Noise or a compression problem?.... at DVinfo.net

Phil Dexter · October 24th, 2008, 09:18 AM

Just received my XL H1A and have recorded some random things, both in manual and auto mode. However I seem to be getting horrible results. I've attached some pictures.

Setup is HD
25F
Gain Odb or +3db at most on some shots.
shutter 1/50

I've tested in both low and bright situations, not sure what I should do. Am I meant to see some noise even in a brightly lit living room? I seem to be seeing both compression as well as noise together but I'm not sure.

Hope you can help.

Thanks
Phil

Louis Maddalena · October 24th, 2008, 09:43 AM

I get noise too, and I haven't been able to find a setting where I don't have it. I do find its less when in brightly lit conditions, but I can notice it even when conditions are perfect.

Herman Van Deventer · October 24th, 2008, 10:36 AM

Phil,

Page 73 - XLH1 manual :

-3 dB Gain - For the lowest noise recording for indoor, low light or low contrast scenes.

My Chainsaw is permanently set to -3dB.

Phil Dexter · October 24th, 2008, 04:27 PM

Thanks for the replies. I've since turned the gain down to -3db, which has helped, I also reset the camcorder, which also helped. Is there anything else you guys can recommend for reducing noise?

I'd be interested to see what others are using as their settings. I haven't tried using the Noise Reduction feature, would this be worth using at all with -3db of gain?

Thanks guys, really appreciate you help.

Phil

John Richard · October 24th, 2008, 04:48 PM

Couple Items in the Custom Presets Menu:

1. You can experiment with "Coring" The manual will tell you what that is for

2. Noise Reduction (1 or 2 - I forget at the moment which one introduces ghosting/trailing image with any movement)

Best advice to a new H1 user is to learn about the Custom Presets ... and learn how to download the wonderful Custom Presets that some very sharp people on this forum took the time to work up and Chris Hurd's efforts to catalog them for us. I especially recommend Steve Dempsey's "Panalook" custom presets.

Robert Sanders · October 24th, 2008, 05:56 PM

Yes, Dempsey's "Panalook" is an ideal oft-used preset.

However, the expectation that this is somehow a "noise free" camera is not reasonable. All 1/3" chip cameras have a relatively high noise-floor. If you flirt with underexposure (like the frames posted) you're going to get noise in the image. Most people concur that Canon's noise characteristics are the most pleasing of the lot. But it can be a noisy bitch sometimes.

Personally I'd rather over-exposure the image slightly and risk burnt out highlights than under-exposure the image and lift all that noise up.

My two pence.

Rob

Phil Dexter · October 24th, 2008, 06:18 PM

Thanks ever so much chaps! I'm currently trying to get some of the custom presets onto the camera. For some reason I can't seem to load them. I've initialized the card in the XL H1A and copied the files all ending in .CPF to the PRESET folder on the SD card. But when I load them into the camera and go to the customize section, the files read as DATA ERR, and the EXECUTE icon is not highlighted to select. I'm using a mac too, if that helps.

I'm getting close, lol....

I don't need to put the camera into any specific mode I do? I'm just selecting Manual mode and then attempting to load files from the card.

I'm guessing these files should work with the XL H1A and not just the XL H1 right?

My head really hurts :)

Phil

Herman Van Deventer · October 25th, 2008, 01:35 AM

Phil ,

Just make sure that the folder on the card is - PRESET - all capp's - and not PRESETS, presets,preset.

Phil Dexter · October 25th, 2008, 11:54 AM

Thanks Herman. Well, I've managed to load the PANALOOK preset after deleting the others off the card, and it looks great, being colourblind I'm not entirely sure what it's done, but the contrast looks really nice.

I'll try copying the remaining presets tonight :)

The footage is looking really great in Final Cut when I preview it full screen via video out, things look good. What settings would you guys recommend for exporting at the highest quality? I've tried a few exporting options but compression becomes a major problem, and ultimately doesn't look as good as it does in FC.

Thanks so much for your helps guys! Can't thank you enough.

Phil

October 24th, 2008, 09:18 AM	#1
Phil Dexter New Boot Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK Posts: 7	Noise or a compression problem?.... Just received my XL H1A and have recorded some random things, both in manual and auto mode. However I seem to be getting horrible results. I've attached some pictures. Setup is HD 25F Gain Odb or +3db at most on some shots. shutter 1/50 I've tested in both low and bright situations, not sure what I should do. Am I meant to see some noise even in a brightly lit living room? I seem to be seeing both compression as well as noise together but I'm not sure. Hope you can help. Thanks Phil Attached Thumbnails

October 24th, 2008, 04:27 PM	#4
Phil Dexter New Boot Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK Posts: 7	re Thanks for the replies. I've since turned the gain down to -3db, which has helped, I also reset the camcorder, which also helped. Is there anything else you guys can recommend for reducing noise? I'd be interested to see what others are using as their settings. I haven't tried using the Noise Reduction feature, would this be worth using at all with -3db of gain? Thanks guys, really appreciate you help. Phil

October 24th, 2008, 05:56 PM	#6
Robert Sanders Starway Pictures Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Studio City Posts: 581	Yes, Dempsey's "Panalook" is an ideal oft-used preset. However, the expectation that this is somehow a "noise free" camera is not reasonable. All 1/3" chip cameras have a relatively high noise-floor. If you flirt with underexposure (like the frames posted) you're going to get noise in the image. Most people concur that Canon's noise characteristics are the most pleasing of the lot. But it can be a noisy bitch sometimes. Personally I'd rather over-exposure the image slightly and risk burnt out highlights than under-exposure the image and lift all that noise up. My two pence. Rob __________________ http://www.starwaypictures.com http://starwaypictures.blogspot.com/

October 24th, 2008, 06:18 PM	#7
Phil Dexter New Boot Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK Posts: 7	re Thanks ever so much chaps! I'm currently trying to get some of the custom presets onto the camera. For some reason I can't seem to load them. I've initialized the card in the XL H1A and copied the files all ending in .CPF to the PRESET folder on the SD card. But when I load them into the camera and go to the customize section, the files read as DATA ERR, and the EXECUTE icon is not highlighted to select. I'm using a mac too, if that helps. I'm getting close, lol.... I don't need to put the camera into any specific mode I do? I'm just selecting Manual mode and then attempting to load files from the card. I'm guessing these files should work with the XL H1A and not just the XL H1 right? My head really hurts :) Phil

October 25th, 2008, 11:54 AM	#9
Phil Dexter New Boot Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK Posts: 7	re Thanks Herman. Well, I've managed to load the PANALOOK preset after deleting the others off the card, and it looks great, being colourblind I'm not entirely sure what it's done, but the contrast looks really nice. I'll try copying the remaining presets tonight :) The footage is looking really great in Final Cut when I preview it full screen via video out, things look good. What settings would you guys recommend for exporting at the highest quality? I've tried a few exporting options but compression becomes a major problem, and ultimately doesn't look as good as it does in FC. Thanks so much for your helps guys! Can't thank you enough. Phil

October 24th, 2008, 09:43 AM	#2
Louis Maddalena Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NYC Area. Posts: 550	I get noise too, and I haven't been able to find a setting where I don't have it. I do find its less when in brightly lit conditions, but I can notice it even when conditions are perfect.

October 24th, 2008, 10:36 AM	#3
Herman Van Deventer Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: cape town South-Africa Posts: 251	Phil, Page 73 - XLH1 manual : -3 dB Gain - For the lowest noise recording for indoor, low light or low contrast scenes. My Chainsaw is permanently set to -3dB.

October 24th, 2008, 04:48 PM	#5
John Richard Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Incline Village, Nevada Posts: 604	Couple Items in the Custom Presets Menu: 1. You can experiment with "Coring" The manual will tell you what that is for 2. Noise Reduction (1 or 2 - I forget at the moment which one introduces ghosting/trailing image with any movement) Best advice to a new H1 user is to learn about the Custom Presets ... and learn how to download the wonderful Custom Presets that some very sharp people on this forum took the time to work up and Chris Hurd's efforts to catalog them for us. I especially recommend Steve Dempsey's "Panalook" custom presets.

October 25th, 2008, 01:35 AM	#8
Herman Van Deventer Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: cape town South-Africa Posts: 251	Phil , Just make sure that the folder on the card is - PRESET - all capp's - and not PRESETS, presets,preset.