AVISYNTH filters for idiots

[jarroyo]

Having finally become proficient at capturing, I am looking for my next challenge. I am going to start using avisynth to do some processing on and AVI file before going into my encoder. I figured that while I am at it, I might as well do some "cleaning" filter stuff. My source is 8mm camcorder tapes and the image is in good shape. I was told that I might be surprised what a temporal filter and 2d filter could do (whatever that means). Can somebody give me a sample script and explain in simple terms what the filters do?

I saw the guide on How to edit with AVISYNTH here but it lacked the simple explanations. Should I not bother since I am pretty happy with my results without filters? I dont want to blur my video...

Source: 10 to 1 year old 8mm tapes
target: DVD-R
Condition: of source pretty good (I dont see any evident noise)
Encoder: Mainconcept and CCE Basic (I will frameserve)

Thanks

[bunyip]

You'd never forgive yourself if you don't learn the use of AVISYNTH, you'll always wonder -"could I have done a better encode?".

I put off the use of Avisynth for some time because it looked complex due to its script-based usage but I have since found it quite interesting in it's experimental nature.

The doc that comes with the tool (docs/index.html) is good with its examples & explanation for each filter, which I trial to see what the effect may be.

I have created a working 'AVS' file that allows me to turn filters on and off at will to test on sample videos - you might benefit from doing the same thing.

Here is an excerpt from the AVS file:

#LoadPlugin("E:\PROGRA~1\DVD2SVCD\INVERS~1\DONALD~ 1\decomb.dll")
LoadPlugin("E:\PROGRA~1\DVD2SVCD\MPEG2Dec\mpeg2dec 2.dll")
#LoadPlugin("E:\PROGRA~1\DVD2SVCD\Avisynth\dnr2.dl l")

AVIsource("capture_1.00.avi")
#AssumeFPS(29.97)
#ConvertToYUY2()
#SmartDeinterlace(2,10,true,true,true)
#LoadVirtualDubPlugin ("dnr2.vdf","DNR")
#Blendfields()
#SeparateFields()
#SelectEvery(2,0)
#Telecide()
#dnr2(6)
#sharpen(0.5)
BicubicResize(480,576,0.0,0.6)
#ResampleAudio(44100)
#ConvertToRGB()
#DNR(12)

By adding/removing the comment character (#) the filter is turned on/off and by experimenting with filter settings on say a 1 minute video you quickly learn the effects and best settings for each filter.

[jarroyo]

Thank you very much. This is what I was looking for. I will look at it. I notice you dont use any Temporal softeners, do you not recommend them?

Thanks

[bunyip]

The above listing is just a sample - there are countless filters available for AVISYNTH - add to this the fact that Avisynth can also use the vast collection of filters written for VirtualDub and you could easily spend months trying them all out.

I personally don't use smoothers or softeners, but that's a matter of individual taste, I prefer my vids to be sharp & crisp, even if it means leaving some noise in the video. I find it visually uncomfortable watching a 'softened' video, however others I have spoken to prefer the soft version.