logo Sign In

Taxi Driver commentary? (from the Criterion LD) (Released) — Page 2

Author
Time
Post link
Hey folks,

Apologies for letting this slide off the map a little - have been busy on a few other projects. Just a quick update. Commentary is now fully synced to the uncut r1. So all is well there !

As soon as the score arrives it shouldn't be too long before we get this out there.

Cheers,

mm
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: meedermow
Hey folks,

Apologies for letting this slide off the map a little - have been busy on a few other projects. Just a quick update. Commentary is now fully synced to the uncut r1. So all is well there !

As soon as the score arrives it shouldn't be too long before we get this out there.

Cheers,

mm



The commentary in MP3 format was my first ever commentary only torrent that I made (a little over 2 years ago), which is why I accidentally did it in seperate files. It was whatever the default was on DVD Audio Ripper. Since then, I have offered my LD up many times for use in one of these projects, though not just synced up with the R1 disc, since the image and sound are rather poor on them, but with the Japanese Superbit as well. I'd say you could use the HDNET version, since that has obviously the best picture quality, but I'd imagine the Superbit would look better than a downconverted HD2DVD version of the HDNET broadcast (not to mention the watermark, and the fact that the Superbit has a DTS track). What I proposed to those who make these projects that end up on MySpleen would have the image and sound from the Superbit, the commentary and score from the LD, and the other extras from the SE. This would probably be 2 DVD-9, as I can't imagine fitting all that on one disc. If anyone needs any material, let me know. I have been trying to get a copy of the Superbit, but failing so far, as I don't want to put up $60 for a new one.

Author
Time
Post link
I just noticed the taxi driver soundtrack is on usenet, 18 regular cd tracks and one 60 minute track of the end credits, not sure what that is exactly.

Besides that,good to find out who the original source for the commentary is. I'll see if i can find the suberbit version somewhere, i'm quite sure i saw it at either the library or some other rental place a while ago.
Author
Time
Post link
Indeed - thanks for dropping by Elmo Oxygen and congrats on being the source provider !

As far as this disc goes, I don't really see the need to max out visual quality on the Superbit (which, although some were obvious step-ups from previous releases, were always the Emperor's New Clothes in my eyes as the be-all-and-end-all in AV quality etc.) and since I won't be putting the original soundtrack/dialogue of the film on this disc it will be unnecessary going DTS etc.

There's no real need for this to be Dual Layer since it's the audio tracks that are the stars. With the commentary synched (took a fair while with various areas - end of laserdisc sides ? - that knocked the subsequent remainder out by a few seconds each time) it's still only 3.8gb using the purest visual and the filtered mp3's - so with the soundtrack too (even it were PCM) - I can quite happily bring this in at a single layer with little to no compromise. For those that need the HD or Superbit experience, then by all means procure them and watch them for the film's sake

That's not to say that anyone else is welcome to try with the two audio tracks on this disc when it's released, but waiting on better sources etc. are usually the reasons why projects such as this get delayed/forgotten. No big deal like I say - but with the isolated score, this one's all ready to go !

Cheers,

mm
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: meedermow
Indeed - thanks for dropping by Elmo Oxygen and congrats on being the source provider !

As far as this disc goes, I don't really see the need to max out visual quality on the Superbit (which, although some were obvious step-ups from previous releases, were always the Emperor's New Clothes in my eyes as the be-all-and-end-all in AV quality etc.) and since I won't be putting the original soundtrack/dialogue of the film on this disc it will be unnecessary going DTS etc.

There's no real need for this to be Dual Layer since it's the audio tracks that are the stars. With the commentary synched (took a fair while with various areas - end of laserdisc sides ? - that knocked the subsequent remainder out by a few seconds each time) it's still only 3.8gb using the purest visual and the filtered mp3's - so with the soundtrack too (even it were PCM) - I can quite happily bring this in at a single layer with little to no compromise. For those that need the HD or Superbit experience, then by all means procure them and watch them for the film's sake

That's not to say that anyone else is welcome to try with the two audio tracks on this disc when it's released, but waiting on better sources etc. are usually the reasons why projects such as this get delayed/forgotten. No big deal like I say - but with the isolated score, this one's all ready to go !

Cheers,

mm



My suggestion of using the Japanese Superbit (not available in the US at all, and impossible to get here now that Nicheflix is gone) was based on the DVDBeaver caps and comparisons of the other versions, not any blind assumption that Superbit was better. Hopefully elvis56 does have it at his library and we can make a set worthy of that 2 disc set of The Game that appeared on MySpleen a few years ago.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReviews18/taxi_driver_dvd_review.htm


You can see the drastic differences between the various discs.


Author
Time
Post link
Oh, don't get me wrong - I totally agree with the fact that the R1 Taxi Driver disc is hardly reference quality, but the need to make a commentary preservation a DVD9 just based on the visual source material is putting the cart before the horse for me.

As I say - those that want the best AV quality Taxi Driver should chase down the Superbit and buy it. For a commentary and isolated score - I think the (more than adequate) R1 image suffices IMHO.

By all means if someone wants to supply me with the Superbit - go ahead, it's just I could be waiting for it a long time whilst the finished product stagnates. Unfortunately it's happened too often on this board that the best laid projects are easily derailed by the promise of something that never comes.
Author
Time
Post link
I checked several rental places yesterday but could not locate the superbit version. After looking at the comparison at dvdbeaver I don't think the image quality of the superbit is better. Different yes but not better in my opinion.
Author
Time
Post link
Meeder, please check out the DVD Beaver Review and let me know if you want to use any of the artwork used on the various posters/covers on that page. I can track down some high-res stuff, but need to know what you would like to use. I'll also post some thumbnails of other images I could use. Not tonight though as I'm too tired from work. Will be able to in about 22-24hrs time.

To contact me outside the forum, for trades and such my email address is my OT.com username @gmail.com

Author
Time
Post link
Cheers klokwerk - sent you an email.

The disc is now finished - thanks to mrwhitethc for sending through the last piece of the puzzle.

As soon as cover is finished - it will be off to the usual suspects for posting in the usual places
Author
Time
Post link
Meedermow, an email is on its way with the final cover art and (hopefully) disc art. I'm glad you liked the cover so much.

Guys, hopefully now that I've finished the art for this release it will be getting sent out soon. I tried not to take too long.

To contact me outside the forum, for trades and such my email address is my OT.com username @gmail.com

Author
Time
Post link
Dang, you guys work fast. Taxi Driver is another old favorite of mine, and Criterion commentaries are the shiznit. Looking forward to this.

One day I found... 10 years had got behind me. Next day was worse.

 

Download  shows from Cable DVR (Updated! Yes, it needs a rewrite, but it's worth slogging through, anyway).

Author
Time
Post link
And we're done.

Those that contributed/will torrent or newsgroup - get in contact and I'll start putting them out there.

Jaiman - got your PM - consider it done

Cheers,

mm
Author
Time
Post link
This thread got me thinking, wasn't someone else already at this? I remember seeing someone posted a great cover for a Criterion DVD of Taxi Driver here on the forums. I think work hadn't started on it yet but the cover looked great. Anyone know who it was or what I am talking about?
Author
Time
Post link
Discs went out today to those that have requested.

Here's what the wait will yield...

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/9469/newgi7.jpg
Author
Time
Post link
Will somebody be able to put this up on myspleen? Pleeeeeassseee?
Author
Time
Post link
Hey this is a very worthwhile project, glad to see it.

Here are a few ideas:

- I agree that if someone is going to create a full DVD of this disc, it should be the ripped Superbit with the commentary and isolated score muxed in - but please confirm that the DVD is NOT RE-ENCODED, but it will be the true original VOB stream. No point to using the Superbit if it's going to be re-encoded!

- I would also ask that someone post an MP3 of the commentary alone, so those of us that can/want to can just take that track and marry it to a DVD rip of our own.

Thanks a ton!
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: Molto
This thread got me thinking, wasn't someone else already at this? I remember seeing someone posted a great cover for a Criterion DVD of Taxi Driver here on the forums. I think work hadn't started on it yet but the cover looked great. Anyone know who it was or what I am talking about?

I think I vaguely recall this Molto - but it's something I've got a bee in my bonnet about since many projects are started and never finished (or even more pointlessly - covers created when the damn things don't exist and end up being "what if"s).

I get in contact with my great cover peeps (klokwerk and ash595) when the discs are fully finished and only then since false hopes aren't created on projects that are left hanging. Fantastic jobs they do too.

Originally posted by: Mojo_LA
Hey this is a very worthwhile project, glad to see it.

Here are a few ideas:

- I agree that if someone is going to create a full DVD of this disc, it should be the ripped Superbit with the commentary and isolated score muxed in - but please confirm that the DVD is NOT RE-ENCODED, but it will be the true original VOB stream. No point to using the Superbit if it's going to be re-encoded!

- I would also ask that someone post an MP3 of the commentary alone, so those of us that can/want to can just take that track and marry it to a DVD rip of our own.

Thanks a ton!


Similarly as previously mentioned - were someone to have had access to the Superbit and provided me with it, I'd have happily done it that way. However were I to have waited the project would have stagnated. And pissed me off. The video stream is the untouched region 1 anamorphic release - no re-coding necessary. If someone wants to grab this when it emerges on the newsgroups and myspleen in the next few days (thanks to Jaiman and D_J) and rip the commentary you'd be welcome to and post the rapidshare links (or alternatives here).
Author
Time
Post link
when you see the pics,you know what that means

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1134/taxidrivercriterionauding4.jpg
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: dark_jedi
when you see the pics,you know what that means


Lol! http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/JimTuckuh/thumb16.gif

One day I found... 10 years had got behind me. Next day was worse.

 

Download  shows from Cable DVR (Updated! Yes, it needs a rewrite, but it's worth slogging through, anyway).

Author
Time
Post link
Thanks for putting it up!
Author
Time
Post link
I'm posting this here since it went so fast but is there an interest in transferring all the Criterion commentaries/isolated scores that never made it to dvd from those involved with this project? I only ask because I like to pick up the criterion lasers with features that aren't going to make it to dvd and have the time to grab the audio for these but not to do syncs and menus etc. Right now I got a package on the way with Carrie Criterion Ed. which lists Commentary and Music & Effects tracks also according to IMDB this is unmatted to 1:33.1 which means it's opened up unlike all the other releases.
Author
Time
Post link
I'd be more than happy to help out in anyway mrwhitethc - the only (minor) drawback is that I'm in the UK - so unless I have the r1 of the film in question then I'd have to buy it. Though that said my tastes (and love for Criterion) are quite eclectic so chances are I might have the necessary materials with which to sync with.

Is there a list of those commentaries/isolated scores that are outstanding ?

Cheers,

mm
Author
Time
Post link
King Kong would be nice as well. Isn't the Citizen Kane commentary different from the ones on the DVD? The Magnificent Ambersons would be nice as well.
I've quite loads of Criterion Laserdiscs but unfortunately I haven't got a working Laserdisc player. I'd be happy to help in any way I can.
Off the top of my head, I think the following would be worth doing:

The Magnificent Ambersons Criterion
King Kong Criterion
Wyatt Earp Special Expanded Edition 4 discs (it's not a not commentary as such, but it's an extended version)
The Return of Martin Guerre Criterion 2 discs
Photographing Fairies 1 disc (never released on DVD)
Author
Time
Post link
I'm not aware of a complete list of commentaries that are not on dvd, I've tried to make something using Yahoo Tubes to parse info from IMDB but it looks like it will have to be a manual affair. This is from 2003 but I found some stuff here:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/showthread.php?t=141534

My copy of Carrie Criterion should be here today or tomorrow, though I do not have anyway of transferring the unmatted video I can capture the audio. If you know of an R1 you want me to pick up the LD for next meedermow let me know. BTW looks like we got number 63 on that list =)
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: dark_jedi
when you see the pics,you know what that means

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1134/taxidrivercriterionauding4.jpg


Where can I get the cover to print out? I always see these 3d covers, but they seem relatively useless as far as printing goes. I've been lurking the boards for about a year now & finally decided to join. Thanks in advance.