Best way to simulate Betacam SP "grey lines" (Guard Band Noise)? at DVinfo.net

Jack Zhang · November 8th, 2007, 01:52 AM

Here is my problem...

I need a good Betacam SP "grey bar" simulator since my project is HD and I don't have a Beta SP deck.

When rewinding, pausing, or fast-forwarding a Betacam SP tape, the grey line effect is one that I absolutely admire and would love as a VFX plugin or whatever plugin. Does such a plugin that accurately simulates these grey lines exist or does it need to be made first or do I have to capture from a real deck to achieve full authenticity (which definitely is not possible for me)?

I'm running Sony Vegas 7.0e.

Edit: After a little bit of research, What I'm trying to simulate is correctly known as "guard band noise".

http://www.matrixav.com/images/betacam_faq_gray.gif

Anyway to simulate this as of yet?

Alex Sprinkle · November 8th, 2007, 09:39 AM

I honestly don't really know what that means, as I've never used Beta, but is there any way to have this projected? I know you can rig stuff like 8mm grain by projecting to a white screen, then "add"ing or "multiply"ing in the composite mode (FCP) or transfer mode (AE). Is this the same kind of thing?

Jack Zhang · November 8th, 2007, 05:00 PM

I took the image from this page:

http://www.matrixav.com/html/tech_info/betacam_faq.htm

Glenn Chan · November 8th, 2007, 05:17 PM

This is not the particular effect you're looking for, but what about doing that with VHS?

(Of course there's a different look there. But you probably have access to VHS.)

Jack Zhang · November 8th, 2007, 05:40 PM

I realize that effect can be done with VHS but our VHS machine will not generate a grey line but rather static missing video.

Plus the higher resolution of a VFX plugin would be more wise than a SD to HD transfer. I'm searching for a solution to this for HD projects yet still keep a high resolution (no upscaling of real SD Beta SP footage), I want to simulate analog jogging in HD with the grey lines.

November 8th, 2007, 01:52 AM	#1
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	Best way to simulate Betacam SP "grey lines" (Guard Band Noise)? Here is my problem... I need a good Betacam SP "grey bar" simulator since my project is HD and I don't have a Beta SP deck. When rewinding, pausing, or fast-forwarding a Betacam SP tape, the grey line effect is one that I absolutely admire and would love as a VFX plugin or whatever plugin. Does such a plugin that accurately simulates these grey lines exist or does it need to be made first or do I have to capture from a real deck to achieve full authenticity (which definitely is not possible for me)? I'm running Sony Vegas 7.0e. Edit: After a little bit of research, What I'm trying to simulate is correctly known as "guard band noise". http://www.matrixav.com/images/betacam_faq_gray.gif Anyway to simulate this as of yet?

November 8th, 2007, 09:39 AM	#2
Alex Sprinkle Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 408	I honestly don't really know what that means, as I've never used Beta, but is there any way to have this projected? I know you can rig stuff like 8mm grain by projecting to a white screen, then "add"ing or "multiply"ing in the composite mode (FCP) or transfer mode (AE). Is this the same kind of thing?

November 8th, 2007, 05:00 PM	#3
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	I took the image from this page: http://www.matrixav.com/html/tech_info/betacam_faq.htm

November 8th, 2007, 05:17 PM	#4
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	This is not the particular effect you're looking for, but what about doing that with VHS? (Of course there's a different look there. But you probably have access to VHS.)

November 8th, 2007, 05:40 PM	#5
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	I realize that effect can be done with VHS but our VHS machine will not generate a grey line but rather static missing video. Plus the higher resolution of a VFX plugin would be more wise than a SD to HD transfer. I'm searching for a solution to this for HD projects yet still keep a high resolution (no upscaling of real SD Beta SP footage), I want to simulate analog jogging in HD with the grey lines.