How to Backup VCD?

[ConverterCrazy]

Hello,

I have to backup three VCDs. The quality is not good.

But, these VCDs are important as they cover friend's marriage ceremony. So, I have to backup in the best possible audio/video quality at the highest possible resolution.

Container/file size are not important.

Here is what PotPlayer reports:

General
Complete name                  : F:\mpegav\AVSEQ01.DAT
Format                         : CDXA/MPEG-PS
File size                      : 630 MiB
Duration                       : 1 h 2 min
Overall bit rate mode          : Constant
Overall bit rate               : 1 411 kb/s

Video
ID                             : 224 (0xE0)
Format                         : MPEG Video
Format version                 : Version 1
Format settings, BVOP          : Yes
Format settings, Matrix        : Custom
Format settings, GOP           : M=3, N=15
Duration                       : 1 h 2 min
Bit rate mode                  : Constant
Bit rate                       : 1 150 kb/s
Width                          : 352 pixels
Height                         : 288 pixels
Display aspect ratio           : 4:3
Frame rate                     : 25.000 FPS
Standard                       : PAL
Color space                    : YUV
Chroma subsampling             : 4:2:0
Bit depth                      : 8 bits
Scan type                      : Progressive
Compression mode               : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)             : 0.454
Time code of first frame       : 00:00:00:01
Time code source               : Group of pictures header
GOP, Open/Closed               : Closed
Stream size                    : 517 MiB (82%)

Audio
ID                             : 192 (0xC0)
Format                         : MPEG Audio
Format version                 : Version 1
Format profile                 : Layer 2
Duration                       : 1 h 2 min
Bit rate mode                  : Constant
Bit rate                       : 224 kb/s
Channel(s)                     : 2 channels
Sampling rate                  : 44.1 kHz
Compression mode               : Lossy
Stream size                    : 99.9 MiB (16%) 

The tools I have: VCDGear, DGIndex, VirtualDub. etc

Pl suggest how to go about it.

Thanks.

[Case]

I have to backup three VCDs. The quality is not good.
Container/file size are not important.
The tools I have: VCDGear …

VCDGear should be excellent for the job. It should be able to extract the movies as MPEG-1 files (.mpg) losslessly, preserving the recorded quality.

[hech54]

"Best possible" is what is on the VCD right now. Converting it to something else WILL NOT make MPEG1 any better.

[ConverterCrazy]

Thanks @Case and @hech54.

The sample file gives a feel of the 'quality'.

[jagabo]

The quality doesn't matter. Simply remuxing the video/audio from the DAT file to an MPG file is an exact copy of what's on the disc.

Unless you're talking about trying to enhance the video. Some advanced filtering may make it look a little better.

[ConverterCrazy]

Thanks @jagabo.

Unless you're talking about trying to enhance the video. Some advanced filtering may make it look a little better.

That's what I need … and desperately!

I can use Avisynth script. I learnt it here – in this forum. But I don't know, technically, what the defects are and write a script.

[jagabo]

Try starting with something like:

Mpeg2Source("C:\Users\John\Desktop\Sample.demuxed.d2v", CPU2="xxxxxx", Info=3) 
MCTemporalDenoise(settings="medium")
Dup(threshold=5, blend=true, show=false)
MergeChroma(Sharpen(0.4), aWarpSharp(depth=20))
nnedi3_rpow2(2, cshift="Spline36Resize", fwidth=768, fheight=576)
aWarpSharp(depth=5)
Sharpen(0.4)

This may not work well with live action shots. Mpeg2Source's deblocking and deringing options are enabled. MCTD is used to reduce noise. Dup makes near duplicate frames all identical duplicates for further noise and jitter reduction. The high threshold may end up eliminating real motion at times though. aWarpSharp is used to sharpen colors and a simple sharpen on the luma. The video is then upscaled and sharpened a bit more. I went overboard with the noise reduction and sharpening. You'll probably want to do less with the real motion clips. I didn't address all the color problems.

[ConverterCrazy]

Thanks @Jagabo

Looks so much better!

Working and will post results.

PS:

Will using QTGMC3.32 be better option for nnedi3.dll?
If yes, what will be the script?

[jagabo]

You should post a sample of the main part of the festivities. Something typical of the bulk of the video, or at least the most important parts. Filtering for those may be very different than that which was applied to the earlier sample which was mostly synthetic and still shots.

[ConverterCrazy]

Ok.

Kids dancing is fast, I believe.
Sample3 is faster.

[ConverterCrazy]

Sample3.

[jagabo]

The earlier script worked adequately for the two new videos. I added a little brightness, contrast, and saturation adjustment:

Mpeg2Source("Sample2.d2v", CPU2="xxxxxx", Info=3) 
ColorYUV(gain_y=-20, off_y=-10)
ColorYUV(cont_u=50, cont_v=50)
MCTemporalDenoise(settings="medium")
Dup(threshold=5, blend=true, show=false)
MergeChroma(Sharpen(0.4), aWarpSharp(depth=20))
nnedi3_rpow2(2, cshift="Spline36Resize", fwidth=768, fheight=576)
aWarpSharp(depth=5)
Sharpen(0.4)

You might want to reduce the sharpen filters. And Dup() doesn't do anything here so you can remove it.

[ConverterCrazy]

Thanks.

Just one more question before I go for it.

Will using QTGMC3.32 be better option for nnedi3.dll?

[jagabo]

I used nnedi3_rpow2() for up scaling, not deinterlacing.

By the way, I'd archive the DAT files too. Or consider re-capturing the original VHS tapes.

[ConverterCrazy]

Ok.

Thanks.

Will keep DAT files.

[ConverterCrazy]

@jagabo

Using VCDGear, I converted DAT files to mpeg.

Using VirtualDubMPEG2 to test the script.

After running the script and modifying for path/installation of various plugins, I am stuck with "AVSEQ001.mpg is not Mpeg2" warning.

SetMemoryMax(512)
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\DGDecode.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\mt_masktools-25.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\YadifMod.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\NNEDI3.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\SmoothAdjust.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\MVTools2.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\GScript.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\Grunt.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\RemoveGrainSSE2.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\FFT3Dfilter.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\TTempSmooth.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\RgTools.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\DeBlock.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\DctFilter.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\EEDI2.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\SangNom.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\GradFun2db.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\AddGrainC.dll")

Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\GradFun2DBmod.v1.5.avsi") 
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\Deblock_QED_MT2Mod.avsi")   
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\SRestore.avsi")
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\LSFmod.v1.9.avsi")
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\LimitedSharpenFaster.avsi")
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\MCTemporalDenoise.v1.4.20.avsi")

# Mpeg2Source("AVSEQ01.mpg", CPU2="xxxxxx", Info=3) 
DirectShowSource("AVSEQ01.mpg") 
ColorYUV(gain_y=-20, off_y=-10)
ColorYUV(cont_u=50, cont_v=50)
MCTemporalDenoise(settings="medium")
## Dup(threshold=5, blend=true, show=false)
MergeChroma(Sharpen(0.2), aWarpSharp(depth=5))
nnedi3_rpow2(2, cshift="Spline36Resize", fwidth=768, fheight=576)
## aWarpSharp(depth=5)
## Sharpen(0.4)

Is my modified script OK?

[ConverterCrazy]

Screenshot

[manono]

# Mpeg2Source("AVSEQ01.mpg", CPU2="xxxxxx", Info=3)

Use MPEG2Source after making a D2V project file from it. It's explained in the docs included in the DGMPGDec package.

Mpeg2Source("AVSEQ01.d2v", CPU2="xxxxxx", Info=3)

Take a look at jagabo's script earlier. There's no MPG mentioned in his script. And forget DirectShowSource.

[ConverterCrazy]

Thanks @Manono

[ConverterCrazy]

Ran this script:

SetMemoryMax(1024)
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\DGDecode.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\mt_masktools-25.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\YadifMod.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\NNEDI3.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\SmoothAdjust.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\MVTools2.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\GScript.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\Grunt.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\RemoveGrainSSE2.dll")
# LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\LSFmod.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\FFT3Dfilter.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\TTempSmooth.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\RgTools.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\DeBlock.dll")   
   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\DctFilter.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\EEDI2.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\SangNom.dll")   
  
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\GradFun2db.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\AddGrainC.dll")

Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\GradFun2DBmod.v1.5.avsi") 
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\Deblock_QED_MT2Mod.avsi")   
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\SRestore.avsi")
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\LSFmod.v1.9.avsi")
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\LimitedSharpenFaster.avsi")
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\MCTemporalDenoise.v1.4.20.avsi")

MPEG2Source("C:\MarriageM2P\M2P.d2v", CPU2="xxxxxx", Info=3) 

ColorYUV(gain_y=-20, off_y=-10)
ColorYUV(cont_u=50, cont_v=50)
MCTemporalDenoise(settings="medium")
## Dup(threshold=5, blend=true, show=false)
MergeChroma(Sharpen(0.4), aWarpSharp(depth=5))
nnedi3_rpow2(2, cshift="Spline36Resize", fwidth=768, fheight=576) 

aWarpSharp(depth=5)
Sharpen(0.4)

The result is much better than the original – even sharper.

Can something be done to reduce color splashing, flashing and flicker?

Thanks.

[jagabo]

Can something be done to reduce color splashing, flashing and flicker?

That's partly why I used Dup() with the high threshold. During still section the flickering frames were replaced with the average of all the still frames. There's still flicker during shots with motion.

There are specific flicker reduction filters but they damage the video at high settings. Donald Graft's Deflicker plugin for VirtualDub is often used:

LoadVirtualDubPlugin("g:\Program files\VirtualDub\plugins\deflick.vdf","DeFlick") # modify path to deflick.vdf
ConvertToRGB32() # VirtualDub plugins require RGB32
DeFlick(4, 30, 0, 10, 0) # window size, softening, interlaced, scene change threshold, show scene change
ConvertToYV12() # back to YV12

To eliminate the heavy flickering here you have to use very high softening values. That will lead to ghosting when there is motion.

There's also a DeFlicker plugin for AviSynth. But I've never had luck with it with strong flicker.

Are you sure the strong flickering in the first half of the clip isn't intentional?

Attached is a video of the Y, U, and V channels of your processed video. Y on left, U top right, V bottom right. You can see that most of the noise is in the U and V channels, with U the worst.

StackHorizontal(ColorYUV(cont_u=-256, cont_v=-256), StackVertical(UtoY(), VtoY()))

Also, increasing the saturation of this video was inappropriate. It has created illegal colors.
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/360935-Capturing-Correct-Chroma-and-Hue-Levels-Fro...e2#post2289672

[ConverterCrazy]

Thanks @jagabo.

I don't know how to see Y, U and V channels. But Y is definitely so 'clean'.
I think the code at the end is for this purpose.

First, I'll use your modified script, then with VirtualDubFilter.

Illegal colors? I think those videographers are 'illegal'. They are out to make a fast buck knowing compulsions of their clients!

Unfortunately, there is no filter to throw them out of business, but I hope there is some chroma filter to take care of Illegal colors.

Getting on with your suggestions.


Just checked 90 sec clip, much-much better.

[ConverterCrazy]

@jagabo and @manono.

The results are good as compared to the original. The grainy look is gone, the 'clarity' is much better.
I reduced audio volume from 102.5 dB to 92dB and lowered pitch by half tone.

Attaching the clip for ready reference.

Special mention: manono without whose help I wouldn't have known how to use Avisynth.

Thanks for your help.

[ConverterCrazy]

@jagabo and @manono

The couple in the video has asked me to thank you.

Saving this script as template.

[jagabo]

Since the chroma channels are much noisier than the luma channel you can try filtering them more strongly. Something like:

MergeChroma(MCTemporalDenoise(settings="low"), MCTemporalDenoise(settings="high"))

Or for each individual channel:

U = UtoY().McTemporalDenoise(settings="high").aWarpSharp(depth=15) # plus sharpening
V = VtoY().McTemporalDenoise(settings="high").aWarpSharp(depth=15) # plus sharpening
Y = McTemporalDenoise(settings="low")
YtoUV(U, V, Y)

Too much noise reduction, especially of the luma channel, will make people look like mannequins.

[ConverterCrazy]

@jagabo

1- Can I use the AVI file created with the earlier Avisynth script or redo the whole thing again? (It took over 13 hours )

2- How do I avoid typing path in every line of the script? If possible.

[jagabo]

You should start with the original source again. And to be clear, I meant to use one of those sequences instead of the original

MCTemporalDenoise(settings="medium")

The difference won't be huge. But it might look a little better. Especially in shots of people's faces.

I don't understand what you mean in the second part of your question. You can cut/paste from my posts.

[ConverterCrazy]

Sorry about that.

You mean modify script as:

SetMemoryMax(1024)
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\DGDecode.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\mt_masktools-25.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\YadifMod.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\NNEDI3.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\SmoothAdjust.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\MVTools2.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\GScript.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\Grunt.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\RemoveGrainSSE2.dll")
# LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\LSFmod.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\FFT3Dfilter.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\TTempSmooth.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\RgTools.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\DeBlock.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\Dup1.dll")   
   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\DctFilter.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\EEDI2.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\SangNom.dll")   
  
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\GradFun2db.dll")   
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\AddGrainC.dll")
LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\aWarpSharp2.dll")

Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\GradFun2DBmod.v1.5.avsi") 
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\Deblock_QED_MT2Mod.avsi")   
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\SRestore.avsi")
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\LSFmod.v1.9.avsi")
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\LimitedSharpenFaster.avsi")
Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\MCTemporalDenoise.v1.4.20.avsi")

MPEG2Source("C:\Users\…\Video.d2v", CPU2="xxxxxx", Info=3) 
ColorYUV(gain_y=-20, off_y=-10)
ColorYUV(cont_u=50, cont_v=50)
U = UtoY().McTemporalDenoise(settings="high").aWarpSharp(depth=15) # 

plus sharpening
V = VtoY().McTemporalDenoise(settings="high").aWarpSharp(depth=15) # 

plus sharpening
Y = McTemporalDenoise(settings="low")
YtoUV(U, V, Y)
Dup1(threshold=5, blend=true, show=false)
MergeChroma(Sharpen(0.2), aWarpSharp(depth=20))
nnedi3_rpow2(2, cshift="Spline36Resize", fwidth=768, fheight=576) 

aWarpSharp(depth=5)
Sharpen(0.4)

Code in Blue added.

As for second question, I had meant - can repetition of path in

LoadPlugin("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\…

and

Import("C:\Hybrid\avisynthPlugins\…

be avoided?

[jagabo]

Yes, that script is what I suggested. You should also change this line:

MergeChroma(Sharpen(0.2), aWarpSharp(depth=20))

to just

Sharpen(0.2)

Because the code you added is already sharpening the chroma. Ie:

U = UtoY().McTemporalDenoise(settings="high").aWarpSharp(depth=15)

Adjust depth to your liking. To small and you won't get much sharpening of the colors. Too high and small objects, thin lines, sharp corners, etc. will lose their colors.

Normally you can avoid all the explicit LoadPlugin() and Import() lines by putting all the filters in AviSynth's plugins folder -- they will automatically be loaded every time AviSynth is used. (That's why my scripts don't have all those lines.) But the use of Hybrid may complicate this. I would stick with what you're doing. It's just a copy/paste operation.

[ConverterCrazy]

This code works:

MergeChroma(MCTemporalDenoise(settings="low"), MCTemporalDenoise(settings="high"))

Change in people's faces… well, amazing!

This one doesn't:

U = UtoY().McTemporalDenoise(settings="high").aWarpSharp(depth=15) # plus sharpening
V = VtoY().McTemporalDenoise(settings="high").aWarpSharp(depth=15) # plus sharpening
Y = McTemporalDenoise(settings="low")
YtoUV(U, V, Y)

Gives Error: