Deinterlacing for the newbiest of newbs.

[Hulio7271]

I don't even know where to begin on asking questions here. Is it too much to expect that there would be a software out there that you can open a variety of video formats with and then choose 'deinterlace' and it does the job? Then, of course, there can be all kinds of options to refine the deinterlacing process. So, after much much reading I decide to just begin with what everyone refers to as the most basic software, Virtualdub. Start somewhere and then build and improve on what I know, right? Well, to begin with I can't load any original uneditted files into Virtualdub or I get this error:



If I try to load editted videos, I am only able to load them in mpeg1 format - at which point, they are horizontally squished to the point of being a square video! How the hell did my videos become square when I saved them as mpeg1?

Aside from the deinterlacing, I've uploaded two videos on youtube as some early attempts of what I've editted. Both didn't fill the screen... so I used the yt:stretch=16:9 in the tag line. For one it worked perfectly, and for the other it does nothing. How can the same process have two different results? I've become pretty adept at editting my pictures and using photoshop over the years. There are many many options to edit with and many ways to refine the extent to which you can use any of the editting tools. But in the end, the process is you open your file and choose the menu settings that will accomplish the task you want done. There is no downloading codecs and creating text files or unexplained horizontal distorting of picture files. I guess you can see from the tone of this post I'm a little frustrated! I really enjoy the editting process so far and will have lots of fun with that. I just want to get my videos clearer and have not been able to see an explanation or video which breaks it down into the simplest terms and tasks for the completely uninitiated! Any start up, basic advice would GREATLY be appreciated! Thank you in advance... :)

[lordsmurf]

Your source video may be corrupted -- that's not VirtualDub's fault.

[jagabo]

Get the MPEG source plugin for VirtualDub. VirtualDub has problems with interlaced MPEG but it's something to get you started. Or use VirtualDubMod instead of VirtualDub. It handles interlaced MPEG better and doesn't need the source plugin. But since it's based on an older build of VirtualDub it doesn't have the newest deinterlacing options.

[lordsmurf]

I've still not run into issue on Vdub 1.9 and MPEG interlace.

[jagabo]

I've still not run into issue on Vdub 1.9 and MPEG interlace.

Try the attached m2v. Use whatever deinterlace filter you want in VirtualDub, you'll see obvious chroma problems. Virtualdub does this with all interlaced MPEG sources (it's less noticeable with some). Then open the AVS file instead (you must have DgDecode and AviSynth installed). The problems will go away. VirtualDubMod will handle the m2v file correctly.

[Hulio7271]

Thanks guys for the initial acvice. I don't think I emphasized my lack of knowledge enough. I'm certainly not totally computer illiterate... I've spent countless hours editting photos and music files. As you obviously know, there can be numerous types of picture or audio files. And you edit them with software that you eventually become comfortable and adept with. End of story. Here with videos, I have no idea really what I am reading on websites or so far in this discussion.

So, first of all...

VirtualDub has problems with interlaced MPEG but it's something to get you started.

A program that does deinterlacing but has problems with loading interlaced files doesn't seem to be the optmum situation. What software out there would be better suited for the job and is set up to load the file up and deinterlace primarily with just using menu options that are part of that software?

Get the MPEG source plugin for VirtualDub.

Okay I did that and extracted the files. Any time I've editted pictures or music I never had to get a plug in. Now what? What do you do once you've got a plug in? I'm not joking - I am this ignorant of what is being talked about.

Use whatever deinterlace filter you want in VirtualDub, you'll see obvious chroma problems.

Again, is Virtualdub what I want to be using and learning with as a newb or should I start with something better right from the get-go?

Then open the AVS file instead (you must have DgDecode and AviSynth installed). The problems will go away. VirtualDubMod will handle the m2v file correctly.

I don't know what an AVS file is... even after I read a bit about it. What program will make my files AVS files? And I need 3 types of software to do this? Virtualdub, Dgdecode, and aviynth just to deinterlace a video? There isn't software out there that handles the job on its own? (I'm not joking - I am this ignorant of what is being talked about.) And once I have downloaded dgdecode and avisynth I am afraid I will be in the same boat as when I downloaded the mpeg source plug in. What then? How do I use those programs to get virtualdub to deinterlace a video?

Basically I've got files that I've uploaded from my new camera. My computer tells me they are mpeg files but doesn't specify which kind of mpeg file anywhere in the properties window. I am able to combine, edit, splice these videos in any way I want in my initial attempts at editting (and enjoy it a lot already!) and upload them to youtube. And they seem interlaced and not of the best quality/resolution. That's all I know. I literally have no knowledge beyond this. Even if someone can direct me to a website that explains things from square one so that they wouldn't be burdened with the onerous task of explaining everythnig to me. I need software suggestions and also advice on the most basic things I need to do with these mpeg files just uploaded to my computer. So I am correct to understand that I first need to convert them to AVS files? What should I use for this?

[Hulio7271]

Okay I just cut and paste the mpeg source plugin into the 'plugins' folder for virtualdub. Still doesn't load mpeg files - except mpeg1 files.

[jagabo]

Check your file with MediaInfo. It will tell you what container and what codecs are used.

Did you exit VirtualDub and restart it? It only checks for plugins when it starts up. So if you had VirtualDub open before you installed the MPEG2 plugin VirtualDub wouldn't see it until you restarted the program. Can you open the M2v file I uploaded for smurf?

You don't need AviSynth or DgDecode to open an MPG file in VirtualDub.

You can go out and purchase a commercial program like Sony Vegas or VideoStudio and get poor deinterlacing a little easier.

[Hulio7271]

You can go out and purchase a commercial program like Sony Vegas or VideoStudio and get poor deinterlacing a little easier.

Alright I haven't heard good things about VirtualDub... and from the sounds of it, those commercial progams aren't much better. What are the good programs out there? (either commercial or freeware)

And which are the best for other editting such as adjusting brightness, contrast, etc.?

[jagabo]

Alright I haven't heard good things about VirtualDub... and from the sounds of it, those commercial progams aren't much better.

VirtualDub is better at deinterlacing than most commercial programs.

What are the good programs out there? (either commercial or freeware)

The best deinterlacing filters are in AviSynth.

And which are the best for other editting such as adjusting brightness, contrast, etc.?

AviSynth is best there too. Although, there is one great non-linear brightness/contrast/color filter only available for VirtualDub -- Gradation Curves. And most programs have the basics: brightness, gamma, contrast, hue, and saturation.

[davexnet]

Don't forget the source filter does not go into the "plugins" folder - you have to create a new folder called
plugins32 and put the filter in there.

[jagabo]

Don't forget the source filter does not go into the "plugins" folder - you have to create a new folder called plugins32 and put the filter in there.

I have them in the regular plugins folder along with all the other filters.

[davexnet]

Interesting - when they first appeared they used to work in plugins32 - perhaps there's been an "improvement".

[lordsmurf]

There can be a plugins64 folder, too.

[jairovital]

Hulio7271

Before you run Virtualdub put attache file in plugins folder. After that, run Virtualdub and open your mpeg-2 file.

Sorry, dude but here is Planet Video and the life is a little more complicated than in your pics/sound's world. You have to handle with too many progs and scripts. If you go to authoring, you may drown among too many tools like VobSubStrip, SubResync, Vobrator, vStrip, IfoEdit, VobEdit, VobBlanker, Muxman, PgcDemux, PgcEdit, Ac3DelayCorrector, AVIMux, Besweet, Chaptor-X-tractor, DGPulldown, eclcce, GSpot, SubRip, TMPGEnc, MuxMan, ReJig, GordianKnot and many, many others...

Post a direct question and we'll try to help. I understand all your frustrations because I tasted similar dramas...