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Info: The Black Hole - 1979? — Page 3

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Hi Dark Jedi,

What source are you using for the main video for this?

Not sure if you’ve seen it but the best source I,ve seen yet is a custom bluray made using a capture of the Vudu HDX version from a PS3 using the AverTv bogus driver and synced with slowed down tracks from a European dvd. There is also a Sky Hd Capture as well but out of the two would say the Vudu beats it hands down, better grain retention.

It is still available on usenet (posted in 2012), pm me if you need the file name/password.

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The VHS capture is officially driving me crazy. I got done in by a bad DVD-R on the second half. (The first half is fine, thankfully.) Watched it last night, and it began freezing up in the last ten freaking minutes! I should have known something was up when the Panasonic Blu Ray player refused to read it. My old Sony DVD player is more forgiving of bad discs. Going back to the well one more time tonight, and hoping that 17 year old tape holds up.

I was able to compare with the Disney DVD 5.1, and some interesting differences turned up. Some music and sound effects are much stronger in the VHS and LD Dolby Stereo mix.

The opening flyby of the Palomino has a nice low frequency rumble on the LD and VHS, but is practically anemic on the DVD. Another reference scene is the meteor shower that swarms over the Cygnus. They fill the surrounds with activity in Dolby Stereo, but seem weaker on the 5.1.

Now, here is where it gets stranger. I sampled the 5.1 French track, and that actually is better in some places, and more like the the LD and VHS. (The hospital dialog is still buried though.) If you have the DVD, A/B the meteor shower and going into the Black Hole. French Dr. Rheihardt’s voice comes from all directions, but mostly stays in the front channels in English 5.1.

I admit there may be some subconscious bias towards an uncompressed mix. But the LD and VHS tracks sound way better to me. I need to find my old Anchor Bay DVD and give it a listen as well.

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Where were you in '77?

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SilverWook said:

The VHS capture is officially driving me crazy. I got done in by a bad DVD-R on the second half. (The first half is fine, thankfully.) Watched it last night, and it began freezing up in the last ten freaking minutes! I should have known something was up when the Panasonic Blu Ray player refused to read it. My old Sony DVD player is more forgiving of bad discs. Going back to the well one more time tonight, and hoping that 17 year old tape holds up.

I was able to compare with the Disney DVD 5.1, and some interesting differences turned up. Some music and sound effects are much stronger in the VHS and LD Dolby Stereo mix.

The opening flyby of the Palomino has a nice low frequency rumble on the LD and VHS, but is practically anemic on the DVD. Another reference scene is the meteor shower that swarms over the Cygnus. They fill the surrounds with activity in Dolby Stereo, but seem weaker on the 5.1.

Now, here is where it gets stranger. I sampled the 5.1 French track, and that actually is better in some places, and more like the the LD and VHS. (The hospital dialog is still buried though.) If you have the DVD, A/B the meteor shower and going into the Black Hole. French Dr. Rheihardt’s voice comes from all directions, but mostly stays in the front channels in English 5.1.

I admit there may be some subconscious bias towards an uncompressed mix. But the LD and VHS tracks sound way better to me. I need to find my old Anchor Bay DVD and give it a listen as well.

Very interesting and thanks for this info, so are the LD and VHS the same pretty much or should we include both? I am game for everything lol, we want to do this up right!

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I would say they are pretty close if not the same. The VHS Hi Fi is “louder” by nature. Due to the crummy tape stock Anchor Bay used, there will be minute pops and crackles on the soundtrack. (I heard at least three, but this was much better than the constant audio dropouts on my 90’s VCR.) I was hoping the LD could be used to patch those.

The LD would need a patch for Old Bob’s “schedule” line, and if the CX noise reduction “off” capture is better than CX “on”, some clean up on the background noise all analog LD audio has.
I would include both tracks if possible. The LD is the only one that can be said for sure hasn’t been touched by modern hands.

One thing I never noticed before is when Dr Kate is rescued from the hospital, the dialog is barely audible in all mixes. You can only really hear it clearly in the trailer. The trailer was also on the VHS, so you’ll have uncompressed audio for that if you want it. Have you thought about recreating the “short” version of the trailer?

P.S. I did find the Anchor Bay disc last night, and it sounds the same as Disney. Only difference was the bitrate at 384kps, versus Disney at 448kps.

P.P.S. You know you’ve watched the movie too many times, when you notice the Sentry that jumps on Capt. Holland in the hospital scene isn’t wearing any robot pants. 😉

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Where were you in '77?

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SilverWook said:

I would say they are pretty close if not the same. The VHS Hi Fi is “louder” by nature. Due to the crummy tape stock Anchor Bay used, there will be minute pops and crackles on the soundtrack. (I heard at least three, but this was much better than the constant audio dropouts on my 90’s VCR.) I was hoping the LD could be used to patch those.

The LD would need a patch for Old Bob’s “schedule” line, and if the CX noise reduction “off” capture is better than CX “on”, some clean up on the background noise all analog LD audio has.
I would include both tracks if possible. The LD is the only one that can be said for sure hasn’t been touched by modern hands.

One thing I never noticed before is when Dr Kate is rescued from the hospital, the dialog is barely audible in all mixes. You can only really hear it clearly in the trailer. The trailer was also on the VHS, so you’ll have uncompressed audio for that if you want it. Have you thought about recreating the “short” version of the trailer?

P.S. I did find the Anchor Bay disc last night, and it sounds the same as Disney. Only difference was the bitrate at 384kps, versus Disney at 448kps.

P.P.S. You know you’ve watched the movie too many times, when you notice the Sentry that jumps on Capt. Holland in the hospital scene isn’t wearing any robot pants. 😉

Thanks again and we will use both if needed or one or the other patched, hell or patch up both and we can do both, VHS and LD options would be cool along with the 5.1

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@SilverWook, any news on anything? no rush just curious, after all that info you shared lol I am really anxious to listen to these audio files, hopefully there won’t be to much patching needed lol.

Thanks again for doing this for us and this release.

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No, problem! I really like the movie.

I had to redo side 2 of the CX off LD capture. (My Panasonic Blu Ray wouldn’t play the disc. It’s my canary in the coal mine.) I got so many bad discs on that one spindle alone, I should just toss the rest. Between this and some LD transfers I did for another member, I ran out of blank discs! We should finally be good to go now. 😃

There is one copy of the Japanese pressing on the LDBB, and I decided to make an offer for it. Just waiting for the seller’s response. I can send you the audio captures I have now if you’d like?

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Where were you in '77?

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SilverWook said:

No, problem! I really like the movie.

I had to redo side 2 of the CX off LD capture. (My Panasonic Blu Ray wouldn’t play the disc. It’s my canary in the coal mine.) I got so many bad discs on that one spindle alone, I should just toss the rest. Between this and some LD transfers I did for another member, I ran out of blank discs! We should finally be good to go now. 😃

There is one copy of the Japanese pressing on the LDBB, and I decided to make an offer for it. Just waiting for the seller’s response. I can send you the audio captures I have now if you’d like?

Are they patched? or do they not need it with the new capture? I am hoping all the audio tracks will need is just a sync job.

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I leave the audio patching to someone more qualified. You’ll have more than enough material to work with.

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Where were you in '77?

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SilverWook said:

I leave the audio patching to someone more qualified. You’ll have more than enough material to work with.

OK so both the VHS and the LD need patching? and if so do you know exactly where on both? this would help out tremendously.

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I can try to note approximate times of each glitch this weekend. The only noticeable glitch on the LD audio is B.O.B saying “schedule”, where I think the soundtrack on the actual print was damaged. The line is undamaged on the VHS.

The handful of glitches I heard on the VHS are more like audible crackle you’d hear on an old vinyl record. Anchor Bay must have used the cheapest tape stock ever made.

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Where were you in '77?

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SilverWook said:

I can try to note approximate times of each glitch this weekend. The only noticeable glitch on the LD audio is B.O.B saying “schedule”, where I think the soundtrack on the actual print was damaged. The line is undamaged on the VHS.

The handful of glitches I heard on the VHS are more like audible crackle you’d hear on an old vinyl record. Anchor Bay must have used the cheapest tape stock ever made.

OK great, just let me know when available and I will grab them, I can’t wait to take a listen, and yea those times will really help a lot, at least one of them only has 1 spot lol.

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My internet is pretty crappy these days, so it would be easier on my sanity if I just mail you the discs.

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Where were you in '77?

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SilverWook said:

My internet is pretty crappy these days, so it would be easier on my sanity if I just mail you the discs.

Whatever is easier for you, just PM me if that is what this crazy messaging is called now, sure would be nice if we could delete old messages.

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Has anybody checked out the HD release of The Black Hole on iTunes? Is is worth buying, and using for this project at all?

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Already discussed and discounted from consideration on the first page.

“Logic is the battlefield of adulthood.”

  • Howard Berk
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@SilverWook, any updates on anything? if the audio needs work I would love to start work on it.

Thanks

*edit, also sent you a message.

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I just got the caps from SilverWook and they are beautiful, they sound great, we will edit the bad spots on them and for sure we will have the LD and VHS audio as options added to this SE BD.

@SilverWook, I also sent you a PM.

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Glad to hear so much hard work is going into this release. I’m sure it will show when it gets released.

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Oldfan said:

Glad to hear so much hard work is going into this release. I’m sure it will show when it gets released.

I cannot wait myself, I WANT TO WATCH IT! I am tired of watching my DVD lol.

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Dark_jedi, I replied to your message so check your messages. Sorry I’m a bit late replying - I’ve been busy with the new PC.

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Just wanted to pop in and see how this project is coming along. Hope things are going smoothly.

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There are a couple spots U2 and I need to address on the video but other then that it is done, I believe all audio is done as well, we are getting subtitles and then the big part, all the authoring with all these extras! but We have a few members on vacation for a while so work has slowed down.

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Happy new(ish) year to everyone. Do we know if any further progress been made on this project?

Thanks again!

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hiddenian said:

Happy new(ish) year to everyone. Do we know if any further progress been made on this project?

Thanks again!

I posted this in our main projects page, so to answer you no it is not close I cannot even work on anything at the moment.

"No we are not dead, well at least I do not think so lol, some members have some health issues they are dealing with, some are on vacation and some are just taking a break, and for me well I am out for a while, my PC has needed upgrading for a while now especially when we start the new SW projects and my water cooler went out and fried shit up, so for me I cannot do anything until I get some things replaced, and right now is a terrible time, where I work we are on shutdown so we are out for a few months maybe longer.

Sorry for the lack of updates but this is a HUGE bummer for me to not to be able to do shit, I am a hands on guy and love doing this shit but I just cannot at this time, I think some of the stuff is salvageable but not 100% sure, I do know I need a new MoBo and CPU and RAM, and pretty sure I will not go water cooled again, and new video card.

Take Care guys"