Can anyone suggest a plugin designed to improve video quality

[David Roth weiss]

Patrick,

I have to say that your post is less than precise, however I still have just the ticket for you, I think. Check out the Neat Video noise reduction plugin for FCP. There is a free demo, though it does have a watermark. And, if you watch their video tutorial you’ll get good at it almost instantly, as most even the default settings produce very nice results. If you take the time to master it you will achieve incredible results.

Good luck,
David

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

Don’t miss my new tutorial: Prepare for a seamless transition to FCP X and OS X Lion
https://library.creativecow.net/weiss_roth_david/FCP-10-MAC-Lion/1

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.

[Patrick Bronte]

Thanks David!

Most of the video I’m trying to improve was shot when I had no knowledge on how to get the best picture and was using an old DV camera which didn’t allow for manual focus, white balance etc. Due to the nature of what I was filming (talking heads of elderly war veterans) I had little if any control over lighting because I was going into their homes & rest homes that made bringing in lights etc un-practical and not to mention putting off the subjects. Plus, I’ve never been able to afford the lighting/lights needed.

Once I had wised up of filming and could afford an HD camera, I still had the same issues with lighting. I’m still a novice when it comes to color correction. I have heard of plugins like “silver bullet” that supposedly help with “grainy” footage etc. I thought that I would ask the experts before rushing off and purchasing the first plugin that claims to do wonders. I dont mind spending a reasonable amount of money if it does the job…..

[Steve Eisen]

Being a videographer and editor, the key to good video is lighting. Use it when you can.

Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Vice President
Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group

[David Roth weiss]

Color correction is a horse of a slightly different color. There are some nice looks in Magic Bullet Looks that might make your job pretty easy, but there’s nothing like studying one of the many great (and free) tutorials that are about and really learning how to properly color grade.

But, do try the Neat Video plug, it will get rid of all the grain in low light situations, and it fixes lots of other ugly DV artifacts too.

Good luck…

David

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

Don’t miss my new tutorial: Prepare for a seamless transition to FCP X and OS X Lion
https://library.creativecow.net/weiss_roth_david/FCP-10-MAC-Lion/1

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.

[Adam Taylor]

and if you can’t afford specific lights, learn to use and bounce available light.

Adam Taylor
Video Editor/Audio Mixer/ Compositor/Motion GFX/Barista
Character Options Ltd
Oldham, UK

http://www.sculptedbliss.co.uk
My YouTube Animations Page

[Patrick Bronte]

I’ve checked out the websites and checked out the examples and tuts for both Neat Video noise reduction and Magic Bullets Denoiser……as a Pro, what do you think is the best one and easiest to learn out of the two?

[David Roth weiss]

I vote for Neat Video, it’s easier and renders faster.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

Don’t miss my new tutorial: Prepare for a seamless transition to FCP X and OS X Lion
https://library.creativecow.net/weiss_roth_david/FCP-10-MAC-Lion/1

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.

[Patrick Bronte]

I’m going to get the Neat Video plugin and I use both AE and FCP. Most of the editing will be done in FCP and I’ve just purchased the Depth plugin from Digieffects so I can blur the background behind the talking heads I’ve recorded. Unfortunately, the Depth Plugin isnt compatible with FCP. I am yet to learn how to transfer between the two programs but AE will probably be where I do the finishing because of what this Depth Plugin does – what would be the best version of Neat Video plugin do you think would be best for me? The one for AE or FCP? Is there away to blur the background in FCP?