Dead Pixel Fix in Post

Brian Child · August 19th, 2008, 12:20 PM

Shot some pretty great footage - then discovered the dreaded dead pixel that we hadn't noticed on set.

Now I'm trying to fix the dead pixel in Vegas without having to go frame by frame.

There is considerable movement through the shots (both horizontal and vertical) and extremes of light and dark (from bright white to black with intermediary shades of beiges and browns).

The best result (so far) used the cookie cutter plug-in (to restrict the area being "fixed" to the area around the dead pixel) with a layered video track set up behind it (in turn, applying blurred plug-ins, etc. to blend out the dead pixel by averaging out the colors from immediately surrounding pixels).

The problem I'm finding is that the cookie cutter "selection" can't be made small enough (say, to the size of just the dead pixel and a few surrounding pixels). The best I've ended up with so far looks like there is a slight smudge on the lens (again, too big because cookie cutter selection can't be made small enough to be restricted to just the dead pixel).

All suggestions from those smarter than I am gratefully accepted (aside from the suggestion to ensure that the dead pixels are found and fixed prior to shooting - got that one).

(using Vegas 7 with the footage shot in 720p)

Many thanks.

Robert M Wright · August 19th, 2008, 06:13 PM

You might try using a logo removal filter in virtualdub. Think of the dead pixel as a one pixel logo to remove.

Robert M Wright · August 19th, 2008, 06:23 PM

This would probably work well:

VirtualDub MSU Logo Remover

Take a look at the User's guide PDF. Towards the end of the guide, it mentions how to set a mask manually by creating a bitmap.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · August 19th, 2008, 11:52 PM

have you tried a Bezier mask? Zoomed in, you can easily grasp one or two pixels worth, and offset it with the same image beneath.

Brian Child · August 20th, 2008, 09:48 AM

Great suggestions - much appreciated.

Tried Douglas' suggestion - worked well (used the pixelate plug-in for the track under the mask - seemed to do well in smoothing out the effect).

Thanks very much for the help.

(edit: and if you're interested in seeing the "fixed" video, feel free to go here: Dana-Marie - "Fallen" (2008) | Radar Music Videos. The vid's been posted for a few weeks - pre-"fix" - and is currently the top rated video on Radar Music Videos. Much happier now that the pixel-fix has been inserted. Thanks again for your help)

David Allen Smith · October 3rd, 2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Child

Great suggestions - much appreciated.

Tried Douglas' suggestion - worked well (used the pixelate plug-in for the track under the mask - seemed to do well in smoothing out the effect).

Thanks very much for the help.

(edit: and if you're interested in seeing the "fixed" video, feel free to go here: Dana-Marie - "Fallen" (2008) | Radar Music Videos. The vid's been posted for a few weeks - pre-"fix" - and is currently the top rated video on Radar Music Videos. Much happier now that the pixel-fix has been inserted. Thanks again for your help)

Great Video!

August 19th, 2008, 12:20 PM	#1
Brian Child New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 18	Dead Pixel Fix in Post - Suggestions? Shot some pretty great footage - then discovered the dreaded dead pixel that we hadn't noticed on set. Now I'm trying to fix the dead pixel in Vegas without having to go frame by frame. There is considerable movement through the shots (both horizontal and vertical) and extremes of light and dark (from bright white to black with intermediary shades of beiges and browns). The best result (so far) used the cookie cutter plug-in (to restrict the area being "fixed" to the area around the dead pixel) with a layered video track set up behind it (in turn, applying blurred plug-ins, etc. to blend out the dead pixel by averaging out the colors from immediately surrounding pixels). The problem I'm finding is that the cookie cutter "selection" can't be made small enough (say, to the size of just the dead pixel and a few surrounding pixels). The best I've ended up with so far looks like there is a slight smudge on the lens (again, too big because cookie cutter selection can't be made small enough to be restricted to just the dead pixel). All suggestions from those smarter than I am gratefully accepted (aside from the suggestion to ensure that the dead pixels are found and fixed prior to shooting - got that one). (using Vegas 7 with the footage shot in 720p) Many thanks.

August 19th, 2008, 11:52 PM	#4
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	have you tried a Bezier mask? Zoomed in, you can easily grasp one or two pixels worth, and offset it with the same image beneath. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

August 20th, 2008, 09:48 AM	#5
Brian Child New Boot Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 18	Great suggestions - much appreciated. Tried Douglas' suggestion - worked well (used the pixelate plug-in for the track under the mask - seemed to do well in smoothing out the effect). Thanks very much for the help. (edit: and if you're interested in seeing the "fixed" video, feel free to go here: Dana-Marie - "Fallen" (2008) \| Radar Music Videos. The vid's been posted for a few weeks - pre-"fix" - and is currently the top rated video on Radar Music Videos. Much happier now that the pixel-fix has been inserted. Thanks again for your help) Last edited by Brian Child; August 20th, 2008 at 09:52 AM. Reason: Added link to video

August 19th, 2008, 06:13 PM	#2
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	You might try using a logo removal filter in virtualdub. Think of the dead pixel as a one pixel logo to remove.

August 19th, 2008, 06:23 PM	#3
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	This would probably work well: VirtualDub MSU Logo Remover Take a look at the User's guide PDF. Towards the end of the guide, it mentions how to set a mask manually by creating a bitmap.