DVFilm Maker 2.0 now shipping

[Chris Hurd]

Rec'd this from Marcus van Bavel a couple days ago -- I'm late putting it online, but here it is:

DVFILM MAKER 2.0 NOW SHIPPING

DVFilm (Austin, TX) announces the release of their latest film-motion
software, DVFilm Maker 2.0. "Maker 2" has some new features that will make
it even more popular among independent film makers, video makers, and
broadcasters, chiefly for its ability to convert almost any kind of NTSC
video to true 24 frames per second progressive-scan (24P), convert that
back again to NTSC in two different ways, or to apply 24P film-motion
while remaining in NTSC format.


24P film-motion has been available in slow, expensive plug-ins for Adobe
After Effects, such as CineMotion and Magic Bullet, but they are now
available in this new, stand-alone application that costs only $95 and
works with virtually any editing application. Maker 2 runs on both Mac and
Windows platforms.


Here is a list of new things that Maker 2 can do:


Convert 3:2 pulldown as well as 2:3:3:2 pulldown to 24P


This allows filmmakers to mix all sources of 24P video into one timeline:
video from the Panasonic DVX100 in either 24P Advanced or Normal modes, or
from video telecined from 24 frames/sec film.


Convert 60i to 24P


This allows filmmakers to mix conventional interlaced video into a 24P
project. It also allows virtually any video camera to be used as a
24P-capable video camera. The 60i to 24P conversion method is fast,
accurate, and preserves full vertical resolution by sensing motion and
applying the changes only to areas of the screen where motion is taking
place. The algorithm evolved from 5 years of DVFilm's experience with
video transfers to film.



Convert NTSC to NTSC with 24P film-motion


This feature simulates 24P film motion by resampling 60i to 24P and then
converting 24P back to NTSC with a 3:2 pulldown, in one step. Maker can
process up to 6 minutes of video per hour of computer time, fast enough
for news broadcasters to apply film-motion to regular DV cameras in their
work.



Convert 24P to 2:3:3:2 pulldown with no recompression


This feature allows filmmakers to archive their 24P final cut to NTSC
tape, without recompresssion or loss of quality. This feature is notably
absent from FCP-4, Vegas, Avid DV Express Pro and other 24P-capable
editing programs. The resulting tape can then be re-captured and converted
back to 24P with Maker, again with no recompression or loss in quality.


Convert 24P to 3:2 pulldown


This feature allows filmmakers to convert 24P to NTSC for broadcast or
presentation on tape. Simulated film grain, red emulsion shift, and other
effects can also be added for additional film feeling.



For more information contact Marcus van Bavel, mvb@dvfilm.com,
512-252-2343.


Free demo versions of DVFilm Maker, for both Windows and Mac, can be
downloaded at dvfilm.com/maker

[Johann Adler]

$95 for a simple deinterlace, resize/crop/add borders, and pulldown app?

Come on, if you want donations say so. If you want to scam us say so.

All of this can be done in much higher quality using the powerful and FREE AVISynth (PC only). Mac users can do the resize/crop/add borders and pull down very easily, but intelligent deinterlacing with motion compensation is not available as far as I know.

And I doubt this app has intelligent, motion compensated deinterlacing, unless it was stolen from the excellent, open source avisynth plugins. [uhoh, now I gave you an idea for version 3, sigh]

Go to:

http://www.avisynth.org

Check out the doom9 forums for information on the latest plugins and how to use them

http://forums.doom9.org

slightly mad yet apathetic,

[Ken Tanaka]

Mr. Adler,

Before you slam this product so sharply you should try it.

The company's specialty is in doing film transfers and the methods that their software embodies reflects their experience in that field. It is not a "simple deinterlacer".

This product is an excellent value and a very good tool, far beyond what the price would suggest. Of course, garbage-in-garbage-out with any such tool.

[Johann Adler]

You're right Mr. Tanaka,

I should try it out first. How about I compare it to some AVISynth plugins? I'll do it as soon as possible and post it.

Likewise, I think other users, including yourself, should try AVISynth, especially since its free and open source.

One thing appealing is that there is a gui. AVISynth does not have an official gui.

Please excuse my tone,

[Boyd Ostroff]

I agree and really don't understand why you're criticizing the product and accusing its author of plagarism if you've never even tried the free demo. I've been using it for nearly a year and have been very pleased. Unfortunately, $100 isn't as much as it used to be, and I consider that a fair price for this product, which includes updates for registered users.

[Ken Tanaka]

I would try AviSynth, but it's PC-only, and I'm Mac-only.

[Johann Adler]

Boyd,

What I am trying to say is if it has true motion compensation then it should cost thousands of dollars, because doing something like that is as complicated as writing a video codec from scratch. The likelihood of that happening is slim. That's why I said if it has motion compensated deinterlacing and they are charging $95 dollars then it must have been copied from somewhere. To specify furher, my statement doesn't make sense, because there is no fully-motion compensated deinterlacing for free (probably even for charge too).

In defense of the app, it doesn't say it performs motion-compensation. It does say it does not deinterlace in still areas, which is relatively easy to do (compared to motion compensation).

However, free alternatives exist that can do simple motion compensation and/or not deinterlace in still areas. Many programers copy free tools and repackage them with fancy names and make a money off of it. Of course, I cannot prove that they did that. And I am not accusing them of doing so.

I am stating a fact when I say, the same thing can be done for free. Whether or not the deinterlacing quality is the same is to be determined. But I can be 99.99% sure DVFilm Maker deinterlacing is not of higher quality than AVISynth.

That's why I was frustrated to see this advertisement posted by the administrator of the message board for a product that is for sale by another member of the board.

I would like to see Marcus van Bavel or Chris Hurd explain why this deinterlacer is better than the AVISynth ones? If they havn't tried those out, I reccomend it, since they are producing a competing product, albeit for $95 more. The other features of DVFilm Maker are such simple video processing techniques that its not even worth comparing to AVISynth.

[Dylan Couper]

Johann
I'm looking forward to reading your head to head review. When do you expect to have it by?

[Ken Tanaka]

Guys,
All Chris meant to do was to announce the availability of the DVFilm package update.

I'm going to close this thread simply because it's straying from "News" and into speculative conjecture.

Johann, if you want to continue this discussion, please open a thread in the "Film Look" section of the boards, the native home for such post-processors.