Digital video/image Stabilization

[otispunkmeyer]

hey guys

im doing a project that requires me to build a handheld steadicam a bit like the Tiffen Merlin, but obviously improve up on it.

really the projects kind of looking to see if it even can be improved at all and whether or not hand held steadicams have pretty much peaked.

obviosuly there are 2 other main stabilisation techniques.... Optical/CCD shift and fully digital.
i want to compare prices and performances of all 3 (steadicam, opticl, digi) and basically weigh up the pro's con's prices performance etc. its a uni project (i chose it, but didnt arrange it) so even if what im doing seems a little poinltess, it just doesnt matter, thats not whats getting marked.

i need to look at some digital image stabilistation programs.

i understand adobe premier and final cut pro both have such features/plug-ins available and i have also found a plug in called SteadyMove Pro by 2D3

so it would be great if you guys could point out some of the better/popular ones and also if any of you know where i can get hold of journals or documents regrding these things. our library sucks, theres nothing much on optical stabilisation for cameras and digital image processing books are more to do with static images and dont go into actual available products (im not concerned with how its done, more the end result/performance)

if anyone can help that would be most appreciated.

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
hey guys

im doing a project that requires me to build a handheld steadicam a bit like the Tiffen Merlin, but obviously improve up on it.

really the projects kind of looking to see if it even can be improved at all and whether or not hand held steadicams have pretty much peaked.

obviosuly there are 2 other main stabilisation techniques.... Optical/CCD shift and fully digital.
i want to compare prices and performances of all 3 (steadicam, opticl, digi) and basically weigh up the pro's con's prices performance etc. its a uni project (i chose it, but didnt arrange it) so even if what im doing seems a little poinltess, it just doesnt matter, thats not whats getting marked.

i need to look at some digital image stabilistation programs.

i understand adobe premier and final cut pro both have such features/plug-ins available and i have also found a plug in called SteadyMove Pro by 2D3

so it would be great if you guys could point out some of the better/popular ones and also if any of you know where i can get hold of journals or documents regrding these things. our library sucks, theres nothing much on optical stabilisation for cameras and digital image processing books are more to do with static images and dont go into actual available products (im not concerned with how its done, more the end result/performance)

if anyone can help that would be most appreciated.

The cream of the crop for stabilization software is Mercalli through Prodad. They offer a demo that sort of works with HDV (1080). I have Deshaker, Boris FX, and Mercalli. Deshaker is good, but requires a lot of tuning, is slow, and is picky about format (I usually need to convert it to 1080/29.97p to get it to work right.) Boris works really well for fixed objects as it has motion tracking. Mercalli is totally sweet for me because I am doing POV video on a mountain bike. EVERYTHING is moving. I can pick the "Helmetcam Racy" mode (something like that) and get a really good clean up.

Post over in DVInfo.net's community too. Chris Hurd has a lot of stuff on OIS vs EIS and how the new EIS is starting to get really good.

The stabilizer crew hangs out there too along with a couple of pro operators (My favorite was Camera A for Office Space). There are sections and links to the various home built sites about. And there is a manufacturer (Terry who owns Indicam) that represented there all the time. The key is in the gimbal first, and then the isolation.

Did you know that Bogen/Manfrotto is coming out with a Merlin knockoff? The price is really cheap and I suspect that the gimbal is not anywhere near as precise as the Merlins.

//Glidecam 2000 operator; POV Helmetcam in HDV

 

[corkyg]

The Steadicam Merlin has a "Jr" version that sells for about $800. But - this guy has an "el cheapo" recipe worth a look.

Steady

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: gsellis

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
hey guys

im doing a project that requires me to build a handheld steadicam a bit like the Tiffen Merlin, but obviously improve up on it.

really the projects kind of looking to see if it even can be improved at all and whether or not hand held steadicams have pretty much peaked.

obviosuly there are 2 other main stabilisation techniques.... Optical/CCD shift and fully digital.
i want to compare prices and performances of all 3 (steadicam, opticl, digi) and basically weigh up the pro's con's prices performance etc. its a uni project (i chose it, but didnt arrange it) so even if what im doing seems a little poinltess, it just doesnt matter, thats not whats getting marked.

i need to look at some digital image stabilistation programs.

i understand adobe premier and final cut pro both have such features/plug-ins available and i have also found a plug in called SteadyMove Pro by 2D3

so it would be great if you guys could point out some of the better/popular ones and also if any of you know where i can get hold of journals or documents regrding these things. our library sucks, theres nothing much on optical stabilisation for cameras and digital image processing books are more to do with static images and dont go into actual available products (im not concerned with how its done, more the end result/performance)

if anyone can help that would be most appreciated.

The cream of the crop for stabilization software is Mercalli through Prodad. They offer a demo that sort of works with HDV (1080). I have Deshaker, Boris FX, and Mercalli. Deshaker is good, but requires a lot of tuning, is slow, and is picky about format (I usually need to convert it to 1080/29.97p to get it to work right.) Boris works really well for fixed objects as it has motion tracking. Mercalli is totally sweet for me because I am doing POV video on a mountain bike. EVERYTHING is moving. I can pick the "Helmetcam Racy" mode (something like that) and get a really good clean up.

Post over in DVInfo.net's community too. Chris Hurd has a lot of stuff on OIS vs EIS and how the new EIS is starting to get really good.

The stabilizer crew hangs out there too along with a couple of pro operators (My favorite was Camera A for Office Space). There are sections and links to the various home built sites about. And there is a manufacturer (Terry who owns Indicam) that represented there all the time. The key is in the gimbal first, and then the isolation.

Did you know that Bogen/Manfrotto is coming out with a Merlin knockoff? The price is really cheap and I suspect that the gimbal is not anywhere near as precise as the Merlins.

//Glidecam 2000 operator; POV Helmetcam in HDV

thanks man

yeah i posted over in the homebuilt stabilizer forums and a fw guys there mentioned the need for a high quality gimbal. the gimbal is probably going to be my major design piece.

didnt know about manfrotto bringing one out, that changes things abit and i shall have to look into it.

will check out those forums too