Neat Video is "a filter plug-in designed to reduce visible noise in digital video sequences." Specifically, it removes some or all of the "grain" you get by shooting in low light with your video gain pumped up more than it should be.

But sometimes the only way to get a shot at all in near-darkness is to run gain up and accept the "grain," especially if you have a single-CMOS camcorder such as a Canon HV 20/30 or Sony HCx or A1U.

I shot this video with an A1U. I was on a business trip to Curacao, where this was taken, and expected to shoot in nothing but decent light. My several night-shooting opportunities came unexpectedly. So I did the best I could.

Specifically, the dance floor shots in this video were made with the infrared "Night Vision" built into the A1U,
which comes out greenish (think night vision goggles), and I processed it with the "Black and White" filter in Sony Vegas Pro to make it black and white instead of green and white. But the grain remained, because night vision has its limits, too.

Enter Neat Video. Since I shoot mostly high definition, I bought the $99 "pro" version. There's a $49 "personal" version that is limited to 720X480. You might want to consider it if you only own a standard definition camcorder and don't plan to go HD for a while.

I highly recommend this product for anyone who shoots -- or would like to shoot -- in poor lighting conditions.

neatvideo.com/