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Star Wars SWE LD (Technidisc) preservation (Released)

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I’m working on a preservation of the 1993 widescreen LD of Star Wars (Technidisc). Video processing is done by two passes of Avisynth and one round in After Effects. The Avisynth part is basically done, as is some of the AE work, and I’d need someone to check the video for bad frames, IVTC errors and such. Below is a link to a preview in final candidate state. Anyone who is interested in the ‘beta test’ please drop me a pm.

I’m expecting the final release by the end of June, via spleen.

Thanks!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pzqgp6sbj9d6m8p/sw-preview.mkv

alternative link

Some technical details:

LD player: Pioneer CLD-2950, connected via s-video
TV tuner: Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1250

5 captures were made using the Lagarith codec. In the first Avisynth pass, the captures were averaged, and the following were applied to the whole material:

  • dot crawl reduction
  • inverse telecine
  • fixing bad frames (like frames consisting of a single field, etc)
  • rainbow reduction
  • global stabilization
  • basic color correction (correcting the disc’s SMPTE pattern to the standard)

The second phase consisted of filters with different setting for different parts of the film:

  • reducing of vibration in bright parts of the image
  • reducing streaking in hot red parts
  • reducing grain
  • anti-aliasing
  • aspect ratio correction
  • re-applying fine noise (tamed)
  • starfield enhancement
  • spot removal

In the final phase, I’m doing scene-specific color tweaks and manual cleanup and damage removal in After Effects.

Some parts of the Avisynth scripts were inspired by G-force’s GOUT scripts. Also, I used Msycamore’s observations about the changing aspect ratio.

For audio, I’ll use the theatrical stereo from the Japanese P&S LD (from Schorman’s LD Audio Archive)

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Feallan did you ever read that thread you linked?

msycamore has been first to admit the shortcomings of his own project
beginning with MPEG2 capture device, on and on...

I do hope csd79 announcement won't discourage msycamore sharing his version 2.

And I hope csd79 version beats both!

However, in practice you must take into account the “fuckwit factor”. Just talk to Darth Mallwalker…
-Moth3r

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I didn't read about that much, but I knew there already was a preservation of that disc, and that msycamore is working on improving it. So I linked the thread here, because csd79 might have missed it and because it just seemed appropriate. What's your problem?

Fanrestore - Fan Restoration Forum: https://fanrestore.com

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The preview clip looks very promising, csd79.  :)

I wonder if there's potential to combine your capture with althor's capture of the JSC.  Andrea's done some good work combining LD sources, so it would be interesting to see if it's possible to combine the only two smear-free sources of the original SW on home video.

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That clip looks really good.  I am sold.

looking for HDTV of the  Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.  Also HDTV of The Lord of the Rings trilogy

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Feallan: Actually, Msycamore's capture is the very reason I'm doing this. When it was released it was the first time that the look of SW on video really resonated with me, so I owe him. But I knew it could be better if captured with color calibration in mind etc. I've never even saw a real-life LD player before I bought one this year to do this. So he'll get credit when I'm releasing this capture. I'm also looking forward for his v2.

Chewtobacca: if you were refering to Andreas pan-up idea, AFAIK the JSC and this pressing are two different transfers, so they need to be registered first.

I'll add some details about the equipment and method used to the first post.

Also, TeamNegative1 kindly allowed me to use their transfer of the original crawl, so the preview is already obsolete. :)

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csd79 said:Chewtobacca: if you were refering to Andreas pan-up idea, AFAIK the JSC and this pressing are two different transfers, so they need to be registered first.

Yes.  I meant PaNup and his ruLes project, though I am not entirely sure how he combined sources for the latter.  You are of course right about registration.  It's something I wish I knew how to do properly.  All I've done so far is lay one image on top of another in Photoshop.

I'll add some details about the equipment and method used to the first post.

I'm impressed.  You seem to have done a great deal already.  It's great to hear that the original crawl has been restored.

May I ask what you plan to do about the Tantive orange errors?  I absolutely hate them, but some people don't mind them, so it's no big deal if they're staying.  (The JSC doesn't have them, as you probably know.)

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Chewtobacca said: May I ask what you plan to do about the Tantive orange errors?  I absolutely hate them, but some people don't mind them, so it's no big deal if they're staying.  (The JSC doesn't have them, as you probably know.)

 They are already gone.

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I have captured the SWE with my X9 if that is of any help? I don't have fast enough internet to upload it.

Donations welcome: paypal.me/poit
bitcoin:13QDjXjt7w7BFiQc4Q7wpRGPtYKYchnm8x
Help get The Original Trilogy preserved!

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Darth Mallwalker said:

I do hope csd79 announcement won't discourage msycamore sharing his version 2.

And I hope csd79 version beats both!

Yeah, that's the spirit! :) And no, this won't discourage me sharing the improved one I did. It will perhaps even encourage me to finally making that color corrected version I also had my plans on, if only to make it different  from csd79's upcoming upload.

Like Mallwalker indicated, nothing bad comes out of several preservations of the same LD. It only benefits the members here. And my corrected upload has also seen quite a lot of delays. I believe Antcufaalb have also stated he was going to do his discs in the past. The more the merrier.

I also had hopes to get my copy captured by Althor last year but the damn disc never arrived. With my luck I lost both my copy of this LD and a bunch of DVD's for the THX project last year. I'm done with the damn postal service. Fortunately I received another copy of the SWE technidisc around that time, so I still own one.

csd79 said:

Feallan: Actually, Msycamore's capture is the very reason I'm doing this. When it was released it was the first time that the look of SW on video really resonated with me, so I owe him. But I knew it could be better if captured with color calibration in mind etc. I've never even saw a real-life LD player before I bought one this year to do this. So he'll get credit when I'm releasing this capture. I'm also looking forward for his v2.technidisc

Well, you know what I think about that version I uploaded, now that you own the disc yourself I think you may easily understand how much better it can look when seen properly calibrated. Still, I'm glad to know it made you embark on your own preservation. Looking forward to see your results. A better version needs to be out there. And you owe me nothing, instead we all owe Mallwalker for shedding light on this unique telecine in the first place. :)

Btw, is that herringbone pattern talked about in my thread something you have seen on your copy? I've yet to get any confirmation if this issue is player related or not.

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions. 

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

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msycamore said:

 

Yeah, that's the spirit! :) And no, this won't discourage me sharing the improved one I did. It will perhaps even encourage me to finally making that color corrected version I also had my plans on, if only to make it different  from csd79's upcoming upload.

...

Btw, is that herringbone pattern talked about in my thread something you have seen on your copy? I've yet to get any confirmation if this issue is player related or not.

 Nice to hear that you'll finish your own color corrected version. The samples you posted looked nice.

I haven't seen the herringbone artifact in my captures. Here is a frame comparison (probably not the same frame, but I've checked the whole shot).

Msycamore:

this:

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csd79 said: They are already gone.

 Brilliant! :D

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It's four months ago msycamore asked for confirmation.
Sorry I never did it yet.
I pulled my copy from the cupboard to remind myself.
Will look for herringbones after work tonight.

However, in practice you must take into account the “fuckwit factor”. Just talk to Darth Mallwalker…
-Moth3r

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Thanks for checking csd79! Hmm, might be my player then. I recall it appeared quite random on my captures so out of the five I did it was never exactly on the same frame, hence why I was able to get rid of it.

No problem, D_M. But if you would go through the trouble checking it whenever you have the time I would appreciate it. Thanks.

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions. 

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

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poita said:

I have captured the SWE with my X9 if that is of any help? I don't have fast enough internet to upload it.

That would be awesome to have access to. Is there anything you don't own poita? ;) Would have loved to help upload this for you. Unfortunately my own internet connection has proven to be very unstable lately. I hope someone will take up on your offer.

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions. 

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

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csd79 said:

Also, TeamNegative1 kindly allowed me to use their transfer of the original crawl, so the preview is already obsolete. :)

If you're after the original '78 crawl, why not just use the one from the GOUT?

This signature uses Markdown syntax, which makes it easy to add formatting like italics, bold, and lists:

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M. Verta questioned whether the GOUT crawl was genuine. I think there are no such concerns about Team-1's scan.

Also, this way the final product will be GOUT-free.

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Darth Mallwalker, your PM box is full, so I can't reply to you.

If anyone wants the X9 captures of the SWE, then just send me a HDD and return postage and I'll fill it up.

I have 77 and 78 crawls in multiple film formats here, I can compare it to the GOUT and see if it is 'genuine' I guess.

Donations welcome: paypal.me/poit
bitcoin:13QDjXjt7w7BFiQc4Q7wpRGPtYKYchnm8x
Help get The Original Trilogy preserved!

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'78 crawl? There is the original '77 crawl and the revised ANH-crawl for the '81 re-release. However, there is a possibility that the crawl saw a re-composite during the original '77 theatrical run. The crawl on Verta's north american Kodak print differed somewhat from what's on the 2006 DVD bonus feature. His being a bit more unstable IIRC.

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions. 

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

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msycamore said:

poita said:

I have captured the SWE with my X9 if that is of any help? I don't have fast enough internet to upload it.

That would be awesome to have access to. Is there anything you don't own poita? ;)

 A decent car, clothing manufactured in the last 5 years, a social life....

Donations welcome: paypal.me/poit
bitcoin:13QDjXjt7w7BFiQc4Q7wpRGPtYKYchnm8x
Help get The Original Trilogy preserved!

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poita said:

A decent car, clothing manufactured in the last 5 years, a social life....

Sad to hear that you lack a social life. :( Hope you will be able to rectify this soon enough, that's important stuff. Thankfully I have a rich social life but I sorely lacking a decent car.

Back on-topic... csd79, in your technical details you mention: fixing bad frames (like frames consisting of a single field, etc)

Is this something you have encountered more than once? I'm only asking because I found this particular telecine to be one of the most pain free experiences I've ever had doing IVTC on. IIRC the only instance of "a bad frame" was at the side break at the end of side 2.

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions. 

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

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Other than the last frame of side B, I found the following problems:

- the first frame on side C is out of cadence
- there are two mixed frames (consisting of fields from different frames) in the Yavin battle
- my copy has a problem on side C where Vader is chasing the Y-Wings in the trench: there are 10 or so frames with one field shifted vertically. Not all problematic fields show up in every capture.

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Cool, it looks like you're putting a lot of effort into this. I really like the way this source looks. Hopefully all the processing you're doing won't cause it to lose the film like quality it has?

In any case, I do look forward to seeing the results of your project. Thanks for doing it :)