Windows Movie Maker should have come with some standard effects to decrease/increase the contrast of your video. However, since it doesn't, I had to create some of my own.Note: These effects take advantage of the effects architecture of Windows Movie Maker 6.0 and therefore will not work in XP.
There are two installers depending on whether you are running WMM 6.0 on a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows. The installer will put the necessary files into, C:\Program Files\Movie Maker\Shared.
Windows Movie Maker 6.0:After installing, you'll have a couple new effects for decreasing contrast and a couple for increasing contrast. If you need a stronger effect, apply the effect several times. You can also customize the .xml if you want other contrast settings. Enjoy!
Blaine's Contrast Effects (32-bit)
Blaine's Contrast Effects (64-bit)
If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the original forum post that inspired these effects.
Hello, I would just like to say THANK YOU SO MUCH! I was looking literally all over for this effect, and almost bought an entire set (half of which I didn't need) for about $50 - just for the sake of the contrast effect. Thank god I found your site. You're amazing. Thank you again and forever! You have NO idea how much this helps me, really!
ReplyDeletedo you have these effects for xp?
ReplyDeletei have the xp effects if you need em im maruto222@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI know it has been ages since this post went up. just wondering if you or anyone have this download for XP? (have emailed caleb as above).
ReplyDeleteXP has a different effect architecture. There's no easy way to do this in the XP version using the same method...
ReplyDeleteOkay, so here I am almost two years after this originated and apparently I am an IDIOT. Is there some where on your site where I can copy the xml for this?
ReplyDeleteMy windows installer has installed several of your packs twice now, they even show up in my "installed programs" window BUT they are not in my MM. I'm telling you, I feel like an absolute idiot. Please help!!!
I got a new HP Pavillion last night and I am dying to edit some videos, auuugghhh... /:
Jeri Lynn, I'm assuming that your new HP Pavilion has a 64-bit version of Vista which would explain the problem. Back when I developed these, I only had an installer for 32-bit version of the operating system. As a side-effect, the installer puts the add-on files in the wrong place.
ReplyDeleteThe good news is you can workaround the problem. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Movie Maker, copy the complete contents of the Shared folder over to C:\Program Files\Movie Maker. Then it should work the next time you start WMM.
Thanks Blaine!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I got my Rehan in the right place, the DirectX downloaded & installed, your contrast, I can see all the icons for them in my MM BUT every effect I add just turns the screen black :(, I think I need sleep........
ReplyDeletecontrast, win.
ReplyDeletethank you so much!
Hey Blaine =]
ReplyDeleteI have just used your Dreamy and contrast effects, they are really helpful and I am so grateful! I know I may sound a bother, but please could you upload an effect which is like a light being magnified on a lens? I can't really describe it but here is an example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Orsi-Hsor5M&feature=related
If you watch the video from 0:34m-0:38 then that is the effect I desire! If you can create that effect then is it possible to make it in the corner or be able to change the size? I know I must sound like a bother and Im sorry! I completely understand if you cannot create this effect due to time or something.
Thankss!
That's called a "lens flare" simulating what you might see if you shot your video towards the sun. I don't have an easy way to create that for you... sorry.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Blaine for this effect! I was trying to write one myself by looking at the MSDN reference, but didn't succeed (perhaps because I'm not that good at coding and all). So then I installed your effects. Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks Blaine, This effect will help with my clips that are unsaturated and two bright.... David
ReplyDeleteive been looking for a contrast effect for god knows how long now i have it, thank god for your site
ReplyDeleteWhat do I do with it once its installed on my computer..? I've never done this..sorry
ReplyDeleteFirst, you must be on Windows Movie Maker 6.0 for Vista (not 2.x or the "Live" version). Just like other effects (custom or otherwise), you go to Tools > Effects
ReplyDeleteHI i love the contrast but the 50 and 80% both put a white filter over the clips rather then changing the contrast like the 120 & 150%.
ReplyDeleteWas wondering if you had an idea why this might happen and if i can fix it..I want to add contrast to a particular clip but not have it as dark as the 120.
Hi Blaine, I love the contrast effect. It works on my Vista Machine but not on Windows 7. Unfurtunately I cannot publish on the Vista Machine. I get the white screen of death. Do you have this for Window 7?
ReplyDeleteThanks
Liz, I just tested this on my Windows 7 machine (32-bit with WMM 6.0) and it worked without problem. I suggest checking the file type of your clips. Sometimes certain clip types can cause WMM to have problems when effects are applied. When in doubt, try converting all your video clips to .wmv format and try again.
ReplyDeleteIve tried installing it but it wont let me :(
ReplyDeleteHelp
I get
'A network error occured while attemping to read from the file :C\Users\Name\Desktop\BlanieContrast[1].msi
Baby Kiki, that usually means that a prior installation failed. Try cleaning the installation history.
ReplyDeleteHey blaine I hope you get this, but I've downloaded 6.0 on my windows 7 computer, then tried downloading this effect, but It's not in my 6.0 program? not sure Please help!
ReplyDelete@cam, I'm guessing you have a 64-bit version of Windows 7. This installer is 32-bit and will put the files in the wrong place. Copy everything from C:\Program Files (x86)\Movie Maker\Shared (all .fx files and the AddOnTFX folder contents too) over to C:\Program Files\Movie Maker\Shared.
ReplyDeleteI've finally provided updated 32-bit and 64-bit installers. Additionally, since this was first posted, I've also created some Film Look Effects which also include contrast improvements and more. You may prefer those instead, but these are here for historical purposes.
ReplyDeleteJust discovered this today and I'm posting to thank you big time for this! The sky was horribly overcast today and I got a cool video of a snake climbing up a shrub, but the contrast was very bad on the original video. THANK YOU for making this! :)
ReplyDeleteDownloaded and installed Contrast effects - Win 7 64 bit ... install appears to have completed successfully, but ... how do I invoke?
ReplyDeleteThe first thing to ensure is that you have installed a 64-bit version of Movie Maker in C:\Program Files\Movie Maker and that you see the appropriate .fx file in Shared and the .xml/.dll files in AddOnTFX. Also make sure you restarted Movie Maker.
DeleteIf that is true, you do it like any other effect. Look under Tools > Effects.