Super Smooth Slow Motion from standard DV camera

[drewzor]

Hello All.
I have been making Super Smooth slowmotion clips by using VDubMod and premiere. (I have used Huffyuv codec)
The sample clip you use must be smooth (no camera shake) and interlaced.

1) Load clip in VDubMod and use the De-interlace filter discard the second field and save "FirstField"
2) load the same sample clip and de-interlace again but discard first field and add a resize filter. Do not change the size but add 1 pixel to the top in "expand frame and letterbox image. and save as "SecondField"

Note: Sometimes you may need to add a black bar of one pixel to the bottom of the FirstField clip! this stops each frame from jumping up and down one pixel.

Result: this will leave you with 2 clips that look (short) for example if your sample clip is 720x576, the interlace discarded clip will be 720x288 (half hieght) and the second file (with black bar at top of one pixel) ...or sometimes the first clip with black bar at bottom!

FinallyStart premiere and make a custom profile with dimentions 720x288.
1)Import both FirstField and SecondField and load into sequence at the same time.
2)Zoom in until you can see each frame and cut the clips so that the first frame contains FirstField and second frame contains SecondField
3) Repeat this for length of clip, take note tho, anything more then 4 seconds takes a longtime.
4)export out clip and load new clip into the sequence
5)Change your speed (with locked relation to duration) to 35% (up to 15% best 40% depending on clip)
6)load back into VDubMod Resize to 720x576 Precise Biliniar
Congratulations Super Smooth SlowMo

IS THERE SOFTWARE OUT THERE THAT DOES THIS FOR YOU??????

Important: Clip must be resonably smooth (no camera shake or negative movement. Also there are limitations to the speed of what you record in the first place. For example my dv cam has a set shutter speed so if I record something that is really fast each frame is blured anyway. But alot of stuff turns out great such as surfing, athletics etc. If you a good photographer and can move the camera smoothly with the moving object (such as a ball pitched in base ball) the ball is clear in slowmotion while everything else is blured.
All comes down to shutter speed which I'm sure you all understand

[dipstick]

It's nice of you to post your method of getting smooth slow-mo out of interlaced dv.

I use a much easier and faster method that accomplishes the same thing. Use AviSynth with the "SeperateFields" comand, open it in Virtualdub and use the "Interlaced Smooth" plugin to get 60 full sized Progressive frames from the 30i source. You can then slow this down 50% to 30 fps to get nice smoth slow-mo.

[jagabo]

Or use BOB() and AssumeFPS() in AVISynth.

[drewzor]

I knew you guys would know an easier way! thanks

[liquid217]

i can't help you with an easier way, but there is a way that can make some incredable slo-mo footage from standard dv. Using MVTools for Avisynth, and the function below.

function smoothfps(clip source, float fps) {
fp=fps*100
backward_vec = source.MVAnalyse(isb = true, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=1)
# we use explicit idx for more fast processing
forward_vec = source.MVAnalyse(isb = false, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=1)
cropped = source.crop(4,4,-4,-4) # by half of block size 8
backward_vec2 = cropped.MVAnalyse(isb = true, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=2)
forward_vec2 = cropped.MVAnalyse(isb = false, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=2)
return source.MVFlowFps2(backward_vec,forward_vec,backward_vec2,forward_vec2,num=int(fp),den=100, idx=1,idx2=2)
}

usage example:
avisource("test.avi")
smoothfps(2997)
assumefps(29.97)

This will create 100 frames for 1 frame, effectively slowing it down by 1/100th. Ive taken wrestling footage (people being slammed to the mat, etc), and done this effect to create some awesome menus.

[drewzor]

Looks interesting.. I'm only new to scripting (very new) but I'll give that one a go. Do you have a small sample clip that i can preview to see what the result should look like?

[liquid217]

Sure. right click, and choose save as.
https://www.videohelp.com/~liquid217/normal.avi
https://www.videohelp.com/~liquid217/slomo.avi

Slomo was slowed down by appx 10X with the following script
avisource("ring2.avi")
smoothfps(299)
assumefps(29.97)

[guns1inger]

Seems to create a lot of artifacts though.

My preference, although possibly not practical in your case, is Vegas. It has a very strong slow motion filter, as well as the very powerful velocity envelope.

[liquid217]

My source was pretty bad, though. Garbage in - Garbage out. The low contrast didn't give the filter much to work with. MVTools will do an excellent job at tracking motion.
I am an avid vegas 6 user, but I don't believe Vegas tracks motion. It simply blends (which for most people, that is sufficient).

[drewzor]

Interesting, I can see what guns1inger means, infact i have seen that effect on my first attempts using dynapel slow motion software. Its like eccoes of each frame..
I can see that the source was a little ruff, but like Dynapel the end result does seem to have added noise. Still I will try liquid217 method when I know what I'm doing with script.
As for using vagas or premieres slowmotion standards, its my understanding that all they do is repeat frames which causes stutter in the slow motion. My goal is to get smooth and clear slowmotion like a real high speed camera.

I have a sample of my footage here at 512x288 it comes from anamorphic 720x576 16:9. You can see at the begining of slow motion a negative movement of the camera causes some noise but clears when the camera tracks motion again at the same velocity.

Slowed smooth 2.0Mb

Slowerstill 2.5Mb

Oh and can you explain to me alittle more about MVtools (sorry didn't even know about scripting video a week ago!) ??

[drewzor]

I have been playing with your wrestling footage and have found that my method does fall short in comparison for slowed speed and while my method retains clarity there is too much stutter (at least with this sample clip) between frames..

Besides I'm guessing your method takes only a few min's while mine takes a few more of them..
I will post my version of the slowed wrestle clip a little later..

[liquid217]

You can download, and read up on mvtools here:
http://avisynth.org.ru/mvtools/mvtools.html

I use it, not only for the slo-mo effect, but also for image stabilization. (Especially when I don't have a tri-pod).

[drewzor]

Thank you for the link, I'm starting on scripting with avisynth and MvTools next week. I have no idea about this method but look forward to trying it.

Here is my version of your wrestling clip, it jumps frames every now and again, probably dropped frames from the xvid compression but it gives you an idea the result from my long and overly complicated method!

SlowMoD 3.0Mb

[jagabo]

Here is my version of your wrestling clip, it jumps frames every now and again

The jerkiness comes from the frame rate conversion. The source is 29.97 fps, your slowmo version is 25 fps.

AVISource("normal.avi")
BOB()
LanczosResize(320, 240)
AssumeFPS(29.97)

bob.avi

function smoothfps(clip source, float fps) { 
fp=fps*100
backward_vec = source.MVAnalyse(isb = true, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=1) 
# we use explicit idx for more fast processing 
forward_vec = source.MVAnalyse(isb = false, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=1) 
cropped = source.crop(4,4,-4,-4) # by half of block size 8 
backward_vec2 = cropped.MVAnalyse(isb = true, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=2) 
forward_vec2 = cropped.MVAnalyse(isb = false, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=2) 
return source.MVFlowFps2(backward_vec,forward_vec,backward_vec2,forward_vec2,num=int(fp),den=100, idx=1,idx2=2) 
} 

AVISource("normal.avi")
BOB()
smoothfps(299.7) 
LanczosResize(320, 240)
AssumeFPS(29.97)

slow.avi

[drewzor]

Very good! of course the pal 25fps sorry about that, I'am new to all this. I think I'm going to have to learn more about this scripting stuff before trying it out though.

You guys are great for helping me with this slow motion project. Thank you very much

I'm using avsedit and have installed Mvtools and can get a preview <using your code> however it is much less smooth then your "slow.avi" I thought that if i open the file in vdubmod and run the script then save it, it mayhave smoothed but its a shocker...

each frame holds just too long ... have i done something wrong?
Oh wait I did start with bob.avi....

[drewzor]

RightiO... I have been playing around with avisynth and mvtools to create my slow motion segments and it is much quicker so thanks guys.

Question: Can you gradually slow down to slowmotion with these scripts?

Rather then straight into 100fps I would like to "pull" the time down to 100fps.

Anyone have any ideas

[liquid217]

Question: Can you gradually slow down to slowmotion with these scripts?

I doubt that avisynth will be able to help you much there. You could create several 'clips' within clips, and run them at vaious increments.

The easiest solution would be to render out your clip at the slowest speed, then import into an NLE (like vegas) and create a velocity envelope, making 4x as fast at the beginning and slowing it down linearly.

[drewzor]

Vegas seems to be the preference around here... I have it and will give it a go. Is there a velocity envolope in premiere?

[liquid217]

Ok, here is a crazy script that you can try for a gradual slowing down process.

src=avisource("normal.avi").bilinearresize(320,240)
src++src++src++src++src++src

Animate(0,504,"smoothfps", 29.97, 299.7)

assumefps(29.97)

The 'animate' function is designed to work with other functions.. like our 'smoothfps'. It starts at 29.97 (the first argument), and ends at 299.7.
The problem is that animate always returns the original amount of frames going in, so thats why I made the clip repeat 6 times. The 5 repeats are never seen, since the animate function does our slow-down effect.

[drewzor]

Thats Great!
I can understand the logic of this script,
But I'm getting "invalid arguments to function (animate).."
Remember I'm very new to scripting so sorry if its something obvious.

I have assumed that the "Animate(0,504 < is number of frames and have tried to change that to equal my sample file.. that didnot work though.

Animate(start_frame,end_frame,filtername,start_arg s,end_args)

I can't see why its not working for me?

[jagabo]

Did you include the smoothfps script (as given above).

[drewzor]

I thinks so, here is a screen shot

[jagabo]

I haven't actually tried it but you have to include the smoothfps function:

function smoothfps(clip source, float fps) { 
fp=fps*100 
backward_vec = source.MVAnalyse(isb = true, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=1) 
# we use explicit idx for more fast processing 
forward_vec = source.MVAnalyse(isb = false, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=1) 
cropped = source.crop(4,4,-4,-4) # by half of block size 8 
backward_vec2 = cropped.MVAnalyse(isb = true, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=2) 
forward_vec2 = cropped.MVAnalyse(isb = false, truemotion=true, pel=2, idx=2) 
return source.MVFlowFps2(backward_vec,forward_vec,backward_vec2,forward_vec2,num=int(fp),den=100, idx=1,idx2=2) 
}

src=avisource("normal.avi").bilinearresize(320,240) 
src++src++src++src++src++src 

Animate(0,504,"smoothfps", 29.97, 299.7) 

assumefps(29.97)

[dipstick]

This is what's great about this forum, you get to learn new technics.

I've been playing around with MVtools and am liking the results I'm getting. It works pretty good with 30p source I used. Only very fast motion causes strange artifacts in my testing. Here's a clip I slowed down to 25% of original speed:


wmvslow.avi

[drewzor]

Sorry about that, the obviousness of my error !!!
I have acheieved some great results from these scripts and have learned alot while tweeking them to suit my footage.

The audio for the last code for gradual slow down remains unchanged and repeats itself for the duration of play. Any scripts out there to manage sound in the same way?

Thanks to everyone with this project, I have learned alot with your help.

[drewzor]

Looking through what I have done so far (keeping in mind I have no idea with this scripting business as examplified in my previous posts) I still think my first example could challenge the output quality of these scripts?? (even though my method takes three days)

I suggest someone - or I will post a sample video (preferably decent Quality)
Specifications:
Interlace footage of motion
(not too quick that each frame is blured)
No larger then 3Mb (as the slowed version is going to be larger)
and we all submit our results and methods..

Result expected: Footage that starts in realtime and slows to constant slowmotion of event.

[liquid217]

You may be able to use assumefps(29.97, sync_audio = true). Once this is set, it should adjust the sample rate according to the fps. You will also need to resample the audio afterwards with:
resampleaudio(44100)

[dphirschler]

OK, I am getting an error message "script error: MVAnalyse does not have a named argument 'truemotion'". Has a newer version come out that removes or renames that argument? My version is 0.9.9.1.


Darryl

[dphirschler]

OK, it appears that any version later than 0.9.5 has the "Interpolating filters disabled". So can anyone point me to version 0.9.5?

Edit: OK, looks like it is now working with version 1.3.0 found here: http://avisynth.org/warpenterprises/files/mvtools_25_dll_20060605.zip

And I must say... it is very impressive!


Darryl

[liquid217]

Scroll to the very bottom to get the latest version.
http://avisynth.org.ru/mvtools/mvtools.html
Version 1.6.2