D90 Stair-Stepping Removal

[Lee Wilson]

I posted this in the "D90 D-Movie quality is really, really bad!" thread - but figured some people might not search there looking for a solution to the D90's 'stair stepping' problem . . . .

Anyhow, the problem can be removed fairly successfully (depending on the source footage I expect) using a simple to apply 'post' technique.

Here is a quick test of the technique.

http://www.vimeo.com/1935644

It is best to download the original file from Vimeo and view the file at 720p.

If I get a chance today and there is enough interest I will post a detailed explanation of the technique, but basically I am slicing the footage into 9 pixel high sections (actually the 'binning' method Nikon use kind of goes 9 - 9 - 9 - 9 - 8 - 9 and so on - or something like that) - I then moved these slices apart by 1 pixel and filled the gap by interpolation.

This results in a slightly taller frame which then needs to be scaled back to the correct height (around 90%).

You don't need to do this for every clip of course ! once you have set up this file (30 minutes work at most) you can use the same file with its masks to fix any clip you want to put through this fixing process.

I used After Effects but the same method can be used in any kind of software that allows basic stuff like masks and the ability to layer clips and set opacity - so things like Final Cut, Shake and Premiere etc etc.

Like I said if you want a step by step explanation just ask.



Lee

[Car3o]

That's really good man. For those who are interested, def put up a tut.

[Lee Wilson]

Hmmmm. . . . the Vimeo movie doesn't show up for me (Mac G5 + Safari) - but you can still download the source file which is probably a better idea anyhow - you need to join Vimeo (free) and log in to download the source footage (Quicktime movie).

[Thebes]

I would love to see a tutorial!

[buildyo]

Like I said if you want a step by step explanation just ask.

Lee may I offer you some virtual beers?




I hardly recognize my poor footage. I'm impressed how good the fine detail (e.g. the "2008") looks after the fix. It looks just great after your processing and I'm confident the method will also work well on more real life scenes. Yes please a step by step would be helpful. Then I have to figure out how the "Lee Wilson D90 stair-step removal technique" works in Final Cut Pro.

From now on let us refer to this technique as the "Lee Wilson D90 stair-step removal technique"

[el presidente]

Great stuff...go on give us an ae tutorial.
PLEASE

[fahreza]

this is good news, can't wait to learn more about the method

[ESTEBEVERDE]

Video doesn't seem to be loading at the moment!?!?!?


The download works.



Looks Great!


Do you have a step by step tutorial up?

[Daniel Aragão]

Would be great if you send us the actual after effects project for this fix. Its the best way to understand how it works.
thanks god you did it!!!!

[Daniel Aragão]

is there a way to do it in VEGAS? sony vegas...