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Info Wanted: Which OT DVD Preservation Has the Best Video Quality?

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 (Edited)

I currently have the TR47 versions, and find that pixelization is a real issue, and am currently DL’ing the Farsight Animorphic set, and hope for a bit tighter quality due to the higher bitrate. I also may check out the new ISOMIX depending on how the 16x9 squish image quality of the FS Ani DVDRs looks on the 32" Wega.

I appreciate audio, but I’m much more of a visual fan, so if anyone could point me to the best visual representation of the OT, I’d appreciate it. I have many different TVs (HD and standard) so the actual base WS/ani format isn’t important, just the IQ.

Thanks!

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why create a new post about the best quality bootlegs... when one already exist? there is even a poll as to the users opinion on the best quality DVDR.

http://www.originaltrilogy.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=2&threadid=934&highlight_key=y
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Sorry, but that one was for the best copy, with all kinds of PCM/5.1/audio bitrate stuff in it.

I simply want to know the best VIDEO transfer, not the best OT edition, which may be different - especially if you're an audiophile.
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Sam_Lu


Let us know what you think of the Farsight version. There are very few - if any - reviews of it on here.

Cheers.

A little patience goes a long way on this old-school Rebel base. If you are having issues finding what you are looking for, these will be of some help…

Welcome to the OriginalTrilogy.com | Introduce yourself in here | Useful info within : About : Help : Site Rules : Fan Project Rules : Announcements
How do I do this?’ on the OriginalTrilogy.com; some info & answers + FAQs - includes info on how to search for projects and threads on the OT•com

A Project Index for Star Wars Preservations (Harmy’s Despecialized & 4K77/80/83 etc) : A Project Index for Star Wars Fan Edits (adywan & Hal 9000 etc)

… and take your time to look around this site before posting - to get a feel for this place. Don’t just lazily make yet another thread asking for projects.

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I have the Farsight set as well as the TR47. I believe the color balance is a bit off on the Farsight (too bright.... loses some details in the white areas), and it is missing a few pixels on each side (compared to TR47 or Gonzo). As for bitrate, I think it's about tied with TR47 on smoothing and pixelation. Granted, there is more available bitrate for video since it it is only 224KB/sec DD (which btw I think sounds very good, compared to the TR47 pcm, which breaks up often), but the push could be due to other factors such as what sort of compression (if any) was used during the initial video capture and the quality of the MPEG-2 encoder.

Mind you the Farsight set is a great effort, but I still prefer the TR47 version for video quality.
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I'm looking at the Farsight Anamorphic edition of Star Wars right now, on a 21" LCD and it looks much better in terms of pixelization, with very little evident compared to the TR47 edition. Of course, this also looks to have a "softness" like that found on other anamorphic transfers...

I hate pixelization and would take image softness over it any day, so unless the TV performance differs greatly from my LCD viewing experience, the the Farsight edition looks like the best one I've viewed in terms of VIDEO quality.

What I don't get is that the TR47 states it has 2-4 Mbps (higher-end PCM audio), the Farsignt Ana has 4.5 Mbps (192 kbps AC3), while the new ISOMIX Ana edition states 5-8 Mbps and DUAL 448 Kbps audio tracks.

Are these ISOMIX specs whacked, or is there some uber-compression going on?
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So, has anyone checked out the ISOMIX version of Star Wars yet?
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"Are these ISOMIX specs whacked, or is there some uber-compression going on?"

It could also depend on what the original codec was as well. A more efficient capture yields higher compression later. I got horrible compression after using my camcorder's pass-through signal-convert function to create the master AVI.

I don't recall exactly what bit-rates Rikter saw with mine, but he did tell me he saw it spiking into the 8-9 range.

I'd love to hear ISOMIX's musical score.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

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What I don't get is that the TR47 states it has 2-4 Mbps (higher-end PCM audio), the Farsignt Ana has 4.5 Mbps (192 kbps AC3), while the new ISOMIX Ana edition states 5-8 Mbps and DUAL 448 Kbps audio tracks.

Are these ISOMIX specs whacked, or is there some uber-compression going on?


Well first there is NO Uber-compression it's called 2nd pass VBR MPEG2 encoding.

You can have the BEST video capture but it's usless without the proper ENCODING....

Constant Bit Rate (CBR) encoding means that you encode a file at a fixed rate, such as 4.5 Kbps. For many people this is a common method of encoding MPEG1, MPEG2 and MP3s. You can usually tell CBR files because they have consistent file sizes and sound quality. OK, file sizes aren't the kind of thing most of you will look out for. We know that.

Variable Bit Rate (VBR) encoding is a method that ensures high video and audio quality - bit-allocation decisions during encoding. The encoder allocates an appropriate amount of data per second, depending on the complexity of the video or the audio file.

MOST consumer level MPEG2 encoders use CBR or a VBR with rates of 2-5 Kbps

That being said - VBR kicks the shit out of CBR - Most commercial DVD's use VBR also

As for the MeBeJedi set - yes it has peaks of upto 8-9 Kbps and the video and audio are stupendious on the PROTOTYPE he sent me - MeBeJedi took the care and has invested almost over half a year doing this. He has also invested MANY, MANY hours away from his family and friends and has spent endless hours encoding. The fact is he cares - HE took the time to research the whole Digital Video thing when others have not. SO the end result is a better capture and better encoding.

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

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So is the ISOmix worth downloading or not? I don't want to waste 4.7gb of bandwidth when all I want is the isolated score.
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Originally posted by: Faid
So is the ISOmix worth downloading or not?


I'll let you know tomorrow.
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Uh, stupid question. Are the ISOMIX versions and MeBeJedi versions, one and the same? Or are they two totally different beasts?
I'm getting a bit tired downloading all of these...
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Originally posted by: Faid
So is the ISOmix worth downloading or not? I don't want to waste 4.7gb of bandwidth when all I want is the isolated score.


I feel anything OT related is worth sharing ....

If you just want the score get the soundtracks - If you feel that Star Wars is a waste to D/L don't.

I was VERY please with the overall presentation of this set and I will no longer post reviews as the quality issue is just something that I don't want to be a part of - I think the "ISOMIX" set looks awesome and I love all the features that this set offers -

I really want to post some pictures but I have no more room on my site - BUT now that we have the Covers site I will be able to free up some room -

BUT I'm willing to sent 1 person a set of these DVD's strictly on the terms that they post a VERY - UNBIASED review.

In order for me to determine whose best for this please see if you can do these two following requests....

1st - I need a list of your SCREENING equipment - The higher end the better!

2nd - A Veiwing Party would provide the best "GROUP" review.

If you can do this please let me know and I will have a set off of the 3 "ISOMIX" DVD's most likely this monday with all my other mail

RiK



“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

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Rik


Can you give us some info on the ISOMIX version ?

Are they anamorphic or letterbox, what sound do they use, what are they sourced from, any commentaries, any subtitles, and any menus ?

A little patience goes a long way on this old-school Rebel base. If you are having issues finding what you are looking for, these will be of some help…

Welcome to the OriginalTrilogy.com | Introduce yourself in here | Useful info within : About : Help : Site Rules : Fan Project Rules : Announcements
How do I do this?’ on the OriginalTrilogy.com; some info & answers + FAQs - includes info on how to search for projects and threads on the OT•com

A Project Index for Star Wars Preservations (Harmy’s Despecialized & 4K77/80/83 etc) : A Project Index for Star Wars Fan Edits (adywan & Hal 9000 etc)

… and take your time to look around this site before posting - to get a feel for this place. Don’t just lazily make yet another thread asking for projects.

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Originally posted by: oojason
Rik


Can you give us some info on the ISOMIX version ?

Are they anamorphic or letterbox, what sound do they use, what are they sourced from, any commentaries, any subtitles, and any menus ?



All that info in under the release thread and the DVD bootleg thread


BUT here it is again...........

Hey guys!!!

I just wanted you guys to know that I've been realy busy with work and Rayna's been super busy with school - I've gotten back to most of your emails and I will be getting to PM's tonight and in the morning so please don't FRET!

BUT

I have just recieved this new version called the ISOMIX trilogy!!!!

But here's the ROUGH low-down..........

Encoding info:

STAR WARS and EMPIRE were encoded with a 2-pass VBR of 3.8 minimum and 8 maximum using Compressor with Final Cut Pro. The ac3 tracks were encoded with a bit rate of 448 kbps with dialogue normalization at -27
DBFS. Due to the longer length of Jedi, it was encoded at 3.7 min, 8 max and the music only track was encoded at 384 kbps.


TECHNICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THESE DISCS

These DVD's were created from the Definitive Edition Laserdisc Box Set. Some small portions (like Leia's welding scene in EMPIRE) were taken from the "Faces" set. The spelling errors in the subtitles for RETURN
OF THE JEDI have been corrected. It was digitized via S-video and edited with Final Cut Pro. The audio was transferred via a digital coaxial connection to Pro Tools and converted to ac3. The music tracks
come from the RCA/Victor Special Edition soundtracks, except for some tracks that were only available on the 4-disc Fox Scores/Arista Box set.

The "Music Only" track for STAR WARS contains every cue used in the movie, plus an unused cue in the Trash Compactor scene.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK has an alternate cue in the scene where Yoda invites Luke to his home to eat. The only noticeable difference is at the very end of the cue as it cuts to Han and '3PO on the Falcon.

RETURN OF THE JEDI is missing the most cues; mostly source music. The music played after Chewie is taken prisoner and all the source music from Jabba's sail barge has never been released. "Lapti Nek" is a
different version than used in the film, and has been edited to sound more like the film version. There's also a few seconds in the scene where the AT-ST is smashed by two swinging logs that cannot be found on
the released soundtrack CD's. For this one portion, alternate music is used.

All the music tracks have been edited to match the original soundtrack as closely as possible.

MORE details LATER!!!

BTW- THIS set IS NOT FOR SALE - ONLY for download (for now.. MAYBE trades soon )

Word to the Spookies...

RiK

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

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Bad Ash - is the lucky fan who will get a set of the ISOMIX trilogy without having to DL it

I hope to get a review in a few weeks or sooner so I'll keep you all posted

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

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I really want to post some pictures but I have no more room on my site - BUT now that we have the Covers site I will be able to free up some room -



Why not use a free image service like www.imageshack.us?
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Originally posted by: Faid
I really want to post some pictures but I have no more room on my site - BUT now that we have the Covers site I will be able to free up some room -



Why not use a free image service like www.imageshack.us?


Never heard of free hosting before

I'll check it out....................

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK