Author Topic: Freeware for reducing noise in video? (Read 6156 times)

dragonblade · « **on:** October 20, 2023, 21:15 »

Just wondering if there's any free software out there that does a good job of reducing noise in video and still preserves detail?

I did hear good things about Neat Video but that's paid software and is quite expensive.

FranckM · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2023, 05:46 »

i'm not sure, personally i'm using Magic Bullet Denoiser III, but i think Topaz Video can make Denoiser too (and it's cheaper) but if there is a free one i'm curious !

Zero Talent · « **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2023, 09:58 »

There is a good noise reduction module in Davinci Resolve, studio version (paid), with both dynamic and static noise reduction options.
It may be worth buying the studio version (one payment with life time updates, no subscription), and get a complete solution with plenty of great features, than just a noise reduction module from a 3rd party.

dragonblade · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2023, 05:40 »

Ive heard great things about Davinci Resolve but haven't used it as yet. I'll have to check out some more tutorial videos. Yea I think the paid version would be worth it. I know the paid version also has a dust removal tool which would come in handy. I do have a fair number of clips with annoying dust spots.

Beazy · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2023, 22:54 »

I have been using the Premiere Pro version and After Effects version of the NeatVideo plugin since NeatVideo first made it available. At the time there was nothing else like it to salvage otherwise unusable footage.
NeatVideo has been more than worth its price and I think I’ve had to purchase upgrades once (maybe twice) over a decade.
If looking at getting something today, I’d get trial versions and compare the cost, the quality of the results, and how well it integrates into my existing workflows.

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2023, 07:57 »

I'm not sure about freeware - but I have found neatvideo to be pretty good (for the most part) in reducing noise.
It's about $150 usd (I'd go for the "pro" version, because otherwise you are restricted to max HD size. pro version does any size).

stoker2014 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 22, 2023, 12:08 »

Quote from: Zero Talent on October 23, 2023, 09:58

There is a good noise reduction module in Davinci Resolve, studio version (paid), with both dynamic and static noise reduction options.

Better than Neatvideo?

Zero Talent · « **Reply #7 on:** December 22, 2023, 18:52 »

Quote from: stoker2014 on December 22, 2023, 12:08

Quote from: Zero Talent on October 23, 2023, 09:58
There is a good noise reduction module in Davinci Resolve, studio version (paid), with both dynamic and static noise reduction options.
Better than Neatvideo?

Maybe yes, maybe no.

I didn't use NeatVideo to properly benchmark its capabilities.

What matters is that price-wise, there is no comparison: it's absurd to pay for a simple plugin like NeatVideo, more than half the price of the scary beast that is Davinci Resolve (studio version), which contains an excellent noise reduction module, able to satisfy all my low light video needs.

That's even worse if you also have to pay a monthly ~$60 subscription to access Adobe video tools.

blvdone · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2023, 08:06 »

Why freeware? You got to pay for good stuff. It costs them to create those softwares/plugins that'll help you make money. If it's free, it's POS crap. You get what you paid for.

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2023, 08:58 »

Quote from: Zero Talent on December 22, 2023, 18:52

Quote from: stoker2014 on December 22, 2023, 12:08
Quote from: Zero Talent on October 23, 2023, 09:58
There is a good noise reduction module in Davinci Resolve, studio version (paid), with both dynamic and static noise reduction options.
Better than Neatvideo?

Maybe yes, maybe no.

I didn't use NeatVideo to properly benchmark its capabilities.

What matters is that price-wise, there is no comparison: it's absurd to pay for a simple plugin like NeatVideo, more than half the price of the scary beast that is Davinci Resolve (studio version), which contains an excellent noise reduction module, able to satisfy all my low light video needs.

That's even worse if you also have to pay a monthly ~$60 subscription to access Adobe video tools.

If it produces good results, then I think it is worth paying for, and do agree with blvdone. Just the same way you want someone to pay for your photography - someone could just say "oh GEEZ, ANYONE can take a picture! pfft! why should you have to PAY when you can get the picture for FREE? pfft!"... well, because you have time, skill, expensive equipment, color correction, etc, etc that goes into making that fantastic picture and/or video...

When I purchased it, yes I did find it a bit expensive, was hoping it would be more like $30-$40... but I paid the $150... And yes, if I remember correctly - I believe I did get my money back shortly thereafter because of the output it produced.

While I haven't tested Davinci Resolve, so can't really comment on it - I do have to say for Neat Video it produced some fantastic results. Doesn't always produce perfect results depending on the noise level & lighting - but... for some slow motion videos I took where there were visible artifacts - it got rid of them and made a really nice smooth looking video... So yes, I would recommend purchasing it if is within your budget.

I've also purchased a few other plugins in the past, at the moment, don't recall what they are, would have to look them up - but have found them useful...

If you want to produce high quality, sellable video, you'll probably find you need to the same.

Re: Adobe tools - lol, I do agree I much prefer the pay once, own forever model. I don't personally care for the Adobe subscription model myself (although I can understand why they do it). I think the pay 1x is much better, and if I want to get upgrades/updates/etc, then I can choose to do that (instead of the 'forced' upgrades which sometimes break other things).

Zero Talent · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2023, 17:45 »

Quote from: SuperPhoto on December 23, 2023, 08:58

If it produces good results, then I think it is worth paying for, and do agree with blvdone.

I agree.

This is why I paid $295 for the Studio version of Davinci Resolve, which includes the excellent noise reduction module I was talking about.

PS. I was also ready to pay for Topaz Video AI, but after several tests, I concluded that it was not better than what I already had in DR Studio.

dragonblade · « **Reply #11 on:** December 31, 2023, 19:00 »

Quote from: blvdone on December 23, 2023, 08:06

Why freeware? You got to pay for good stuff. It costs them to create those softwares/plugins that'll help you make money. If it's free, it's POS crap.

There are some free software programs out there that offer quite a lot for photographers and video makers such as VirtualDub, Gimp and Shotcut. Additionally, most of the features of Davinci Resolve can be accessed and used for free.

Quote from: blvdone on December 23, 2023, 08:06