Hi

First impressions (may modify with time ).

• 
   
• Mercalli v4 image stabilisation - now that is a stabilisation plugin worth having - it is very effective.

John EB

Hi John,  Thanks for your comments.

I contacted Magix about Mercalli, was told the following:

"The PLUS version comes with Mercalli v2 and the Premium version comes with Mercalli v4."  The reply suggested I contact ProDad about the version differences.  Waiting for a reply."

Kami

Hi Kami,

Off the top of my head and from what I remember from VPX6 which came with Mercalli V2, V2 opened the external program, executed and then returned the result to VPX6. In VPX7, which came with V4, V4 is a plugin and works within or at least appears to work within VPX7 as an effect.

Here is a screen shot of the Mercalli effects screen in VPX7. I don't know if it is the same in MEP2016 Premium.

And the Edit screen if you want more control:

In VPX6, V2 goes straight to the external interface.

As for the differences between V2 and V4, here is a note in another thread discussing V4 vs V2 in the VPX forum from Scenestealer:

"I am sure V2 stabilises adequately, but the issue is that it zooms the whole shot to eliminate a black wobbling border, on all the frames to the same degree as the worst frame in the shot, with the inherent loss of resolution caused by the zoom. V4 takes into account that parts of the said shot may be quite stable and so only zooms those parts to a lesser degree. When the really bad bits of the shot come along it dynamically zooms the shot to the degree necessary to eliminate the larger border caused by the greater shifting of the frame required to effect the stabilisation."

So that is one of the fundamental differences, other than the plugin feature.

There's plenty for you to read and analyse below, but I believe that the difference between the 2 versions is significant, definitely worth paying the extra for MEP2016 Premium. There was also a version 3, NA for MEP.

Below is the "What's new" in V4 vs V3 in the SAL version:

The latest additions to Mercalli V4 SAL at a glance:

• Unique and completely automatic CMOS correction for skew, wobble and jello
• Greatly improved video stabilization, faster and more efficient than ever!
• Improved stabilization, optimal perspectives (3D X, Y, and Z-axis stabilization)
• Optical-Warp-Image-Stabilize-Function (Fisheye-Distortions have no negative effect anymore on stabilization process
• Because the Fisheye-Effect doesn´t need to be removed before stabilization rendering is faster overall and less zoom is needed
• Numerous cameras are supported. Universal profiles included as well.
• Dynamic Zoom Reduction (significantly reduces the need to zoom-in)
• Improved border-boundary adjustments, which also reduces the need to zoom-in.
• Increase in focus can be selected easily DURING editing
• Enhancement of adjustability in handling of camera movement
• Straight forward storyboard function makes arranging clips and exporting into a single file effortless
• Super fast full screen preview with new comparison modes, original/optimized, and Forensic View makes evaluation of corrected video a snap
• Export in AVC/H264 mp4/mov und Apple ProRes
• Import von mov, mpg, mpeg, mp4, mts, m2t, m2ts, m2v, avi, mxf, vob, vcd, 3gp, jpg, tif

Below is what the Help manual says about V2:

What is Mercalli?

Mercalli lets you remove the effects of camera shake, jolts and trembling from recorded video
sequences, to enhance the quality of important footage. Mercalli also improves your material by
smoothing irregular pan or zoom shots.

What's new in V2:

Highlights of Version 2 include the completely new stabilization technology based on all 3 camera
axes (known as 3D stabilization), resulting in a far higher success rate in the detection of
unwanted movements and giving you far better results in the steadied clips. In addition, a new
"smart border" technology reduces the required zoom-in factor to preserve as much image
information as possible from the original footage in the stabilized clip. Version 2 also gives the
cutter the ability to manually control the degree of deshake for just the desired result in terms of
camera dynamics.

Mercalli also features an integrated, fully automatic Rolling-Shutter Compensation, which allows
post-production correction of the weaknesses inherent in CMOS sensors, thus enhancing the
quality of footage from action cameras, compact photo cameras, mobile phones and, not least,
digital SLR cameras.

• 3D stabilization of all 3 camera axes 
• Fully automatic rolling-shutter correction of jello/skew/wobble effects 
• Available Mercalli SAL stand alone application offers features not possible in a plug-in
solution 
• Lower need for zoom-in than other post-capture stabilization products 
• Dynamic camera mode retains the flavor of the video during stabilization 
• Automatic scene change detection allows one stabilization pass for several scenes 
• Eliminates jitter in video, even in zoom/pan moves 
• Smoother results for all video footage, from handycam to steadycam 
• Unlimited Multi-core CPU support for super-fast renderings Full resolution preview for
fast and efficient fine-tuning 
• No need for keyframes or time-consuming tracking points 
• Superior ease of use: Load video – stabilize – go! 
• Full 32-/64-Bit Support for the Standalone application as well plug-ins for popular editing
solutions

Thanks for the rundown and the s-cap images.  Very much appreciated! 

The first s-cap is the VP software, right?

Is there a reason you have both Mercalli versions installed?

I'm concerned about the zooming.  That's what I don't like in how MEP does it.  I'll have maybe 5 seconds of a scene stabilized, and the next 5 seconds will be okay, so I don't stabilize it.  When played back, of course, there's a noticeable jump/bump/hiccup from the first 5 sec. to the next 5 sec. 

Kami

Yes, the first screen shot is from VPX7, but it should be the same in MEP2016 Premium.

I had installed the trial of V4 SAL, but didn't activate. Glad I didn't because it was the same price as the upgrade from VPX6 to VPX7.

I have V2 that came with VPX6.

V4 should solve the problem as you can just run it right through. It goes back to the full image, or almost when it doesn't detect images to be stabilized, or something like that. This way, you don't lose part of the image for the entire clip, and no need for a jump.

V4 should solve the problem as you can just run it right through. It goes back to the full image, or almost when it doesn't detect images to be stabilized, or something like that. This way, you don't lose part of the image for the entire clip, and no need for a jump.

Thanks.

Are you that an entire video should be run thru Mercalli, regardless of its length?  There are only short scenes, usually 2-6 seconds, that badly need stabilizing. 

Hi Kami

. . . . Are you that an entire video should be run thru Mercalli, regardless of its length?  There are only short scenes, usually 2-6 seconds, that badly need stabilizing. . . . .

For my 2 cents worth - personally i would not do a long video clip if there are only small sections which require stabilistation.  I cut the clip either side of the wobbly bit and apply the stabilisation to that section.

HTH

John EB

Hi Kami

For my 2 cents worth - personally i would not do a long video clip if there are only small sections which require stabilistation.  I cut the clip either side of the wobbly bit and apply the stabilisation to that section.

HTH

John EB

Thanks, John, that's how I've been doing it, so good to know.  I hope Mercalli doesn't require a minimum amount of frames or seconds. (;
 

Hi Kami

. . . . I hope Mercalli doesn't require a minimum amount of frames or seconds. . . .

Like most image stabilisation programs it needs some 'stable' video before and after where the correction needs to be applied to get a reference point.

I usually have at least 2 -3 secs worth before and after when I cut a long clip.

HTH

John EB