JetrellFo's Jedi Archive Special Edition: Japan LD Preservation Project ***Still Learning***

I did a search and didn't find anything on this....if I missed something please let me know.

What started my quest....

I was always so geeked over my 5 Star DL of the SE and the Letterbox presentation but I wanted to see a better picture, a better package overall.  I haven't really seen any capture projects specifically done for the Japan SE LD sets. 

I think it would make a great preservation project. 

My proposal for the project:

Japan SE LD set, PILF-2434, Mono, Stereo, and 2.0 Audio including the Japanese Subs, Extra material included with discs.

Japan SE LD set, PILF-2860, Episode II Sneak Peak, Mono, Stereo, 2.0 Audion including Japanese Subs, Extra Material included with the discs.

Do these discs sets have commentary tracks as well?  I also believe that the 5 Star DL set carries a DTS mix which should be easily transferable for use, no?

For artwork, I'd like to see something that matches the LD sets presentation of each in regards to packaging.

I would be willing to do the straight captures but I KNOW I would need assistance in regards to reconnecting all the video/audio properly, making menus and artwork, incorporating the different audio mixes, and making sure the interviews with GL, the SE "Making of" feature, and the Episode II Sneak Peek feature all make it in as extras for a quality release, either DVD9, AVCHD or both depending on time and resource of course but I'd hate to squander quality.

In regards to audio, Darth Editous helped me acquire the AC3 audio for the SE Trilogy anyways....I have them saved on an external drive.

I could post torrents when things are complete but I'd prefer someone who has good knowledge of  newsgroup usage because they would probably be better accessible to the bulk of fans that dig this stuff.

WHEW, that was a lot to say....I hope I didn't bore you all.  I would happily make sure that any and all involved would get the proper credit. 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it..............PMSL

:)

I'm probably asking for a whole big mess aren't I?  Is this something people would see an interest in or should I just stick to creating something for my own personal enjoyment?

Thanks for any considerations, suggestions, polite criticisms, and advice.

Shawn

As I'm perusing the board, I'm seeing that my endeavor is going to end up with a "white noise" fate considering all the high profile projects going on so I think I'm just gonna do what I'm gonna do and call it a day.

Mods, feel free to delete this thread at your convenience.

Thanks for allowing me to at least post my proposal.

Cheers to all!!!  Wish me luck.

:)

Thanks Aleksbmw, it is appreciated.  I know the S.E. isn't everyone's favorite but archiving different pressings of the Trilogy could have a long term benefit for use in future edits, preservation of a version which has already been replaced by another, different audio options, and an added section of discs to someone's already large collection of Star Wars archive projects.  It's not like George Lucas is going to do it for the fans....but the fans will. 

The TPM Japan LD is one I have and want to do as well.  

In the end I'm doing it for me but I was hoping to share it with others that share the passion.   

:)  :)

i always wondered why no one ever tried ripping the ac3 track of tpm to put on dvd

skyjedi2005 said:

Adywan capped the ac3 for phantom menace.  But you had to add it to his original phantom menace theatrical cut.

He said it was not as good sounding as the mix for star wars 1997 special edition.

At least from my perspective they sound and look really nice but I'm not running a surround sound environment at the moment so I guess I'm not speaking from a full perspective. From the specs I read, the 97 Japan Edition has a mono track as well.....I could have read it wrong.

The 6.1 for Phantom Menace is supposed to be awesome......

I also realize that my DVL-90 is a combi unit and probably not as diligent as I thought it was in regards to laserdiscs due to it's dual function nature......seems a D704 would probably be superior in performance but I don't have the cash to lunk down unless I sell the DVL-90.

Strange how things work isn't it...............LMAO

In the end, I just want to see straight archives of these discs as they are with any audio options and extras they offer as the 5 Star set doesn't cut it anymore (although I still watch mine) due to the advancements in capture quality.  No edits like additions or subtractions....just a straight clean picture like the GKAR pictures I saw....that would be awesome. 

Okay,

I've started working....this is preliminary.  Settings for the hardware is as follows:

Elite DVL-90:

Cables: Philips Gold Plated/Shielded Composite (Yellow, Red, White)

Mode: Cinema 2

V-DNR: Standard

Panasonic DMR-EA18 DVD Recorder:

Recording Mode: 2 Hours (XP) for DVD9

Black Level Control:  Input = Lighter/ Output = Lighter

Audio: DD Surround 2.0 (256kbps)

Video: Mpeg 2 (9.15Mbps Average)

The 3rd side of the set is going to be recorded using the Darker setting for Black Level Control Input.....I want to see the difference.

I'm working on posting screen caps...not having a lot of luck.  They'll be up soon.

Faroudja VP-250 Video Line Doubler...............would this be a good solution for my DVL-90?

Thanks in advance.....

:)

Aleksbmw said:

Jetrell Fo said:

Faroudja VP-250 Video Line Doubler...............would this be a good solution for my DVL-90?

Thanks in advance.....

:)

After looking at the manual, it is a definitive no if your thinking of using it for capture purposes. My video proc has a monitor (s-vhs) output, this does not. (that means i can get the processed signals in y/c) If you have a CRT projector it can touch up the image somewhat, but all in all this is a basic line doubler with a comb filter + basic bandwidth expansion hardware.

I do have BNC adapters for the composite/component, would that help or would I want one with strictly S-video?

LeeThorogood said:

I am no expert, but I think I am right in saying that if you want to take advantage of the comb-filter in the video processor then you would have to use S-Video, if you use composite then your still using the comb-filter in your capture card/TV. I don't know about component.

Okay.  I know my S-Video doesn't do near the picture that the component does but the component could still use some help.

:)

I will keep an eye out for one....it might help me make a better capture.

Aleksbmw said:

Jetrell Fo said:

Okay.  I know my S-Video doesn't do near the picture that the component does but the component could still use some help.

:)

 I will keep an eye out for one....it might help me make a better capture.

Component ? only Dvl 919 and Elite Dvl 91 has component output and that is purely for Dvd video not laserdisc. :-) Yes you will need a video processor with s-video output. You can try and get an old Faroudja Ntsc decoder with y/c outputs wich is bnc so you will need to make a new cable or get an adapter.

Sorry, I meant composite.  Would I need just 1 cable or 2?  What kind/type of machine should I consider?

I watched a test disc I made using my Panasonic DMR-EA18 standalone and I have to say, what I saw looked at the least, better than the 5 Star Dual Layered set I have. 

I set the Panny to "darker" input while using the Cinema2 and Variable V-DNR on the DVL-90 and the picture is nice (not explosively awesome like the X0 might have been or Aleksbmw will look) and a little soft maybe in flesh-tones but a cleaner picture than the 5 Stars....maybe I will just stick with this capture method and use the AC3 audio I got from Darth Editous as a secondary option to the DD 2.0 @ 256kbps that the Panny does.

What I'll need to learn is how to edit & splice the video together properly so that I can then learn how to sync and add the AC3 audio to the movies so they are able to be chosen from when watching.

This learning experience just might be of use to me, to sorta quote an infamous Sith Lord, in regards to making a basic archive transfer of all the sets I have.

Cheers

Capture card is installed and functioning...VirtualDub has been tested with card and is working.

Final preparations for capture test are underway.

Can anyone suggestion a quality array of settings for VirtualDub or point me in a direction?  It would help.  I want to capture in AVI and go from there.  I have an external drive ready for the task.

I am going to capture the audio separately.  I have an external sound card (EMU 0202) and it should do just fine with Adobe Audition for recording.  This should take a little pressure off of the capture card (ATI TV Wonder HD650 PCI).

I was looking @ testing ChrisTV PVR as a capture program alternative.  Has anyone had any experience with it that could provide a little insight?

I'd like my first actual capture to be something simple....I am thinking about the International Version of Life Force.  I've got it here and haven't really seen this LD available as an archive.  This way I can ease into this Star Wars project with a bit more confidence.

Looking forward to hearing suggestions.

:)

Moth3r said:

You could start with this, although it's several years out-of-date:
http://www.doom9.org/capture/capturing_vdub.html

Moth3r,

Thanks for the link.  I'm actually using the newest version of VirtualDub so I wonder if some of the issues with separate captures (audio/video) have been addressed.  I will keep searching as I want to make sure I get all the basic settings right otherwise a decent capture won't be worth squat.

Cheers

Best of luck on this, and count me in as wanting the final result!

Moth3r said:

Can you clarify what you mean when you say "capture the audio separately"?

If you are capturing the analogue audio output from your player, you'll find it difficult to sync later if you don't capture the audio and video together. If you're capturing a digital stream however, there should not be any audio drift.

I'd like to go after the digital stream.  Other wise I will be capturing audio/video together. 

I'm running some tests using different LD's just to get a feel for VirtualDub.  For now, the best results will come from a capture > AVI output.  Any post-processing will be a completely different story. 

I may offer up the raw files if someone wishes to offer an assist or I'll just do the conversion to DVD and call it a day.  Lot's to learn, very little experience, and a love of movies.

:)

Best of luck to you sir.  :)

Okay,

Since I'm going to capture to AVI, what is the most beneficial conversion to do that retains quality while making things flow smoothly for a DVD?

:)