I’ve just purchased “Thomas & Friends: Cranky Bugs & Other Thomas Stories” 2002 US NTSC DVD (which is Region-free by the way) as it includes the Series 2 nameboards, which are MUCH better quality than my VHS copies and syncs up with the PAL VHS which I’m overlaying it on. I really wanted to avoid using NTSC sources for this but this seems to be the only option for now, unless someone knows of any DVD/digital PAL sources anywhere.

One drawback with this disc is, like the “Truckloads of Fun” AUS DVD, the nameboard shots are framed differently and is slightly zoomed in compared to the PAL VHS so I don’t know how I’m going to get around that.

I’m also using Dr Dre’s colour matching program for any still shots I need.

This is taking me way longer than I thought so I’ve no idea when it’ll all be finished. I’ve made the mistake of attemting all 8 VHS restorations in one go so I’m losing track of where I am half the time and thinking of new ideas along the way. Hopefully it’ll be worth it when it’s finished.

UPDATE - I have overlayed the nameboards from “Cranky Bugs” DVD as they are, minus the BoCo, Harold and Trevor shots and those shots have the episode titles on the VHS. I not ideal, but the best I can do given the sources I have.

I’ve also, reconstructed the “Next Story Cuming Up!” still shot with a snap of “Duck Takes Charge” from the Series 2 DVD and the text taken from the VHS overlayed on top. It’s not perfect, but again, it’s the best I can do fow now.

I’ve just ordered “Thomas Gets Tricked/Percy’s Ghostly Trick” US DVD double feature (Region 1 locked) which has more useful material for this project.