Re: grey squares on video

On Tuesday 26 January 2010, sattress wrote:
>Hello,
>I am a kinetic sculptor that works with discarded technology. I make
>videos of my sculptures, particularly those that are hired by
>restaurants. I have used windows (found copies of win 98SE and W2k). I
>am trying to move to linux. The last hurdle, and the one that I have
>failed to clear multiple times is capturing video. I have been lent a
>Panasonic NV-DX100 digital video camera (PAL/dv) and have made many
>videos that other have enjoyed using u-lead and nero.
>    In shifting to Linux, I have run kino on different PC's and laptops
>with different distros. I can capture and make mpeg files. At all
>stages, and in all my attempts, I have five grey squares that sit
>solidly and unattractively through all the stages of capturing editing
>and rendering. I hoped, because some said that the quality might not be
>good during the capture/edit process that it might all come right on the
>mpeg file. Sadly no.
>    I am woefully ignorant re the inner workings of Linux but will try
>anything and have time to learn from mistakes.
>Paul
>

It is difficult to see any problem with this image as it is so heavily 
compressed that the color rendition on the walls has severe evidence of the 
compression artifacts.  I see no square pattern at all except the base of the 
piece and of course those too much compression artifacts.  And as a C.E.T., 
I'm thinking you may be having a monitor problem.  Are you positive you see 
such 'square' artifacts only in what you are doing and not in the normal 
screens?

This would be a much more accurate .jpg if the compression were reduced, 
allowing the output image to run up in size, say to  750kb, where those 
artifacts wouldn't be at all visible.  How big is your original from the 
camera, and can you set the camera for TIFF output?  That of course would 
give huge raw files, but as accurate as the camera can do.

Lastly, if these are stills, kino may not be the best tool.  Take a look at 
GIMP, with the gegl extensions enabled.  You won't see a huge diff on your 
monitor, but I'm told that gegl preserves color data 16 bits/color deep.  Our 
monitors and gfx cards are 8 bit/color max, and sometimes as low as 6 
bits/color.


That, BTW, is a nice bit of work.

-- 
Cheers, Gene
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)

I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World
War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
		-- Albert Einstein

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