Grain/noise reduction

[cyclone]

I was going to put this under "Film" since it originally applied to the grain in a 16mm transfer I did.
But then I thought it also applies to digital 'noise'.
So I thought I'd put it under Post Production software.
But it really isn't consumer software that I used/owned - it is a lab process I had done.
So forgive me for posting it in Cafe ala DVX, since it is an orphan.
I wanted to share something that I thought was amazing.
I wanted to reduce the grain in a 16mm transfer I did.
I tried the "Neat" software, it removed the grain, but it softened the picture too much.
So I sent it to a lab that said they had a "new" process (I had seen some samples that impressed me).
I live in Los Angeles and was a bit wary since the process was relatively inexpensive and in a different state.
Most of you know me - I have been a member of DVXUser for over a decade now (since 2004).
I am not selling anything. I only want to show you what blew me away.
The first image is a frame grab from my original 16mm (a DPX frame).
The next is what I got back after "noise/grain reduction". It was not retransferred; it was made from the source DPX that you see below.
And it is the exact same frame (you can tell by the 2 specs of dust on the right hand side).
Maybe I'm behind the times and haven't caught up with technology.
Not only is the grain almost all gone, but the picture, itself, is sharper.

 

[DPStewart]

The stills are showing up pretty tiny here on your forum post, but it seems great.

What more can you tell us about this?

 

[cyclone]

DP,
I am technology challenged. If you can tell me how to attach the 2 sample pictures in their larger sizes, I'm more than happy to do it. I promise you that they will hold up (i.e. you won't find sharpening artifacts that I can see).
The easiest way to find out more is for me to list the website of the company that did it, but I don't want the DVX moderators to reprimand me. If I don't get the official "Don't do it - rules say no promoting products" within the next 12 hours, I will post the link to the company. Heck, the worst that can happen is they say, "Take it down!"...but they are pretty reasonable. Again, I am not connected to this company in any way.

 

[Dermot]

might they have ran it through Nucoda's clairity ?

pretty close to the same resualt in any case

 

[cyclone]

I'll check out Nucoda. Thanks! Man, things are changing fast!

As promised, here is the website of the company I used:

http://www.videoconversionexperts.com/

At first glance (and with the samples they have posted on their site), their target seems to be home movies and wedding photography.
They were VERY pleasant (I spoke with “Brad,” who seems to be the owner) and I really beat them up (in a nice way) throughout the process. Being in advertising, I am used to getting it “just right”, otherwise the client is down my throat in a flash. I sent it back for a “re-do” 3 times because I didn’t like the color, or the exposure, etc.
Never once did they balk (although they did note that they are a transfer house, not a color correction or grading facility). But I gotta tell ya, if it had been me on their end of the phone, I would have politely said, “Look, friend, we’ve tried this many different ways; I think it would be best for all concerned if we part company. Here’s your money back; good luck with your freakin’ roller coaster.” But they never even hinted at that. Brad always said, “We will make this right! That’s our policy.” And they did.

I should also mention that the original scan I had them do from my 16mm film was 2K DPX, with a 2k pro-res file from that. They could have also given me a 1080p version from the DPX; but I can do that, so I passed.

The other thing that I liked was that they have a pricing page that will tell you the cost up front. I really don’t like sites that say, “Hey, give us a call and we’ll give you a quote.”