Apocalypse Now - Intra Settings

1. Apocalypse Now 'Intravenus' v1 Settings

• Intra GOP1 24p & HBR/FSH + 6 GOP 720p Modes - Released 29//09/2012

Another experimental setting. Intra on GH2 for those who require 24/25/30 keyframes per second. The GH2 is just about strong enough for decent Intra quality mid to closeup style shots using matrices based on Chris Brandin's matrices - the 24p is the 444 soft matrix as seen in Custer v7s. The HBR/1080i matrix is an adapted variation of my own, the 720p mode is a slighty stronger weighted version of Cluster v7s 6 GOP 720 using cb's matrix 444 soft. Some of the work ideas gone into Intravenus will appear in Cluster v8 flavours coming soon whereby using a mid to longer GOP users will achieve better Q.

With 1080i/HBR REC modes, Intra's consummation of max memory limits Intra prediction of the lower field together with its insistence of using part 16x16 macroblocks for horizontal lines under hi frequencies in the lower field (most of it is P mode encoded) - its very difficult to get under control and once again I confer that matrix design is a black art. The matrix has to be compensated for this to stop mosquito / contour artefacts. The first version of Intravenus looks at this compensation but drives the bitrate upto around 117M in certain scenes. Subsequently, analysis of the hi frequency range has led to better looking Intra 25p/30p than in past Intra settings - but it's still not exceptional - indeed I am yet to see ANY setting that blows me away for HBR modes. The GH3 with its 8x8 macrobocks alongside 4x4s will improve the problem considerably.

2. Apocalypse Now 'Boom!' - Intra GOP1 24p Flat 4 matrix experiment. Works very well for Mid Shots/Close Ups. Out now for trial 24p REC Mode - this setting has NOT been setup for HBR/FSH or 720p despite what patch adjustments you find inside.

FYI This is a completely different matrix than Chris Brandins. Instead, lets see how far we can push the GH2 and its matrix sharpening. Lets reverse the 'Soft machine' and take a look at how a Flat 4 (All 4s in the matrix) records on a GH2. This has been tested at close-up skintones and mid to tight shots and is very very sharp on a typical soft lens like a Nokton 25mm f0.95. I would probably not recommend this for wider shots or for pany lenses. More notes when I get home from vacation.

Cluster v7 'Apocalypse Now - DREWnet' 12/15 GOP Settings

Cluster v7 'Apocalypse Now' 12/15 GOP (DREWnet) with cbrandin '444 Soft Matrix' setf.ini - Released 28/08/2012

Includes;-

• Superb looking simulated 444 soft matrix from cbrandin for sharp lenses

• Upto 80+M for Top Quality 1080p24 at Q15

• Upto 40/56M for quality HBR/FSH & 720p modes at Q15

• Extremely reliable top performance in AVCHD 24H, HBR, FSH, SH, and MJPEG modes

• iA and iDynamic modes should work at top settings

• Conservative yet powerful 12/15 classic Long GOP structure for most good SD cards

• smooth de-macroblocking - ie Flowing water looks superb and Night stuff looks great

• Bush of Death / Death chart tested

• Wonderful Pasadena Pulse Audio Patch V2 B2, by Per Lichtman

• Top quality 2K mjpeg Mode in HD

• In-camera playback

• Spanniing should work

• Tested by upto 20 'AN' beta testers

Cluster v7 'Apocalypse Now' 12/15 GOP (DREWnet) with cbrandin/driftwood '444 Sharp2 Matrix' setc.ini - Released 28/08/2012

As above setting except employing a sharpened 444 matrix as adjusted by Driftwood targetted for soft/manual lenses.

reserved for up and coming footage and stuff...

Driftwood Tips of the Week

• If by chance you can't seem to playback your Cluster files in-camera, switch off, switch back on, press the play button and everything should be back.

• 'My Apocalypse Now recordings won't playback in-camera?' For some hi-bitrate recordings what do you expect?! The decoder inside the GH2 is rather limited; inadequate memory, buffers, etc... and playing back these settings where recordings are hitting the settings' peaks will cause playback issues if it runs out of steam. Sometimes its a case of doing what is mentioned in the top tip. But better to bring along a decent specced laptop on set and copy over the sdcard's private folder over to the hard disk and watch the mts files playback thru a decent piece of software like 'Movist' on the Mac or WMP with 'k-lite codec' pack installed on the PC. The most important thing to remember is that there should be nothing wrong with your recordings.

• Don't forget to record a small recording after a long recording on a 64Gb 95mb/s extreme pro card as sometimes its file name handling gets confused. Doing so will enable you to continue using the card for further recordings.

can't wait. Anything that can simulate 444 on h264 will be most welcomed

Apocalypse Now 444 IV: Game-changer? I expect so.

I'm very excited

Damn, i thought, finally there is it! .................

almost 50min record time with sharp! with 32gb sd :) haven't loaded any footage in the puter yet. but looks great in camera! thanks @driftwood @cbrandin, @bkmcwd and @Vitaliy_Kiselev for all the hard work! out to test! :)

Blue channel noise is much improved testing side by side with Canis Majoris. Quick test image below - before and after swapping firmware (blue channel only.)

RE: IntraVenus - I noticed that while the data rate is reduced, it still eats more card space than some of the higher bit rate hacks like Qv9B, is that the tweaking to the matrix? Also it's softer BUT that softness lends it to a more film like quality.

@driftwood - Incredibly excited. Shooting a festival script on this shortly, hopefully.

@Shian Good to hear,. but beta testers are not supposed to share these with others until release.

like I said, I mistakenly thought IV was the new codename for Apocalypse Now, and that this was common knowledge, thus making this the appropriate thread.

So again, my bad, I'll name my first child Driftwood and then sacrifice him on high, to satisfy the gods.... Why don't you give me a nice papercut, and pour lemon juice on it.... :P