rendering older media for contemporary applications

Queenie wrote on 10/12/2021, 5:49 PM

Hi, I shot a bunch of video on mini DVs between 2001-2007 using a Sony Digital Video Camera Recorder (model DCR-TRV17). They were transferred onto my Windows PC as AVI files. I began the first phase of editing in 2008 with Sony Vegas Pro 8.0, rendering them as AVIs with the following modified “NTSC DV” template:

Audio: 32,000 Hz, 12 Bit, Stereo
Video: 29.97 fps, 720 X 480
Pixel Aspect Ratio: 0.909
NTSC DV video files compatible with Sony Video Capture
Video rendering quality: Best
In the “Video” tab, the settings were changed from 48 hz (16 bit) to 32 hz (12 bit) to match the camcorder setting.

In these first renders, I have noticed a big discrepancy in the volume between the source AVIs and the rendered AVIs, with the rendered clips being much more muted.

I am now re-visiting this project & am using Sony Vegas Pro 14.0 (upgraded in 2017) on a Windows 10 Pro, 64-bit PC. My goal is to render them as MP4s and/or AVIs for Internet uploads (website, YouTube, etc.), with maximum clarity (video and audio). I have watched many YouTube tutorial videos on the supposed best “Render As” options, but have yet to find the winning combo. Several tutorials recommended the following modified Sony AVC/MVC template (used for creating the highest quality 16:9 file suitable for uploading to Internet sites):

Audio: 128 Kbps, 48,000 Hz, 32 Bit, Stereo, AAC
Video: 59.940 fps, 1920x1080 Progressive, YUV, 16 Mbps
Pixel Aspect Ratio: 1.000
Video rendering quality: Best

In Properties:

Deinterlace method: None
Resample mode: Disabled
“Adjust source media to better match project or render settings”: Unchecked

The few videos I rendered with these settings are very pixelated, and there is an audible buzz.

I am hoping that someone here has had great success rendering older media for contemporary applications. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

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Comments

Musicvid wrote on 10/22/2021, 12:37 PM

I'm not getting any hum here . . .

BTW, I'm always impressed by accomplished musicianship -- in this case probably self taught. He even does some circular breathing on sustained notes.

Queenie wrote on 10/22/2021, 1:16 PM

The buzz I'm hearing does seem to be quieter on the video I uploaded to YouTube... I am attaching the original video for this upload. The buzz is much more pronounced (e.g., between 0.00-6.00).

Queenie wrote on 10/22/2021, 1:20 PM

Musicvid, You wouldn't believe the musicians I had the honor of working with and recording--most in their 70s and 80s and taught through oral traditions!

john_dennis wrote on 10/22/2021, 2:43 PM

@Queenie

SWAG

You may be mistaking the drone from sympathetic resonances on certain notes for hum. This could be caused by mic, camera, room resonance, etc. Clue: to me it completely disappears when the playing stops.

/SWAG

What say you, @Musicvid ?

Musicvid wrote on 10/22/2021, 5:16 PM

@Queenie To upload actual samples here, you need to use Drive or Dropbox via a link.

If you upload video to the forum, it gets processed (mangled) just the same as if you had uploaded it to Youtube.

@john_dennis One thing I noticed was a little "combination tone" activity going on between the pipe openings and vocal chords -- if so it is quite intentional..

Queenie wrote on 10/22/2021, 5:32 PM

Thank you, Musicvid. Shall I try sending it again via a Google Drive link?

The buzzing I'm hearing sounds more electrical- or electronics-related, than organic...

Musicvid wrote on 10/22/2021, 6:32 PM

Upload the original file to Google Drive and share the link here. I'm really getting to old to listen for this stuff, so give me a short time range to do some waveform analysis.

Musicvid wrote on 10/22/2021, 6:53 PM

You know, Queenie, assuming you are younger than either @john_dennis or me (a pretty safe bet), you may be hearing Q-noise* from the 32k sample rate, which is below Nyquist. Unfortunately, you can't unbake that cake; Izotope may give a little relief.

*Quantization noise

Queenie wrote on 10/23/2021, 11:11 AM

I am attempting to share the source video via this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k2SJ9ZdDWXDcr8GIa8QeN4XdWJqaiXjy/view?usp=sharing

Musicvid, the first 6 seconds is a good example of the buzz I'm hearing. I want you (& all the others) to know just how much I have appreciated your generosity.

Musicvid wrote on 10/24/2021, 12:37 AM

Well, I can hear it now. It's a little hum from the camera motor itself, or possibly an AC appliance.

You can apply notch filters at the fundamental and 1st overtone, you can apply a little judicious noise reduction, or you can do as I would -- nothing.

adis-a3097 wrote on 10/24/2021, 6:46 AM

Any other, stringed, instruments laying around in the room?

Think I hear a string resonance...

Queenie wrote on 10/24/2021, 11:29 AM

Musicvid, Perhaps I'll spend a little time experimenting with noise reduction filters, but ultimately, I'm happy with this clip as is--it's real, it's Life, and Petar's beautiful virtuosity surely trumps any intermittent buzzing. I just thought if it was an easy fix to clean up, I would give it a go.

Adis-a3097, No strings were laying around.

Again, thanks to all!