeer wrote on 2/23/2010, 4:05 PM

After reading a few posts about fixes, I decided to give the demo another shot, especially since I said I would. So, I just now reinstalled and gave NB Stabilizer a whirl on some HDV (60i) and HD (24p) material. It works! Very nice. I haven't tried the 64-bit version (yet), so as to make an apples-to-apples comparison with my previous but failed attempt to get the 32-bit demo to work.

Analysis went to completion, clips didn't have to start at 0.0 to analyze, and...well, I was truly impressed with the results. In one test clip, for instance, I actually shot locked down on a tripod on a cruise ship. Unfortunately, the engine vibration introduced jitter that I didn't notice during the shoot. I was pretty disappointed that my footage was ruined. NB Stabilizer completely erased the jitter. Way cool. I think I'll buy it now.

Since my previous posts were a bit critical, I wanted to make an effort to post back on my changed opinion. Nice job, NB.

-Steve

jrazz wrote on 2/23/2010, 7:17 PM

Todor,

Did you ever get my email with screen shots earlier on? I didn't hear anything back from you.

j razz

redpaw wrote on 2/24/2010, 5:07 AM

i'm just in the middle of project that's gonna require some stabilization... that's how i came across this thread.
so quickly downloaded the trial version and installed it to work with my vegas pro 9.0c. didnt have too much time to play with it yet, but it is very simple to use and i didnt notice any problems - works perfect! and the result (as i said didnt have time to play with setting yet - so i can imagine it might be improved even more) was more then descent! :)

the only thing i noticed is - the plug-in crashes when i try to 'analyze' the clip - but the preview window in in 'FX Bypassed' mode - it says:
failed analysis due to incompatibility between media format and project settings. please go to file->properties, set the project frame rate to 25 and try again.

(the project and media file are exact the same - just in case someone is wondering)

but as i said - with 'fx bypassed' off the plugin works like a charm!

....if it only was a little bit cheaper ;/