The VirtualDubQuestions Topic... codecs/filters/???

FuTz wrote on 3/29/2005, 8:35 AM
I'll give a try at VirtualDub after reading about the Deshaker app and I got a few questions for you out there who've been using it for a while...

--What codec do you use to render your files? They suggest, amongst others, the Huffyuv codec (a lossless one) OR to go AVI lossless, which will occupy 90Gb/hour of video instead of 13Gb/hour of compressed video...
Got any other solution that I may have missed?

--I'll process a lot of low-light shot clips, therefore I've been looking at some Denoise filters... I know ther's no miracles to it but I still want to use this filter with mild settings to help match my shots with other shots correctly exposed.
I'm thinking about the MSU Denoise filter. Any of you guys used it? Any alternative solution? (I run on Intel P4... not AMD)

--With these same low-light clips, I've seen a Smart Brightness-Contrast filter that seems to make quite a good job. MSU again makes this filter. Is it worth a try from your experience with this filter (if any of you used it of course...) ?

Thanks in advance for any input concerning these questions... : )

Comments

Jøran Toresen wrote on 3/29/2005, 9:05 AM
Hello

You can download the free Panasonic DV codec, which is recognised by VirdualDub. Personally I’ve purchased the MainConcept DV codec, which is also recognised by VirtualDub. I use the MainConsept DV codec because of the high quality video it produces and because I can configure it both to render 4:3 and 16:9 video. The free Panasonic DV codec can only process 4:3 video.

I use the noise reduction filter in TMPGEnc 3.0 Xpress. This filter both performs spatial and temporal noise reduction and I’m very pleased with the results. I usually employ the default settings for spatial and temporal intensity, but spesify widest noise detection area and longest noise reduction range. I export my footages as (DV) AVI using the MainConsept DV codec.

Joran, Norway
DGrob wrote on 3/29/2005, 9:20 AM
I'll echo the MainConcept DV endorsement. Frankly, I'm using it all over the place to export *.avi for use in Vegas. Darryl
RichMacDonald wrote on 3/29/2005, 9:22 AM
>--What codec do you use to render your files?

I've used Huffyuv lossless, AVI lossless and the Panasonic DV codec. The AVI lossless created a 90GB file that bought Vegas to its knees so I don't do this anymore. (Note: Others have told me this shouldn't have occurred, so YMMV.) The Huffyuv and Panasonic are ok but do cause a color shift, so I wind up correcting them back in Vegas. Not hard to do.

>--I'll process a lot of low-light shot clips, therefore I've been looking at some Denoise filters

Me too. Don't bother with VirtualDub then. Use the Mike Crash filters smart smoother and dynamic noise reductionthat work natively in Vegas. They're terrific. I add the dynamic noise filter first and bump it up until I see ghosting in the shot, then bring it back down. If this is sufficient, great. If not, I then add the smart smoother, but this significantly alters the picture. Not a bad effect in and of itself, but it is different from the original.
Kanst wrote on 3/29/2005, 10:53 AM
Another way:
You can try to use external VirtualDub plugins in Vegas.
Debugmode developed PluginPack Adapter for Vegas4.
It's still work 50/50 in Vegas5
Note: using it you can't save VDub plugin presets, but try to save as Adapter preset in Vegas FX chainer (just like using Pixelan SM2.5 demo)
P.S. All MSU filters work with PluginPack Adapter
FuTz wrote on 3/29/2005, 12:51 PM
thanks a lot guys. I'm gonna check all the options.
Probably will go with Mainconcept if the other codec happens to be a pain...

Rich: I forgot about these Mike Crash filters...! OOps ! got those on my old machine.. o_O ! I re-installed them on my newer one. Thanks for pointing out !
KNever used these a lot but I guess it's gonna change from now!
Kanst: I went to your site (the link you left) (nice site!) . Ok, now I can't find the pack (my cyrillic is baaaad) and it's no more supported at Debugmode. "Spassiba very much" however ; ) ...
(are you from Moscow?)
FuTz wrote on 3/29/2005, 1:01 PM

Rich:
"The Huffyuv and Panasonic are ok but do cause a color shift, so I wind up correcting them back in Vegas. Not hard to do."

Have you tried using the Auto Levels plugin ? (Mike Crash)
johnmeyer wrote on 3/29/2005, 3:55 PM
I think I gave links to three encoders in the Deshaker guide itself: Huffyuv, MainConcept, and the free Panasonic. Mainconcept is the best tradeoff between size, quality, and compatibility (with Vegas).

As for denoise in VirtualDub. here are some links:

VirtualDub Filter Chain for VHS

Vegas Video Denoise for VHS

Using VirtualDub

Tom Pauncz wrote on 3/29/2005, 7:22 PM
I, too, have tried both the Pana and MC codecs with VDub. On comparison, I much prefer MC (even though Pana is free).
Cheers,
tom
FuTz wrote on 3/30/2005, 4:18 AM
johnmeyer: it's THAT article that led me to this solution... thanks ; )

John Cline, you're the king... : D
Jøran Toresen wrote on 3/30/2005, 4:39 AM
IN WHICH ORDER SHOULD ONE APPLY ENHANCEMENT FILTERS?

I have some low-light shot clips with a yellow colour cast and a huge amount of noise. Therefore I both have to correct colours and reduce noise.

My question is: should I fist correct colours and then reduce noise, or should I do it in the opposite order?

Joran
Kanst wrote on 3/30/2005, 10:26 AM
TO FuTz
Sorry, it was error in link.
New link for
DEBUGMODE PLUGINPACK ADAPTER
http://rapidshare.de/files/1066647/pluginpac.zip.html
or
http://kanst.mediatory.ru/vegases/pluginpac.zip

P.S.
I'm not from Moscow. I'm from little town on Volga (middle European part of Russia). Site with russian Vegas+DVD "Step-by-step" is my little hobby.
B_JM wrote on 3/30/2005, 11:21 AM
always reduce noise first