Getting rid of grain/noise. at DVinfo.net

Chad Dyle · August 19th, 2008, 05:56 PM

I have a bride that wants an HD version of her wedding on Blu Ray. That isn't a problem because we already offer that option. The problem is that it was shot on the FX-1 and if we would have known about it, we would have used the Z7U's. As I'm editing it, I can see several spots where the gain was set a bit high and I need to clean it up. What plug-ins or tools can you guys suggest? I'm using FCP btw.

Thanks,

Chad

Benjamin Hill · August 19th, 2008, 09:51 PM

Look for the TMTS plugins, there is a couple noise reduction filters that might help you. Gain/grain is real hard to deal with so have low expectations, but it's one option I've used in the past.

Pete Cofrancesco · August 19th, 2008, 10:12 PM

I've used a filter from nattress with limited success. I agree with benjamin, I find in general the less filters you use the better your footage will look. Too much noise filter will make your image appear soft and out of focus, which i think is just as bad if not worse than noise. Rather than remove the noise your objective should be to soften the edges of the noise so it blends in with the rest of the image.

Aric Mannion · August 20th, 2008, 11:27 AM

I have had no success with grain removal, but I'm not sure that the FX-1 was at fault for that. You can just turn the gain to zero.

Daniel Browning · August 20th, 2008, 11:46 AM

Consider crushing your blacks. You might also darken midtones slightly. A curve to take care of both would look most natural.

Desaturate the color channels slightly. If you look at each channel (red, blue, green) to find which one has the most noise, you can desaturate that one the most. For example, in Tungsten light, the blue channel tends to have the most noise (because of lower signal).

As far as your typical noise reduction software goes, I'd suggest evaluating Neat Video. Personally, I prefer to leave the noise how it is. Adds character. :)

August 19th, 2008, 05:56 PM	#1
Chad Dyle Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 410	Getting rid of grain/noise. I have a bride that wants an HD version of her wedding on Blu Ray. That isn't a problem because we already offer that option. The problem is that it was shot on the FX-1 and if we would have known about it, we would have used the Z7U's. As I'm editing it, I can see several spots where the gain was set a bit high and I need to clean it up. What plug-ins or tools can you guys suggest? I'm using FCP btw. Thanks, Chad __________________ www.chaddyle.com www.chaddyleproductions.com

August 19th, 2008, 09:51 PM	#2
Benjamin Hill Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Iowa City, Iowa Posts: 670	Look for the TMTS plugins, there is a couple noise reduction filters that might help you. Gain/grain is real hard to deal with so have low expectations, but it's one option I've used in the past. __________________ youtube.com/benhillmedia linkedin.com/in/benhillmedia

August 20th, 2008, 11:46 AM	#5
Daniel Browning Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 949	Darken and desaturate Consider crushing your blacks. You might also darken midtones slightly. A curve to take care of both would look most natural. Desaturate the color channels slightly. If you look at each channel (red, blue, green) to find which one has the most noise, you can desaturate that one the most. For example, in Tungsten light, the blue channel tends to have the most noise (because of lower signal). As far as your typical noise reduction software goes, I'd suggest evaluating Neat Video. Personally, I prefer to leave the noise how it is. Adds character. :)

August 19th, 2008, 10:12 PM	#3
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,005	I've used a filter from nattress with limited success. I agree with benjamin, I find in general the less filters you use the better your footage will look. Too much noise filter will make your image appear soft and out of focus, which i think is just as bad if not worse than noise. Rather than remove the noise your objective should be to soften the edges of the noise so it blends in with the rest of the image.

August 20th, 2008, 11:27 AM	#4
Aric Mannion Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 616	I have had no success with grain removal, but I'm not sure that the FX-1 was at fault for that. You can just turn the gain to zero.