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GraphicsKid · Joined: 25 May 2009 Posts: 481

Hi, I've shot some footage with a high shutter speed to eliminate motion blur. Unfortunately (I think it's the camera), a new culprit is introduced. Instead of it blurring the motion, everything is sort of skewed or slurred around whenever it moves really fast like when it's bumped or something. I'm using a Canon Vixia HF-100, and am using the full 1920x1080 HD footage.

I'm trying to make a fake prank video, so it's hand-held, and wiggly, but I'm not afraid of a lot of supervised tracking.

I've included a short clip of the video where the skewing is the worst. I think this skewing is what's throwing syntheyes off, and I want to know what I can do to fix/compensate for it.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OS74ES4T

kenekeu · Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 53 Location: Spokane, WA

This sounds like a rolling shutter issue. This is common in all CMOS cameras, including the RED, as opposed to the older CCD cameras. Because the entire frame isn't captured at the same instant there is a time offset between the top and the bottom of the frame. This distorts the geometry and makes an accurate solve impossible. Search the forums for rolling shutter and you will get a wealth of information.

I have read of a software solution to un-distort the footage that straightens the footage out but creates empty triangles on the bottom leading edge where there is no footage. That probably won't help you.

Your best bet is to find a CCD camera and shoot again, even if it isn't in HD. Better to be geometrically correct and SD than bent HD.

Good luck.

GraphicsKid · Joined: 25 May 2009 Posts: 481

Oh nononononooo... this ain't good at all... Geeze... There it is, right on top of the camera, in big silver letters "CMOS".

I got that HD camcorder for christmas, and there's no way I could get another one... crap...

Well thanks for replying, now I know what the problem was (this has come up many many times, but nobody on any other forums seems to know what the difference is.)

EDIT: Would anybody happen to know what a good replacement camcorder would be? I really like my Vixia HF100, but I'd like a 3CCD one better. Something roughly in the same price range as the Vixia would be nice.

kenekeu · Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 53 Location: Spokane, WA

Don't despair, this is where adversity makes you a better film maker. Now that you know about the CMOS issue with panning try to shoot in such a way as to avoid fast pans. Slow moving liquid shots will minimize problems with the background. Fast motion in the foreground will still bend but if you're doing set extensions and stuff tied to the background you can make it work.

Like most artists, you may find that adversity makes you more creative. Don't let it beat you, figure out how to get around it.

Now make something. Smile

GraphicsKid · Joined: 25 May 2009 Posts: 481

Yea but I can't make it look smooth and liquid for this particular shot. I'm trying to make a prank video much like most of the stuff you'll find on youtube, a fake prank video because of some really ludicrous stuff (sledgehammer on a spring right outside someone's door...).

ShadowMaker SdR · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 69 Location: The Netherlands

Just wondering...is the kid part in your username a reference to your state of mind or to your actual age?
Because I've read a couple of your posts and it seems like you actually may be pretty young. And yet you're attempting a lot of relatively advanced stuff. It will certainly help if your first tracking attempt EVER doesn't involve facetracking/replacement or violently handheld footage.

I've got an HF100 myself and it's very much possible to get acceptable tracks out of this camera. Just don't go overboard with the handheld stuff.

And on a sidenote, as a filmmaker you will have to learn how to make your weaknesses your strengths.
If you look at 'real' prank videos like those done with hidden cameras you'll see that a lot of those are done from a tripod (or from within a van) or something like that. So start out with the easy stuff and then work your way up to what it is you want to do.

<grandpa mode off>

kenekeu · Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 53 Location: Spokane, WA

GraphicsKid · Joined: 25 May 2009 Posts: 481

Hahaha, yea you got me. I'm only 18, and I've just started using syntheyes. Before, all my vfx shots were still camera or mounted on a tripod (Icarus camera tracker could handle that, but not 3d...). That video, I've already created stuff of that quality, and I'm ready to move to something more advanced.

I'm trying to make a video that will have people questioning if it's real or not. Basically, I'm going to walk into my room, a sledgehammer on a spring will knock me back, over the balcony, and I fall out of frame, while my brother and my friend are exchanging high fives.

Something as professional as this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CME43ZJ-YzE&feature=related but probably a bit more believable. If I remember correctly, that's a sprite commercial, and if I'm not mistaken, the guy is on a wire in front of a blue screen. I'd just like to make one of 'those' videos, if that makes any sense.

I'm not new to handheld shots though. It's just a lot of supervised tracking, and I don't mind that at all. I just want the freedom to shake that thing around as much as I want (within reason), without being limited by the camera's irritating CMOS sensor.

I'm user LazyCoder on youtube, if you want to see some of the stuff I've made (nothing made with syntheyes... yet!).

Thanks to everyone who has replied to my posts! Very Happy