script to sharpen DVD

[vertical]

Hi,

Please advise whether the following script to increase the sharpness of DVD while converting it from PAL to NTSC might work.

1. I create image file from VOBs with Nero (“moviename.nrg)
2. Use the following script to load in Procoder:

DirectShowSource("E:\Movies\name.of.movie.nrg")
Sharpen(0.4)

Thank you.

[kurbads]

You shoud open vobs firstin dgindex, create d2v file, then load plugin from dgindex direcory in avisynth and use mpeg2source function.

[vertical]

Thank you.

It is a little confusing. Why should I create d2v file if I convert PAL DVD to NTSC DVD.

Actually, while for a reply I tried the script and it worked. I tried the resulting picture on PC so far but not on my standalone yet. But it is defunitely sharper than it was without the script.

Am I still doing something wrong?

[guns1inger]

FFDShow must somehow be opening the image file.

The better method is to demux the video you want, open it with dgindex, and go from there.

Also, depending on what type of sharpening you want to do, there are better options than the standard builtin Sharpen filter.

[kurbads]

DGIndex gives native access to dvd for aviscript.
The script then looks:
LoadPlugin("D:\Programs\DVD programs\DGIndex\DGDecode.dll")
Mpeg2Source("C:\Temp\1.d2v")
ConvertBackToYUY2
ResizeBicubic(704,576)
#or ResizeBicubic(720,576)
AssumeFPS(25)
If video is hard encoded 29.97, then add line
Telecide(Order=1,Guide=1).Decimate(5)
If it is not use FILM option in FieldOperation settings in DGIndex.

Also put CCE picture quality simple setting option closer to flat.
This requires higher bitrate but will not degrade sharpness through encoding.

By the way no need to demux video unless it is encrypted. You may open vobs direcly in DGIndex. Do not load *.0.VOB - it is menu vob.
DGIndex will also demux the sound. Set audio output method to wav. Then open sound in CoolEdit and stretch it for 104.271%.
Save it and encode with TmpegEncode 160 kbit stero mp2 with crc on (for advanced authoring porograms).

[manono]

1. ConvertToYUY2() at the very end. The various filters will benefit as far as speed goes by keeping it YV12 until the very end.
2. It's BicubicResize and not ResizeBicubic. Also, if you don't give it parameters, by default it goes (for example) BicubicResize(720,576,0.33,0.33), nowhere near as good as BicubicResize(720,576,0,0.5), in my opinion. I use LanczosResize anyway.
3. He's going from PAL to NTSC, so AssumeFPS(25) has no relevance and there's no IVTC.

Loading the vobs into DGIndex can be a big mistake if there are other PGCs in the same VTS. I always demux what I want to encode using PGCDemux, before loading anything into DGIndex.

I'd encode for 25fps 720x480 and use DGPulldown afterwards for 25->29.97. That way the audio doesn't have to be stretched. And even if I did slow it to 23.976fps, requiring stretching the audio, CoolEdit would be the last program I'd use for the job. I used to use it for that sometimes, and it always made the audio "warbly" sounding. Maybe it's better now. I don't know.

[kurbads]

1) "It's BicubicResize and not ResizeBicubic"
-You are right.

2) (720,576,0.33,0.33), nowhere near as good as BicubicResize(720,576,0,0.5), in my opinion. I use LanczosResize anyway.
-Did not know! Will read quick ref.

3) He's going from PAL to NTSC, so AssumeFPS(25) has no relevance and there's no IVTC.
-Sorry, did not read carefully!

4) Loading the vobs into DGIndex can be a big mistake if there are other PGCs in the same VTS. I always demux what I want to encode using PGCDemux, before loading anything into DGIndex.
-Not a big mistake if you are familliar with chapters!

5) I'd encode for 25fps 720x480 and use DGPulldown afterwards for 25->29.97. That way the audio doesn't have to be stretched.
-This is fantastic! How did you learn about it? Does it work with any frame rate e.g. 15->25 for PAL, too? How do the players play it afterwards, smoothly?

6) And even if I did slow it to 23.976fps, requiring stretching the audio, CoolEdit would be the last program I'd use for the job. I used to use it for that sometimes, and it always made the audio "warbly" sounding. Maybe it's better now. I don't know.
-Maybe you were using version 1? Or maybe you did set the lowest/fastest quality? Or maybe you stretched more than 10%? Or maybe source was "warbly"?

[manono]

5) DGPulldown can be used to apply pulldown for any base framerate down to 2/3 of the output framerate. For NTSC this means 19.98fps and above. For PAL this means 16.667fps and above. The source must be progressive. Play's smoothly? I haven't had any problems, and I've used it probably more than anyone on a mix of silent films with unusual framerates and standards conversions. You'll have to test for yourself. There are a very few DVD players (probably less than 1%) for which it doesn't work perfectly, even though it's completely "legal".

[vertical]

Hi,

Procoder does not have option NTSC 25 fps but it has 24->NTSC (3-2 pulldown).

Can this one used instead of 25 in order to be able to use DGPulldown later?

When you mentioned about "better options than the standard builtin Sharpen filter", you peobably meant LimitedSharpen?

I would be happy to use it but it looks complacted for my level. Do I understand right that I need to put MaskTools and the WarpSharp.dll into Avisynth plugin directory and after that to use the code below like part of a scipt (resizing and other stuff) but change parameters if required?

LimitedSharpen( ss_x=1.5, ss_y=1.5, dest_x=last.width, dest_y=last.height,
\ Smode=3, strength=100, radius=2,
\ Lmode=1, wide=false, overshoot=1,
\ soft=false, edgemode=0, special=false,
\ exborder=0 )

[manono]

No encoder will have an option for NTSC 25fps. I don't use Procoder. It's easy enough in CCE, and you can do it in TMPGEnc, I know, but don't ask me how. FulciLives has a guide somewhere on this site for TMPGenc. You can probably encode for 24fps, and just run DGPulldown later for 25->29.97. That should make it come out all right.

Any sharpener is better than AviSynth's Sharpen. guns1inger likes ASharp. Some like MSharpen. I prefer LimitedSharpenFaster. I use it like this:

LoadPlugin("C:\Path\To\DGDecode.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Path\To\MaskTools.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Path\To\MT_MAskTools.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Path\To\RemoveGrain.dll")
MPEG2Source("C:\Path\To\Movie.d2v")
dull=last
Sharp=LimitedSharpenFaster(ss_x=1.25,ss_y=1.25,Smo de=4,strength=150,soft=30)
Soothe(sharp,dull,25)

And adjust the strength. I think all the stuff you need can be found here:

http://www.avisynth.org/LimitedSharpen
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=99679&highlight=soothe

You put the LimitedSharpenFaster and Soothe functions in your AviSynth Plugins folder. Name them LimitedSharpenFaster.avsi and Soothe.avsi. That way they'll get called automatically when used in a script. There are also big threads at Doom9 about LimitedSharpen, and Integrated Image Processor, and Seesaw.

Where's my Procoder sample you were going to upload?

[Soopafresh]

Just a note to address some possible confusion on LimitedSharpen - There are two scripts out there - LimitedSharpen.avs and LimitedSharpenFaster.avs - both do the same thing, but "Faster" requires MT_masktools.dll and is invoked in your script with the command

LimitedSharpenFaster(smode=4,strength=150)

- vs the original LimitedSharpen script -

LimitedSharpen(smode=4,strength=150)


LimitedSharpenFaster DOES run a few fps faster. manono demonstrates the syntax above (great choice with Smode=4, btw)

Links:

http://www.avisynth.org/mediawiki/images/2/2d/LimitedSharpenFaster.avs

MT_masktools.dll http://manao4.free.fr/masktools-v2.0a30.zip

[vertical]

Guys,

Thank you! I think I will do my first conversion with just builtin sharpeing otherwise I will never finish my first project.

Actually I made samples of converted PAL DVD to NTSC with sharpening (no resizing; just sharpeing and nothing more) and after that I compared the sample and just regular DVD (Devil's Advocate). To my eyes, the sample was in no way worse than Devil's Advocate. My wife said the sample is better -)

manono, sorry! Was all the way busy with sharpening. It will be on within an hour.

[vertical]

manono,

I put the link for the upload into the thread: https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?p=1585231&sid=a578de0d0df29e6646a368ee8c80e2c1#1585231