Post Processing Filter

ricric wrote on 4/24/2015, 7:04 AM
I enjoy watching old sci-fi movies from the 1950's but some, due to storage and the use of silver nitrate film stock have become somewhat degraded. is there a filter that I can use to improve the quality...?
I know how to improve a muddy video, but when the video isn't sharp, that's a challenge. I understand that the use of a 'post processing' filter will help do the trick, but I can't find one in Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11.0.
Please help.

Comments

musicvid10 wrote on 4/24/2015, 8:03 AM
Search posts by pro forum user johnmeyer.

There is no single filter that restores old film.
"'post processing' filter" means ANY filter that is applied AFTER the original. It is a 100% generic term that has no specific application to your question.

Safety film had pretty much replaced nitrate stock by the early 1950's.

ricric wrote on 4/24/2015, 9:05 AM
Perhaps I should have been a bit more specific..., Is there a "Post Processing" filter that will adjust the interpolation of a video file to help improve video quality?
I can't seem to find where it's at in Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11.0 (or) is there a different name for the filter that I should be looking for?
Since there's no 'single' filter..., is there a suite of filters specific to improving video quality?
musicvid10 wrote on 4/24/2015, 1:02 PM
You would need to upload a source sample somewhere so some of the gurus could take a look.
If by "interpolation" you mean its already hard-telecinned, you won't see much for your efforts.

Its possible to improve on the source, but if you're working with generational loss or processing, it is not possible to unbake the cake.

Seriously, take a look at johnmeyer's YouTube channel, keeping in mind that he does his own film transfers, which you should be doing from your own reels.
ricric wrote on 4/24/2015, 6:16 PM
No, I don't have access to any studio "reels"..., I am a hobbyist, I have video files like avi, mp4 or mkv to work with. As for any "generational loss", if you're talking loss of quality due to multiple duplication, I couldn't comment.

I notice that 'Big Video' companies like KINO or Criterion find ways to unbake the cake and produce beautiful 1080p copies of some of the old classics from the silent film era... For example "Nanook of the North 1922", how did they transform that nearly destroyed film to a crystal clear and pristine digital copy?

That's what I am talking about and that what I want to learn. You have been very helpful and I thank you!
musicvid10 wrote on 4/24/2015, 10:54 PM
"For example "Nanook of the North 1922", how did they transform that nearly destroyed film to a crystal clear and pristine digital copy?"Frame by frame from a physical reel.
And it's pre-1923, so anyone who has a reel and access to a transfer station can have a go at it.

Not so with the mid-century titles you have listed on your website.
You absolutely need to speak with an IP attorney before going forward, since you're distributing this stuff without license AND using downloaded source of unknown origin.

See this forum's Terms of Service, items 8 through 10, and best of luck.
I'm not an attorney, so please don't ask for further advice.
ricric wrote on 4/26/2015, 7:59 AM
These titles are in the public domain.
musicvid10 wrote on 4/26/2015, 8:27 AM
"These titles are in the public domain."That is total nonsense.

I'm picking up some red flags here, so I'll be done with this. Find some legal help as I've suggested, and stop making it tough on us.

ricric wrote on 5/4/2015, 5:05 PM
No problem..., didn't mean to offend, you have been very helpful.
Thank you.