I am a relatively new user of this forum, and it has been a very enjoyable experience. So I am releasing this information here first...

After 10 years of experience with CG and 3D graphics programming Mente Magica released a new software application for color correction and "film-look":

tungsten|SOLID: CinemantiQ

Unlike other solutions, this is a stand alone application. The ease of use is unprecedented, due to a UI design that gives you instant feedback and many actively visual controls. You will be working on your own project in less than 5 minutes.

Aside from that, it is really fast when compared to some AfterEffects plugins or with manually created layered effects. (quick setup and quick rendering!)

Some features:

-Color correction (3-point histogram+hue, tint, saturation, RGB channels)
-Diffusion and Bloom simulation
-Bleach bypass physical simulation
-Gradient lens
-Simple noise reduction + grain
-Video block segmentation
-Preset library (more than 50 looks included and more coming)
-Smart fast deinterlace
-180° rotation for 35mm DOF adapter users
-Batch processing
-Pdf manual + flash tutorials
-Fast and affordable

You are invited to take a look at:

http://mentemagica.com

Here is the press release information: http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=64101

Also, there is an introductory offer of $99.99 USD for the first 99 sales. (Retail price is $350)

Comments, suggestions and questions welcome.

Okay Alan, I ve ordered and am downloading set up now.

Okay Alan, I ve ordered and am downloading set up now.

Excellent Chris. You may PM me if you have any particular questions.

These questions will be asked by others, I am sure, too, so here are some 1st Questions:

1. I m trying an HDV file. Is that going to work ?

2. How do I get to .pdf Manual and Flash training.

3. What are possible output selection in terms of file formats.

Comments: Interface looks pretty nice, now to see what we can make of it.

These questions will be asked by others, I am sure, too, so here are some 1st Questions:

1. I m trying an HDV file. Is that going to work ?.

For input, CinemantiQ should have no problem reading your HVD file provided you have the appropriate DirectShow codecs. For output you will need a type 2 codec, I do not know if the HDV codec you have is compatible with VfW and type 2 DV. Go to render movie and the Video tab will show all available codecs for output. Keep in mind that not all codecs support all kinds of resolution. For production work I usually recommend the HuffYUV codec for output since it is a lossless compressor that will preserve your video quality until the final encoding. You can find the HuffYUV codec here: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/HuffYUV.htm


2. How do I get to .pdf Manual and Flash training..

You can either find the PDF file in the installation directory or simply click on the Help menu to get to the reference guide. The Flash tutorials can be accessed through the PDF, or by manually opening the HTML files in the installation directory.


3. What are possible output selection in terms of file formats..

The output formats are AVI (supported codecs) and BMP, JPG, TGA sequences.


Comments: Interface looks pretty nice, now to see what we can make of it.

Thank you. I hope you can make cool stuff with it.

says that it has smart deinterlacer...does it also do the math to go to 24p?

says that it has smart deinterlacer...does it also do the math to go to 24p?

It doesn't do 24p conversion yet. But it is planned for the next version. The smart deinterlacing will just turn interlaced frames (2 fields) into "progressive" ones.

Ok, I bought a copy and have been playing with it for the last hour or so. Two things though. Even when I check off the Save Audio option, I'm not gettting any audio in the output file. For input and output I'm using the CineForm HD codec. Second, there's no 23.976 framerate output option. Other than that it seems like a really nice app. Good speed and nice, clean interface.

Joe

I found one more problem. The codec config panel doesn't appear even when I have the Show Codec Config Panel option checked. It doesn't matter what output codec I have selected.

Joe,

I will verify if there is an issue with the cineform audio stream, and add the 23.976 framerate option. (actually I believe that if you select 24 and your source is 23.976 it will preserve the source's 23.976)

Also will check on the codec configuration panel not showing, but I will need your machine specs and your cineform codec version. I have contacted you privately.

A new option for 23.976 frame rate has been added, and Cineform users should have no problems. Audio stream is recorded now and the codec configuration panel is displayed on request.

A new updated version is being sent to all customers.

Thank you Joe for letting us now.

Thanks for the superb support Alain. Gotta love indy developers :)

Joe

I shoot with a dvx100a will the software work well with 24p ?

is the software internal 8 bit processing ?
or can it process 10 & 16 bit if one has the codec's ?

Is the latest updates in the the software that you can download? I just bought and downloaded it and got to thinking about the updates. Thanks

Antony, I'll be able to answer your question shortly.

Don, 8-bit for the moment.

John, you got the updated version.

One thing, we cannot monitor the forums as closely as we would like, so if you email me directly we can provide a much faster response. The contact email is on the mentemagica.com webpage (or send email from the forum).

At some point this will deinterlace and go to 24fps, as per an earlier email. Will future updates/upgrades be free or will there be a charge? Thanks.

Is this software to be used on Mac or PC? I can't tell from the website...

Dare,

We are working, due to popular demand, on the 60i -> 24p conversion. So if all goes well it will be incorporated into this version of the software at no extra cost.

Marc,

This is PC Windows software, we will make some changes to the website to make it more clear (it currently states the system requirements at the bottom of the CinemantiQ page).

Thanks Alain for the quick reply.

Is there a Mac version in the works?

Alain,

I bought the software and tested some footage with it.
Awesome software and it's stable which is very important too.
Keep de presets coming please.

Is there a Mac version in the works?

Ditto....?

Alain,

I bought the software and tested some footage with it.
Awesome software and it's stable which is very important too.
Keep de presets coming please.

I agree. I just purchased the program and it's awesome!

Howdy...

Is there a way to change to 16x9 aspect ratio on the monitors? My cineform footage looks squished..

Thanks.

Ben

There is currently no plan for a Mac version. But it may change in the future.

Regarding the 16:9, there is no aspect ratio selection for the displays right now, but we will add that feature so there should be a free update in a couple of days.

Alain, I posted some footage which I finalized with your software on this link:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=64740

I have been getting some crazy renders on a file I tried to add one of the Presets to change color:

Questions, comments:

1. Prior to this, I had only rendered a to 30 FPS from interlaced. Am I accomplishing a 30p non-interlaced file when I do that ?

2. The recent render was on with softening, and sunset lighting. What I ended up with was a file with the the end at the beginning, and the video was chopped up within the frame.

3. The project I was working on had a 16:9 crop inside a 720x480 file. When I did do a successful render, it would be squished. When I rerendered using another codec, and selected 720x540, it seemed to render it in right aspect.

4. Does processor have some effect. I use a dual core 3800+ AMD processor.

5. Alain: I am curious, what setting do you use for a basic render of a file:

1. Yes, if you deinterlace an interlaced source and output to 30 fps, you are getting a 30p file.

2. Sounds like a codec issue. (emailing you privately)

3. When selecting crop 16:9, it should just add bars on top of the video. If you select Shrink 16:9, the it will squish the video down and add bars on the empty space left. (I will verify it nonetheless). Use crop when you shot 4:3 and you want to crop it to 16:9.

If you shot 16:9 and your source video is stretched up, then you should leave it alone since the 16:9 stretching should be a player setting (DVD player etc). The player is the one that will stretch the video and will introduce the letterboxing if needed.

If you want to produce a 4:3 version from the 16:9 shot, with the letterbox embedded (part of the frames) then you use the Shrink 16:9 mode.

Sounds confusing, so please drop me a note if you need further assistance.

4. I do not know, but processors should have no bearing here. I'll email you privately to seek out an answer.

5. I would select a lossless compressor like HuffYUV, leave default settings and render. I also render to DV with default settings (720x480, 30fps) but only as a very last step, since DV will introduce artifacts due to recompression.

Alain, I posted some footage which I finalized with your software on this link:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=64740

Marc, looks great! It's a tad heavy on the bloom on some areas but maybe that's what you wanted.

Well done.

I may start a repository for user created presets.

Yes the bloom was to add a moody smokey fat look.

I downloaded this, and it looks somewhat difficult to use. I haven't really looked at the manual, so that could explain it. I hope it's easier once I read through over the manual.

Tom:

I was one of first to download, and to start, best way to go is start up, load a video you want to adjust color on, pick one of the many presets available, and see what happens in the before and after frames on the preset window. Not much more to basic aspects than that. Later, you can choose output codecs, and try developing your own presets-- as you become more accomplished.

I downloaded this, and it looks somewhat difficult to use. I haven't really looked at the manual, so that could explain it. I hope it's easier once I read through over the manual.

It is really simple actually. If you don't want to mess with anything just open the preset library and select a preset. And you are done. Just render the movie.
It is much easier than working with a compositing application like AfterEffects.

There are flash tutorials that will show you how to use the software in a few minutes.

Really, don't be afraid, CinemantiQ is probably the most intuitive software of its kind. Plus, I am here to help :)

How long before 24p conversion is completed as part of the package? Thanks.

How long before 24p conversion is completed as part of the package? Thanks.

We are trying to get it ready for release next week.

by the way it would be great if you had an alternative option to pay other than paypal. i am using my business amex and paypal does not seem to accept it. just an fyi. thanks!

Demo Version?

We will have an alternative purchase option once we finalize things with dealership.

A demo is coming as well, right after the release of the new 60i to 24p option (which is pretty much done).

Will the demo be a full-demo? Or just allow us to use only a few presets and functions?

Will the demo be a full-demo? Or just allow us to use only a few presets and functions?

The demo will have pretty much full functionality. It will just have a few limits to prevent using the demo for real production (watermark, etc).

HuffYUV codec here: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/HuffYUV.htm

I downloaded & installed this codec, rebooted, yet it still won't play in WM or Divx. I get the FOUR CC error code HFYU message. Anyone know a fix?

Alain,

I bought a copy of the software and was wondering if you could provide a future upgrade to read files encoded with Quicktime or in a Quicktime container. I do most of my editing on the Mac and network the files over to this computer to be processed with your software.

Any help you can give here would be appreciated.

regards,

-gb-

HuffYUV codec here: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/HuffYUV.htm

I downloaded & installed this codec, rebooted, yet it still won't play in WM or Divx. I get the FOUR CC error code HFYU message. Anyone know a fix?

Well...from the website you linked to:
"- One of our visitors reported bugs in HuffYUV 2.2.0: The new version 2.2.0 is one big bug. It just does not work at all. Opening the resulting AVI file always crashes Windows Explorer... It may work on some peopls PC's but not on mine (Win XP) and a lot of other people dont use the newer version either because it doesn't work."

Guys:

I try rendering a small file first. Like 30 seconds at most. I have been having problems with CinemantiQ rendering lengthy files. Small files work with HUFFYUV, but not large files. The Panosonic renders a more lengthy file, but it too, will have problems once size is too big. The people at CinemantiQ said they are looking at it, but I notice that I have problems with most files exceeding 2 Gigs in size. Of course my first thought was that I had inadvertantly formatted hard drive as FAT 32, but I checked and that is not true. I have no problem huge files with PPro.

I am hoping the next upgrade will resolve that issue, along with providing the 24p rendering requested by some.

Greg, We will look into QT.

Alex, thank you for pointing this out. I will look to see if there is a patch for the HuffYUV codec out there.

As Chris mentions we have a couple cases where people are having problems rendering lengthy files. Because we have only received 2 reports of this problem, it makes it difficult to pin point the issue. We are working on it! And also looking into a new avi rendering engine. We may test this engine with the people that are having this problem to see if it fixes it.

The new 24p option has seen some changes and we are adding more functionality before the release. We have added a deinterlacing/24p adjustment screen so that the user can tweak and test the options in real time without having to render the video.

We will keep you posted of all progress.

Well...from the website you linked to:
"- One of our visitors reported bugs in HuffYUV 2.2.0: The new version 2.2.0 is one big bug. It just does not work at all. Opening the resulting AVI file always crashes Windows Explorer... It may work on some peopls PC's but not on mine (Win XP) and a lot of other people dont use the newer version either because it doesn't work."

Ah good catch there, my oversight. I did have some luck with very small files, but larger files just won't play for me.

Hello Alain,

I'm very interested in your product. Do you plan to support 10-Bit files in the near future?

-Geoff Murillo

How would compare your product to Synthetic Aperture? Besides cost?

Hello All,

The update has taken a bit longer than expected due to the incorporation of a new AVI writing engine. It was a decision we had to make and we decided that it would make sense to introduce it along with the new 24p feature. We are doing the final integration steps.

Geoff, we don't have a date set for support for 10bit files yet.

Joe, I do not know much about synthetic apperture. I assume you are talking about their Color Finnesse product. It looks like a dedicated and advanced color correction application. CinemantiQ's aim is different. CinemantiQ is focused on ease of use and the emulation of certain visual aspects of what has come to be known as "the film look", including color correction, diffusion filters, and soon a 24p converter.

If you are after an advanced color correction system, and know how to operate such a beast, go with Color Finnesse by all means. I would have to say though that not many people need it or know how to take advantage of it. Colorists earn good money for a reason :)