Mercalli V4

[Collector]

Hello all,

I wonder if some here have experience with the latest (?) version of Mercalli V4? According to the video demo's seen on their site, it reduces vibration, jitter, etc. very well and pretends that a steadycam accessory is not necessary... . I would like to know your experiences before I download this software that is a "stand alone version" able to be used with nearly all editing soft (see their list and VS Pro should also work)?

A good steady cam used with a FDR AX100 Sony 4K costs average 200 US$ (the camcorder with the Raynox 7062 lens weights approx.
1,350 KG). On top this accessory weights also and one has to carry this also... . A lot of aggrevation if one films alone... .

The ProDad software here: https://secure.element5.com/esales/prod ... =300647105 seems to have qualities that a steady cam does not have. My experience with Mercalli as a package bundled with VST Pro 7 Ultimate being quite good, I presume the V4 version is even better? Also, using 4 different editing softwares (VS Pro 7 Ultimate, PowerDirector 13, Vegas 13 and Adobe,) I believe 3 out of the 4 can be used. Not sure for PowerDirector 13 but as a stand alone... that could work?

I appreciate to read you.

Thanks.

Collector

[Ken Berry]

I too find that the Mercalli 2 which comes with VS X7 and X8 does an excellent job with my GoPro footage. However, while Mercalli 4 standalone almost undoubtedly does a better job, I doubt that improvement would be enough to justify spending the US$250 plus which proDAD is asking for it. That's more than twice what you pay these days for X7 or even in some places X8.

Coincidentally I just received a promotional offer for the new Magix Video Pro X7 which includes Mercalli 4 at a price of £149 (or around US$220). I am thinking of taking them up on it as I have previous versions of Magix and because the package costs less than the standalone price of Mercalli 4!!

[Collector]

I too find that the Mercalli 2 which comes with VS X7 and X8 does an excellent job with my GoPro footage. However, while Mercalli 4 standalone almost undoubtedly does a better job, I doubt that improvement would be enough to justify spending the US$250 plus which proDAD is asking for it. That's more than twice what you pay these days for X7 or even in some places X8.

Coincidentally I just received a promotional offer for the new Magix Video Pro X7 which includes Mercalli 4 at a price of £149 (or around US$220). I am thinking of taking them up on it as I have previous versions of Magix and because the package costs less than the standalone price of Mercalli 4!!

Thank you for the reply. I will download the demo of Mercalli V4 and come back with my thoughts after some tests. Hopefully within 2 weeks.

Collector

[Collector]

I too find that the Mercalli 2 which comes with VS X7 and X8 does an excellent job with my GoPro footage. However, while Mercalli 4 standalone almost undoubtedly does a better job, I doubt that improvement would be enough to justify spending the US$250 plus which proDAD is asking for it. That's more than twice what you pay these days for X7 or even in some places X8.

Coincidentally I just received a promotional offer for the new Magix Video Pro X7 which includes Mercalli 4 at a price of £149 (or around US$220). I am thinking of taking them up on it as I have previous versions of Magix and because the package costs less than the standalone price of Mercalli 4!!

Thank you for the reply. I will download the demo of Mercalli V4 and come back with my thoughts after some tests. Hopefully within 2 weeks.

Collector

Here a Mercalli V4 explanation video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrpFnkKR3so
But best is to test it, as I will do.

Collector

[Collector]

Here a Mercalli V4 explanation video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrpFnkKR3so
But best is to test it, as I will do.

Collector [/quote]

I have been downloading the demo version of Mercalli V4 and playing with the different possibilities. This 30 days demo allows everything except exporting the rush.

I can tell that, indeed, this version can easily replace a steady cam in many cases. Real pro steady cams with a vest is probably something else, but then we are talking of top notch quite heavy and expensive cameras.
With my Sony FDR AX100, action cam and other intermediary cameras I find here a real interesting alternative. The Sony and other cams on a monopod can do the job outside the classical tripod.

The least "good" steady cam costs average 200 to 300€ and can be quite cumbersome. If you have help, fine, but when you film alone that's another accessory to carry.

The software fine tunes most of imperfections as one can see in the YouTube tutorials on the subject. One thing: the soft can take some times to handle a rush of several minutes, so be patient.

I think I am going to buy this version that is much better than previous versions. As a stand alone version, it should work with all(?) editing software.
There's a reduction of 20% of the price according to ProDad, at this moment, and I have found Amazon US prices starting at 189$.

I would say "give it a try" (no risks with the demo) and convince yourself.

Collector

[Ken Berry]

The strange part about that is that I have found Mercalli 2, which comes with VS, smoothes out even the bumpiest GoPro footage. Mind you, I have not tried Mercalli 4 as yet, so cannot comment on whether it is better than its 2.0 version. I'm still thinking about upgrading via Magix...

[TonyP]

I too find that the Mercalli 2 which comes with VS X7 and X8 does an excellent job with my GoPro footage. However, while Mercalli 4 standalone almost undoubtedly does a better job, I doubt that improvement would be enough to justify spending the US$250 plus which proDAD is asking for it. That's more than twice what you pay these days for X7 or even in some places X8.

Coincidentally I just received a promotional offer for the new Magix Video Pro X7 which includes Mercalli 4 at a price of £149 (or around US$220). I am thinking of taking them up on it as I have previous versions of Magix and because the package costs less than the standalone price of Mercalli 4!!

Ken, I got the same email, but the cost was $199!!!
I too thought of getting it just for Mercalli and it will take the 64bit plugins from MEP2015U. BUT, and this is a big one... no Smartsound support built in. Yes, I can use SonicFire Pro, but having SS as a plugin speeds up the editing process tremendously.

[pepegota]

I tried Mercalli 4 and found it wanting. I have M 2 (stand alone) and it does a good job where possible. However, I made the real test using M 4. I walked down a street videographing directly to the front as I walked. This introduced a left-right wobble, as well as a vertical one, that M 4 could not improve on over my M 2 (stand alone) which did a decent job. With all the extra buttons in M 4, I will still stay with my M2. This plus the egregious price they are asking, $ 159 makes it a no for me.
Not in this video vain but, for still photos, I found a real winner. Piccure. This program can improve borderline photos to an acceptable level without much Fancy Dan adjustments. It is the best sharpening, blur removal software that I have found to date-a real winner but, not cheap.

[TonyP]

Thanks for the quick review of Mercalli. I guess there are a lot of parameters in the program that have to be fiddled with to get it just right.

[Yakumoti]

I wish to tell my own experiences and I can see very imperative Improves.
Here some samples and technic details.

Please have a look at:

Mercalli 4 Video: http://youtu.be/qzLT4bb15Ok
What Is CMOS Jello or Wobble? http://youtu.be/NH2W7AR3e2k
What Is CMOS Vibrations? http://youtu.be/8rkJkawmRbw

[pepegota]

I tried the "Quick Repair" etc. options with no real improvement over ver 2. Perhaps the video was more than it could handle. The video smooths out but, the grass scintillates like a star among other things in the video. That does not seem to be removable. Not like the above videos.