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I did not create this set nor do I claim credit it for it - PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST this from me - This version is only for download at this time per request of the creator....
“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK
***The "ISOMIX" feedback thread ***
I did not create this set nor do I claim credit it for it - PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST this from me - This version is only for download at this time per request of the creator....
- Time
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Star Wars The ISOMIX Trilogy - A New Hope
Okay, I got a chance tonight to sit down with the ISOMIX ANH DVD Transfer and while I only took the time to check out the menus, the easter egg and the isolated score I wanted to come here and post a quick review just to let everyone know what I think.
I plan on posting a more detailed review as soon as I have time to go through the entire ISOMIX Trilogy but here is a little something to get the ball rolling.
First, what is the ISOMIX Trilogy and who made it? I will say first that I do not know who "ISOMIX" is and Rik hasn't spilled the beans yet, but if "ISOMIX" wants to chime in, please do... take credit for your efforts
As for the "ISOMIX Trilogy", this project is actually kind of cool. The author of this set of DVDs has mastered the Definitive Laserdisc collection to DVD and while that has definitely been done several times before, the coolest part is that this set provides an "isolated music score". This means that during the movie you can flip to the second audio stream which is the music score only.... no special effects, no dialogue, just the music. Everything is synched up and edited perfectly to match the music that is playing in the movie.To listen to the "isolated music score" you have two options. You can (a) select the "isolated music score" from the Audio Options or (b) switch to the second autio track via your DVD Player's Remote Control.
As you may have guessed by the mention of the "Audio Options" part above, this set does have menus.... more on that later
The "isolated music score" is very nice but since it comes from what is most likely one of the newer digitally remastered CD sets it is much cleaner and louder than the music in the movie so you will definitely notice a difference when flipping between the audio tracks, however, I would say that this is fine because the idea behind the "isolated music score" is to listen to the music so it should be more in the foreground and louder than what you would expect in the movie behind all the special effects and dialogue.
With that said, on to the Menus
Like many of you out there, I love Menus
While the TR47 is really great, its biggest downfall is that it has no menus.
The ISOMIX Trilogy has some really cool menus. Let me start from the beginning to give you a good feel for what you get with this set.
First, you put the DVD in your DVD Player and click the button to close the tray and load the disc and then you are greeted with a message that says "Along time ago, on May 25, 1977".... something cool is coming up, I just know it.... then, we are treated to our most despised "altered" scene that introduces Han Solo as the "scoundrel" he is. Han shoots first and then we are taking through through the "Star Wars" intro we have seen on many of the VHS transfers where the words "Star Wars" appears with several video segments flying by as the music from our beloved movies plays on... this leads into the "main menu".
The "Main Menu" utilizes one of the famous poster drawings we all know and love:
ANH Poster
Main Menu
* Play Movie
* Chapters
* Options
There is also a somewhat "hidden" option to play the intro the Star Wars that was played on TV just before the very first airing of Star Wars on Cable TV. I guess we can call this an "easter egg". If you have never seen this little "intro" I would highly recommend watching it.
The "Chapters" Menus is pretty nice. A lot of the "bootleg" DVD transfers of the Star Wars Trilogy simply have snapshots of chapters or merely a text "caption" for a Chapter but the ISOMIX transfer has full motion video "samples" of each chapter much like what you would see in professional DVDs. To top it off, each "page" of the Chapters menu includes background music to match the musical score from the related scenes. This is definitely one of the best "Chapter" menus I have ever seen on a "bootleg" DVD.
Each of the menu options include audio/video snippets from the movies as entrance and exits for the new menu screen.
If I were to grade on Menus alone I would give this transfer an "A" but we have to look at the entire presentation first and take each "con" into consideration.
Okay, menus are really cool, the idea of being able to switch back and forth to an "isolated score" is tres cool but what about the movie itself? Sadly, this is where the set fizzles. This is a DVD that was screaming dual-layered DVD-9 but alas it is only DVD-5 at 4.7GB and with the animated intro, animated menus, animated chapter selection, a rather lengthly "easter egg" movie intro and two audio tracks, there wasn't much room left over for what is really important here... the movie.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I did not watch the entire movie, I just flipped through and checked out all the features of the disc. However, I don't think I really needed to watch the entire movie to grade its audio/video presentation. Okay, what is so wrong with the transfer? Well, like most of the "letterboxed" (aka non-anamorphic) transfers, the ISOMIX version was encoded with the black bars. I really appreciate all the guys out there giving it their best to transfer these movies to DVD but for the love of god, please spend a few minutes on VideoHelp.com. The number one rule in encoding widescreen movies where the desire is to fill out a 4:3 display (rather than 16:9 anamorphic widescreen) is to crop out the black bars and let the encoder add them in digitally. This dramatically reduces the time for encoding and makes the resultant video look so much more professional. Much like all the other "letterboxed" transfers the ISOMIX transfer suffers from grayish/black bars at the top and bottom and flashes of little "silver" spots here and there as is always present in analog sources such as Laserdisc and VHS. Did this really detract from the movie? No, not really but its one of my pet peeves
The colors in the video actually don't look too bad but the fuzzy, grayish/black look of the darker scenes is a real distraction.
Its almost midnight on a Saturday night so I think I should probably go spend some time with my wife
....but tomorrow I hope to take some time to make some screenshots to give you all a better idea of what you will find on this transfer. If you saw the post I made in the "Bootleg DVDs" thread where I compared the "official" DVD, TR47, Dr Gonzo and MeBeJedi, then you will be prepared for the comparison I will show you later. I will use the same screen shots for simplicity sake and will take some more of the darker scenes to show those off as well.
While the video quality is less than spectacular, especially in the darker scenes, I can't say that this is a bad transfer. If anything, I would highly recommend this set to those people who enjoy listening to the music from the soundtrack. Whether you want to just sit down and enjoy the Star Wars Musical Score or you want to listen to the music only as you work around the house with the option of viewing the video as well, this set is pretty cool.
For all of you out there working on creating your own transfers of these great movies I would highly recommend getting this set just to take a look at the menus. The menus on this set definitely raise the bar.
However, I would also tell anyone contemplating transferring our beloved Star Wars to DVD to invest into a dual-layer DVD Burner so that you can add in motion menus, extras and multiple audio tracks without sacrificing video quality for the most important part.
Dual-layer DVD Burners typically sell for as little as $80 and media is coming down in price all the time. Even while the media is more expensive at the moment, the quality is well worth the price.
For those looking for Dual-layer DVD Burners, don't be fooled by high-priced burners with big names like SONY, a large percentace of the burners out there use the same guts as provided by the Lite-On corporation so do your homework and save money without sacrificing quality.
Until later..... may the force be with you
- Time
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But as others have stated, average video quality, noticeable jaggies, and on my PC, there is a light white line that runs down the right side of the screen.
- Time
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Originally posted by: Sam_Lu
Coolest Menus EVER!
But as others have stated, average video quality, noticeable jaggies, and on my PC, there is a light white line that runs down the right side of the screen.
Coolest Menus EVER!
But as others have stated, average video quality, noticeable jaggies, and on my PC, there is a light white line that runs down the right side of the screen.
Yeah, them menus is perty shweet.
I haven't burned my copy to DVD yet... something that took TR47's set from "at least I have the O-OT" on my monitor to "totally fuckin' boss" on my HDTV, and will probably help the presentation of the ISOMIX as well... but that line you're talking about is kinda annoying.
- Time
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Menu screenshots will be forthcoming
ISOMIX - Shot A
ISOMIX - Shot B
ISOMIX - Shot C
ISOMIX - Shot D
ISOMIX - Shot E
- Time
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Looking forward to viewing your screenshot comparison thread
“Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here?”
“Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?” - Oddball, of The Awkward Squad
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*Image-quality was better than the Gonzo-edition. Less 'fuzzy' and more solid blacks. Compared to the TR47-edition, I also prefered the ISOMIX one when I use the 'zoom' on my widescreen-tv on both editions.
*Sound was pretty good, but here I still think TR47 has the edge.
*The isolated score was great!
*Terrific menus. And there are actually 2 easter-eggs on the main menu-screen
All-in-all: Well worth the download.
One thing about the torrent though Rikter: There seems to be an extra folder which really doesn't need to be there. In the "ISOMIX - Star Wars" folder there are the following folders: Dvd-rom, video_ts and another folder named "ISOMIX - Star Wars". This folder has two subfolder named dvd-rom and video_ts. The main vobfile in this video_ts folder is about 800mb and seems to be a failured transfer-attemt.
I put up with all the other crap just to get seconds like this.
The moments when you know the world is a better place than advertised."
-Planetary, Warren Ellis
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Originally posted by: run1
And there are actually 2 easter-eggs on the main menu-screen
And there are actually 2 easter-eggs on the main menu-screen
Do tell more....
However, in practice you must take into account the “fuckwit factor”. Just talk to Darth Mallwalker…
-Moth3r
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Personally, I think this one is a keeper. I've never had much use for isolated scores on DVD, but this one sucked me right in. It makes the movie feel like a very elaborate silent film or a ballet, or at the very least, a movie with no dialogue. I've seen Star Wars a heck of a lot, so this variation on a theme is welcome. I look forward to the remainder of the trilogy, and possibly one or two DVD's in which the soundtrack is replaced by Dark Side of the Moon.
JM
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I will take a look at the DVD on a standard 4:3 television later to confirm but from my viewing on a large widescreen TV, this "white line" was not visible at all.
For those wondering how this can be that the line is there on the computer but not on the TV, you should know that video sources are projected onto a TV screen slightly different than what we see on the computer. If you were to capture video feeds that were intended for a 4:3 TV and then watch it back on a computer you would notice that there are black borders in the video. This is completely unnoticeable when viewing on the TV but is clearly apparent when viewing on a computer monitor. In fact, most people tend to crop off these black borders when posting Divx versions of TV shows they have ripped to the internet. If you then re-encode these videos over to a medium that is viewable on a standard DVD Player you will notice some times (depending on your encoding) that certain things get cut off that you know were viewable on your computer such as the station's "watermark" that is typically in the lower right of the screen.
I know a few people have commented that this "white line" is very distracting and thus many people reading this thread may discount this as a "bad" transfer. This is a common mistake many people make about a lot of the transfers out there. If you are judging by how a DVD looks on your computer monitor alone, then you are really missing out. I would urge anyone who had downloaded this or any other transfer to burn it to DVD and check it out in your favorite viewing forum. I rarely ever watch a downloaded DVD on the computer first. My first round is to go to my widescreen HDTV and then to a smaller "standard" 4:3 set for comparison.
As JM has pointed out, the ISOMIX Trilogy is really a great way to enjoy the musical score (soundtrack) of the films.... its more like watching a music video than a movie. I know myself that I enjoy the mixes of the score that appear in the movie much more than what is actually included on the soundtrack because it is more brief and can easily be associated with the corresponding video.
While it goes without saying, I will mention this just in case anyone is confused. The ISOMIX Trilogy includes to audio tracks, one is the standard audio track that goes with the movie while the second is just the isolated score (music).
I think it is a great idea and I look forward to checking out the rest of the trilogy
- Time
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Originally posted by: run1
One thing about the torrent though Rikter: There seems to be an extra folder which really doesn't need to be there. In the "ISOMIX - Star Wars" folder there are the following folders: Dvd-rom, video_ts and another folder named "ISOMIX - Star Wars". This folder has two subfolder named dvd-rom and video_ts. The main vobfile in this video_ts folder is about 800mb and seems to be a failured transfer-attemt.
One thing about the torrent though Rikter: There seems to be an extra folder which really doesn't need to be there. In the "ISOMIX - Star Wars" folder there are the following folders: Dvd-rom, video_ts and another folder named "ISOMIX - Star Wars". This folder has two subfolder named dvd-rom and video_ts. The main vobfile in this video_ts folder is about 800mb and seems to be a failured transfer-attemt.
This is NOT on mine or anyone elses - It would seem that you started the download and then stopped it - THEN started it again and did not direct the torrent file right - I've done this with a few DL's
“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK
- Time
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why?
Tr47 has better picture and better audio
why?
because it only has 1 track of audio , no menues, no extras
That means that more dvd-r space is used for the video and original sound.
the more audio tracks you insert on a release...less quality in video and audio you will get.
the isomix had a lower audio, and tr47 audio was a blast.
but the incredible part of the isomix are the subtitles, are perfectly sincronized
and i mean PERFECTLY, and im using them to translate them to spanish and patch the dvd-r with both subs.
pdmg26@yahoo.com.ar
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I also like the idea of the isolated score. As others have said, it's just gives you another way of watching the movie, which is pretty sweet. (After a billion viewings, a little fresh air now and then is just what the OT needs!
) Besides, with DVD-rs being as cheap as they are these days, there's little reason to pass up another set of the OT on my shelf. (What am I up to now... three sets? Four when the rest of the ISOMIX is released? Lord almighty...) - Time
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However it seems the one who transcribed the subtitles lacked a proof-reader.
In an early scene we see improper usage of We're / Were / Where :
The dangling officer gurgles "Were on a diplomatic mission."
Which elicits Vader's retort "Were is the Ambassador ?"
Vader is misquoted "bring me the Ambassador. I want her alive!"
Doesn't he demand the passengers ? I want them alive.
Luke's reply to Aunt Beru on speaking Bocce is misquoted as double negative:
"Doesn't look like we don't have much of a choice, but I'll remind him."
I wouldn't correct someone's grammar in a message forum post, but here in the subtitles I expected a higher quality standard. I'm sure transcribing the entire film was tedious work, but I was hoping for perfection
Be careful Viper, to correct the misquotes in your Spanish translation.
Despite the flaws, I still preferred to have the subtitles turned on while listening to the ISOlated score.
For the price of a blank dvdr, it's worth every penny. The white line doesn't show up on my ol' TV either.
However, in practice you must take into account the “fuckwit factor”. Just talk to Darth Mallwalker…
-Moth3r
- Time
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However, in practice you must take into account the “fuckwit factor”. Just talk to Darth Mallwalker…
-Moth3r
- Time
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the spanish subs are kind of very "reduced" compared to the english ones. and the original ones.
pdmg26@yahoo.com.ar
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Originally posted by: Darth Mallwalker
P.S. still hoping somebody posts an Easter egg spoiler ....
P.S. still hoping somebody posts an Easter egg spoiler ....
Well....... ok then.
In addition to the 'easter-egg' that BadAsh71 mentions, try highlighting the deathstar on the main menu.
I put up with all the other crap just to get seconds like this.
The moments when you know the world is a better place than advertised."
-Planetary, Warren Ellis
- Time
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“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK
- Time
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Are these segments available anywhere?
- Time
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Originally posted by: Rikter
Viper - Any chance that we'll see a version with the Spanish Subs??
Viper - Any chance that we'll see a version with the Spanish Subs??
sure, but i only have 10k upload, would take years.
i can upload the english + spanish .srt syncronized subtitles
and i can show you an easy tutorial with a program called dvdlab
to insert the subtitles to the isomix release
pdmg26@yahoo.com.ar
- Time
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Originally posted by: Viper
sure, but i only have 10k upload, would take years.
i can upload the english + spanish .srt syncronized subtitles
and i can show you an easy tutorial with a program called dvdlab
to insert the subtitles to the isomix release
Originally posted by: Rikter
Viper - Any chance that we'll see a version with the Spanish Subs??
Viper - Any chance that we'll see a version with the Spanish Subs??
sure, but i only have 10k upload, would take years.
i can upload the english + spanish .srt syncronized subtitles
and i can show you an easy tutorial with a program called dvdlab
to insert the subtitles to the isomix release
That would work
RiK
“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK
- Time
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- Time
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ok...here it goes...
http://www.personainternet.com/themightyq/Stuff/swep4.zip
or
http://s4.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=5E5811BFC7FBC530525B4CA62F4864BD
enjoy
pdmg26@yahoo.com.ar
- Time
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sorry the links didnt work, please try these ones:
http://s10.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=565EE2369EA6A3D11C5F3A4E12F79913
or
http://www.personainternet.com/themightyq/Stuff/swepisode4.zip
pdmg26@yahoo.com.ar
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VIVA VIBORA!!
Now I can give this to a few of my tío's
BTW - The instructions are in the zip
PLUS I will include this on my Covers CD and also make a BT for it
Thanks for the props!
“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK