To Other CANOPUS ADVC-300 users!

[rezonat0r]

Greetings. I've got the new ADVC-300 unit which works great for the most part, but I seem to have noticed something that I'm curious if others with the 300 notice.

I've found that, in the Controller 300, changing the 3D Noise Reduction setting for the "C" signal to "Strong" (instead of Weak or Off) seems to actually have a really bad effect on the video. The default for both Y and C is "Weak", and by changing them both to strong I SEEMED at first to get cleaner video. But if you look closely, if "C" is set to Strong, very hot colors (red, yellow, or blue, especially) will leave a trail or ghost for around 5-10 frames more. It happens even across a cut, but its even easier to spot when its a moving object.

You can see it easily if you just hook up a camcorder directly to the ADVC-300 and monitor the camera through the maximized Controller's preview. That way you eliminate the possibility that this artifact is tape-related (I've noticed some older tapes exhibit a similar thing...)

Then put something bright red in good lighting, zoom in on it and move the camera around. Does it look all smeary/splotchy with "C" set to Strong, but look fine with it set to Weak?

So far it looks like leaving "Y" on Strong is OK, haven't noticed anything as bad as this, at least.

Canopus said I'm the first one to see this, so can anyone else confirm or deny?

[bb]

Although I don't have an ADVC-300, I'm pretty certain what happens here. I've got a TV set with a similar setting, but no separate settings for luma and color.

The "3D Noise Reduction" is most probably nothing but a temporal noise filter. The smearing effect should be there for the luma, too, but less visible - you just don't recognise it as easily as in the color channels. It is recommended to use moderate settings for such filters, else you'll get these typical "smearing effects".

When Canopus say you're the first one to see that, that's most likely blah blah.

bb

[rezonat0r]

Thanks for the reply, and I think you are very possibly right.

It makes sense that they wouldn't default to the stronger NR settings. but why even let you turn them up if it damages the video that much?

I don't know details of the NR filters used, but they seem to work rather well. It even does a pretty good job of getting rid of the _severe_ noise (all sorts of funky banding) I can make by waving my hand directly over my VCR where the heads are (presumably it isn't a very well sheilded VCR...)

As for the filters being temporal.. isn't time the 4th dimension? Video weirdness strikes again. :)

I can't really discern any smearing with luma/Y set to Strong or Weak, but Strong definitely cuts back noticeably some of the subtle noise (new-ish VHS source). How much damage do you think I'm doing by leaving this set to Strong? Anything in particular to look for?

Also, if someone could confirm that this happens for them too that'd be great. Wanna make sure my ADVC-300 ain't outta whack. Thanks!

[bb]

Originally posted by rezonat0r
[...]but why even let you turn them up if it damages the video that much?
It depends on the video how much the effect is visible. If you need to get rid of heavy noise, the smearing might be the lesser problem.

Originally posted by rezonat0r
[...]As for the filters being temporal.. isn't time the 4th dimension? Video weirdness strikes again. :)
Each picture is a two-dimensional projection of the three-dimensional world. This is where you lose one dimension ;)
If we had real 3D video, I mean like holographic video, then time would (again) be the fourth dimension.

Originally posted by rezonat0r
I can't really discern any smearing with luma/Y set to Strong or Weak, but Strong definitely cuts back noticeably some of the subtle noise (new-ish VHS source). How much damage do you think I'm doing by leaving this set to Strong? Anything in particular to look for?[...]
I'd watch out for very bright, white objects.

bb

[rezonat0r]

Makes sense. The particular video I'm transfering is quite busy, so its tough to pick out more subtle artifacts than the color smear. Thanks again!

Seems like other ADVC-300 users are either in hiding, or had to sell their computers to afford the 300. :) Someone care to comment on their results with the 300's 3D NR settings?

Peace