FILM9 - Restoration software for old films (8mm, Super8, 16mm) and video

[Past Colours]

Film9 is an excellent way to begin, prior to using deoldify. I have had some excellent results with 1940 circa 8mm film. Cleaning up things first in film9 will improve your results on the deoldify colab site.

Thank you papawupa, I'm heading down the rabbit hole !

[Remco00]

https://files.videohelp.com/u/298231/MVI_8730_V0.mp4

Dear all,

I've been using Film9 in the past, switched to the Video Fred scripts but it was a bit complicated for me so back to Film9 again.
Generally I get good results in removing grain etc, but what I notice is that every time the scene changes the first few frames are not treated. Almost as if for every frame film9 compares with the previous frame but because it's the first frame from that scene there's nothing to compare with. Has anybody seen this before?

In the above link there's an example of a movie that I scanned with my speed adjusted Bauer T502 (16.666fps) and a Canon 650D DSLR in video mode. Film9 settings: remove dirts : double action, scratches clean: enhanced action, degrain 100% triple action. Color base autogain + autowhite switched on.

Hope anybody can help.
Thanks!

[JahMon]

Newbie, and frustrated. I've been up and down this forum. I keep getting the error message below. Here's what I've done.
Uninstalled EVERYTHING. avisynth, virtualdub2, film9, klite codecs etc. restart, restart restart.

Installed Film9 again.
Installed Klite---did NOT upgrade it so it would finish the install correctly. (i stopped there because I did an update before and it did NOT solve the problem)
Installed logarith.

I get this error message: "AVISource: couldn't locate a decompressor for fourcc NV12" (C:\program files (x86)\film9\dll\s.avs,line 5)

My source file is an avi file. I've also tried a few different output types, no luck.
[Attachment 64653 - Click to enlarge]

I ran the gspot codec tool and do have a nv12 codec installed. It's not a .dll extension. should I copy it with a dll extension to the film9 plugins??

Heelllppp!

[Past Colours]

Hi Film 9 friends.

2 days ago , I attempted to open film 9 and suddendly an exception error message appeared....Strange, I thought, and I attempted to open it again...an unfortunately the exception error continued. Frustrated , I uninstalled the program and re installed it. The same error appears preventing the program from opening.

I really have no Nerd or PC Geek factor within me so any issue that has requirement to solve a backend / code/ investigative install error normally gets the flick from me. But JUST as I am beginning to find this program useable and quite acceptable for my purposes...it turns its back on me....

Can anyone lend any advice on how to simply overcome this ?

Kindest Regrds
Peter
[Attachment 64795 - Click to enlarge]

[Past Colours]

Newbie, and frustrated. I've been up and down this forum. I keep getting the error message below. Here's what I've done.
Uninstalled EVERYTHING. avisynth, virtualdub2, film9, klite codecs etc. restart, restart restart.

Installed Film9 again.
Installed Klite---did NOT upgrade it so it would finish the install correctly. (i stopped there because I did an update before and it did NOT solve the problem)
Installed logarith.

I get this error message: "AVISource: couldn't locate a decompressor for fourcc NV12" (C:\program files (x86)\film9\dll\s.avs,line 5)

My source file is an avi file. I've also tried a few different output types, no luck.
[Attachment 64653 - Click to enlarge]

I ran the gspot codec tool and do have a nv12 codec installed. It's not a .dll extension. should I copy it with a dll extension to the film9 plugins??

Heelllppp!

Any luck ?

[Gelinox]

I admit that we dropped Film9 a bit and moved on, Avisynth is not really on top at the moment... so I had to go back to the code of the application to find where your problem.

Both error messages have this in common:
The application must create a "hidden" directory to work (like 99% of applications), this directory contains the user's settings and is located here:

C:\Users\YourSessionName\AppData\Local\Film9

This directory must be completely deleted in case of reinstallation.
And your computer probably refuses access to this directory (anti-virus or other?).

Instead of trying to contact us by several possible ways, you could have started by looking at the help on page 66:
"When I click on Film9.exe, nothing opens."

Good continuation

[Past Colours]

I admit that we dropped Film9 a bit and moved on, Avisynth is not really on top at the moment... so I had to go back to the code of the application to find where your problem.

Both error messages have this in common:
The application must create a "hidden" directory to work (like 99% of applications), this directory contains the user's settings and is located here:

C:\Users\YourSessionName\AppData\Local\Film9

This directory must be completely deleted in case of reinstallation.
And your computer probably refuses access to this directory (anti-virus or other?).

Instead of trying to contact us by several possible ways, you could have started by looking at the help on page 66:
"When I click on Film9.exe, nothing opens."

Good continuation

Hi Gelinox,

My sincere apologies for irritating you, and the whole world of computer / tech savvy/ Code creating Geeks. I know how mind numbingly dumb I must appear and how frustrating it is for you and like minded Code aware nerds. Unfortunately as much as I try I am absolutely and totally useless with anything that strays outside of point and click software. And what's more I know how much I grind the teeth of you folk that simply say ..."READ THE FREAKING NOTES"...Often even they confuse me to the point of my own frustration.........I apologize.

Having said that, Thank you for responding and giving me a fix, I can assure you I would have totally stuffed up the rectification process or spent weeks trying to nut through even the simplest of procedures only to find a train wreck after my muddling through anything that resembles tech.

I am having fun with your Film9 and appreciate the effort and dedication you have spent attempting to achieve a system to fix old film and video issues.

I note some push back and some offensive responses to your altruistic attempts to share your hard work. Perhaps there are ways and means to circumnavigate what you guys are doing by having a good understanding of the various underpinning programming systems, Avisynth etc, That is all well and good for those that are adept at utilising or wading through those "systems", but for someone like me, What you are doing is wonderful, albeit to the Geeks and Code Nerds it may be rudimentary and simple, to me you are a Rock star and I truly appreciate your efforts.

Thank You.

P.S. I have made a study of your pdf download and attempt to re read it as I go.

[Gelinox]

Thank you for your kind feedback, no worries.

Kindest Regards

[bc91344]

I admit that we dropped Film9 a bit and moved on, Avisynth is not really on top at the moment... so I had to go back to the code of the application to find where your problem.

Both error messages have this in common:
The application must create a "hidden" directory to work (like 99% of applications), this directory contains the user's settings and is located here:

C:\Users\YourSessionName\AppData\Local\Film9

This directory must be completely deleted in case of reinstallation.
And your computer probably refuses access to this directory (anti-virus or other?).

Instead of trying to contact us by several possible ways, you could have started by looking at the help on page 66:
"When I click on Film9.exe, nothing opens."

Good continuation

I hope this doesn't mean Film9 is at an end. I think it's a great program. I did try to make a donation to say thanks but it appears that doesn't work these days. Here's hoping you will continue your efforts on it.

[JahMon]

Thanks!

[Past Colours]

I admit that we dropped Film9 a bit and moved on, Avisynth is not really on top at the moment... so I had to go back to the code of the application to find where your problem.

Both error messages have this in common:
The application must create a "hidden" directory to work (like 99% of applications), this directory contains the user's settings and is located here:

C:\Users\YourSessionName\AppData\Local\Film9

This directory must be completely deleted in case of reinstallation.
And your computer probably refuses access to this directory (anti-virus or other?).

Instead of trying to contact us by several possible ways, you could have started by looking at the help on page 66:
"When I click on Film9.exe, nothing opens."

Good continuation

I hope this doesn't mean Film9 is at an end. I think it's a great program. I did try to make a donation to say thanks but it appears that doesn't work these days. Here's hoping you will continue your efforts on it.

I must admit, I also attempted to make a donation, but the Link is broken.

I've noted other people with Code skills have made some extremely downgrading remarks and responses to the Film 9 Team regarding their efforts in developing a program that meets all needs and is subsequently for all intents and purposes "given away" from the altruistic love of the Genre by the Film9 Team. If life experience has taught me something: No one solution is a "Fits All" solution, everything has to be broken down into its key areas of specificity and then a solution program based around that specific.

Having said that: So many people out here are not capable of computing the technical aspects of code or a user unfriendly code based method of delivering a result.

What Film9 has done is deliver a great way for those that are inclined to restore old Films and Videos a pathway into at least having a solution that in the main, does a job well beyond what was available previously to the technically challenged....such as myself.

[Gelinox]

For information, no update of Film9 being planned, Gilles and I have decided to remove the link allowing a donation.
But thank you for your intention.

[Past Colours]

Thanks for your response. So do you have any intentions of developing or providing replacement programs for the film and video buffs around the world ?

[johnmeyer]

Thanks for your response. So do you have any intentions of developing or providing replacement programs for the film and video buffs around the world ?

Use VideoFred's scripts over at doom9.org.

[johnmeyer]

I just received a private message from Past Colours. I have asked him to please post his questions in this forum and not ask via PM. Here is a copy of what he asked and how I answered.

Hi John,

No doubt you've seen a few of my posts on Film 9.

I truly am Code / Script etc challenged and am not only intimidated by code, but am totally ignorant and illiterate of it and scripts when putting my mind to attempting to understand or use anything but a well presented user interface.

I truly envy the types that are proficient at their use or are actually capable of working through their use, let alone those that can actually write it, develop it and utilise it on the fly or with some patience as they are restoring old film.

Film 9 as clunky as it is has the simple interface that I have the time to use: Using Film 9 was a sufficiently difficult process for me.

How do I start to educate myself with the various scripts to a point where I can simply quickly upload a video or film for quick editing ?

Kindest Regards
Peter

I don't want to seem snippy, but there really isn't any reason you need to send me a private message about this. You should simply post it in the forum where dozens of other people can help answer your question. There is nothing sensitive or private about your request.

If you are not able to understand or run scripts then I'm afraid you cannot do video or film restoration. There is quite a bit of technical know how required.

If you do want to learn about how restoration like Peter Jackson does can be done by you, then here are the three threads you should look at over at doom9.org:


http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=144271

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=165975

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=174298

This is a Vimeo video that shows some of his [VideoFred's] work.

https://vimeo.com/2823934

I will not reply further in a private forum discussion. You need to post any further comments in the open forum.

[Alwyn]

I don't want to seem snippy

Give Peter a break, John. He starts with Hi John and finishes with Kind regards and you're tearing strips off him. I'm sure Peter didn't PM you because they wanted to hide anything or were embarrassed. He had found somebody who had directly answered his question and wanted to ask you personally. While you now know there is a good reason for not PMing people, which is that others can learn from the responses, that reason is not intuitive or logical and needs to be explained, as it was to me many moons ago.

[bc91344]

For information, no update of Film9 being planned, Gilles and I have decided to remove the link allowing a donation.
But thank you for your intention.

Sorry to hear this but many thanks for your time and effort - it has helped me a lot.

[Past Colours]

I just received a private message from Past Colours. I have asked him to please post his questions in this forum and not ask via PM. Here is a copy of what he asked and how I answered.

Hi John,

No doubt you've seen a few of my posts on Film 9.

I truly am Code / Script etc challenged and am not only intimidated by code, but am totally ignorant and illiterate of it and scripts when putting my mind to attempting to understand or use anything but a well presented user interface.

I truly envy the types that are proficient at their use or are actually capable of working through their use, let alone those that can actually write it, develop it and utilise it on the fly or with some patience as they are restoring old film.

Film 9 as clunky as it is has the simple interface that I have the time to use: Using Film 9 was a sufficiently difficult process for me.

How do I start to educate myself with the various scripts to a point where I can simply quickly upload a video or film for quick editing ?

Kindest Regards
Peter

I don't want to seem snippy, but there really isn't any reason you need to send me a private message about this. You should simply post it in the forum where dozens of other people can help answer your question. There is nothing sensitive or private about your request.

If you are not able to understand or run scripts then I'm afraid you cannot do video or film restoration. There is quite a bit of technical know how required.

If you do want to learn about how restoration like Peter Jackson does can be done by you, then here are the three threads you should look at over at doom9.org:


http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=144271

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=165975

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=174298

This is a Vimeo video that shows some of his [VideoFred's] work.

https://vimeo.com/2823934

I will not reply further in a private forum discussion. You need to post any further comments in the open forum.

Dear John,

I apologize for reaching out, I clearly understand your response, Thank you for clarifying what I need to do, I simply wished to engage on a more personal level, having seen the level of respect that is directed towards you on forums. I will not attempt to contact you privately henceforth.

Kindest Regards
Peter

[Past Colours]

Oh boy, I've just reviewed the "The power of Avisynth: new 8mm film restoring examples" from the Doom9 Forum, I now understand the part of the evolutionary cycle I am at. I have a long road ahead of me.

I guess I am not currently looking to be a "Film Restorer" in the sense of having a projector/ film capture device to capture old Film and then move through the processes of correcting Film or video and tweaking my capturing devices results, with the relevant scripts and software.

I am stepping into the pond looking to: "Play" with already uploaded Video's and Film, to colourise and artistically improve the available online resources:

Such as:
Old sports films and videos
Old music videos
Historical online film - cityscapes, day to day life etc.

I wish to be able to use a range of available commercial software / programs and utilise the "scripts" available to pre configure online video for further enhancement.

I am extremely creative and have suitable artistic acumen and desire to pick up the relevant skills needed to create an attractive finished piece, I simply lack the technical ability to implement the coding and scripting part of the show. (at this point)

How do I find a starting point? where do I acquire :

The scripts and how do I implement them ?
Where do I seek out the knowledge to not only utilize the scripts, but also begin to use the correct technological know how to implement changes or tweak scripts or indeed create scripts?

I trust these are questions that will not make anyone angry or request that I find the resources elsewhere as I am eager to apply some creativity to a world of old film and Video.

(I will be asking some really, really, brain numbingly dumb questions as I pick up speed)

Kindest Regards

Peter

[ConsumerDV]

I don't think that "scripts" is the best outlet for your unbridled creativity. I think there are better visual tools like After Effects or DaVinci Resolve or any NLE that allows more than sequencing events.

[Gelinox]

I don't think that "scripts" is the best outlet for your unbridled creativity. I think there are better visual tools like After Effects or DaVinci Resolve or any NLE that allows more than sequencing events.

I agree.
These are paid solutions, but very good.
I have a preference for DaVinci Resolve which I find fabulous, but will also require some learning.
You can also add a "Neat video" plugin which, when used well, is a powerful denoiser.

[lordsmurf]

I don't want to seem snippy

Give Peter a break, John. He starts with Hi John and finishes with Kind regards and you're tearing strips off him. I'm sure Peter didn't PM you because they wanted to hide anything or were embarrassed. He had found somebody who had directly answered his question and wanted to ask you personally. While you now know there is a good reason for not PMing people, which is that others can learn from the responses, that reason is not intuitive or logical and needs to be explained, as it was to me many moons ago.

I know that wasn't John's intention.

Some of us get far too many PMs, and some of us prefer to help the most folks possible with our free advice. We already repeat ourselves as it is. So the solution is to post in a topic, then (at most) PM a link asking for help on your post. We'll help there. PMs are for non-tech questions, conversations. It probably happens at our "home" forums more than VH, his Doom9, mine digitalFAQ -- also the best place to contact us.

FYI, it actually is embarrassment that causes many PMs. Afraid to look like a newbie, even when they are. Part of it goes to too many trolls online, looking for any weakness you may have. "You mean you don't know? HAHAHA! Noob!" < That sort of BS.

In this specific case, the PM may be because he called Film9 "dunky", and didn't want another thread argument to erupt, like it did in earlier pages of this thread. Nevermind that it is "dunky" and had flaws. Those who were impressed by it should be far more impressed with the actual underlying Avisynth scripts, using a pure Avisynth GUI. Especially when using johnmeyers's latest scripts versions, and learning how to properly modify it to the source. Not the flawed attempt that was Film9. (I don't want to re-hash any of this. The first few pages of this thread cover it already.)

I'd suggest Peter do some reading, then open his own new thread when he has some questions that needs to be answered.

[ConsumerDV]

FYI, it actually is embarrassment that causes many PMs. Afraid to look like a newbie, even when they are. Part of it goes to too many trolls online, looking for any weakness you may have. "You mean you don't know? HAHAHA! Noob!" < That sort of BS.

Physician, heal thyself.

[johnmeyer]

I know that wasn't John's intention.

Some of us get far too many PMs, and some of us prefer to help the most folks possible with our free advice. We already repeat ourselves as it is. So the solution is to post in a topic, then (at most) PM a link asking for help on your post. We'll help there. PMs are for non-tech questions, conversations. It probably happens at our "home" forums more than VH, his Doom9, mine digitalFAQ -- also the best place to contact us.

In addition to the replies above, one member PM'd me to berate me (he did so very nicely) for being a jerk.

This caused me to re-read what I'd sent to this person, both in private and in public. After re-reading everything, and after taking a day to reflect upon it, I am going to stand by what I did.

Why?

Well, let me simply copy part of what I wrote in reply to the person who PM'd me. Here that is.
=========================

I understand your point of view that I was doing something unkind by posting his private message. However, you have to understand my point of view as well.

Since I too, like you, have shared a lot of my work, and some of it, like yours, is capable of doing some really wonderful things, I sometimes receive private messages from people who want me to provide free consulting services. That is what he was doing. I always give them the same reply as I gave in this instance, "I don't want to be snippy, but you really don't need to send me a private message ..."

But ...

Please go back to my reply and note that, despite my pointed comment that he shouldn't abuse the PM facility, I still provided copious amounts of help. In case you didn't notice, I had to research doom9.org to find those three threads I provided to him, and then also dig up the Vimeo link.

I may have scolded the person for trying to take advantage of me, but I took the time to help him!!

When I make a mistake, I apologize. In this case, however, I don't think I need to apologize because I provided significant help to the individual while at the same time protecting myself from private harassment.

Just so you can understand my behavior, here are two bits of my history. There was a guy named [name redacted] seven years ago in this forum, who sent me PMs every week and wanted all sorts of private hand holding. I made the mistake of helping him via PM, and it never ended. Over in the doom9.org forum there was/is a guy named [name redacted] who would surface every year and ask the same question, using the same video clip, and want the same help. Even after deleting dozens of his PMs I still have over thirty of them.

So, I've learned to stop these inquiries as soon as they happen.

Should I have posted his PM in the forum? Yes, I think I should have. His question was absolutely legitimate, and deserves to be answered, which I did. However, other people, like you, could provide even more help and, if I hadn't posted, you would not have known that he asked those questions. Since there was nothing private about it, I believe it should be in the forum. He was not asking anything that had the "expectation of privacy."

So, that is my answer. I wasn't trying to be unkind; I helped him; and I stopped a constant flow of PMs which, experience tells me, was very likely to follow.

[ConsumerDV]

Publishing PMs without correspondent's consent is seriously uncool. Privacy of communication is a myth, still having one's data known to government agencies is one thing, while having it visible to visitors of a website is another, IMHO.

[Past Colours]

Umm..yeah Hi Guys..I'm still in the room

[Past Colours]

Clunky, Not Dunky ( as in not refined )

[lollo]

Publishing PMs without correspondent's consent is seriously uncool.

[johnmeyer]

OK. People are pretty upset about my post so let me clear the air so everyone can move on.

I apologize to Past Colours and to the forum members for posting his PM in public.

[Past Colours]

It kind of feels weird that I'm being talked about in a room, whilst standing in it, right in the middle of the clique, but people are either standing on their tippy toes or taking a slight sway . sidestep around me to talk over me to each other...seriously strange feeling.

Well Hi Video Help People

My moniker is Past Colours and my name is Peter: I am a visual artist for several decades I've been involved in:

Illustration, Cartooning and Caricature I have also produced some " Team of the Century" Paintings and print runs for Australian Football Clubs in Australia.

My journey has also involved ownership of a company that was recognised for its unique and artistic involvement in large format Metal etching and decoration apart from specialised artistic signage.

This company introduced me to a suite of design products that are common in the signage industry " Corel" and Microsoft based computing technology. I stepped into the industry only ever having had used Macs. That company, due to a range of unfortunate circumstances, both through personal circumstance and Government policy decision making, pushed me into an unenviable life changing position, where upon all aspects of my financial future were swept out from under me and at 59 Years old, My wife and I were left homeless, penniless and a loss of all our personal self funded superannuation.....We were broke. After 16 years of expansion and a takeover of another firm, We were left on the kerb.

My back ground was steeped in art in its physical manifestations.

I have begun a journey of rehabilitation in the last 2 years crawling out of an abyss attempting to see where my life could take me. I've found a real sense of liberation throwing myself back into Art, but more so the restoration of old and historic photos:

Sports, Local History, War, Families etc: I began colourising old photos and spent many many hours involved in the historic research of many factors surrounding events with any particular date or period, attempting to ensure every aspect of my colourisations were: Period correct, Fashion, architecture, automotiive colours, signage, advertisements etc.

As a result I have begun steps towards "Bringing the Past Back to Life" via the colourisation of old film and video.

I am in my embryonic steps in this field, but one in which I feel I can add much.

I apologise whole heartedly for offending all and sundry for my somewhat juvenile bursting in to the room of the elite, Proclaiming " I'm Here, Help Me !" without first lurking and paying my dues before opening my mouth.

I am sorry for putting John Meyers into a situation that corralled him into an apology to a community that respects him, as a result of my naïve and inappropriate action in contacting him via a Private Message.

I'll be happy to Lurk and simply read and research. My enthusiasm really got the better of me, but now it knows its place.....my dues have not been paid.

Kindest Regards
Peter