60i to 24p script suggestions

[Blue_MiSfit]

Hey everyone,

So just for fun tonight I tried to give Interlaced NTSC DV a nice "filmic" look by converting it to 24p.

I tried two different methods:

loadplugin("D:\Archives\Video Software\AviSynth Plugins\Common\mvtools.dll")

avisource("F:\Alex Premiere\Untitled Clip 01 01.avi")

AssumeBFF()

trim(920,1073)
tdeint(mode=1)

source=last
backward_vec = source.MVAnalyse(isb = true, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=1)
forward_vec = source.MVAnalyse(isb = false, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=1)
cropped = source.crop(4,4,-4,-4) # by half of block size 8
backward_vec2 = cropped.MVAnalyse(isb = true, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=2)
forward_vec2 = cropped.MVAnalyse(isb = false, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=2)
final=source.MVFlowFps2(backward_vec,forward_vec,backward_vec2,forward_vec2,num=48,idx=1,idx2=2)
return final.selecteven().assumefps(23.976).lanczosresize(720,540)


and a simpler:

loadplugin("D:\Archives\Video Software\AviSynth Plugins\Common\mvtools.dll")

avisource("F:\Alex Premiere\Untitled Clip 01 01.avi")
AssumeBFF()
trim(920,1073)

tdeint(mode=1)
convertfps(47.952)

selecteven()
assumefps(23.976)

lanczosresize(720,540)


Both methods produced decent results. I'm not entirely sure I'm using MVTools correctly, I basically lifted the settings from the MVTools manual (reccomended for 2x slow-motion for 25p), and changed it to 48 instead of 50.

Anyway, I'm wondering if people had experience doing this and could make some suggestions?

I sort of want to do a comparison between shooting in-camera 24p (Panasonic DVX-100) followed by removing pulldown, and an AviSynth powered conversion with a 60i source from the same camera.

[wonkey_monkey]

I'd convert to 30p (okay, 29.97p) from 60i. You'll still achieve a film look, albeit with a slightly faster framerate, but it will be smoother than trying get 24p from 60i, and you won't get any of the artefacts that mvflowfps2 can cause.

The result will also play back slightly smoother on a TV (CRT at least) because it won't be 3:2'd in the player (I assume you live in NTSC land).

David

[Blue_MiSfit]

Indeed I do.

So you're saying bob deinterlace it to 60p, and then blend that to 30p?

[wonkey_monkey]

Indeed I do.

So you're saying bob deinterlace it to 60p, and then blend that to 30p?

Nah, I'd bob to 60p (59.94) and selecteven. I suspect you'll get nicer pictures shooting in 24p (or is it really 23.976p?) though.

David

[Blue_MiSfit]

Well... that's just deinterlacing... It's not going to change the motion that much.

[wonkey_monkey]

But that's what the major part of the "filmic" look is - reducing the frame rate from a smooth 60 to a less smooth 24 or 30. Both will look filmic.

David

[actionman133]

I don't consider 30p as filmic... it still looks too smooth for my liking although that is just a personal preference. Filmic to me is 24p.

An alternative to motion estimation is to use frame blending. Search for scharfis_brain's 60pto24p script which has several options for blending. The quality tends to be poorer but it's more consistent (mvtools can be fooled and when that happens, it looks really bad).

PS. My general rule is if the camera can do it without much trouble, do it in camera. Any native 24p footage is bound to look better than a 60i-24p conversion. The DVX-100 is a reasonably good camera, so I strongly encourage you to shoot 24p in camera.

PPS. Just had a look at your script. Instead of converting to 48 fps then SelectEven ().AssumeFPS (...), just convert using these variables (num = 24000, den = 1001). It will return 23.976 fps in one step instead of three steps).