Pre-recorded 8mm film on VCR

RoodyJ wrote on 4/26/2005, 4:32 PM
I've searched the archives and found that most recommendations are for the VirtualDub de-flicker filter to help improve a VCR recording of 8mm filmed fromn a screen. I have a slew of videos that have been done this way and I am looking for the 'best' (read fast with quality) method to clean-up the VCR tapes with Vegas. Unfortunately, the VD filter seems to have some limitations and doesn't interpolate between frames to make the flicker smoother or disappeared. Has anyone worked on this problem for long enough to make some workable recommendations? Sure would like to have your ideas on what methods/software/filter add-ons work best.

Jim

Comments

John_Cline wrote on 4/26/2005, 5:03 PM
Check out the VirtualDub "deflicker" filter from the MSU Video Group. In fact, MSU has quite a few interesting VD filters, most of them will run from within Vegas using Satish's WAX plugin. (Although, I don't know for certain that WAX works in Vegas 6 yet.)

MSU Video Group

John
RalphM wrote on 4/26/2005, 6:21 PM
Jim,

I have not used the VD deflicker filter for a few years, but it did work pretty well. It was not fast however. I assume that the transfers were initially made to VHS although that is not stated.

It is possible that you also have some auto gain "pumping" going on from the original capture as well, which may introduce some additional flicker that will be harder to eliminate.

I recall that there was some residual flicker effects on the bright areas after the VD filter, but it was not really too bad.

8mm was a very grainy film, and if it was a VHS transfer, you have all the video noise added to the image. It's going to take some cleanup work to get a good image.

As a shameless plug, if you find that it's not going to measure up, I'd be happy to quote a price for transfer to miniDV if you still have the original films.

RalphM
RoodyJ wrote on 4/26/2005, 8:06 PM
Sorry, but the luxury of having the original 8mm tapes is not mine. Thes were taken nearly 33 years ago and transferred to VHS by someone. Just trying to 'clean them up' to the best that I can. Thanks for the offer
John_Cline wrote on 4/26/2005, 8:43 PM
RalphM,

If it was a few years ago, I'm pretty sure that you were using Donald Graft's deflicker filter. The MSU deflicker filter works much better.

John
RalphM wrote on 4/27/2005, 6:41 PM
You're right, it was Donald Graft's version. Have not had much use for the deflicker filter since I bought/built some speed synchronous transfer machines.

Also, for the VHS tape issues, there is an interesting thread at

http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=218869&Replies=41&Page=1

that deals with reducing noise in the VHS capture. I tried it recently and it does seem to work.

RalphM