"Neat video" software

Urban Skargren · September 28th, 2007, 12:56 PM

Hi

Has anyone used "Neat video", at http://www.neatvideo.com, to clean footage? Experiences? Easy to use? Worth the money?

Giroud Francois · September 28th, 2007, 01:00 PM

it works, but you better want to shoot clean picture than clean noisy ones.
But why do you ask ? download the demo and try it !

Daniel Ross · September 28th, 2007, 06:00 PM

I've heard that their noise removal is among the best, at least for a fairly low cost solution (not sure about high end pro plugins), if you are planning to use digital noise removal.

Avoid it, if possible, as said above. The plugin will help, but not entirely cure ugly footage. Use it only if you need to, and not as a crutch.

Steven Thomas · September 29th, 2007, 12:51 PM

I'm using the Neat Video Vegas Pro version.

It is amazing how well it works and still maintains good image health.

The image file attachments are frame grabs from Sony Vegas.
This particular scene did not have much light.
Look at the lamp stand and back wall when comparing images.
There's little to no loss in detail and the noise levels are considerably
less.
We were shooting with JVC HD100 cameras.

Neat NR allows the HD100 to create some excellent looking footage!
In fact, it's kept me from running out and buying a new camera!

Urban Skargren · September 29th, 2007, 01:38 PM

What settings do you use in Neat? How do you reach high "Profile quality"? Do you shoot even areas?

Steven Thomas · September 29th, 2007, 02:09 PM

Since the back wall has little to no detail, I was able to get a decent profile from a selected area on the back wall.

From there, there's quite a bit of control. Best of all, there's a lot of control which allows you to instantly see the effect. You can even set it up to only have the noise reduction work on shadows/darker areas.

Also, it's not a bad idea to bring a large gray card (18%). For that matter, you may experiment with other cards too.
On the start of the roll, shoot the card in the lighting you plan on using.

This will give you a decent profile for Neat noise reduction in post.

Urban Skargren · September 29th, 2007, 02:13 PM

I did some testing and only reached about 30-50% of profile quality, that's why I wondered.

Steven Thomas · September 29th, 2007, 06:14 PM

I have seen it higher, but even 50% can yield decent results.

September 28th, 2007, 12:56 PM	#1
Urban Skargren Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Medellin, Colombia Posts: 225	"Neat video" software - experience? Hi Has anyone used "Neat video", at http://www.neatvideo.com, to clean footage? Experiences? Easy to use? Worth the money?

September 29th, 2007, 12:51 PM	#4
Steven Thomas Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,896	I'm using the Neat Video Vegas Pro version. It is amazing how well it works and still maintains good image health. The image file attachments are frame grabs from Sony Vegas. This particular scene did not have much light. Look at the lamp stand and back wall when comparing images. There's little to no loss in detail and the noise levels are considerably less. We were shooting with JVC HD100 cameras. Neat NR allows the HD100 to create some excellent looking footage! In fact, it's kept me from running out and buying a new camera! Last edited by Steven Thomas; January 5th, 2008 at 12:10 PM.

September 28th, 2007, 01:00 PM	#2
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	it works, but you better want to shoot clean picture than clean noisy ones. But why do you ask ? download the demo and try it !

September 28th, 2007, 06:00 PM	#3
Daniel Ross Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Marin & Davis, CA, USA Posts: 418	I've heard that their noise removal is among the best, at least for a fairly low cost solution (not sure about high end pro plugins), if you are planning to use digital noise removal. Avoid it, if possible, as said above. The plugin will help, but not entirely cure ugly footage. Use it only if you need to, and not as a crutch.

September 29th, 2007, 01:38 PM	#5
Urban Skargren Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Medellin, Colombia Posts: 225	What settings do you use in Neat? How do you reach high "Profile quality"? Do you shoot even areas?

September 29th, 2007, 02:09 PM	#6
Steven Thomas Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,896	Since the back wall has little to no detail, I was able to get a decent profile from a selected area on the back wall. From there, there's quite a bit of control. Best of all, there's a lot of control which allows you to instantly see the effect. You can even set it up to only have the noise reduction work on shadows/darker areas. Also, it's not a bad idea to bring a large gray card (18%). For that matter, you may experiment with other cards too. On the start of the roll, shoot the card in the lighting you plan on using. This will give you a decent profile for Neat noise reduction in post.

September 29th, 2007, 02:13 PM	#7
Urban Skargren Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Medellin, Colombia Posts: 225	I did some testing and only reached about 30-50% of profile quality, that's why I wondered.

September 29th, 2007, 06:14 PM	#8
Steven Thomas Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,896	I have seen it higher, but even 50% can yield decent results.