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Upscaling Robocop Criterion (Released) — Page 2

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Does anyone know what sound mix was on the Image DVD? I used to have it but I gave it away years ago.

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Does anybody have the old Image laserdisc?

“That’s impossible, even for a computer!”

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 (Edited)

I purchased the Criterion DVD when it was released years ago and still have it... after watching it recently I decided to look around for HD options, already aware from reviews that the various Blu-ray releases have been somewhat underwhelming.  The MGM HD Channel aired what they referred to as "the world premiere of the director's cut" (their language - I know he just considers it the MPAA unrated version) and it was okay looking but not great.  Was it really the 'world premiere'?  I don't know... thought the unrated version had been around for years.  Maybe this was the first HDTV broadcast of the unrated cut?  Okay it was HD yes, but not that impressive.  Then I found a hybrid of the recalled Sony Blu-ray and an HDTV broadcast of the unrated version.  I have to say the clarity and overall color timing was much, much better than the MGM HD broadcast.  Some guy put it together and it's the best HD Robocop I know of so far.  The audio track was strong and it even included the director's commentary.  It's definitely a quality project and worth a look.

(his notes:  The majority of this project utilizes the theatrical Sony Blu-ray as the main source with additional uncut sequences from an HDTV broadcast being spliced in where necessary... the DTS track was taken from the MGM Blu-ray and the commentary is from the Criterion DVD.  Grain has been added to the HDTV source sequences to achieve visual parity to the Sony Blu-ray.)

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Flexicon9 said:

I purchased the Criterion DVD when it was released years ago and still have it... after watching it recently I decided to look around for HD options, already aware from reviews that the various Blu-ray releases have been somewhat underwhelming.  The MGM HD Channel aired what they referred to as "the world premiere of the director's cut" (their language - I know he just considers it the MPAA unrated version) and it was okay looking but not great.  Was it really the 'world premiere'?  I don't know... thought the unrated version had been around for years.  Maybe this was the first HDTV broadcast of the unrated cut?  Okay it was HD yes, but not that impressive.  Then I found a hybrid of the recalled Sony Blu-ray and an HDTV broadcast of the unrated version.  I have to say the clarity and overall color timing was much, much better than the MGM HD broadcast.  Some guy put it together and it's the best HD Robocop I know of so far.  The audio track was strong and it even included the director's commentary.  It's definitely a quality project and worth a look.

(his notes:  The majority of this project utilizes the theatrical Sony Blu-ray as the main source with additional uncut sequences from an HDTV broadcast being spliced in where necessary... the DTS track was taken from the MGM Blu-ray and the commentary is from the Criterion DVD.  Grain has been added to the HDTV source sequences to achieve visual parity to the Sony Blu-ray.)

Sky and channel 5 have had the DC on TV in the UK

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 (Edited)

I see... makes sense that it was the US debut of the DC on HDTV as the hybrid cut was done shortly before that particular broadcast.  It really is a good option if you want the unrated cut in HD.  The guy put a lot of effort into it and it looks/sounds really good.

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What about a laserdisc upscale of the Criterion laserdisc?

I have the two versions, CAV and CLV, that could be overlaid to get rid of drop outs; as the DVD is not anamorphic, the vertical resolution is the same of the LD; laserdisc has a better chroma vertical resolution; the DVD (AFAIK) has some compression artefacts problems; the LD has the uncompressed PCM soundtrack; both have the 1.66:1 AR; the LD has a lot of extras, but I don't know if they are all on DVD as well.

Plus, they will be captured using the HLD-X9...

Opinions?

Sadly my projects are lost due to an HDD crash… 😦 | [Fundamental Collection] thread | blog.spoRv.com | fan preservation forum: fanres.com

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_,,,^..^,,,_ said:

Opinions?

I'd buy that for a dollar!

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_,,,^..^,,,_ said:

What about a laserdisc upscale of the Criterion laserdisc?

I have the two versions, CAV and CLV, that could be overlaid to get rid of drop outs; as the DVD is not anamorphic, the vertical resolution is the same of the LD; laserdisc has a better chroma vertical resolution; the DVD (AFAIK) has some compression artefacts problems; the LD has the uncompressed PCM soundtrack; both have the 1.66:1 AR; the LD has a lot of extras, but I don't know if they are all on DVD as well.

Plus, they will be captured using the HLD-X9...

Opinions?

Andrea, it would be great if you could work your magic on those Laserdiscs.

Perhaps the Criterion DVD could be used as a third source in a mixture with both the LDs?

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Video Collector said:

Andrea, it would be great if you could work your magic on those Laserdiscs.

Perhaps the Criterion DVD could be used as a third source in a mixture with both the LDs?

I thought about it, but I read somewhere that the DVD has some compression artefacts... any hints about this problem?

Sadly my projects are lost due to an HDD crash… 😦 | [Fundamental Collection] thread | blog.spoRv.com | fan preservation forum: fanres.com

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_,,,^..^,,,_ said:

What about a laserdisc upscale of the Criterion laserdisc?

I have the two versions, CAV and CLV, that could be overlaid to get rid of drop outs; as the DVD is not anamorphic, the vertical resolution is the same of the LD; laserdisc has a better chroma vertical resolution; the DVD (AFAIK) has some compression artefacts problems; the LD has the uncompressed PCM soundtrack; both have the 1.66:1 AR; the LD has a lot of extras, but I don't know if they are all on DVD as well.

Plus, they will be captured using the HLD-X9...

Opinions?

Oh hell yes!

You really are quite the genius when it comes to these kinds of things.

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Here you are the test clip (the same I posted into my projects thread) - I repost here because I'd like to receive some feedbacks (17MB, with sound):

http://www.sendspace.com/file/92dksk

Probably the project will be futile, as the new Robocop BD is announced for the next January... will it be 1.66:1? will the color grading be right? will the soundtrack be right?

You know, there were so many wrong releases lately, that I will be sure the BD is made right only when someone will review it positively (someone who is trusted, like one member of this forum)...

Meanwhile, I'm waiting for your opinions.

Sadly my projects are lost due to an HDD crash… 😦 | [Fundamental Collection] thread | blog.spoRv.com | fan preservation forum: fanres.com

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Did you apply a bunch of noise reduction because the faces on everyone looked awfully waxy.  

I've got the Criterion CAV disc and blown up, it actually looks pretty detailed.

“Alright twinkle-toes, what’s your exit strategy?”

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You know what? I watched the test clip on VirtualDub (uncompressed) and it was good; then, after you pointed out the faces looked waxy, I took a look at the compressed file, and indeed it looks awful... at the end, it was the high compression that gave that s***ty look! And I thought X264 @4000kbps could be good enough...

I just tested few seconds at 16000kbps, and it's just another story; it looks like almost as good as the uncompressed version... so, I'm encoding it right now, and it will be ready in less than an hour - bigger file, but more quality this time, I promise!

Sadly my projects are lost due to an HDD crash… 😦 | [Fundamental Collection] thread | blog.spoRv.com | fan preservation forum: fanres.com

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Yeah i noticed that as well, bring on the new sample file.

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I don't see any difference, still has a waxy look.

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Here you are the differences - screenshots of actual .m2ts file, zoomed in with MSpaint, PNG pictures (click for larger versions):

test clip 3 (4000kbps)

test clip 4 (16000kbps)

just for the sake of comparison, bicubic uncompressed:

Now, maybe the second image has a bit too much dnr; but the difference between it and the first could be seen perfectly when magnified; then, if it could not be seen in motion, at the native resolution, is another matter... (^^,)

A second opionion is welcome!

Sadly my projects are lost due to an HDD crash… 😦 | [Fundamental Collection] thread | blog.spoRv.com | fan preservation forum: fanres.com

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Watercolor effect. :\ The bottom pic is super noisy but doesn't look like a painting.

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Yes, I heard about it...

Well, IF it will be 1.66:1, with the right color grading and right soundtrack, it's fine!

If the color grading isn't right, we could fix it; if the soundtrack isn't right, we could replace it; if the cropping isn't right... well, if it has more info at sides, we could crop it! (^^,)

Just a bit more than two months: I think we could wait, and strongly hope it will receive THE right HD treatment.

Sadly my projects are lost due to an HDD crash… 😦 | [Fundamental Collection] thread | blog.spoRv.com | fan preservation forum: fanres.com

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djchaseb said:

Just hoping they stay true to source material and not ruin the color timing or DNR it to hell.

and not through Criterion, but I'm sure it will be a great improvement over the Blu we have now.

Well I haven't seen anyone complain about the director-approved Total Recall BD that came out recently =)

...only complaint I have is that it still isn't the unrated version =( I would love to have that.

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 (Edited)

You haven't? A lot of people questioned the wacky black level. Anyway, that was StudioCanal not MGM.

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Asaki said:

djchaseb said:

Just hoping they stay true to source material and not ruin the color timing or DNR it to hell.

and not through Criterion, but I'm sure it will be a great improvement over the Blu we have now.

Well I haven't seen anyone complain about the director-approved Total Recall BD that came out recently =)

...only complaint I have is that it still isn't the unrated version =( I would love to have that.

I absolutely fucking hate it 

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Well now I've seen people complain about it =P

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