MattmanOmega's Rebellion Collection & 720p AVCHD of OT Theatrical Vers. (Released)

Jetrell Fo recently brought the Rebellion Collection to my attention on this thread. It looks pretty nice. It’s got the original theatrical audio tracks of all the films and a truckload of special features. I did a little more surfing on tehparadox and found another Mattmanalpha release. It’s a 720p AVCHD of the theatrical version of Empire Strikes Back. Seriously, has anyone checked out these releases? How do they compare to the GOUT V3 or the LFL Pwnage?

Mod Edit: as from the info given a couple of posts below - this is a complete OT project (and not just an ESB project) - as was originally titled.

Thanks for the nod.  I stumbled upon it yesterday by accident and have been downloading the entire set.....I'm almost done.

There are 7 discs total in this set and some pretty cool arse artwork to boot.  I've already got about 6 GB's of artwork for probably most of the Star Wars cover art that's out there and these are some of my favorite covers to date.

When I get them burnt I will watch and let you know....but I'd bet someone here gets to a review before I do.....LMAO.

Thanks to mattman for this cool opportunity.  Thanks to The Aluminum Falcon for taking the time to create the thread.

Here’s info on the Rebellion Collection (taken from Mattmanalpha’s post on tehparadox):

Prepare to experience the Star Wars trilogy the way it was originally seen by audiences worldwide. This special, fanmade DVD set presents the original theatrical versions of the George Lucas sci-fi classics in the highest quality possible. Also included is a set of supplements for each film, plus a “Bonus” DVD with additional special features.

Full credits for the sources and software used in this production are included on each disc.

STAR WARS - DISC 1

-DVD 9 (DVD+R DL)
-NTSC
-'77 and '81 theatrical cuts (via chapter branching)
-16x9 widescreen format
-THX 5.1 upmix
-THX 2.0 original mix
-Original theatrical stereo
-Restored theatrical mono

STAR WARS - DISC 2

-DVD 5
-NTSC
-The Making of Star Wars
-War Stories
-The Star Wars Gallery
-The Lucasfilm Archive Tour
-An Exclusive Interview with George Lucas - Part 1
-Theatrical Trailers

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - DISC 1
-DVD 9 (DVD+R DL)
-NTSC
-'80 theatrical cut
-16x9 widescreen format
-THX 5.1 upmix
-THX 2.0 original mix
-Original theatrical stereo

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - DISC 2

-DVD 5
-NTSC
-SPFX: The Empire Strikes Back
-Sound Advice
-How The Walkers Walk
-Flight Through the Asteroids
-An Exclusive Interview with George Lucas - Part 2
-Theatrical Trailers

RETURN OF THE JEDI - DISC 1
-DVD 9 (DVD+R DL)
-NTSC
-'83 theatrical cut
-16x9 widescreen format
-THX 5.1 upmix
-THX 2.0 original mix
-Original theatrical stereo

RETURN OF THE JEDI - DISC 2

-DVD 5
-NTSC
-Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi
-The ABCs of JEDI Effects
-Jedi Videomatics
-Lapti Nek: Extended Music Video
-An Exclusive Interview with George Lucas - Part 3
-Theatrical Trailers

BONUS MATERIAL
-DVD 5
-NTSC
-From Star Wars to Jedi
-THX: WOW!
-The Empire Strikes Back Phone Messages
-Home Video Spots

Here’s info on the ESB AVCHD (again taken directly from Mattmanalpha’s original post):</span></span>

A few months ago, I created a custom “Rebellion Collection” DVD set for the theatrical versions of the _Star Wars _trilogy. It got me wondering if I could upscale the movies to near-HD quality…and not have it look like total junk. I figured Empire would be the easiest of the three films to try.

After several failed attempts, I came up with this AVCHD version, compatible with most Blu-Ray players. Given the condition of the source material available, it’s far from perfect. You can’t polish a turd…but you can pour enough glitter on top of it to make it sparkle 
Video is presented in 720p at 24 fps, remastered and upscaled from the 2006 “Limited” DVD. The average bitrate is 8mbps.

Audio is presented in 2 different mixes:

1. The original 35mm sound mix (Dolby 2.0, 224kbps)
2. The THX home video remix (Dolby 2.0, 224kbps)

Rockin apparently has seen it:

Also, judging from Rockin's description, the script produces about the same results as G-Force's earlier scripts, so I would assume there's a bit too much noise reduction. Wasn't excessive noise reduction a problem of the early scripts?

mattman gives credit due to each source used for his project and that's all I need to check these out.

I'm not going to start burning until I have the entire set so if no-one puts up screenshots by then....I will post a few.

Okay,

I've watched SW & Empire from the Rebellion Set.  If I were to take a stab without knowing from mattman himself I'd say some video compression was allowed to make room for all the audio options available on each of the main discs.  I noticed what I'd guess you might consider ghosting is scenes where body motion is a bit quick.  If you adjust your T.V. settings properly they become harder to notice outright.

Not that I'm an expert but I'd say the 1977 opening crawl for Star Wars is a recreation.  It looks really nice though.

I would consider this project a nostalgia set from what I've seen so far.  The fact that it's got bonus material that we've all seen with each respective film only adds to the mystique of this set.  Watching these reminded me of when I saw these movies in the drive-in theater...but cleaner of course.

Lastly, there are short video sections which give credit to all the parts used to help make this set a whole.  People and video releases used get actual screen mention as well as the software used to make it possible...that is such a cool thing to see.

If you're a fan that likes to have a variety of versions to chose from on a rainy, snowy, or lazy day......these are worth getting.

P.S.

I do want mention, yet again, that the artwork for these is very frickin cool.

:)    :) 

Jetrell Fo said:

Not that I'm an expert but I'd say the 1977 opening crawl for Star Wars is a recreation.  It looks really nice though.

 

Thanks for reviewing the set, Jetrell Fo. To be honest, I didn't expect much but it still looks like it's worth checking out.

Although, mattmanalpha says the GOUT is the main source. Isn't it? Why would he recreate the 1977 crawl if it was already there? If you mean the 1981 crawl, then I thought he said he got that one from the 1993 laserdisc.

The "ghosting" you see is inherent to the GOUT - it's a byproduct of the DVNR used at the time the transfer was made.

ChainsawAsh said:

The "ghosting" you see is inherent to the GOUT - it's a byproduct of the DVNR used at the time the transfer was made.

As for the imperfections I noticed...shows you how much I actually watch the GOUT DVD's.....I watch my laserdiscs way more and I don't remember ever seeing it on them....now I know why.....LMMFAO.

The Aluminum Falcon said:

Jetrell Fo said:

Not that I'm an expert but I'd say the 1977 opening crawl for Star Wars is a recreation.  It looks really nice though.

 

Thanks for reviewing the set, Jetrell Fo. To be honest, I didn't expect much but it still looks like it's worth checking out.

Although, mattmanalpha says the GOUT is the main source. Isn't it? Why would he recreate the 1977 crawl if it was already there? If you mean the 1981 crawl, then I thought he said he got that one from the 1993 laserdisc.

My bad about the crawl thing....the 1977 looked newer than it should and that would fall on Lucas......and maybe I'm entirely wrong.  Would NOT be the first time that has happened.....LOL   

The GOUT is the main source.  I'm watching Jedi right now and it is really nice to have like this.  All of the audio options alone are worth the time.

I haven't burned the bonus discs just yet.  I will try to get to them in the next day or so.

:) 

bkev said:

Can we see some screenshots please Jethrell Fo? It would be much appreciated.

Sure, let me pick out a few from each disc and I'll get them up.

Well, when I say inherent to the GOUT, I mean the master used to make the GOUT.  So the Definitive Collection and "Faces" laserdiscs have the smearing, too.

And the 1977 crawl on the GOUT DVD was transferred separately from the rest, so it - and, by extension, the first shot - looks substantially nicer than the rest of the film.

ChainsawAsh said:

Well, when I say inherent to the GOUT, I mean the master used to make the GOUT.  So the Definitive Collection and "Faces" laserdiscs have the smearing, too.

And the 1977 crawl on the GOUT DVD was transferred separately from the rest, so it - and, by extension, the first shot - looks substantially nicer than the rest of the film.

Well then, I'd guess that would mean my Pioneer DVL-90 does a fairly nice job of keeping that stuff tame as I don't remember noticing it like I did here.

skyjedi2005 said:

Sounds like DJ's V3 has this set beat.

I believe you're missing the point sky, this thread wasn't designed to be a competition against DJ's set.....this set is a stand alone and never was intended to compete against anything or anyone.

What do you mean by mix and match?  I believe the video source is straight GOUT as far as I can see and read and then it's got different audio options. 

It's also anamorphic.  It's no better than the GOUT in regards to picture quality if that's what you're referring to.

Thanks for the screen shots, Jetrell Fo! I appreciate how he gave this website credit. It's a nice touch :-) but did he insert that into the movie credits or afterwards as a special feature or something?

EDIT: Skyjedi, I was under the assumption that the source for the GOUT, as well as the laserdiscs, was a negative derived from a worn interpositive, with a grainy picture from much use.

The Aluminum Falcon said:

Thanks for the screen shots, Jetrell Fo! I appreciate how he gave this website credit. It's a nice touch :-) but did he insert that into the movie credits or afterwards as a special feature or something?

Nope. 

There is a link in the menu for these specific credits....there is even Star Wars music that plays as the "thanks" appear.

skyjedi2005 said:

My faces laserdiscs pressed in japan have neither the sharpness or the saturation of the gout even if they came from the same master.  The  softness in the picture makes the DVNR smear on especially very grainy scenes less horrible.

I still wonder if they added sharpening to the DVD's, Star Wars looks horrible and unwatchable on the gout DVD.  While the laserdisc is certainly passable for 1995.

My Japan "Faces" is this way as well.  The U.S. version is much clearer...which set was pressed first?