Harmy's STAR WARS Despecialized Edition HD - V2.7 - MKV (Released) — Page 583

yoda-sama said:

vfxhooker said:

I finished the BD .iso of SW Despecialized 2.5 with menus. I was not able to make the DTS-MA files work. I ended up using the AVCHD. It still looks and sounds great. This, I think, will be a good stop-gap for anyone that wants to watch a blu-ray with menus prior to the release of the 1080p 3.0 releases that are supposed to have all the bells and whistles. I have uploaded a multipart .rar to mega. I need to know what the proper place to post the links is.

If I get a positive response to this setup, I’ll go ahead and modify the project for TESB and ROTJ.

First, I don’t think burning a Blu-ray without available lossless audio tracks is the most attractive proposition. What really confuses me, though, is when you say you used the AVCHD, do you mean that you used the AC3 audio from the AVCHD and used the Blu-ray worthy/ready v2.5 MKV’s video, or did you make a “Blu-ray” from purely AVCHD sources? If the latter, I don’t see how that is any sort of acceptable “stop-gap” alternative to a full-quality DeEd without menus. If you want to tout it as an AVCHD release with menus, that’s one thing, but calling it a Blu-ray with menus will only cause confusion. Besides, I’ve already seen a menu’d v2.5 BD with a subset of audio/subtitle tracks on the spleen already, not to mention there’s plenty of talk on this thread about a forthcoming BD menu for v2.5 which does not omit any tracks.

If I read what you said wrong, enlighten me, and also please detail what your version does include.

He’s talking about the audio from the AVCHD.

I’ve actually been trying to get the DTS audio working for him (helping him via PM), since I had the exact same problem at one point. H_h’s DTS files do not load properly into Encore (or other programs), and show the run length about 3x longer than it should be. It needs to be patched up with multiavchd. Doing so works fine for me, and for whoever told me how to do it. But this user has an issue with multiavchd re-encoding everything and building him default blank menus he doesn’t want, discarding his own menu in the process. I can’t replicate the problem, so I can’t help him.

Okay, that makes more sense.

Perhaps another option would be to open those DTS hd ma tracks in audacity and save them as LPCM?

yoda-sama said:

vfxhooker said:

I finished the BD .iso of SW Despecialized 2.5 with menus. I was not able to make the DTS-MA files work. I ended up using the AVCHD. It still looks and sounds great. This, I think, will be a good stop-gap for anyone that wants to watch a blu-ray with menus prior to the release of the 1080p 3.0 releases that are supposed to have all the bells and whistles. I have uploaded a multipart .rar to mega. I need to know what the proper place to post the links is.

If I get a positive response to this setup, I’ll go ahead and modify the project for TESB and ROTJ.

First, I don’t think burning a Blu-ray without available lossless audio tracks is the most attractive proposition. What really confuses me, though, is when you say you used the AVCHD, do you mean that you used the AC3 audio from the AVCHD and used the Blu-ray worthy/ready v2.5 MKV’s video, or did you make a “Blu-ray” from purely AVCHD sources? If the latter, I don’t see how that is any sort of acceptable “stop-gap” alternative to a full-quality DeEd without menus. If you want to tout it as an AVCHD release with menus, that’s one thing, but calling it a Blu-ray with menus will only cause confusion. Besides, I’ve already seen a menu’d v2.5 BD with a subset of audio/subtitle tracks on the spleen already, not to mention there’s plenty of talk on this thread about a forthcoming BD menu for v2.5 which does not omit any tracks.

If I read what you said wrong, enlighten me, and also please detail what your version does include.

Earlier in this thread I explained what I was doing. Many of us are not able to get onto the spleen as we are late to this party. I wanted menus to be able to have a somewhat normal BD experience on my TV. So I decided to make them and share out of a sense of gratitude to the community. I initially did this using the avchd that I demuxed before knowing the extent of the difference between the avchd and mkv in terms of quality. I was not, even though towne32 and DarthLucas were extremely gracious to help me extensively, able to overcome some bugs in Encore, when attempting to use the content from the .mkv container, initially that forced reencoding video that should have been compliant to begin with, and secondly as towne32 mentioned, multAVCHD, which was supposed to be my solution to that problem, kept throwing out my menus and creating it’s own no matter what I did. Eventually it became prohibitive in terms of time to try and figure out what was going wrong.

Please understand, this is offered exactly for what it is. It’s using the content from the AVCHD container file and has a menu structure that I tried to take some time with. Since there is no known date for when we might see a v3.0, I thought this might be nice.

Audio:

1. 1977 5.1 mix
2. 1977 2.0 mix
3. 1977 1.0 mix
4. 1985 2.0 Laserdisc
5. 1993 2.0 Laserdisc
6. 1993 2.0 Laserdisc Commentary
7. 2004 2.0 DVD Commentary
8. 2011 2.0 BD Archival Interviews Commentary

It also includes a first-play screen advising that the content must never be bought or sold and if the viewer did purchase it, to immediately demand their money back and report the seller to originaltrilogy.com members. It includes in the bonus features section an explanation of the project and Harmy’s mini-documentary ‘Introducing the Despecialized Edition’

This is not a flashy disc. It’s not super pro because I’m a VFX Artist, not a BD/DVD Authoring expert. I did try to make the menus attractive. I used Ralph McQuarrie’s concept art as the backgrounds and I used the proper font associated with StarWars. It’s good enough for me until I can obtain a 1080p BD50 release that Harmy decides to release as his final word on the matter. That’s all.

If this is not ‘the most attractive proposition’ to you… I couldn’t honestly care less. I hope someone out there finds it a good arternative to an autoplay disc. If not, like I said, it’s good enough for me and I’m still eternally grateful to the whole of Team Despecialized for taking on this project and making the content available to all of us.

I don’t have a problem with you working on your project, I was just trying to make sure AVCHD video isn’t being passed off as a Blu-ray, which would confuse someone trying to get the best quality available of Harmy’s work. And I was negative on the lossy audio on a Blu-ray since I think a Blu-ray player is probably more likely to be hooked up to sound systems that can take advantage of higher quality audio tracks, than most computer setups, and people probably expect that from a Blu-ray disc. Insurmountable problems with the audio tracks makes using the AC3 tracks an acceptable, or at least understandable, alternative; where I got concerned is when you stated you “ended up using the AVCHD”, AVCHD as a term represents a video encoding technology, not audio (though it can contain audio in its BD compliant structure), so it wasn’t clear, to me, what you meant you’d used as sources.

If I have this straight, you started out wanting to do everything with AVCHD video and the AC3 audio that was included with it, you figured out the MKV’s video was far better, you tried a number of methods that tried to reencode the video [it didn’t read too clearly after that if you found a way to keep it from reencoding, if you ended up using reencoded video, or if you went back to AVCHD video], and your last problem was the DTS-HD MA tracks were messing everything up and the AC3 tracks ended up working for you.

yoda-sama said:

I don’t have a problem with you working on your project, I was just trying to make sure AVCHD video isn’t being passed off as a Blu-ray, which would confuse someone trying to get the best quality available of Harmy’s work. And I was negative on the lossy audio on a Blu-ray since I think a Blu-ray player is probably more likely to be hooked up to sound systems that can take advantage of higher quality audio tracks, than most computer setups, and people probably expect that from a Blu-ray disc. Insurmountable problems with the audio tracks makes using the AC3 tracks an acceptable, or at least understandable, alternative; where I got concerned is when you stated you “ended up using the AVCHD”, AVCHD as a term represents a video encoding technology, not audio (though it can contain audio in its BD compliant structure), so it wasn’t clear, to me, what you meant you’d used as sources.

If I have this straight, you started out wanting to do everything with AVCHD video and the AC3 audio that was included with it, you figured out the MKV’s video was far better, you tried a number of methods that tried to reencode the video [it didn’t read too clearly after that if you found a way to keep it from reencoding, if you ended up using reencoded video, or if you went back to AVCHD video], and your last problem was the DTS-HD MA tracks were messing everything up and the AC3 tracks ended up working for you.

If I may speak for him again, since I posted some of the problems, the different problems were sort of inter-tangled. Encore should work without re-encoding, if your files are proper. But the DTS wouldn’t work with it. A way that some of us get around this is to use filler audio tracks in Encore, and then replace them using multi-avchd with the DTS. For him, for some reason, multiavchd rebuilds the disc in a way he doesn’t want (I forget if it re-encodes the video, it certainly makes new default type menus and removes the ones he made). The solution he went for is to use Encore with less than ideal audio files.

I would be curious if LPCM works. Should have no losses, and there is hopefully plenty of disc space.

I’d be interested in LPCM results as well. Also, the DTS core would probably still be better than the old AC3 mix, was that something which was tried in this process?

I always worry when I hear about stuff like this. Since my tracks were made with the official DTS encoder, there shouldn’t be anything wrong or incompatible about them, unless they’ve been extracted improperly. It must be an problem with the authoring software.

The only possible reason for it on my end could have been not selecting ‘embed timecode into file’ as an encoding option. I can’t remember whether I did that or not, and I don’t know if it actually makes any difference. That might explain the program’s inability to determine the true length of the file. Other programs aren’t having this issue, so it could well be something else entirely.

hairy_hen said:

I always worry when I hear about stuff like this. Since my tracks were made with the official DTS encoder, there shouldn’t be anything wrong or incompatible about them, unless they’ve been extracted improperly. It must be an problem with the authoring software.

The only possible reason for it on my end could have been not selecting ‘embed timecode into file’ as an encoding option. I can’t remember whether I did that or not, and I don’t know if it actually makes any difference. That might explain the program’s inability to determine the true length of the file. Other programs aren’t having this issue, so it could well be something else entirely.

Thanks for responding. Wasn’t blaming you, certainly, but I also didn’t know whether or not it was an official encoder used. Perhaps it could be the timecode embed option.

Clearly, tsmuxer and multiavchd play nicely with it. VLC shows the same wonky run time that Adobe does. So, even if those programs are wrong, there’s a specific mechanism for the error rather than random chance or adobe’s sloppiness.

hairy_hen said:

I always worry when I hear about stuff like this. Since my tracks were made with the official DTS encoder, there shouldn’t be anything wrong or incompatible about them, unless they’ve been extracted improperly. It must be an problem with the authoring software.

The only possible reason for it on my end could have been not selecting ‘embed timecode into file’ as an encoding option. I can’t remember whether I did that or not, and I don’t know if it actually makes any difference. That might explain the program’s inability to determine the true length of the file. Other programs aren’t having this issue, so it could well be something else entirely.

It’s probably not anything to do with your audio and more likely to do with Encore. While a good program, Encore is not as plug and play as you’d like and often mishandles files unless they’re very simple MP4 video with stereo audio. It’s probably something to do with having been more or less discontinued and not updated since CS6.

Now I haven’t gotten to the audio side of things on my blu Ray project yet, but I’m certainly hoping I won’t have this much trouble when I do. Time will tell.

Like I said, there’s an easy enough fix. Vfx is just having trouble with multiavchd for reasons unclear.

I’m still open to adding in the content from the .MKV, and in fact I would prefer that, but all the problems I was having made it prohibitive to continue the process. If anyone knows a definitive answer to the multiAVCHD issue ( where it destroys my menus and makes its own), I’d love to know it. Otherwise I guess it is what it is. If anyone wants the links I guess the best way is just to PM me.

Hey Harmy, will you use DrDre’s color matching tool for v3.0?

Melatius said:

Just a word of thanks to vfxhooker for the links to the BD, nice job. I really like the Ralph McQuarrie concept art for the menus. Nice idea of adding the “sources” video as a bonus. It helps when showing friends and trying to explain the various differences and why this BD is so important. And as usual, thanks to Harmy and all those who helped in making the DeSpecialized Edition.

Edit:
Just an addendum. I noticed that the fourth audio track (the '85 mix) is missing. It’s actually the isolated music track. Just thought I’d point it out in case you would like to make an update.

I’m glad you like it… I will fix the audio track and repost… I apologize for that glitch. I have been doing this a little at a time over the past month or so largely on very little sleep as we have a newborn and a 2 1/2 year old, plus I have to make a living. Good times! I’m gonna blame it on sleep deprivation!

Hi. I have a request. I would love to burn this to a DVD or Blu-Ray, but I want the title crawl which has “EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE” on it. It’s a banality, so I thought to add it myself, but apparently technology hates me because the only editing software that managed to import the movie without trouble was nerfherding Movie Maker for Windows XP (which is obviously a problem, since I don’t want my Star Wars in 4:3)

So I humbly ask, could anyone please edit and post a version with the “EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE” in the crawl?

Wario64I said:

Hi. I have a request. I would love to burn this to a DVD or Blu-Ray, but I want the title crawl which has “EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE” on it. It’s a banality, so I thought to add it myself, but apparently technology hates me because the only editing software that managed to import the movie without trouble was nerfherding Movie Maker for Windows XP (which is obviously a problem, since I don’t want my Star Wars in 4:3)

So I humbly ask, could anyone please edit and post a version with the “EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE” in the crawl?

I really don’t think I’m going to render and post a version for this change. But if you want better luck importing, demux the files into the 264 stream with tsmuxergui. It can be edited in many programs, like Premiere, in that form, but not as an mkv.

Just wanted to say thanks !
I’m 38, and I’ve known Star Wars all my life. I have two kids now, they turned out 6 and I wanted to show them the movies (they’re kinda fans already, with all the images around from the episode VII), but never resigned to show them the special editions.

Now I can show them in good quality (I have the dvd’s from early 2000’s, with original edition, but boy the image isn’t neat…) with our video-projector.

So, many many thanks to you !

Wario64I said:

Hi. I have a request. I would love to burn this to a DVD or Blu-Ray, but I want the title crawl which has “EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE” on it. It’s a banality, so I thought to add it myself, but apparently technology hates me because the only editing software that managed to import the movie without trouble was nerfherding Movie Maker for Windows XP (which is obviously a problem, since I don’t want my Star Wars in 4:3)

So I humbly ask, could anyone please edit and post a version with the “EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE” in the crawl?

I may be wrong… But I doubt you’ll find anyone willing to do this for you as it is not in keeping with the spirit of the project. The absence of the ‘Episode IV’ header is what makes it the original, as-released ‘Star Wars’ and not ‘A New Hope’ which is just a bad subtitle. No one really ever referred to the Star Wars movies by ‘Episode’ number before the prequels came out and they sure as hell didn’t refer to the original film as anything but ‘Star Wars.’ No one went to their friends house to play ‘A New Hope’… They went to play Star Wars! You didn’t see rabid fans bragging that they’d seen ‘A New Hope’ 25 times in the theater… Just my two cents. Also, you had a lot more technical problems with your plan to attempt to use Movie Maker to accomplish this than a 4:3 aspect ratio! Also… I don’t mean to be an a-hole. Like I said, someone may be willing to do this, but I think it’d be a bit insulting to all the work that went into making this particular project a historical representation of the true original film.

chyron8472 said:

Wario64I said:

Hi. I have a request. I would love to burn this to a DVD or Blu-Ray, but I want the title crawl which has “EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE” on it. It’s a banality, so I thought to add it myself, but apparently technology hates me because the only editing software that managed to import the movie without trouble was nerfherding Movie Maker for Windows XP (which is obviously a problem, since I don’t want my Star Wars in 4:3)

So I humbly ask, could anyone please edit and post a version with the “EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE” in the crawl?

Or you could download the Respecialized version.

JEDIT:That’s not a jab. I’m just suggesting.

…personally, I like just calling it “Star Wars” again. It makes me smile just thinking about it. 😃

I understand what he’s saying, though. For those who are used to the film in its 1981-1996 state, being (essentially) unaltered but with the IV crawl is what we’re used to. Respecialized is 1997, and therefore very different throughout. Despite not having personal nostaligia for the 77 crawl, it’s just not a big enough deal for me to change it, and it’s nice to have it original as possible. Still, I do really like the idea of seamless branching options for BD.

Well to some people like myself and others who grew up in the 80s and 90s, “Episode IV A New Hope” is as much a part of Star Wars as any of the original effects. You need to remember for us, that’s the first and only way we saw Star Wars until 2006 when the GOUT was released. It may not be technically original to the film, but it’s attached to our memories of the original film. I have to be honest, it feels kind of weird to not have it there when I watch Harmy’s Despecialized. I still usually prefer to watch it the way it originally was, but I understand the guy’s request and I don’t think it’s insulting to Harmy’s work because Harmy’s work is meant to recreate the experience of watching Star Wars as originally seen. Well to those of us who grew up then, that IS how we originally saw it. This is part of the reason why I’m trying so hard to recreate the 1981 crawl and pan-down for my blu ray project. To some people it’s annoying, to others, it’s a part of the Star Wars experience.

Darth Lucas said:

Well to some people like myself and others who grew up in the 80s and 90s, “Episode IV A New Hope” is as much a part of Star Wars as any of the original effects. You need to remember for us, that’s the first and only way we saw Star Wars until 2006 when the GOUT was released. It may not be technically original to the film, but it’s attached to our memories of the original film. I have to be honest, it feels kind of weird to not have it there when I watch Harmy’s Despecialized. I still usually prefer to watch it the way it originally was, but I understand the guy’s request and I don’t think it’s insulting to Harmy’s work because Harmy’s work is meant to recreate the experience of watching Star Wars as originally seen. Well to those of us who grew up then, that IS how we originally saw it. This is part of the reason why I’m trying so hard to recreate the 1981 crawl and pan-down for my blu ray project. To some people it’s annoying, to others, it’s a part of the Star Wars experience.

I get that… I too saw Star Wars in the theater for the first time when it was re-released prior to the release of Empire because I was born in 78. So, I too always saw it with the Episode IV header… However, I do believe that the spirit of this particular project is meant to maintain the original 77 version as closely as possible, and to alter it and still call it ‘Harmy’s Despecialized Edition’ without his approval is not right. That’s not to say I don’t think it’s a great idea to include a seamless branch that would include the 81 crawl as well. Maybe I was heavy handed with my initial salvo… If so, I apologize, but I do maintain that this particular version is meant to be the 77 original and it’s kind of a big request to alter it ( which the original requester may not understand ) for what is not a huge payoff. I think in the v3.0, if it’s possible to include an 81 crawl, that would be cool and cover all the bases… Again, not trying to be an a-hole. It happens sometimes anyway…