Video Editing Program

Local time
12:43 AM
Messages
63
Location
Independence, Missouri
I have a movie file that I'd like to watch but it is a transfer of an old VHS and therefore has a lot of hiss and noise that makes it almost too hard to watch. Is there a good, preferably free, program that will let me take out the hiss and noise. Is there such a program ?
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia
You didn't mention the format of your file.

Audacity is free and a wonderful audio editing application. I think you can open WMV files in it and use any of the many Audacity filters to alter the sound as you would like.

Not sure exactly which video file formats can be opened in Audacity.

Get it here: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Ignatz Special; 4 speed manual gearbox; factory air conditioning; one of one
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
CPU
Intel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked
Motherboard
AsRock Z170M Extreme 4, micro ATX
Memory
8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)
Graphics Card(s)
none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Sound Card
onboard: Realtek ALC1150; external: USB Behringer UF0-202
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell S2340M 23 inch IPS
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
System: Crucial MX100 series SSD, 128 GB;
Data: Samsung Spinpoint 103SJ, 1 TB;
Backup: WD Caviar Green WD30EZRX-00D8PB0, 3 TB
PSU
Rosewill SilentNight 500 watt fanless, semi-modular
Case
Antec Solo II
Cooling
Noctua NH-U12S; Noctua F12 intake, Noctua S12A exhaust
Keyboard
Microsoft 200 6JH-00001 USB
Mouse
Dell or Microsoft optical wired; USB
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Premium
Browser
Pale Moon
Other Info
All fans PWM; speeds at idle: CPU circa 500 rpm; intake circa 600 rpm; exhaust circa 600 rpm; CPU temps 27 idle and 47 C load in a warm room (27 C/81 F) when running Intel Extreme Tuning Utility stress test.
It's an mpg file. I'm in the middle of trying to open in in audacity right now. But it's saying that it's importing an mp3 file. So....I'll see how it goes. If I play the file in Quicktime, I can turn down the Bass and the Tremble. That makes it watchable. But I want to take the noise out and burn the file to a dvd.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia
If it will open in Audacity, here is what I would try:

Make a safety copy of your original in case you ruin your original by fiddling.

The good thing about Audacity is that you can always undo any tentative change you have made. Just chose undo from the edit menu.

The effects that might work in your case are the equalizer, noise reduction, or high and low pass filters. I'd try equalizing first.

Open the file in Audacity. Go to the effects section and choose the equalizer. Adjust and experiment as needed by ear, then export the equalized file back to your hard drive.

If the video then sounds fine to you, you are done.

If not, reopen the original unaltered file again and use the "noise reduction" effect, with default settings for the first attempt. This effect works very well, but is useful mostly for reducing overall hiss---not ticks and pops at isolated points.

For noise reduction to work properly, you need to use your mouse to highlight a section of the audio that includes ONLY the unwanted noise--not people speaking, background music etc. This is often at the absolute beginning or absolute end.

That portion can be very small--even a half second can work OK. If you don't have such a segment, you can try picking the quietest portion you can see within the waveform.

After highlighting that portion, go to effects/noise reduction and poke "get noise profile". Wait a second or two. Then go to the edit menu and choose select all.

Then go back to effects/noise reduction and choose OK.

You should see the noise reduction effect being applied to the waveform within a few seconds, depending on how long the file is. The effect tries to subtract just the noise profile from the overall sound.


If it still has noise, your only choice is to undo noise reduction from the edit menu and then redo noise reduction--but this time you would set the noise removal DB slider higher than it was on the first attempt. I think the default is 12 DB, so if the file is still noisy, you might try 18.

Play it back, listening carefully for unwanted artifacts. If you set the noise removal DB slider too high, you will hear some newly created and unwanted distortion. So give the file a good listen.

Your last choice would be the high and low pass filter effect. A low pass filter filters out everything above a selected frequency--the treble is cut out. A high pass filter filters out everything below a selected frequency--the bass is cut out.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Ignatz Special; 4 speed manual gearbox; factory air conditioning; one of one
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
CPU
Intel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked
Motherboard
AsRock Z170M Extreme 4, micro ATX
Memory
8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)
Graphics Card(s)
none; graphics are integrated on CPU
Sound Card
onboard: Realtek ALC1150; external: USB Behringer UF0-202
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell S2340M 23 inch IPS
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
System: Crucial MX100 series SSD, 128 GB;
Data: Samsung Spinpoint 103SJ, 1 TB;
Backup: WD Caviar Green WD30EZRX-00D8PB0, 3 TB
PSU
Rosewill SilentNight 500 watt fanless, semi-modular
Case
Antec Solo II
Cooling
Noctua NH-U12S; Noctua F12 intake, Noctua S12A exhaust
Keyboard
Microsoft 200 6JH-00001 USB
Mouse
Dell or Microsoft optical wired; USB
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Premium
Browser
Pale Moon
Other Info
All fans PWM; speeds at idle: CPU circa 500 rpm; intake circa 600 rpm; exhaust circa 600 rpm; CPU temps 27 idle and 47 C load in a warm room (27 C/81 F) when running Intel Extreme Tuning Utility stress test.
I tried opening it in Audacity, but when I went to check on it after an hour or so, it still said that it was importing and that it would take 33 hours to finish. Instead of going down, the amount of time that it would take kept going up into the days. Oh, well.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Assembled
OS
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-4130 CPU @ 3.40GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. B85M-D3H
Memory
Corsair Vengence 4GB x2 (8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz)
Graphics Card(s)
2047MB GeForce GTS 450 (ZOTAC International)
Sound Card
Onboard (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Monitor(s) Displays
LG Flatron E2040T
Screen Resolution
1600x900
Hard Drives
Western Digital 1 TB
Seagate 500 GB
PSU
Corsair VS550
Case
Cooler Master K380
Cooling
Cooler Master Seidon 120V Plus
Keyboard
Logitech MK260r
Mouse
Logitech MK260r
Internet Speed
PMPL Broadband
Antivirus
Windows Defender + MBAM
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Dell Studio 15" Laptop
Maybe a conversion to another format would make your task easier. I recommend Format Factory - Download for the conversion job.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000
I'll try these and let you know what happens.

Update : I could download Video Enhancer but when I tried to download Format Factory, it told me it had spyware. I read that it really doesn't, but I don't want to take a chance.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 11
Going back to the original problem, the hissing noise is as difficult to remove as wind noise. Professional recording studios use software worth many thousands of Dollars/Pounds and an awful lot of high level expertise to get rid of extraneous sound leaving the sound that you need audible, and they are not always entirely successful. I honestly don't think you are going to achieve a reat deal of improvement but that's not to say I wouldn't keep trying. If you do succeed with freebie software don't forget to post a full report of your workflow as there are many people who would benefit from this.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
Motherboard
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. P8H77-M
Memory
8.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
Sound Card
On Board
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 24"
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
(1) INTEL SSDSC2CT180A3 ATA Device (2) ST500DM002-1BD142 ATA Device (3) WDC WD3200AAKS-75L9A0 ATA Device (4) Generic- Compact Flash USB Device (5) Generic- MS/MS-Pro USB Device (6) Generic- SD/MMC USB Device (7) Generic- SM/xD-Picture USB
PSU
500w Corsair
Case
Cooler Master
Cooling
3 Fans
Keyboard
Logitech MK300
Mouse
Logitech WOM
Internet Speed
75Mb
Antivirus
Norton 360
Browser
Firefox, Opera, IE
If I play the file through Quicktime, I can lower the bass and tremble, it makes the movie semi watchable. But if I save it as a mov, I can't burn it to dvd. Oh, well.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Home Premium
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia
If I play the file through Quicktime, I can lower the bass and tremble, it makes the movie semi watchable. But if I save it as a mov, I can't burn it to dvd. Oh, well.
You say you are saving it to a MOV. You can't just save a video file to another format without rendering it to that format with a video converter. Given that you have converted it why go for a MOV format. If you want to burn it to a DVD then the native format will be MPEG 2. This will enable you to burn it to a DVD without any loss of quality. With the right DVD authoring software you will have the choice to "Not re-render compliant mpeg files" so avoiding any loss.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
Motherboard
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. P8H77-M
Memory
8.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
Sound Card
On Board
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 24"
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
(1) INTEL SSDSC2CT180A3 ATA Device (2) ST500DM002-1BD142 ATA Device (3) WDC WD3200AAKS-75L9A0 ATA Device (4) Generic- Compact Flash USB Device (5) Generic- MS/MS-Pro USB Device (6) Generic- SD/MMC USB Device (7) Generic- SM/xD-Picture USB
PSU
500w Corsair
Case
Cooler Master
Cooling
3 Fans
Keyboard
Logitech MK300
Mouse
Logitech WOM
Internet Speed
75Mb
Antivirus
Norton 360
Browser
Firefox, Opera, IE
With the right DVD authoring software you will have the choice to "Not re-render compliant mpeg files" so avoiding any loss.
What DVD writing software do you suggest, John ?
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Assembled
OS
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-4130 CPU @ 3.40GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. B85M-D3H
Memory
Corsair Vengence 4GB x2 (8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz)
Graphics Card(s)
2047MB GeForce GTS 450 (ZOTAC International)
Sound Card
Onboard (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Monitor(s) Displays
LG Flatron E2040T
Screen Resolution
1600x900
Hard Drives
Western Digital 1 TB
Seagate 500 GB
PSU
Corsair VS550
Case
Cooler Master K380
Cooling
Cooler Master Seidon 120V Plus
Keyboard
Logitech MK260r
Mouse
Logitech MK260r
Internet Speed
PMPL Broadband
Antivirus
Windows Defender + MBAM
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Dell Studio 15" Laptop
With the right DVD authoring software you will have the choice to "Not re-render compliant mpeg files" so avoiding any loss.
What DVD writing software do you suggest, John ?
Hi Arc
Well I use Corel Video Studio. The latest version covers High Definition but the two previous versions x2 and 11.5 would both be very suitable for the present project. The programs are complete in so far as they cover the "Capture" of the original clips, excellent editing and then the authoring module. Not cheap but the two older versions can be had from time to time at bargain prices. There are specific authoring programs within the Corel range as there are in many other software manufacturers but I find it easier to use an all in one program.
The only other one I have used is AVS Video Editor. This is a bit cheaper, does a good job but I prefer Corel. Like all software, it's all a question of personal choice, what seems brilliant to one user is rubbish to someone else! I'm sure members will read this and say that Adobe Premier Pro CS5 is the best. It probably is, but then look at the price! About ten times more expensive than the others.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
Motherboard
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. P8H77-M
Memory
8.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
Sound Card
On Board
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 24"
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
(1) INTEL SSDSC2CT180A3 ATA Device (2) ST500DM002-1BD142 ATA Device (3) WDC WD3200AAKS-75L9A0 ATA Device (4) Generic- Compact Flash USB Device (5) Generic- MS/MS-Pro USB Device (6) Generic- SD/MMC USB Device (7) Generic- SM/xD-Picture USB
PSU
500w Corsair
Case
Cooler Master
Cooling
3 Fans
Keyboard
Logitech MK300
Mouse
Logitech WOM
Internet Speed
75Mb
Antivirus
Norton 360
Browser
Firefox, Opera, IE
You are absolutely true, John ! Actually software choice varies from person to person . But still an experienced person's choice is worthy to follow . I use convert x to dvd , it is easy to use; but the encoding is not always good enough .

I want to give Corel a try. I use another app by Corel, CorelDraw ! That's a nice program :D
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Assembled
OS
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-4130 CPU @ 3.40GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. B85M-D3H
Memory
Corsair Vengence 4GB x2 (8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz)
Graphics Card(s)
2047MB GeForce GTS 450 (ZOTAC International)
Sound Card
Onboard (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Monitor(s) Displays
LG Flatron E2040T
Screen Resolution
1600x900
Hard Drives
Western Digital 1 TB
Seagate 500 GB
PSU
Corsair VS550
Case
Cooler Master K380
Cooling
Cooler Master Seidon 120V Plus
Keyboard
Logitech MK260r
Mouse
Logitech MK260r
Internet Speed
PMPL Broadband
Antivirus
Windows Defender + MBAM
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Dell Studio 15" Laptop
Back
Top