Info Wanted: VERY excited new member has LOTS of questions about Fan Projects!

Greetings, programs!

I found my way to this site via a blog that had a VERY captivating picture of three Blu-Ray cases with very nice custom printed inserts of Harmy’s Despecialized versions. Like many of you, I was lucky to see all the original films in their original forms in the theaters as a young boy.  When I saw the picture of the Blu-Ray fan edits, I got VERY excited and joined this site.

I very much want to gather information about how to obtain these versions.  I don’t have a Blu-Ray player, and don’ t have any plans to get one.  I also don’t have an HD DVD player.  Just a regular Sony machine.  However, my TV has 1080i resolution, so I’m thinking I could have a pretty nice, sharp and rich colored viewing experience.  I have a DVD burner in my PC.  Harmy recommended ImgBurn as the program to use to create the DVD’s.  I’m pretty sure I can figure out how to use the program.  However, I’m not sure how to begin looking for the versions that I want.

I desire to see the original films, restored and properly formatted with no fixes with the possible exception of the following:

• matte lines around spaceships removed or softened

• that one shot in the final duel between Vader and Kenobi where the rotoscoping is almost completely missing from Kenobi’s saber and you can actually see the rod spinning.

I don’t really care about any special features or commentary.  There doesn’t even have to be a menu on the DVD.  Just as long as I can take that trip down a very familiar memory lane with all the bright colors, sharpness and widescreen glory I’ll be REALLY happy!

This whole arena is new to me, so I’d very much appreciate any advice and/tips on how to proceed.

Thanks very much!

Dave S.

Welcome to the forum!  This is a bit more of an elaborate first-post request than most people who are here looking for things give.  The straight OT "restoration" is Harmy's Despecialized Edition which it seems you are aware of.  He's working on v2, which is a stellar improvement - if you want to see Harmy's efforts, i'd wait for it over watching v1.  V1's for for ESB and ROTJ are also available (I believe on Demonoid), but I'll let you search for those yourself.   This thread details something that might be more along the lines of what you're looking for.  Omen's not quite done with those.  Harmy also did an earlier effort he called the "Partly Despecialized"edition, which removed the most grievous of SE changes.  He did the new color timings on those himself but the fixes he's done were in no way even close to the level of skill he's been putting into the true Despecialized editions.  I'm not sure if the RapidShare links are still available for Partly Despecialized.

As for if you'll be able to watch them, Harmy did release SD downscales of the v1s but I don't know if that's in the cards for v2.  Look up your DVD player and see if it is AVCHD compatible.  Alternatively, you could just watch on your PC - but I speak from experience knowing how awful that is and I understand if that's not what you're looking for.

That said, I hope you stick around!

Ah, I see!  It's just as well that I wait for v2 of Harmy's work, as it'll give me time to research how to get his work to work on my equipment!  My DVD player is a Sony DVP-S360:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DVP-S360-CD-DVD-Player/dp/B00004U3BV

I can't find any info on the Amazon listing regarding AVCHD compatibility.  Does this mean it won't work or is there another way to find this information?  It's a pretty old unit, from 2000 according to the manual!

Dave S.

Sony Blu Ray players are usually AVCHD compatible, but I really doubt any DVD players at all are.  Certainly not one from 2000, I'm afraid.  You're either looking at a DVD downscale or a new player.

I don't like to hear Harmy's projects being referred to as "fan edits" - that term, rightly or wrongly, carries negative connotations to some people.

A fan edit is a new, alternative version of a film, whereas "fan restoration" would be more accurate to describe Harmy's project; he is attempting to rebuild a specific pre-existing version.

As for your other questions, your DVD player will not play AVCHD discs, if you want to watch these in high definition you will need to hook your PC up to your TV, or buy a BD player.

I really appreciate all the feedback, gentlemen!  I also appreciate the gentleness while I accustom myself to the etiquette and rules of this particular circle of fans.  Of course, I meant no insult to Harmy or anyone by using the term Fan Edit.  I've only been a member for a couple of days (as I said) and I'm still getting my feet wet.

I browsed the Fan Project list and there are some amazing and tantalizing works there!  I was especially excited to see "The Keep" on the list, I haven't seen that movie in ages and I'd love to see it again.  Do I need to create a separate account for the fan edits page even though it falls under the original trilogy site?

This is the TV we have:

http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PremiumsModelDetail?storeId=11251&catalogId=11005&itemId=71188&catGroupId=11071&modelNo=CT-30WX54

It goes up to 1080i, so it seems to me that we'd get a pretty good picture with a Blu-Ray player.  I guess I'll have to start researching Blu-Ray players now.  What models would you personally recommend?