Star Wars GOUT in HD using super resolution algorithm (* unfinished project *) — Page 12

DrDre said:

... this release is far more detailed, and can really be seen as the first true high definition GOUT sourced release. ... this is where I'm going to leave it. 

This was awesome! Thanks for showing what all the tweaking could bring out. I've been looking at the single frames but I'm sure, when it's running at 24fps, more of the "random noise" will naturally blur away in our persistence of vision.

Are your Super Resolution versions only "adjusting it's dials"? Are you running a script with additional filters? And would you go into detail about that for others to duplicate your approach/results (if you're not holding those cards close to your vest)?  :)

.

@ _,,,^..^,,,_

That de-aliasing looks great! However, the grain plate looks like it's creating a bigger problem than what it's fixing. (Not to go much off-topic here, but it's how film reacts to light's photon properties not being replicated by universally applied grain.)

@ Spaced Ranger

I wrote a custom super resolution script, using the Infognition plugin as a basis. I'm playing a bit with different noise filters, as the current one shows some artifacts in motion that are not visible in still frames. Once the new filter is implemented I will release the Star Wars Trilogy - The Super Resolution Edition. My super resolution script will be released along with as bonus material ;-).

This really is the final version: super resolution v6. I've implemented a far better noise filter that doesn't have (cross-frame) denoising artifacts. The frames now look much more natural. Here are the screenshots:

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122828

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122829

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122830

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122831

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122832

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122833

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122834

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122835

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122836

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122837

@ Laserdisc Master

Although I agree the jagged lines are a nuisance, I've looked at a number of antialiasing methods, and all of them tend to tend to distort other shapes. Take the following screenshot for example:

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/118497

The antialiasing methods I tested tended to give Leia's teeth a makeover, removing the imperfections that are in the original HD shot.

Super resolution v6 successfully reconstructs their shape and imperfections:

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122831

Ok, so I don't have a perfect working knowledge of super-resolution, but my understanding is it needs two pictures to work and you are using neighboring frames to accomplish this, correct?

My question is, why not use two different souces, such as the GOUT and another laserdisc release and do this using two of the same frames from either source to accomplish the super-resolution process, thus eliminating some of the issues that may come with using neighboring frames?

@ Darth Lucas

This is a very good possibility. With multiple sources you may be able to achieve a better result. You would have to write the algorithm from scratch, though. So that would be a lot of work. 

A few more screenshot comparisons for super resolution v6:

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122924

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122925

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122927

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122928

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122929

Especially the last two screenshots show, that super resolution can do what no other filter can, enhance detail and reduce noise simultaneously. 

This frame was used in Harmy's video sources documentary about his Despecialized Edition. It was an example of the Project Blu V1 upscale. Here's what the frame looks like for super resolution v6:

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122931

Did you find out more about how to add subtitles, DrDre?  Harmy and Dark Jedi are two others that could probably help if You_Too can't.

@ stretch009

Not yet, I'm creating the master for Star Wars - SRE. This will take a whopping 7 days (it's been running for 7 hours and we're still on the Tantive IV :-D). Once the master is finished, I will post-process it and attempt to put in subtitles and such.

@DrDre

Looks like we all better hurry up and wait. :P

Thanks again for all your hard work, to you and LaserDisc Master. This upscale will definitely be the definitive version of the GOUT. Lets hope Disney puts the same time and dedication to an official release.

But for now, your upscale will be a tremendous piece of Star Wars preservation history!

@ Dark Star

Thanks very much! Although there have been rumours of a Disney release, I thought it would be nice to have another HD version, besides Harmy's masterpiece. I'm glad it came out so well. 

I may go for a slight color correction. Here are some comparisons. What do you think?

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122981

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122982

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122983

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122990

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/122991

While it's a nice idea, and some of those (like Mos Eisley) look much better, color correcting can be a slippery slope, and a rabbit hole from which you may never emerge. :P I think some of the shots look way too saturated, like the soldier's face on the Tantive. Vader's outfit has also lost all of its detail. It might be a better idea to leave the color alone.

If you don't get help from the pros regarding the subtitles, and have adobe premiere, I can help you get them working. Pretty happy with the results I've had.

@ towne32

I think you're right. Those color correction threads tend to be very long ;-). I also think the super resolution v6 already enhances the color perception somewhat, due to the enhanced detail and noise reduction. Thanks for the offer on the subtitles!

I tend to agree on the color correction as well. Environment color looks nicer, but skin tones get the lobster effect going, and blacks seem to get crushed.

Plus, I think most people tend to agree that the GOUT has the best color palette in regards to the original elements. It manages to retain that very distinct 70s feel.

Zyrother said:

I tend to agree on the color correction as well. Environment color looks nicer, but skin tones get the lobster effect going, and blacks seem to get crushed.

Plus, I think most people tend to agree that the GOUT has the best color palette in regards to the original elements. It manages to retain that very distinct 70s feel.

 I would be surprised if most people here agree on anything, let alone that. :P Personally, I'm happy with and/or used to the GOUT color.

I think the lesson I've learned about color correcting this film is that there is no adjustment setting that will work perfectly for every scene/shot. 

@towne32

Especially with something like Star Wars, people can agree to disagree. :P

Color is very hard to get right. Its impossible to take into account what people have their televisions calibrated too. It all comes down to personal preference.

You're going to need to sit down for this one. Super resolution v7 enhances more detail and completely removes the nasty grain from the GOUT. Not some of it, all of it! Here are the first 7 screenshot comparisons. Lucky number 7 indeed. More to come...

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/123070

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/123071

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/123072

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/123074

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/123075

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/123076

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/123077