prodad for mac? at DVinfo.net

Lynne Whelden · March 15th, 2010, 11:23 AM

Anyone know of an equivalent video motion stabilizer program to prodad mercalli that I can use on the mac?
Or...
if not, how to import shots into imovie9 that have been processed with prodad? (imovie's own proprietary motion software is pretty lame.)

Thanks!

Shaughan Flynn · March 15th, 2010, 12:40 PM

You can stabilize footage with After Effects - FCP also has SmoothCam bundled with version 6+

Lynne Whelden · March 15th, 2010, 03:17 PM

Thanks for the info!

Andy Mees · March 16th, 2010, 04:19 AM

iStabilize .. haven't used it myself but it may be worth a look
Pixlock - iStabilize

or if you are aiming a little higher
SynthEyes

Ned Soltz · March 16th, 2010, 07:07 AM

Also, Lock and Load from CoreMelt

CoreMelt plugins for Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express, After Effects and Motion - Lock and Load

Lynne Whelden · March 16th, 2010, 07:21 AM

This is all good. Good to know there are several options. I'm working on a backpacking video and a fair amount of my footage was handheld while walking. It sure looked stable in the viewfinder screen...

Mitchell Lewis · March 18th, 2010, 10:07 PM

I haven't confirmed this myself, but I've read that if you're video camera uses a CMOS sensor (like most cameras do these days) you'll also get "jellovision" where vertical lines bend and warp. Stabilizing software wont fix that.

What about purchasing a hand-held stabilizer instead? Steadicam, Glidecam, VariZoom and others all make them for small cameras.

Lynne Whelden · March 18th, 2010, 10:42 PM

You're absolutely right. I've already encountered that with my footage. The only way of at least minimizing the effect (I think) is to choose backgrounds that hide the bending effect. For example, tall trees are not good for backgrounds as it's obvious the trees are "snapping." On the other hand, a blue sky or open horizon is better as there's less to focus on as being distorted abnormally, if that makes sense.

March 15th, 2010, 11:23 AM	#1
Lynne Whelden Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: williamsport, pa Posts: 604	prodad for mac? Anyone know of an equivalent video motion stabilizer program to prodad mercalli that I can use on the mac? Or... if not, how to import shots into imovie9 that have been processed with prodad? (imovie's own proprietary motion software is pretty lame.) Thanks!

March 15th, 2010, 12:40 PM	#2
Shaughan Flynn Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 272	You can stabilize footage with After Effects - FCP also has SmoothCam bundled with version 6+ __________________ B-Scene Films

March 16th, 2010, 04:19 AM	#4
Andy Mees Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 645	iStabilize .. haven't used it myself but it may be worth a look Pixlock - iStabilize or if you are aiming a little higher SynthEyes Last edited by Andy Mees; March 16th, 2010 at 06:54 AM. Reason: more info

March 18th, 2010, 10:07 PM	#7
Mitchell Lewis Trustee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 1,124	I haven't confirmed this myself, but I've read that if you're video camera uses a CMOS sensor (like most cameras do these days) you'll also get "jellovision" where vertical lines bend and warp. Stabilizing software wont fix that. What about purchasing a hand-held stabilizer instead? Steadicam, Glidecam, VariZoom and others all make them for small cameras. __________________ Sony EX3, Canon 5D MkII, Chrosziel Matte Box, Sachtler tripod, Steadicam Flyer, Mac Pro, Apple/Adobe software - 20 years as a local videographer/editor

March 15th, 2010, 03:17 PM	#3
Lynne Whelden Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: williamsport, pa Posts: 604	Thanks for the info!

March 16th, 2010, 07:07 AM	#5
Ned Soltz Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Teaneck, NJ Posts: 659	Also, Lock and Load from CoreMelt CoreMelt plugins for Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express, After Effects and Motion - Lock and Load

March 16th, 2010, 07:21 AM	#6
Lynne Whelden Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: williamsport, pa Posts: 604	This is all good. Good to know there are several options. I'm working on a backpacking video and a fair amount of my footage was handheld while walking. It sure looked stable in the viewfinder screen...

March 18th, 2010, 10:42 PM	#8
Lynne Whelden Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: williamsport, pa Posts: 604	You're absolutely right. I've already encountered that with my footage. The only way of at least minimizing the effect (I think) is to choose backgrounds that hide the bending effect. For example, tall trees are not good for backgrounds as it's obvious the trees are "snapping." On the other hand, a blue sky or open horizon is better as there's less to focus on as being distorted abnormally, if that makes sense.