What makes some footage more "stabilizable" than others?

I'm looking to understand what it is exactly that makes some footage easier too stabilize. In other words, if shooter B, shoots with camera A, with settings X, then why would this footage have a better result after stabilization as opposed to changed variables?

So there are many variables.

My question is: what footage creates high quality imagery after post stabilization?

I've seen footage (we are talking about all handheld of course) that looks like crap, but when stabilized the result is amazing.

The following footage was the great example, sony ex-3:


..and this footage was crap, panasonic GH3...


but I've gotten great stabilization results with my EOS 700D...

Is it the camera operator? Obviously this can make it go to sh&t.... but lets say for arguments sake that the operator is above average....what technical factors are key?

What would you guys say is the predominant setting to get great results with post stabilization?

What resolution do you export to?

First thing I notice is that your sources have different resolutions. Since the stabilization crops the native image, the higher the source resolution the better. That's at least one explanation for the better results you get from the Sony here.

Cheers,
Sebastian

Sebastian,

Thanks for the information, but I'm not talking about the resolution or clarity of the video, rather its ability to "straighten" the image. The ability of the stabilization engine to keep an image steady.

In the examples I cited earlier both footage sources were pretty unstable, but the result was amazing with the EX3.

Questions: If it is up to the shooter, should the shooter hypothetically try to avoid rotational movement as opposed to XY movement? What is a stabilization engine better at handling?

Stabilization engines aren't magic, but they work really well under certain circumstances. What are those?

Which variables greatly negatively affect the result as a stabilized clip? (So then these would be the ones to look out for when shooting) Get my drift?

Without seeing the clips themselves, no way to say. Not all clips are the same. More movement overall means lesser quality results. If there is foreground movement drastically different from background movement, that can make it more difficult. Rule number one, use a tripod. If you're hand held, use a rig that makes it easier to manage and keep stable. Never "rely" on post preduction stabilization, not a good strategy.

But yeah, some shots will stabilize better than others. Codec, types of movement, amount of movement, many variables. I'd think for best results, try optiming first.

Cool, well in this case its about footage that was given to me to edit. I completely agree, I don't rely on post-stabilization.

OK, shooting steady is obviously the key, but my inquiry is besides that, if forced to stabilize something in post, what specifically about what you said

But yeah, some shots will stabilize better than others. Codec, types of movement, amount of movement, many variables./quote]
is something that can be controlled?
Which codec ?
Which type of movement?

Thanks

I've found stabilization like transcoding, it takes trial and error. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.

cool dude! thanks... I think you have the highest karma score I've seen yet. :woohoo:

waternyc wrote: ... I think you have the highest karma score I've seen yet. :woohoo:

<cough> Ronny ...?
www.fcp.co/fcp-forum/4-final-cut-pro-x-f...gish-sometimes#59510
Not meant as a contest .. :lol:

Ronny is Mother Theresa @fcp.co, Ben doesn't shirk a good dog-fight, here&then... :silly:
Both are extremely helpful ...

To spend an evening drinking beer, my choice would probably be Ronny, although the Belgians have those liquid horror Gueuze , German phrase saying "You can not pour into a donkeys ear!" :ohmy:

not meant as a contest on my end either...but i do think that its a great system, as they are not easy to give.....

great stuff....fcp.co has done worlds for me.......

I hope i can be of help from time to time as well.....

Karsten has obviously never spent time Cajun country...

BenB wrote: Karsten has obviously never spent time Cajun country...

I made it once for a few days to New Orleans … does that count?
Loved the Cajun Cooking Style .... and liked the ways how the old folks danced to their music... Bought a few cassettes (<<< you now notice, it's quite some years ago LOL!) ....

But you never tried Gueuze .... pure horror, if you like beer!
The Belgians know to cook, remember one of my best steaks ever.
But beer…??? If you know, how Gueuze is made - no wonder!! :sick:

sorry, Ronny!!!!

New Orleans is a bubble, it is creole, not cajun. Outside of New Orleans the culture is quite different. Not as corporate or tourist, more real, more down home. Yeah, anything in New Orleans that is titled cajun, is really creole-twist-from-cajun, so to speak. Beer, nah, I'm a sour mash Whiskey person...

I don't know Ben but it's clear he has definitely earned all the good karma he gets in this forum.

I am however interested in Karsten's analogy of Ronnie and Mother Teresa - that pretty good. Ronnie's karma earned is pretty high too if you read any of his posts. Really helpful guy.

Mostly though I like it when Ben gets feisty.

PS this is written by a guy with zero karma.

Ronny is the really active one here. Wish I had more time to be. We're lucky to have him here.

Maybe I should consider creating a 'Mother Theresa' status level on the Forum!

I was really just trying to get people to give me some positive Karma......hahahahaha...but talk about "off topic"....the conversation has become pretty unstable.....

Great stuff!!!!!