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Yet another HDTV based project...

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Do we need it? Don’t know, I’m here to hear your opinions…

Well, it seems that the HDTV has, somehow, a better quality than the DVNR’ed Blu-ray, so it could be interesting to use it as source for a project.

My idea is to try to recreate the Theatrical cuts of EP I, II (DLP) and III, and 1997 SE versions of EP IV, V and VI; using two HDTV broadcast sources for each movie, merged (to average compression and noise), deblocked, slight noise reduction and color correction, 35mm real grain added.

EP I will use two AVC source - because I was not able to find an MPEG-2 version, while for all the others I’ll use one AVC and one MPEG-2 - this is because different encoders gives different result, and should merge better - at least, according to the tests I made.

TB DVB (eventually LD) and a 1080P trailer will be used to insert missing parts of EP I; EP II should need not more footage - mechanical hand scene reconstruction seems impossible to do, and AFAIK no 35mm scan is available, that’s why I thought to do the DLP version, where the scene is the same of the DVD/HDTV; EP III does need just a wipe replacement from BD.

TB, G’Kar and Flunk will be used to replace the parts in EP IV; TB and G’Kar for EP V and VI - the problem is, they have a 2.25:1 aspect ratio, so, taller vertical image: I must decide if release a variable ratio version, stretch them horizontally, or add black borders to the sides… ideas?

SD parts will be upscaled using a mix of conventional and Super Resolution techniques; audio will be DTS Theatrical for all, LD DD for EP I, IV, V, VI, plus others to be decided.

This will not be a meticolous reconstruction, just a “simple” cut&paste from different sources; I’m aware there are other projects around similar to these but, as I was away for a long time, I wonder if this could be an interesting project, or simply a waste of time…

Sadly my projects are lost due to an HDD crash… 😦 | [Fundamental Collection] thread | blog.spoRv.com | fan preservation forum: fanres.com

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There is an episode II 35mm print on ebay. It’s relisted after failing to sell for $750 last week. I’m not saying it’s worth it at all (for about 4 shots of the worst Star Wars film ever 😃 ), just that it’s the only way of making a theatrical AoTC.

For Ep III, Schorman was planning on uploading the version with the wipe replaced from the blu-ray, at some point. You could try to get an update from him.

Valeyard reconstructed the theatrical menace in HD, with a few upscaled shots. As of a year ago he was done but having trouble rendering some of it, I think. No idea where that’s at.

An interesting idea to recreate the 1997 SEs out of the HDTV broadcast. It’s going to require massive color correction. For me, that’s the main difference between 97 and 04, even with the other stupid changes. I would also probably just wait for the 4K77 project to come out, and use those shots to despecialize 04 as needed, similar to how Harmy did with his old 97SE project. Or maybe at that point you could just specialize the 4K77 with 04, depending on how things turn out.

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Thanks. I had edited it by the time you responded, but used sort of his second name. 😃

Yeah, it’s too bad about that project. I’d be happy to help render or finish it but I feel like I’ve bugged him enough about it by now and it’s not clear what’s not working.

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I know it’s off topic, but I’d love to see a scan prepared for that episode II print, Towne.

More on topic, this is a great idea for a project, Andrea. Are the currently available HDTV versions of any use to maybe average out the different captures?

she/her
mwah

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There was also an Episode III Print on ebay last time I looked a few days ago.

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clutchins said:

Are the currently available HDTV versions of any use to maybe average out the different captures?

I have 5 movies x 2 versions, and 1 movie x 1 version (downloading the last missing one); in two days WOWOW will broadcast the whole saga, and Molly will record it; hope this version is the 2004, to improve quality further!

Sadly my projects are lost due to an HDD crash… 😦 | [Fundamental Collection] thread | blog.spoRv.com | fan preservation forum: fanres.com

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According to my information, there remain 13 hours until the broadcast I was able to program of ANH begins.

"Right now the coffees are doing their final work." (Airi, Masked Rider Den-o episode 1)

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Thanks a lot again, Molly! Can’t wait… don’t remember if they are broadcasted one after the other tomorrow.

Back to topic: here you are some comparisons:

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/190383
http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/190384
http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/190385
http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/190386

as you can see, difference is minimal, but is there; still, don’t know if it worth the hassle, though…

Sadly my projects are lost due to an HDD crash… 😦 | [Fundamental Collection] thread | blog.spoRv.com | fan preservation forum: fanres.com

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I’ve been periodically running a search on the capbox’s schedule. None of the airings so far are consecutive.

"Right now the coffees are doing their final work." (Airi, Masked Rider Den-o episode 1)

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towne32 said:

There is an episode II 35mm print on ebay. It’s relisted after failing to sell for $750 last week. I’m not saying it’s worth it at all (for about 4 shots of the worst Star Wars film ever 😃 ), just that it’s the only way of making a theatrical AoTC.

That movie was originally shot on a digital camera, not on film. Even if the print can be purchased and scanned, can the quality of the film frames, transferred from a digital file, can match the video that we have here?

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I think 35mm prints for Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith are pointless.

Those were already shot in HD. I’m not sure if it was 2K or 1080p but those were digital.

I think an Ultra HD Blu-ray release of all the prequels (The Phantom Menace being a new restoration without DNR, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith being 4K upscales of the 1080p masters) would be the best way to preserve them but the Original Unaltered Trilogy in Ultra HD with all of the alternate mixes (70mm six track, Dolby Stereo, mono, LaserDisc) plus a new Dolby Atmos remix would what I want more.

And I’ve loved every pixel of it.
(Clarissa Darling, Clarissa Explains It All)

You’re so right.
(Kylo Ren, Star Wars: The Force Awakens)

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I might not have been clear. The point of the 35mm II would be several shots present in the theatrical version. The only copy we have of those shots is a horrible cam recording.

As for the picture quality: probably? It’s not like the BD looks particularly good, for II. Degrained, cleaned up, the few seconds of footage would probably fit in fine.

I’m not arguing that it’s worth spending the money on such a crappy movie. Just that it is not, technically, pointless. 😃

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Wait, so, and I’m not being a smartass our trying to derail the thread, but the schorman releases actually look better than the blu rays? Like seriously? If so then I’ll have to consider using them for my edits, although giving up telecines versions with re done lasers and lightsaber will be hard to ditch.

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towne32 said:

I might not have been clear. The point of the 35mm II would be several shots present in the theatrical version. The only copy we have of those shots is a horrible cam recording.

As for the picture quality: probably? It’s not like the BD looks particularly good, for II. Degrained, cleaned up, the few seconds of footage would probably fit in fine.

I’m not arguing that it’s worth spending the money on such a crappy movie. Just that it is not, technically, pointless. 😃

Yeah, I forgot.

The 35mm release is different from the DVD, digital cinema and HDTV versions.

We can still use that version when combined with the HDTV or Blu-ray versions.

And I’ve loved every pixel of it.
(Clarissa Darling, Clarissa Explains It All)

You’re so right.
(Kylo Ren, Star Wars: The Force Awakens)

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What’s about 1080p extended editions? For the prequel trilogy, the DVD deleted scenes are finished - as few others from BD - and should be not that hard to reinsert them in the movies… (I’m aware ADigitalMan did DVD versions, don’t know if HD versions exist.)

With the original trilogy, though, I think it’s another story… the deleted scenes quality - even the finished ones - is pretty low, and don’t know if it’s possible to restore them to be on par with HD versions; I remember vaguely a thread or two talking about this possibility.

Anyway, can’t say prequel trilogy + some added minutes of extended scenes could make them better; but, probably, couldn’t make them worse… or not?
At the contrary, the original should be left untouched - whatever could be defined as “untouched” about a trilogy “touched” at least three times!

Sadly my projects are lost due to an HDD crash… 😦 | [Fundamental Collection] thread | blog.spoRv.com | fan preservation forum: fanres.com

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To whom it may concern: I finished to work on the HD version of Episode 1 deleted scenes; I used both PAL and NTSC DVDs, to gain a bit of resolution, and a grandtotal of 12 horizontal lines - wow, we are talking about 1.5% more image here! (^^,)

The PAL and NTSC were cleaned, carefully upscaled and aligned, overlaid, then the result image was slightly depinked; at the end, the “usual” 35mm grain plate was added.

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/191805

Opinions are welcome, as usual.

Sadly my projects are lost due to an HDD crash… 😦 | [Fundamental Collection] thread | blog.spoRv.com | fan preservation forum: fanres.com

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^…^ said:

To whom it may concern: I finished to work on the HD version of Episode 1 deleted scenes; I used both PAL and NTSC DVDs, to gain a bit of resolution, and a grandtotal of 12 horizontal lines - wow, we are talking about 1.5% more image here! (^^,)

The PAL and NTSC were cleaned, carefully upscaled and aligned, overlaid, then the result image was slightly depinked; at the end, the “usual” 35mm grain plate was added.

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/191805

Opinions are welcome, as usual.

Definitely looks nicer Andrea.

😃

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Thanks Jetrell!

Made a test clip - x264 10mbps 81MB: https://fs06n2.sendspace.com/dl/51c0a7eb5cc191e003be1f34f09b7734/583976f827ad7a8a/d90hzt/EP1_deleted_scene_04.mkv

I managed to take screenshots (with the “stamp” key) from both NTSC DVD and my encoded x264 version, using MPC-HT as player:

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/191887

Sadly my projects are lost due to an HDD crash… 😦 | [Fundamental Collection] thread | blog.spoRv.com | fan preservation forum: fanres.com