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Grinder's PAL widescreen project (Released)

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 (Edited)

What the hell is this?

I started working on my own PAL widescreen project some time ago, and it’s turning out so well I thought I might just as well share it with you guys. I’m using the video from the French THX discs, and the audio from the US Definitive Collection. I’m having some problems with the (Pioneer CLD-)2950, so I’m using the (Pioneer DVL-)909 instead. I will get the 2950 fixed, but at the moment I’m not feeling like spending time and money on that. I’ve uploaded a clip here to compare the output from both players. These are just the straight DV captures encoded to MPEG, this is not how the final product will look. There is a minor difference to be noticed, but as you can see for yourself it’s not much: the 909 is a damn good player aswell. I do recommend you watch it in VirtualDub, not in Windows Media Player, as the latter does not give a crisp and sharp enough image to do a decent comparison. I encoded it to be DVD compliant, so if you want to watch it on your TV you can feed it directly to a DVD building program.
 

What defines my project from the other ones?

I started this project with the intention of applying no filters. This because all the filters I’ve tried out, including the ones used in other projects, have (too much) negative side effects, and take away too much of the natural film-look for my liking. But as you can see in the clip the discs themselves have a desaturated and too dark appearance, I think that much can be considered fact. So I will be doing hue/saturation/brightness/contrast correction. This also is the most important part of post-processing if you ask me, since it affects the entire viewing experience. Therefore I have spent a lot of time on this, resulting in the absolute optimal settings, using the Definitive and the '82 UK LD as references. I’m sure every single person will prefer my setting over the image of the original discs, but obviously this correction is a subjective one. So I am thinking of releasing two versions, a corrected one, and a straight-off-of-the-discs one. But the latter will just be worth something for the wicked preservationists/purists among us: I’d first like to have an idea about the interest for such a release.
 

What are the specs?

I will be scaling to anamorphic (thanks for the help on that Moth3r) because I have a widescreen TV myself, and Lanczos4Resize does such a good job, it’s 100% improvement, even on a 4:3 TV.
I hate intros and menus, so there won’t be any of that annoying crap

It will have fullscale (English and Dutch) subtitles for a change. I am perfectly capable of undersanding English, but subtitles make it a lot easier to watch, especially with creaking crisps and talking friends around. I’m only including those two languages because those are the only ones useful for myself, and every subtitle file had to be synched after ripping it from the official DVD. If you feel your language should be included aswell I’ll be happy to do so: go to doom9.net and find out how to rip subs as .srt files using SubRip, and PM me for the timecodes. I’m releasing ANH within a week however, so hurry up!
 

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments I’ll be glad to hear them.

That's no moon. It's a LaserDisc.

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I knew I forgot something... they will be single layer with two channel AC3 sound. I tried using LPCM on a single layer aswell, but that meant going from a video bitrate of appox. 5200 kbps with AC3, to approx. 3800 kbps with LPCM. I did 3 pass CCE encodes for both of them, and the video's quality degradation was just too much. On top of that, my AC3 encoder gives such a good result, it's hardly worth any sacrifice.

That's no moon. It's a LaserDisc.

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I am looking forward to seeing these in both the straight transfer and filtered forms as both will be unique versions. I am not aware of a straight transfer of the French THX set unless someone out there can tell me different.

Are you still planning something with the early 80's PAL Fullscreens too???

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Yeah, I will start on those after finishing the widescreen trilogy. Although there doesn't seem to be much interest in any of it...

That's no moon. It's a LaserDisc.

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Well, I'm interested in at least this project right here... especialy the corrected version. The fullscreen is not as important for me since I have a widescreen, but I'm sure others are keen on seing what you may come up with. Hope it turns out the way you want it.

-x- I aim to misbehave -x- www.gamerworld.se -x-

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Originally posted by: Grinder
Yeah, I will start on those after finishing the widescreen trilogy. Although there doesn't seem to be much interest in any of it...


Kinda frustrating isn't it!?!?!?

Maybe there should be a PRESERVATION forum around here and we could discuss preservation projects in there.........

Oops, there already is, you posted there but not many people seem to give a damn!!!!!!!!!

The Golden Rule is that if you are interested in doing any form of preservation, you are doing it for yourself and possibly a few pals who help you along the way.

Please stick with it and show us what you can do. I am right behind you.

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Grinder you got PM
DJ

and for the record Russ and I have a thread on projects, and we arent getting any response either,i think noone cares,ALL they want is the X0 set,and NOTHING else matters,so what i do is for Russ and Boba at the moment,and if they want to share they can,or just keep to themselves,makes NO difference to me.
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Yeah, I'll admit I'm looking forward to the X0 Project being finished. It can't help but kick some serious ass, given the time, equipment, and manpower being applied.

But I'll tell ya: as much as I'm anticipating X0, I download just about every release out there, regardless. There are so many good transfers recently that I haven't really been completely able to keep up, but that doesn't mean I've stopped downloading. I'm not one to send a lot of warm and fuzzy feedback, but maybe for just a second here I'll act as the unofficial spokesguy for the silent, lurking majority. Anybody who goes to the trouble to make a transfer and get it out there is OK by me.

I think russs15's Golden Rule is a good one, though. Do it for yourself, and be pleasantly surprised by the positive feedback you'll inevitably receive. Don't get bummed by the lack of response to a direct appeal to the masses. Just keep on truckin'. If you do good work, they'll seek your transfer(s) out, and give you the props you deserve.
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Sure I'm doing this for myself primarily, but it's of course nice to know your efforts are appreciated by more than only yourself. Thanks for the messages guys!
I'm synching the Dutch subs at the moment, have ran the encode for the corrected version, will run the encode for the straight version during the night, and will be capping TESB tomorrow. If all goes well I'll upload ANH tomorrow night, and I expect TESB to be done within a week. I'll keep you informed...

That's no moon. It's a LaserDisc.

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I'm really looking forward to seeing your version, Grinder! Looks like you're going much faster then me
Fez: I am so excited about Star Whores.
Hyde: Fezzy, man, it's Star Wars.
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A bit of a delay due to several severe hangovers. But here it finally is. I'm uploading ANH to a.b.starwars right now. If anyone wants to torrent it on myspleen, be my guest. Look for "Grinder's Star Wars Original Trilogy - Episode IV".

That's no moon. It's a LaserDisc.

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Is this the straight transfer or your enhanced version?

Either way, I am looking forward to seeing it.

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hey Russ,i dont have access to newsgrouups so could i get a copy from you,pretty please?
cheers man
DJ
Grinder cant wait to see it,i am very interested
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--------------------------- GRINDER'S STAR WARS ORIGINAL TRILOGY --------------------------

--------------------------------------- EPISODE IV ----------------------------------------


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- RELEASE NOTES -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the first in a series of three LaserDisc > DVD transfers of the Star Wars original
trilogy: the way the movies were before the release of the Special Editions in '97. I
created these transfers for my own enjoyment initially, but I couldn't let you fellow Star
Wars fans miss out on all the fun, could I? So here it is.
You are of course free to share this with all Star Wars fans you know, just the way YOU
got it: for FREE. But don't you dare selling this, or I'll personally come by to redecorate
your house

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- MAIN TRANSFER SPECS -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Video Source.........: '95 French THX trilogy. Cat. # 113039
Audio Source.........: '93 US Definitive Collection. Cat. # 0693-84
Player...............: Pioneer DVL-909

Video charateristics have been enhanced for a better viewing experience.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- DVD SPECS -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Type.................: Movie
Platform.............: VIDEO_TS folder
Video Format.........: DVD/720x576/PAL
Aspect Ratio.........: Anamorphic Widescreen
Subtitles............: English, Dutch
Audio Format.........: Dolby Digital 2.0
Runtime..............: 1 hr. 56 min. 22 sec.
Genre................: Science Fiction
Size.................: 4.35 GB

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I am sure we can work something out DJ. Leave it to me.

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thank you much Russ,i will have my end DONE tonight,so i will be able to ship a big package to you by midweek
DJ
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Grinder, how did you match the DC soundtrack to the PAL framerate ?
Were you able to preserve the pitch and avoid the "chipmunks on helium" effect ?

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

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All right I have something to download! Cant wait to check it out!
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It'll be interesting to see how a minimally-filtered version compares to the two heavily filtered transfers by Citizen and myself. I'll get this to make some screenshots.

Did you fix the missing screenwipe at the ens of side 1?

And to repeat DM's question, did you preserve the pitch of the DC soundtrack?

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This is the corrected version (that's what the "video characteristics..." line stands for in the .nfo). I will upload the not corrected ones eventually, but not right away. The corrected ones are the best looking, and main release.
I matched the soundtrack under the film by speeding it up, tried several pitch preservers, results were bad to reasonable. The best one was good overall, but it messed up the surround, so I decided to keep it sped up. I had gotten used to the NTSC speed aswell, but working on my version I got used to the sped up version, and now the NTSC soundtrack sounds slowed down to me. It's just what version you're used to. Nearly all official SW PAL releases are sped up aswell, including the DVD. As far as I know only the '95 releases were pitch corrected (Russ???).
I did not fix the wipe at the end of side 1/still at the beginning of side 2: I don't have it on LD in PAL widescreen, and I'm not planning on purchasing another LD just for those couple of seconds. I could have used the DC, but that would still give you some half-decent result. Or I could have stolen it from Citizen
You can make some screens Moth3r, but don't judge it by those. My experience with noise reduction/sharpening filters is that they make it look better on a screenshot, but worse during playback.

And as a sidenote to everyone, please watch it on your TV, NOT on your computer.

That's no moon. It's a LaserDisc.

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Originally posted by: segaflip
All right I have something to download!


I suppose that this is quite rare for you lately.............

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Posting 10% (299 blocks) extra PAR2, and will start a complete repost after that. Using a friend of mine's payserver now.

That's no moon. It's a LaserDisc.

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Originally posted by: Grinder
Posting 10% (299 blocks) extra PAR2, and will start a complete repost after that. Using a friend of mine's payserver now.


Thanks for that.

Will the re-post be of the same fileset as the original post or will I need to delete the first batch and start again??

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I'm reposting under the name "REPOST Grinder's Star Wars Original Trilogy - Episode IV" and was too lazy to rename all the files by hand, so I made new rars and pars, but from exactly the same files, exactly the same way. So in theory it should work. You could give it a try.

That's no moon. It's a LaserDisc.