Has anyone tried this software to take out the shake in HDV footage?

Mercalli Version: 1.0

link: http://www.prodad.de/gb/mercalli_std_details.html

Cole have you used Mercalli software?

Okay, I just have to say that I was expecting to see some shots of horses in this thread :)

I need coffee.

Okay, I just have to say that I was expecting to see some shots of horses in this thread :)

I need coffee.

Try getting stable footage in a psych ward.

Cole have you used Mercalli software?

nope, just googled a link as there were none provided...I'm on a mac, the software seems to be a PC solution.

Cole thank you for the link.

Still looking to see if anyone has tried this software?

I will download the demo and take the time to check it out.

Cole,

If you don't have FCS 2 which has the very capable
Smoothcam, you might look into iStabilize.
I have not tested it deeply, and it certainly is not as
robust as Smoothcam, but it seems to have some
good possibilities.
Perhaps there are others who have tried it who
can speak about it in more detail.

David

Thanks for the recommendations. I got shake a while back and it fulfills all of my needs...in fact I think it's where they pulled the smoothcam and stabilizers from for FCS2. FCS1 doesn't have them, nor any of the optical flow stuff which came from Shake...it hit Compressor first in FCS1 for changing frame rates.

I download the expert version and seems to work good with my A1 footage. I'm using cineform and works good. It is providing more correction alternatives and better results than stadymove. I was comparing the same timeline with the two different filters.I will provide more details later. I'm in the midle of a Editing a wedding and I think that have some shaky footage to try this new plug. Price is awesome comparing the steaadymove price.

Purchased the expert version and it works well with Avid Liquid 7.2. Loads of options quick rendering and real time viewing all for $119.

I have to ask one question, though...

In the following clip - http://www.prodad.de/anim/mercalli/mercalli-paris-dakar.wmv - how did they manage to "stabilize" the one part where the jeep nearly goes all the way off the screen (about 1.5 seconds into it)...although in the stabilized version it doesn't...??

I've thought the same thing & was easy to conclude it's impossible. :)

Bill

Both clips of the jeep look to be the same size which leads me to the following. There is an option in Mercalli that lets you zoom in when rendering so you remove the blurred out edges after stabilization. I bet the clip on the left is cropped so it looks the same size as the stabilized clip on the right which Mercalli cropped while rendering. If you are staying in HDV for out put it will show a resolution loss. But if you go from HDV to SD with the stabilized clip it is very hard to see the resolution loss. I am still very new to the software but this would be my best guess to answer your question. This option is only in the expert version.

Im using the Expert Version with PP CS3 on a Matrox Rt.x2 system and I am getting some strange effects when using the Mercalli plugin. I am getting what looks like motion blur in various spots on the video when in the original there is none. I am wondering if it might be some conflict with matrox codec or something.

I am using HDV footage from my XH-A1, Any suggestions?

Steve

Steve do you see the bar to the right of the rendering screen go red? I think it has to stay green or you run into problems with blurred sections that it can't smooth out. I had the same problem and realized the clip just had too much motion.

Steve do you see the bar to the right of the rendering screen go red? I think it has to stay green or you run into problems with blurred sections that it can't smooth out. I had the same problem and realized the clip just had too much motion.

Paul,

The little green bar on the lower right of the screen never turns red and it doesn't go above 1/4 the way up maximum, so I dont really think its because too much movement. Im just trying to smooth out a little shake while using my monopod because I accidently had the in-camera stabilization turned off.

Thats why I was curious, there is noticable blurryness and abberations even though I am not having the program resize the image. Are you keeping the same quailty resolution when using HDV footage?

Thanks

What settings are you using?

I am away from my editing machine so I don't know the exact settings. The settings I remember are the NTSC top field first, on the pull down options up top I use the third down that says (intense rendering), then in the bottom right I choose upscale to remove border. I can check all the settings in detail tomorrow.

I have not delivered HDV with Marcalli used on the clips. I have delivered HDV down converted to DVD and the results were excellent. This coming week I am looking into how much is lost in HD.

What settings are you using?

I am away from my editing machine so I don't know the exact settings. The settings I remember are the NTSC top field first, on the pull down options up top I use the third down that says (intense rendering), then in the bottom right I choose upscale to remove border. I can check all the settings in detail tomorrow.

I have not delivered HDV with Marcalli used on the clips. I have delivered HDV down converted to DVD and the results were excellent. This coming week I am looking into how much is lost in HD.


Paul,

I have used both the HDV upper field first and the Premiere CS3 setting, I also use the 3rd down (intensive). I also have used all of the different border settings to the same effect. (sporatic blurryness ect.) I am monitoring the output via a 23" LCD samsung so the effect is quite pernounced. If you are not noticing any loss of resolution or some weird motion blur effect, I wonder what the problem could be.

Are you applying the effect to HDV then rendering and downconverting to DV or are you applying the Mercalli to the DV that was downconverted? Yes if you find out any info on resolution loss on HDV in your tests let me know.

Steve,

Still out of the office on a shoot and it looks like I will not be at the editing machine till tomorrow afternoon.

I do edit HDV then add the effect prior to rendering out to DVD.

Will look into it more and let you know what I find.

Steve,

Still out of the office on a shoot and it looks like I will not be at the editing machine till tomorrow afternoon.

I do edit HDV then add the effect prior to rendering out to DVD.

Will look into it more and let you know what I find.


Thanks Paul.

Prodad's new Mercalli is great.

Here is a 1280/720 wmv before and after underwater shot straight out of an EDIUS HDV timeline.

BEFORE
http://www.hdvunderwater.com/prodad/shaky2a.wmv

AFTER
http://www.hdvunderwater.com/prodad/shaky2.wmv

So easy and very quick to use.

Steve,

Here are my settings.
Profiles: Precise Image stabilization (intensive rendering)
Video-Format: Top Field First (NTSC)
Compare View: Final Result
Motion Detection: max at more valid
Important picture area: Neutral
Special Video Analysis: Detect Fast Motions
Particular Distinguishing Characteristics: Also detect object contours
Camera Stabilization: Smooth
Camera balance: In balance
Camera Motion: Also tilt compensation
Border area: Without Border (upscale) Min

After looking at Paul's clip and looking at many on my timeline with Mercalli it does soften the clips in HDV. If there is too much motion I can see blurred sections. But for $119 it seems well worth the money. Nothing beats stable footage off the camera.

I noticed the same thing in some clips of my timeline. I guess that is just matter of find a happy mid of stabilization vs picture quality. For the price I don't mind since there is not too many filter options out there.

I noticed the same thing in some clips of my timeline. I guess that is just matter of find a happy mid of stabilization vs picture quality. For the price I don't mind since there is not too many filter options out there.

I was just wondering If I was crazy or not, everyone else had great things to say about it, I wondered if I had a problem. I still bought it, because your right its the only thing out really... and its not terrible. The only thing I dont like is that there is no 1-800 for tech support you have to wait for an overseas email for correspondance.

Thanks for your tests and input fellas!


Steve

Prodad's new Mercalli is great.

Here is a 1280/720 wmv before and after underwater shot straight out of an EDIUS HDV timeline.

Based on how it handles your footage, it looks like it does an amazing job and really not overly pricey either. Thanks