Tried the 4k version and it’s very impressive! Well done.
The only minor quibble is that the scrolling text is a bit stuttery, but I’m guessing it’s just not possible to get it smooth and maintain the “correct” framerate.
The FX sequences though - wow.I’ll check my Sky recording tomorrow and report back. The only slight concern is that I think it’s an episode from around season 4. As has been mentioned by Artan42, the latter episodes are visually superior in the first place. What that means is that in order to make a fair comparison, you may have to test your approach on the same episode as I am capturing. Let’s not jump the gun though, and wait to see what I manage to get first!
Also I was wondering if you’d be happy to share what software etc you are using to do this?
First of, I’m really happy that you guys like it. It’s nice to know that the work is appreciated. You don’t know how long I have been searching for a community to share this project with.
Before I had my present set-up, I have been searching for ways to do this and trying it since as far back as 2013, the remastered TNG inspired me.
But back then, the software wasn’t up to it, so it didn’t make much sense to do it from home. When software solutions finally caught up, I was resuming work.
But the community has to be right. People have to respect that a certain level of security has to be maintained, which includes not sharing them on public sites. Also, as you have come to know me, I respect constructive criticism and ideas (with emphasis on “constructive”). Then I began to look into other peoples projects and attempts, including some enhanced clips online. I was again inspired, but a bit discouraged when I saw and read how people commented on it, things like “that isn’t a true remaster, stop kidding yourself” or “stop blowing up dvds, you’re wasting your time and ours”. And while that might be true on some earlier attempts, I find it a bit unkind to judge something that has taken a lot of effort and work by comparing it to present day professional bluray releases, because that is just insane. Of course a series that has been around for 25 years won’t hold up to that, especially when done by a private person. And to then rip it apart in the comment section is not fair, considering it has been provided for free and the person saying that has never tried a hand on it him-/herself.
Back to my file: Yeah, the text/font is a real source of grief. Don’t know if they originally meant the letters to have a 3d shadow effect (like some fonts in word), but the text really doesn’t translate well, although I’ve read on someones blog that the font that was used changed slightly in season 4 (accompanied by upbeat theme music) and again in season 7 and therefore looks better when upscaled/enhanced. Haven’t tried it yet, so we’ll have to wait and see. Forgive me for saying so, but maybe someone around here has an idea on that, I have given up on the font, for I don’t find it to terribly important, as long as it doesn’t look to bad. But I must admit, the PAL-Version handles the font (especially the movement of it) a bit better - perhaps because of the 25 FPS at constant rate?
To the cgi/vfx: Yeah, the upscaling mode I’m using was specifically designed for computer generated content, which I can only validate through several attempts. Although it sometimes over-smoothens faces a bit, I can accept that, for it also removes a lot of the grain. Other modes of the software may retain a bit more facial detail, but also keep grain and cause more color dithering, which I don’t like. Of course I could adjust the after-filters, but then I would have to go back to experimenting. And after 43 attempts with different modes and settings (yes, it really took that many), I am pretty happy with what I got.
I can’t wait for a few later battle scenes, the mode should really bring them out 😃
On the topic of your hd-capture: Everything is fine, for now it’s abound finding out the basisc (logo, bars, general quality, audio pitch etc.). It will help to form an opinion. And perhaps I could then do a preview upscale of a 2 minute-segment as test to see what we can come up with, that wouldn’t take all that long.
On the matter of the software I am using: There are several programs involved.
The free ones (you don’t have to pay) are: DVDShrink (I don’t know if that is still available, for support has ended years ago), Handbrake, StaxRip, meGui and mkvToolnix.
The only paid-for software is Topaz Video Enhance AI (from Topaz Labs): It is the key component in my enhancing and upscaling, but it does cost 199 Dollars. But sometimes you’ll get lucky - there is a guy called “Capt Robau” who writes a blog about upscaling games and clips (even DS9) that provides a 15% discount code for the software.
I was lucky enough to catch the company having an additonal 10% or something off while offering 30-days-money-back-guarantee, so i thought what the hell and bought it for around 165 bucks. And it really is worth it. They update it regularly and have forums for beta testers and always an open ear for customers and their suggestions.
I can highly recommend it!
If anyone is interested, I could make a sort of guide on how my workflow goes, if you’d like.
I just have to find the time, for my vacation time is almost over and my dayjob is 12 hours/day.
Glad you like it. Here’s to many more episodes 😃