I am now in contact with oohteedee and we’re talking about collaborating on v3.0 using his D+xy versions as a basis and despecializing them further.
I have said before that now that we have 4K77 and 4K83 as 100% true theatrical preservstions (with 4K80 hopefully coming soon) the focus of Despecialized can shift to being what a modern transfer of the movie, if the SE never existed, could be. This is why I don’t think power-windows, not 100% theatrically accurate grading or redone wipes and such are really a problem.
Color grading and recomposited wipes are a given for a modern transfer based on the original negatives, but power windows to differentiate foreground/background elements for 3D feels noticeably different, at least based on none’s comparisons.
I wouldn’t be too torn up if they appeared in 3.0, but it seems a shame. Is there any idea how many of these power windows exist in the OT?
If Disney ever put out a “restoration” of the theatrical versions, it would have a polished color grade, including power windows. That’s standard for new 4K remasters of old films. So if Harmy can at least put out a theatrical version that’s of the same caliber to what a studio would put out, then that’s pretty great. I believe that’s all Harmy is trying to say here.
And then I think he’s also saying that if you’re looking for a true theatrical experience, with all the analogue “issues” that come with that, then the 4K77 version is what he recommends.
Basically, it seems like the 4K77 scans have sort of replaced the despecialized editions in terms of mimicking the original 1977 theatrical experience, whereas despecialized has pivoted towards having a clean, modern transfer of the theatrical cuts. And I think that’s pretty cool. It’s great to have both options.