Greyscale to RGB conversion

[RiOt]

Hello good people

Is there any way to convert a black&white (greyscale) video to RGB? Can this be accomplished with the free tools, ie virtualdub (avisynth), if so how? If it can't be accomplished with the free tools what software would you recommend?

:)

[scharfis_brain]

why do you want to convert it?

is your Video saved as a 8bit-greyscale-uncompressed-AVI?
or is it just a greyscale-video compressed with any other codec?

your conversion request is very easy in VDub:
open -> choose (RGB) codec -> save
but RGB needs a LOT of discspace!!! PAL needs 32MBytes/sec

btw. you can't restore the colors of a greyscale-picture....

[Wilbert]

Yes, and no. There are ways to colorize black-white clips. Have a look at the following vdub filter:

http://shelob.mordor.net/dgraft/pseudocolor/pseudocolor.html

Of course, it is impossible to get the original RGB colors of the clip.

[RiOt]

The information regarding the Psuedocolor color filter for virtualdub and NC Palette Creator will be very useful. Thank you.

I'm asking the question again because I don't believe I expounded precisely on what my goal is. My goal is to convert grayscale (black&white) home video to what it would be if it were in color, not just any color but colors that can make the video look near or of photographic quality.

After doing some research I found that it was possible to restore a grayscale (black&white) photo to something very comparable to the original picture or source. (see http://www.jaydax.co.uk ->Tutorials tab >PSP. The title is "Converting old photographs to colour.") From the information given on his web page I'm sure a knowledge of what a person remembers about the time frame ie.1939ce, the immediate environment, surroundings, people, et al, is extremely helpful in restoring the photo to "what it would be if it were color?" In my opinion the results are excellent.

Well, I am sort of in a similar situation and have a similar goal. I have found old photos of my great-great-great grandmother, and other older relatives, most of whom are now deceased. My wife several family members and I thought of making a video composed of slides of these old photographs through the timeline to the modern color videos we have of our children. This isn't hard at all. If this was merely the task it would be easy. (Scan the old photos, save as *.tga or *.bmp, insert into Ulead Media Studio Pro 6, create video, and append to other more modern video.) The problem is I spoiled my great grandmother. I used jasc PaintShop Pro and the method described on http://www.jaydax.co.uk. I turned some old photos she possessed into color. To make this matter more complicated a few elderly relatives have old home videos in black&white they want to add. They want this family movie in color. When I explained that I couldn't do it my grandmother pointed me to the wonderful pictures that I changed to color, printed on photographic paper and had framed. Other relatives pointed to old movies that were originally done in black&white and are now colorized. I have found relevant information at this url https://www.securecms.com/icme2003/...?papernum=1188. Perhaps this method can be properly applied to capable consumer level video software, provided it can’t be done with tools like virtualdub or avisynth. Can someone explain how this method can be applied to virtualdub or avisynth? Better yet, I can afford to spend up to $500 on software, provided there is such software within this price range or at all that’s up to the task. Can someone point me in the right direction or give me answers. My goal is colorize grayscale video to where the colorized video looks near or is photographic quality.

I hope I put this information within the correct section. I have searched the boards regarding this matter and have not found anything on the subject matter. Maybe I didn’t’ put in the correct keywords for the search. If I didn’t I’m sorry

[Wilbert]

I merged it with your previous thread ...

[RiOt]

I'm continueing this thread for two reasons:
1) To get input from members so that I can accomplish my goal, which is stated on my preceding posting.
2) Perhaps the information may prove to be helpful to someone else, even someone more technically savy. Maybe they could apply similar methods for use with "freeware" programs, which would be available to all.

After further research I found the following URL, http://www.neuraltek.com/. They have software they use called TimeBrush. It was specially designed for monochromatic video. They use it to colorize grayscale video, apparently with very good results.
Is there some type of connection between the proprietary method they use to colorize grayscale video and the colorization method described at this URL, https://www.securecms.com/icme2003/...?papernum=1188 (*if the afore mentioned URL isn't working try this one http://www.icme2003.com/Papers/PublicSessionIndex3.asp?Sessionid=1027 Title "COLORIZING INFRARED HOME VIDEOS") Anyway this is definitely not in my price range. I was happy when I found they can do exactly what I want to do, but not so happy when I saw that their price ranges from $25,000 for a 30min movie (excellent quality) and downward. I have about one hours worth of video composed in grayscale (black&white) and I want it in very good quality. $500.00 won't do anything. :eek: I would probably have to remortgage my home (NOT!) :scared:

[RiOt]

As I stated I will continue to add information to this thread (subject) in an attempt to draw out the speicialists and their responses. I'm also helping myself and possibly others with this information. I will keep this up, until the MOD decides its useless.

:D Here are some URL's containing information on this subject matter: 1)http://www.cs.sunysb.edu/~tfwelsh/colorize/index.html and http://mrl.nyu.edu/projects/image-analogies/colorize.html
2)http://www.cad.zju.edu.cn/home/dzh/project.htm#Video%20Colorizing
3)http://www.icip03.upv.es/technical_program.htm search for subject(title) "Colorization Algorithm for Grayscale Image by Propagating Seed Pixels, Takahiko Horiuchi, Sayaka Hirano"

I found this information very helpful. Maybe someone skilled in making filters for avisynth or virtualdub can apply those methods mentioned on prior postings and mentioned above to come up with something. My first impression was that this was probably over my head. After seeing some of the information and algorthms in writing I think I can apply it. I Just need some pointing in the right direction. I'm mediocre at "C++" but I am willing. This doesn't mean its out of the question for someone else. Help :( Since I'm here in Pennsylvania, USA, maybe some friends of mine at U of P and Drexel can be of help. While I'm looking for answers maybe this information can be helpful, a stepping stone.

[Wilbert]

http://www.avisynth.org/index.php?page=SimpleSample

tells you how to make AviSynth scripts. I'm sure that people at the AviSynth Development section can give the necessary help!