How to improve VHS video?

[Aya_Rei]

Quote:

Originally Posted by araset

When I am trying to use QTGMC and TemporalDegrain2 filters and interlaced encoding in x264 I got: Crashed with exit status 0. I have tried unistalling hybrid and restoring to defaults. Nothing helped.

Try TemporalDegrain instead of TemporalDegrain2 in Avisynth, or TemporalDegrain2 in Vapoursynth.

Yeah I hate when Hybrid crashes and I need to resort to trial and error to figure out what filters are breaking and why.

[araset]

I have a question about bitrate of mp4 output interlaced file. (x264) How to set it properly? I have tried 10 mb, 7 mb and looks similar. Thanks

[Selur]

Quote:

Yeah I hate when Hybrid crashes and I need to resort to trial and error to figure out what filters are breaking and why.

a. try latest dev
b. report problem

[araset]

I have imported my avi capture to Hybrid. Then cropped and filtered with temporal degrain2 and output to ProRes. Next I have imported the file to newest version of AVI Demux and I am trying to compress it to MPEG 2 (Mpeg 2 ff) 15 mb avg like lordsmurf recommended. Unfortunately when setting the average and max bitrate and mpeg ps muxer the output file bitrate is always around 6 mb. I have tried also AVI Demux 2.5.6 but there is limited option to set max and minimum bitrate in MPEG 2. How to resolve the problem? Thanks.

[Gary34]

You could make it easier on yourself by just using H.264 (MP4 container). There are some things you might be missing with Mpeg2 like the fact that you don’t deinterlace if you are going to mpeg2. You can keep it simple and just use QTGMC in hybrid then export to an NLE if you want to then export an H.264 file for sharing.

-- merged --

Another thing to consider is AVI Demux is 4:2:0. https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vid...-avidemux.html

VLC will play 4:2:2 interlaced Mpeg2 and respect anamorphic pixels but you have to think about what you are doing with the file when you think about what to encode to. Most just go to H.264.

https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/hom...r-viewing.html

-- merged --

Avidemux only does DVD specs and it won't let you use higher bitrates. It's considered buggy and not recommended anymore.

[araset]

I have used Tmpgenc Authoring works older version. It's 4:2:0 Mpeg 2 file. Unfortunately I couldn't make 4:2:2. Is a way to improve audio cause there is some scraping, I think but I am not sure. Thanks.

[Gary34]

Quote:

Is a way to improve audio cause there is some scraping

Click save wav on vdub before going into Hybrid then take that wave and put it into any audio editor and add that to your audio section in Hybrid to combine it with your video clip before you encode. Audacity is a free editor that is okay but there is better audio editing software.

[araset]

I have tried Audacity, Soundforge, Soundforge Audio cleaning Tab 4 etc. but the results are not satisfying. How can I clean such audio like in attached file?

-- merged --

I have read that Sharp 4 Head hifi vcrs are good for tracking.Maybe such vcr will be good for audio capturing? Thanks.

[timtape]

Quote:

Originally Posted by araset

I have tried Audacity, Soundforge, Soundforge Audio cleaning Tab 4 etc. but the results are not satisfying. How can I clean such audio like in attached file?

Yes it's poor audio. Muffled, hissy and staccato "morse code" sounds. You say it's an LP recording made on a Panasonic NV- SD 20. It looks like that Panasonic model did not record HiFi stereo so a VCR with HiFi sound will not help. You're stuck with the LP linear sound which will never be top quality.

But LP linear can sound a lot better than that. The audio on the tape is probably a lot clearer. The best solution is the best capture from a VCR. Then you have a solid signal to start with which may not need any processing. But achieving that especially with an LP linear track often requires a VCR with better than average linear mono audio playback. Note that playback on an SVHS deck will make no difference. SVHS is only about the picture, not the sound.

Attached spectrogram of your audio capture. All those horizontal lines represent noise tones which should not be there and are probably not on the tape but added at the time of your capture. Possibly added by the JVC, possibly by some device in the room near your capture setup. Possibly both. You could try some different RCA audio leads. Also keep digital devices including cell phones well away from the VCR when capturing.

I could upload a sample digital "cleanup" but it would probably fall well short of a decent audio capture from the tape and with no "cleanup".

-- merged --

Maybe also the mono audio head in your JVC is dirty. Do you know how to manually clean it?

[araset]

If anyone know where I can buy the plastic tape for audio head Sumitomo-m awm 2896 80c vw-1; 7 pin; width 10 mm. Cause mine has broken. I have searched aliexpress but can't find the 7 pin version. Thanks.

-- merged --

I have another vcr (4 head Sharp) what is the best way to Connect to it’s scart video output? I have Prolink scart-svhs-3,5jack but it doesn’t work. I have tried two such cables. Another cable i have it this one
https://allegro.pl/oferta/kabel-wtyk...3m-17659404663
And it works. Can I use this one, there will be no difference in another better cables?

[mts1]

Your Sharp VCR might not not support S-Video at al.
The cable from your image has component video and stereo audio ins and outs.
Most likely it is the best you can get out of your VCR.

[araset]

What would be the best filter in Hybrid to improve this capture. I have tried Temporal Degrain and have best results with it but the output file is blurred. Could You advise me what else I could try? Here is the sample:

[Selur]

Quote:

When I am trying to use QTGMC and TemporalDegrain2 filters and interlaced encoding in x264 I got: Crashed with exit status 0. I have tried unistalling hybrid and restoring to defaults. Nothing helped.

Check the Vapoursynth Preview (assuming you are using Vapoursynth; otherwise use the Avisynth Preview). Preview should show an error message. Might be a bug in the script generation.

-- merged --

McTemporalDegrain, light aWarphSharp2

-- merged --

for the black halos try:

clip = dehalo.DeHalo_alpha(clip, rx=3.00, ry=3.00, darkstr=1.30, brightstr=0.00, lowsens=90)

-- merged --

maybe something like:

# Imports
import vapoursynth as vs
# getting Vapoursynth core
import ctypes
import sys
import os
core = vs.core
# Limit frame cache to 48473MB
core.max_cache_size = 48473
# Import scripts folder
scriptPath = 'F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsscripts'
sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath(scriptPath))
# Loading Support Files
Dllref = ctypes.windll.LoadLibrary("F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/Support/libfftw3f-3.dll")
# loading plugins
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/DebandFilter/Flash3kDeband/flash3kyuu_deband.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/SharpenFilter/AWarpSharp2/libawarpsharp2.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/Support/vszip.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/DenoiseFilter/ZSmooth/zsmooth.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/GrainFilter/AddGrain/AddGrain.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/DenoiseFilter/NEO_FFT3DFilter/neo-fft3d.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/DenoiseFilter/DFTTest/DFTTest.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/Support/EEDI3m_opencl.dll")# vsQTGMC
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/ResizeFilter/nnedi3/NNEDI3CL.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/Support/libmvtools.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/Support/fmtconv.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/DeinterlaceFilter/Bwdif/Bwdif.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/Support/akarin.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/SourceFilter/BestSource/BestSource.dll")
# Import scripts
import edge
import artifacts
import masked
import chromashift
import denoise
import dehalo
import qtgmc
import validate
# Source: 'C:\Users\Selur\Desktop\sample.avi'
# Current color space: YUV422P8, bit depth: 8, resolution: 720x576, frame rate: 25fps, scanorder: top field first, yuv luminance scale: limited, matrix: 470bg, format: HuffYUV
# Loading C:\Users\Selur\Desktop\sample.avi using BestSource)
clip = core.bs.VideoSource(source="C:/Users/Selur/Desktop/sample.avi", cachepath="J:/tmp/sample_bestSource", track=0, hwdevice="opencl")
frame = clip.get_frame(0)
# setting color matrix to 470bg.
clip = core.std.SetFrameProps(clip, _Matrix=vs.MATRIX_BT470_BG)
# setting color transfer (vs.TRANSFER_BT601), if it is not set.
if validate.transferIsInvalid(clip):
  clip = core.std.SetFrameProps(clip=clip, _Transfer=vs.TRANSFER_BT601)
# setting color primaries info (to vs.PRIMARIES_BT470_BG), if it is not set.
if validate.primariesIsInvalid(clip):
  clip = core.std.SetFrameProps(clip=clip, _Primaries=vs.PRIMARIES_BT470_BG)
# setting color range to TV (limited) range.
clip = core.std.SetFrameProps(clip=clip, _ColorRange=vs.RANGE_LIMITED)
# making sure frame rate is set to 25fps
clip = core.std.AssumeFPS(clip=clip, fpsnum=25, fpsden=1)
# making sure the detected scan type is set (detected: top field first)
clip = core.std.SetFrameProps(clip=clip, _FieldBased=vs.FIELD_TOP) # tff
# Deinterlacing using QTGMC
clip = qtgmc.QTGMC(Input=clip, Preset="Fast", TFF=True, opencl=True) # new fps: 50
# Making sure content is preceived as frame based
clip = core.std.SetFrameProps(clip=clip, _FieldBased=vs.FIELD_PROGRESSIVE) # progressive
# applying dehalo using DeHalo_alpha
clip = dehalo.DeHalo_alpha(clip, rx=3.00, ry=3.00, darkstr=1.30, brightstr=0.00, lowsens=90)
# sharpening using AWarpSharp2
clip = core.warp.AWarpSharp2(clip=clip, blur=2, depth=8)
# denoising using mClean
clip = denoise.mClean(clip=clip, rn=0)
# Chroma adjustment using ChromaShiftSP
clip = chromashift.ChromaShiftSP(clip=clip, X=2.00)
## Starting applying 'limit' masked filtering for vsDeSpot
clipMask = clip
clipMask = core.resize.Bicubic(clip=clipMask, format=vs.GRAY8, range_in_s="limited")
clipMask = core.std.BinarizeMask(clipMask, 90)
clipMask = core.std.InvertMask(clipMask)
clipFiltered = clip
clipFiltered = artifacts.DeSpot(o=clipFiltered)
clipMask = core.resize.Bicubic(clip=clipMask, format=vs.YUV422P8, range_in_s="limited")
clip = core.std.MaskedMerge(clip, clipFiltered, clipMask) # LimitMask
## Finished applying 'LimitMask' masked filtering for vsDeSpot
clip = core.std.Crop(clip=clip, left=12, right=10, top=8, bottom=4)# cropping to 698x564
# Fix bright and dark line artifacts near the border of an image using BalanceBorders
clip = edge.bbmod(c=clip,cLeft=0,cTop=0,cRight=0,cBottom=8)
# adjusting output color from: YUV422P8 to YUV420P10 for NVEncModel
clip = core.resize.Bicubic(clip=clip, format=vs.YUV420P10)
# set output frame rate to 50fps (progressive)
clip = core.std.AssumeFPS(clip=clip, fpsnum=50, fpsden=1)
# output
clip.set_output()

is a decent start,..

[araset]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selur

maybe something like:

# Imports
import vapoursynth as vs
# getting Vapoursynth core
import ctypes
import sys
import os
core = vs.core
# Limit frame cache to 48473MB
core.max_cache_size = 48473
# Import scripts folder
scriptPath = 'F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsscripts'
sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath(scriptPath))
# Loading Support Files
Dllref = ctypes.windll.LoadLibrary("F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/Support/libfftw3f-3.dll")
# loading plugins
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/DebandFilter/Flash3kDeband/flash3kyuu_deband.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/SharpenFilter/AWarpSharp2/libawarpsharp2.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/Support/vszip.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/DenoiseFilter/ZSmooth/zsmooth.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/GrainFilter/AddGrain/AddGrain.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/DenoiseFilter/NEO_FFT3DFilter/neo-fft3d.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/DenoiseFilter/DFTTest/DFTTest.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/Support/EEDI3m_opencl.dll")# vsQTGMC
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/ResizeFilter/nnedi3/NNEDI3CL.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/Support/libmvtools.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/Support/fmtconv.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/DeinterlaceFilter/Bwdif/Bwdif.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/Support/akarin.dll")
core.std.LoadPlugin(path="F:/Hybrid/64bit/vsfilters/SourceFilter/BestSource/BestSource.dll")
# Import scripts
import edge
import artifacts
import masked
import chromashift
import denoise
import dehalo
import qtgmc
import validate
# Source: 'C:\Users\Selur\Desktop\sample.avi'
# Current color space: YUV422P8, bit depth: 8, resolution: 720x576, frame rate: 25fps, scanorder: top field first, yuv luminance scale: limited, matrix: 470bg, format: HuffYUV
# Loading C:\Users\Selur\Desktop\sample.avi using BestSource)
clip = core.bs.VideoSource(source="C:/Users/Selur/Desktop/sample.avi", cachepath="J:/tmp/sample_bestSource", track=0, hwdevice="opencl")
frame = clip.get_frame(0)
# setting color matrix to 470bg.
clip = core.std.SetFrameProps(clip, _Matrix=vs.MATRIX_BT470_BG)
# setting color transfer (vs.TRANSFER_BT601), if it is not set.
if validate.transferIsInvalid(clip):
  clip = core.std.SetFrameProps(clip=clip, _Transfer=vs.TRANSFER_BT601)
# setting color primaries info (to vs.PRIMARIES_BT470_BG), if it is not set.
if validate.primariesIsInvalid(clip):
  clip = core.std.SetFrameProps(clip=clip, _Primaries=vs.PRIMARIES_BT470_BG)
# setting color range to TV (limited) range.
clip = core.std.SetFrameProps(clip=clip, _ColorRange=vs.RANGE_LIMITED)
# making sure frame rate is set to 25fps
clip = core.std.AssumeFPS(clip=clip, fpsnum=25, fpsden=1)
# making sure the detected scan type is set (detected: top field first)
clip = core.std.SetFrameProps(clip=clip, _FieldBased=vs.FIELD_TOP) # tff
# Deinterlacing using QTGMC
clip = qtgmc.QTGMC(Input=clip, Preset="Fast", TFF=True, opencl=True) # new fps: 50
# Making sure content is preceived as frame based
clip = core.std.SetFrameProps(clip=clip, _FieldBased=vs.FIELD_PROGRESSIVE) # progressive
# applying dehalo using DeHalo_alpha
clip = dehalo.DeHalo_alpha(clip, rx=3.00, ry=3.00, darkstr=1.30, brightstr=0.00, lowsens=90)
# sharpening using AWarpSharp2
clip = core.warp.AWarpSharp2(clip=clip, blur=2, depth=8)
# denoising using mClean
clip = denoise.mClean(clip=clip, rn=0)
# Chroma adjustment using ChromaShiftSP
clip = chromashift.ChromaShiftSP(clip=clip, X=2.00)
## Starting applying 'limit' masked filtering for vsDeSpot
clipMask = clip
clipMask = core.resize.Bicubic(clip=clipMask, format=vs.GRAY8, range_in_s="limited")
clipMask = core.std.BinarizeMask(clipMask, 90)
clipMask = core.std.InvertMask(clipMask)
clipFiltered = clip
clipFiltered = artifacts.DeSpot(o=clipFiltered)
clipMask = core.resize.Bicubic(clip=clipMask, format=vs.YUV422P8, range_in_s="limited")
clip = core.std.MaskedMerge(clip, clipFiltered, clipMask) # LimitMask
## Finished applying 'LimitMask' masked filtering for vsDeSpot
clip = core.std.Crop(clip=clip, left=12, right=10, top=8, bottom=4)# cropping to 698x564
# Fix bright and dark line artifacts near the border of an image using BalanceBorders
clip = edge.bbmod(c=clip,cLeft=0,cTop=0,cRight=0,cBottom=8)
# adjusting output color from: YUV422P8 to YUV420P10 for NVEncModel
clip = core.resize.Bicubic(clip=clip, format=vs.YUV420P10)
# set output frame rate to 50fps (progressive)
clip = core.std.AssumeFPS(clip=clip, fpsnum=50, fpsden=1)
# output
clip.set_output()

is a decent start,..

I am trying to start this script. I tried vsViever. I changed path to Hybrid and sample file. Then I checked script and benchmark and it's ok. But I have a problem how to encode a file. How should i do this? What I should write down there, what executable? Thanks since I am doing this for the first time.

[Selur]

Instead of trying to open that script you should configure Hybrid to produce that script,...
Note I adjusted the filter order (Filtering->Vapoursynth->Misc->Filter Order/Queue) and I used a mask (enable Filtering->Vapoursynth->Misc->UI->Show 'Masked'-controls)

[araset]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selur

Instead of trying to open that script you should configure Hybrid to produce that script,...
Note I adjusted the filter order (Filtering->Vapoursynth->Misc->Filter Order/Queue) and I used a mask (enable Filtering->Vapoursynth->Misc->UI->Show 'Masked'-controls)

Is there any simple way to execute that script because for me this little difficult to configure Hybrid like You wrote? How can I do it? Sorry I am newbie.

[Selur]

If vsViewer can open and display it, you should be able to load the script as source in Hybrid. (you might have to use the latest dev, since I fixed a bug related to loading external scripts a few days ago)
But I would recommend to instead get acquainted with Hybrid and Vapoursynth and create the script through Hybrid, this way you have more control,.. like I wrote in the post that script is meant as a start not a solution,..

Cu Selur

[araset]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selur

If vsViewer can open and display it, you should be able to load the script as source in Hybrid. (you might have to use the latest dev, since I fixed a bug related to loading external scripts a few days ago)
But I would recommend to instead get acquainted with Hybrid and Vapoursynth and create the script through Hybrid, this way you have more control,.. like I wrote in the post that script is meant as a start not a solution,..

Cu Selur

I have downloaded latest dev Hybrid version from google drive. When I preview the script I have info:
Script was successfully evaluated
When I am trying to enqueue encode job I have info:
Could not start job server watcher.
How should I do this?

[Selur]

Quote:

Could not start job server watcher.

What is it error exactly? 'Could not start job server watcher.' isn't a message from Hybrid.

[araset]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selur

What is it error exactly? 'Could not start job server watcher.' isn't a message from Hybrid.

Hybrid>Tools>vsViewer