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Post #591723

Author
hairy_hen
Parent topic
Star Wars 1977 70mm sound mix recreation [stereo and 5.1 versions now available] (Released)
Link to post in topic
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/591723/action/topic#591723
Date created
26-Aug-2012, 9:00 PM

Well, for starters, here are the links for the 640 kbps AC3 version:

part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6

Remember that since the DVD format restricts Dolby Digital to a bitrate of 448 kbps, this file wouldn't be compliant with the spec, though this should work with other formats, including HD.  I haven't posted the lossless files anywhere yet, since I haven't yet decided exactly how to go about doing that, but both they and a 448 version will be made available.

If you have high fidelity speakers and amplifiers I can certainly understand the aversion to lossy audio.  Aside from the new studio headphones I got for my classes, my subwoofer is the only component I own that I would consider to be truly hi-fi (got a good deal on it a few years back, just before they stopped making them), with the rest of my equipment being more of a mid-fi.  Generally I'm pretty satisfied, but I do wish I could afford to upgrade the rest.  The level of quality of many speakers is such that it is hard to tell the difference between uncompressed and lossy if the bitrate is high enough (though low bitrates should stand out immediately if it's any good at all).  I've noticed, when I've had the opportunity to hear better speakers, that lossy audio doesn't sound all that different from my setup, while lossless is able to reach its full potential, so perceived quality is very dependent on what kind of equipment you're using, although I would say that the characteristics of the recording itself are probably the most important of all.  Those without hi-fi will be more than satisfied with the AC3, I'm sure.

Also keep in mind that when people claim to hear differences between different formats, what they're actually noticing is that they're not playing back at the same volume.  AC3 for some reason is usually reduced by 4 db due to DialNorm by default encoder settings, but when everything is properly level-matched the differences become much harder to hear.  There is no level difference in my encode, so this will not influence the perception in any way.

That comparison of the 1993 mix and the 70mm version was invaluable to this project: without Belbucus' excellent work in making it, I could not have done any of it.

Once again I thank Satanika for taking care of the upmix, since my computer still isn't able to do the conversion.  He has been extremely helpful to me all along in making this essential contribution, and must be accorded the appropriate acknowledgement.  :)