tweaker said:
Something I wanted to point out...
Jaiman, you're kinda bashing your own cap for its perceived lack of detail, but in reality, it has at least as much detail as the average cap, and probably more. When you look at the averagecap, see the black noise on the picture? That's a result of attempts at sharpening a blurry image. Introducing the black noise makes it appear as if the image is actually sharper, when in reality, no new information is actually introduced (obviously, as you can't replace what isn't there). In the image with the universal logo, look at the VHS cap. See how the letter "U" has a fairly pronounced outline? The image has had edge enhancement.
Now, I'm not knocking the job that Mcfly has done. He's done a damn good job at shining a turd. It's not easy, but he's done it. It looks pretty good. I just want you to realize that you've done all right. :)
Something I wanted to point out...
Jaiman, you're kinda bashing your own cap for its perceived lack of detail, but in reality, it has at least as much detail as the average cap, and probably more. When you look at the averagecap, see the black noise on the picture? That's a result of attempts at sharpening a blurry image. Introducing the black noise makes it appear as if the image is actually sharper, when in reality, no new information is actually introduced (obviously, as you can't replace what isn't there). In the image with the universal logo, look at the VHS cap. See how the letter "U" has a fairly pronounced outline? The image has had edge enhancement.
Now, I'm not knocking the job that Mcfly has done. He's done a damn good job at shining a turd. It's not easy, but he's done it. It looks pretty good. I just want you to realize that you've done all right. :)
Well, that's a good point. I should've thought of that.
The edge enhancement really makes a difference in the way the logo looks.
Just venting my dissapointment. On-the-fly hardware compression can't match software. I just didn't expect it to be that much difference. (The OnDemand was a lot clearer). Normal broadcast is snowy enough that it doesn't matter. And it was a frustrating morning overall. :)
As a side note, I realized I had the wrong frame. I'd hoped there was motion blur in my first cap - but no such luck.
A little over-analysis is in order:
Here's a cropped section of McFly's - there is lots of noise, and that could be impersonating detail.
Here's a crop of the _correct_ matching frame from my initial capture, on my DVR.
I'm conviced this is softer than the broadcast.
And this is from a friend's DVR.
At first glance, it looks more detailed. But whether it is or not, there are large scale compression artifacts. (Thick horizontal lines bounded within large rectangles of distortion).
It doesn't show up, very well, on the page. But but stepping through them, enlarged, in Irfanview made it obvious. Which kinda tells me I'm worrying too much.
So none are ideal, But I guess that's the breaks.
Overall, the frames, in motion, should be very comparable. No need to obsess over closeup crops.
Unfortunatly, my first cap was trashed. The DVR didn't like the +R's I used. So I'm going to get it again, with discs it likes. That'll have to be late at night, our OnDemand is glitchy during typical viewing hours.
mcfly89 said:
One other "would be great" is if there exists a copy of the theatrical (uncut) at better than VHS quality, which is what I've used so far. Most of the added violence I got from a Telemundo capture (apparently Hispanic viewers are less sensitive!) but the nudity, and a few shots like the Deacon offering Enola a smoke came from VHS and it shows. I've considered taking the widescreen DVD and cropping it, but since the VHS is open-matte and has MORE picture, zooming in on the widescreen version leaves out 70% of the original image.
One other "would be great" is if there exists a copy of the theatrical (uncut) at better than VHS quality, which is what I've used so far. Most of the added violence I got from a Telemundo capture (apparently Hispanic viewers are less sensitive!) but the nudity, and a few shots like the Deacon offering Enola a smoke came from VHS and it shows. I've considered taking the widescreen DVD and cropping it, but since the VHS is open-matte and has MORE picture, zooming in on the widescreen version leaves out 70% of the original image.
IMDB only lists widescreen laserdiscs. Of course they may not be thorough. But who among us has a good LD Player, anyway?
I have an suggestion, but you're not going to like it. (Unless you already used a Time Base Corrector, then never mind).
A VCR starts each line, of video, at a slightly random time (relative to when it should start). That means the picture is disjointed about 480 times. Gives it that gauzey effect. It's like a wide group of marchers, with each row out of step (or is that "column" of marchers?).
A TBC collects the lines, and then spits them out all lined up at the edges.
I'll be getting a TBC, as soon as my budget allows, which might be in a couple of weeks. (I found a rare old tape that I'm anxious to capture). So... if you want to wait (and ship me your tape when I order the TBC. I'll ship it back).
A cropped theatrical would be missing original picture, of course. The most important question is - would you be able to see the actors together in the shot? It might be good enough, to get by, in small sections. Too bad we don't have an HD to crop from.