PROJECT UPDATE - See this post for the latest project status: http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/The-X-Project-Laserdisc-on-Steroids/post/461494/#TopicPost461494
Welcome to the second edition of the XØ Project discussion thread. The original thread can be found here.
This thread will primarily be used to discuss the project and our official web site. <span>Please do not use this thread to inquire about when it will be finished or how you can get a copy.</span> We will reveal this information when/if it is evident.
What’s an XØ?
The XØ Project gets it’s name from the Pioneer HLD-X0 (that’s <span><span>X-ZERO</span></span>) Japanese NTSC laserdisc player – quite possibly the best LD player ever made. It easily outperforms any of the American ‘Elite’ series players like the CLD-97 and CLD-99.
The XØ Project will be spearheaded by MeBeJedi and Zion. Our third member, who wishes to remain anonymous, is another amazingly talented videophile who contributes more than his fair share. Laserman, who started the project, is no longer involved due to health issues and personal reasons.
So, What Are You Guys Doing?
First and foremost, the project aims to be an archive preservation of the Original Star Wars Trilogy laserdiscs in the best quality possible. We are culling video from a number of different sets. These include, but are not limited to, the US Definitive Collection set, the US “Faces” set, and their Japanese equivalents.
Every single frame will be looked at and corrected. Fixes will be limited to dirt and film damage removal, color correction, and stabilization. Wherever possible we will be using the actual celluloid film for reference.
Glitches including matte lines, saber colors, and frame jumps will not be fixed in the initial version. A possible second version could include fixes to matte lines and garbage mattes, but keep the rest of the “glitches” intact.
The finished archive will form a perfect base for any future restoration project or fan edit we might do afterward.
What Will Your Final Output Format(s) Be?
Possibilities include an uncompressed letterbox master copy for posterity, DVD-9 for daily viewing pleasure, and 720P anamorphic for largescreen/projector viewing.
What Equipment Are You Using?
A project of this magnitude and intricacy demands a lot of specialized hardware and software. It all starts with a properly calibrated video chain – LD player, capturing system, and monitors. Software being used includes AviSynth/VirtualDub, Combustion, and Boujou. We will go more in depth on this on the website.
So What’s On the Website?
Our website is our main hub for everything that’s going on with the project. Updates to our progress usually pop up on the website before anywhere else. We also send out a periodic newsletter with the latest news about the project.
The other intent of the website is to educate people on how to do their own transfer through informative articles. We want it to be a haven for other enthusiasts to learn the tricks of the trade and produce results similar to our own. The theme is obviously centered around the transfer of the Star Wars LD’s, but these ideas can be applied to many other projects.
How Can I Help?
A project like this leaves very little room to skimp on materials. In addition, we have to be able to ship things between each other. If you feel compelled to contribute to the cause, you can do so by contributing monetarily. We accept donations through PayPal on the website.