Need some filtering idea for converting VHS

[SeeChestlickRun]

I'm doing this for my parents for Xmas, converting all home VHS, to digital format in h264. I have the stuff needed to capture my VHS. I'm using MeGUI to convert the video, and so far it have been successful with this
AVISource("C:\Video\Sarah '92\test.avi", audio=false)
Load_Stdcall_Plugin("C:\Program Files\megui\tools\yadif\yadif.dll")
Yadif(order=1)
#crop
#resize
#denoise
but I was wondering if you guys would have better idea of what I should put in my filter.

I have been reading http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/capture/start.html and http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=143333&highlight=VHS+convert and I'm still unsure what exactly I should do. I'm still experimenting...

Oh, here's a 20 seconds of the source. http://www.mediafire.com/?nnyknyld1je And please don't ask about how it was captured like that. I know it was captured at 720x480 resolution and I can't really change that.

Any helpful hint would be appreciated! Thanks.

[Nightshiver]

converttoyv12()
bob()
RemoveColorBleeding()
DeRainbow()
SharpAAMCMod()
LimitedSharpenFaster(ss_x=1.8, ss_y=1.8, smode=4, strength=185, overshoot=1, undershoot=1)
Crop(10, 0, -8, -0)
Spline36Resize(704,480)

You could remove SharpAAMCMod, depending on how you like it. It "mushes" the video a bit. I only used it for the warpsharp it provided, but you could also just call warpsharp by itself.

[wonkey_monkey]

Crop(10, 0, -8, -0)
Spline36Resize(704,480)

Why crop to 702? I don't see anything much wrong those extra two pixels on the right hand side, so I'd:

Crop(8,0,-8,0)
spline16resize(640,480) # if you want square pixels - otherwise leave it at 704x480

Personally, I'd want to keep the full motion, which nightshiver's script does, but with a better deinterlacer than bob() - i.e., yadif(mode=1) (I think).

David

[Nightshiver]

I cropped the extra due to the chroma bleeding still evident on the left side when I was filtering. I only used bob() for doing my quick script. I wasn't intending it to be a permanent switch. Yadif is much better or even tgmc. The OP already is using yadif, so he's good on that point.

[Mounir]

(assuming the video was recorded losslessly)
1) deinterlace: yadiff (avisynth)
2) neat video : vdub
3) unsharp mask 1.4: vdub
4) color mill / work on the levels for the 16-235 (you may place this filter before neat video actually)
5) a bit of warpsharp (value:8 maximum) : vdub
6) a Resize if necessary

end

[shoopdabloop]

AssumeBFF()
TDeint(edeint=nnedi2(),emask=TMM())
AddBorders(8,0,8,0) # prevent aWS artifacts in RCB
RemoveColorBleeding()
DeRainbow()
Crop(24,8,-24,-8)
Spline36Resize(640,480)
LSFMod(smode=5,strength=100,soothe=false,overshoot=1,undershoot=1)
ColorYUV(levels="TV->PC")
#warning: incorrect PAR?

[Nightshiver]

I would not resize to 640. There is no reason to go to such a low resolution.

[SeeChestlickRun]

Thanks for your feedbacks!

Although, I'm not sure if I would want to use LSFMod or LimitedSharpenFaster, they doesn't look that good to me. Why are you guys using it though?

[hartford]

If those sharpeners don't look good to you then don't use them.

Those sharpeners can be modified to "enhance" the final product. You may like less sharpening from the default values, or not use them at all.

Again, use them or don't.

It's up to you as to what pleases you.

[Nightshiver]

They are actually excellent sharpeners. I have no idea why you are saying they don't look good to you. We use it because:

1) The image needs to be sharpened
2) By doing that, things are clearer (or appear to be clearer)

In short, it's just a good thing to do.

[SeeChestlickRun]

Hmm. That's strange. I just noticed... when using 'LimitedSharpenFaster(ss_x=1.8, ss_y=1.8, smode=4, strength=185, overshoot=1, undershoot=1)' I got strange black lines all over.

http://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo329/Jhcheslik/MeGUI/strange.jpg

I think it must be old plugin I'm gonna try new one.

Edited: Nope, look like I got everything.

[Didée]

I've seen such lines before - not personally, but by user reports. Can't recall which one it was, but I'm pretty sure it was a plugin issue indeed. Also, if you did crop() the source before LSF, try using crop(a,b,c,d,true).

And I agree, for VHS captures LSF often is not such a good choice. Signal slope of VHS often is so muddy (and artifacts often are sharper than actual detail), that using LSF is like using 1000ish sandpaper when trying to smooth roughly-cut wood.

[shoopdabloop]

aWarpSharp2?