ADigitalMan

User Group: Members
Join date: 26-Sep-2004
Last activity: 14-Jun-2025
Posts: 2,944

Post History

Post: #93429
Topic: Arthur Miller 1915-2005
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/93429/action/topic#93429
Time: 15-Feb-2005 6:25 AM

And for those who continue to be clueless, perhaps this will help: Arthur Miller is this guy who married Marilyn Monroe.

Post: #92978
Topic: Thought on de-SE'ing the DVD
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/92978/action/topic#92978
Time: 10-Feb-2005 10:46 PM

I've wondered that myself. But it would only work if the b-roll is the same as the source anyway, which would make the edit moot. The soft edge shows both the a-roll and b-roll by nature, so if the scene looks different then it would be noticible if the b-roll didn't match what was visible-but-obscured by the soft edge.

Post: #92669
Topic: Thought on de-SE'ing the DVD
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/92669/action/topic#92669
Time: 9-Feb-2005 11:47 AM

I should clarify. It does re-encode even these hard-wiped sections, because the information on the frame is still changing. Hence, I wish they would add soft wipe controls to their different wipes. They have TON of transitions, just no control to make the edges softer.

But, man, you can do wipes like Kevin Smith did in Dogma with NO problem.

In short, the product needs two enhancements:

1) soft edge controls on its transitions
2) not downmixing multi-channel audio when they're mixed.

That said, it does have the ability to handle two audio sources with some decent control on volume and fading. The intent is to let you place an original audio source (say, the direct audio from a handheld camera's mic) and then place and control background music in the second layer. The two layers get mixed together in the export process. On the whole, this is a great feature and allows for better crossfading when manipulating stereo sources. But if any crossfading or volume changes happen in a 5.1 file, it downmixes it. That's is main audio drawback. Oh, and I think if you downmix to PCM it actually converts it to Mono. I found that out after messing with a different film.

If you're editing together home movies, this program is a dream. For some of the more professional touches we're trying to accomplish on these (or other) "real" films, the product needs some more development.

Post: #92641
Topic: Thought on de-SE'ing the DVD
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/92641/action/topic#92641
Time: 9-Feb-2005 9:45 AM

Womble is interesting with its effects. Remedial though they are, they are effective for basic projects. The wipes and transitions are nice, but don't have soft edges. If they add that, I'll be the first to sing its praises as an affordable tool for rank amateurs like myself. What I've noticed is that it only re-encodes the portion of the video that has been affected (I could say "effected" and not be using the wrong word) when it creates the new stream. It's really interesting that way.

Its audio tools are worse though. You definitely have to have the same audio bitrate and you cannot do any crossfading, else it will downmix to stereo and force output to PCM or Layer I or II. But if you're only splicing as I have, then it manages to just splice the audio without changing type or, from what I can tell, recompressing. If the audio splice doesn't sound good where the video splice is, I've found that sometimes the audio splice point can be moved one direction or the other. It's a creative change, but if it makes a better transition, so be it. I ended up needing to do this both at the Dewback removal and the Jabba removal specifically. On the latter, Kenobi's dialogue would have been trimmed, which would not be good.

This isn't a great edit in the end, but it isn't bad either. Feedback on the finished product from you all is what I'm looking forward to most of all. (At least I'm not claiming I've made the best version of Star Wars ever!

)

Post: #92542
Topic: Thought on de-SE'ing the DVD
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/92542/action/topic#92542
Time: 8-Feb-2005 7:44 PM

I don't currently have the capacity to do soft wipes, so I'm more than a little handicapped with my scene tranitions vis a vis Star Wars. Still, I'm doing what I can with scant tools. I did check the aforementioned program a couple of posts up, but I think they'll only work with Vegas or Premiere (or similar such editors). I don't think Womble supports plug ins. *sigh*

Post: #92544
Topic: What would you like to see in a scifi/fantasy web site? The time has come for a change...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/92544/action/topic#92544
Time: 8-Feb-2005 2:08 PM

I can write and edit (having done this professionally), but I feel creatively challenged at the moment in regards to thinking of any fresh content. I'm sure that could change. I also produce web sites professionally, and likewise can offer my mind towards those tasks. User-centered design is the most important mindset to get into as you lay out the navigation and content. This site is pretty good already, but one redesign without that focus can screw a site royally. TF.N is a great example of a bad new design. Everything is weighted so equally now that you can't easily find what you're looking for or know what should carry more weight. And AICN ... that site has been awful from the onset. Content used to be its saving grace, but now even that is mediocre at best.

On a completely different note, I have something to recommend AVOIDING as you try to monetize the site. Popups. Even some -- ne, most -- of the good entertainment sites have succumbed to this temptation. I strongly recommend against it. While banner blindness remains a problem that can't be ignored, pop-up blocking is on the rise because pop ups are more annoying and more intrusive than banner ads ever were. Interstitials are almost as bad. Anything that gets in the way of being able to actually read the content is detrimental to building a loyal user base.

As I've said in the past, I recommend judicious placement of ads and links to other sites who share a cut of any proceeds with the referrer. Then, it's a matter of placing appropriate ads. There is a lot of SW-related stuff (esp. on eBay and Amazon) to which you can link, which speaks to the audience here. If we users can discipline ourselves to use this site as a click-through to these other sites, then revenue can be generated for the site just from our regular online buying habits. Seriously, if a link to Amazon guarantees a cut of the proceeds from a subsequent purchase, I'd be sure to not enter the URL directly and always go through a site I cared enough about. This merits more research as I don't fully understand the terms of these deals. But I do know that many sites have placed ads to several of the major online sites with such affiliate programs in place.

Post: #92439
Topic: Thought on de-SE'ing the DVD
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/92439/action/topic#92439
Time: 8-Feb-2005 11:32 AM

Womble MPEG Video Editor is what I've been using, as it edits the M2V without recompression and is frame accurate. I'll check out your suggestion promptly though.

Post: #92443
Topic: Blinded by Star Wars
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/92443/action/topic#92443
Time: 8-Feb-2005 5:44 AM

The perfect thing to darken your media room with before watching a movie.

Post: #92401
Topic: Thought on de-SE'ing the DVD
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/92401/action/topic#92401
Time: 8-Feb-2005 12:44 AM

Got Neil's fixed audio in today and I'm already mucking around.

I've done decent attempt at de-SEing ANH now and think I may release this as a precursor to my ultimate project. Sadly, the precursor might end up being more popular as it lops out more SE stuff than I want to for my version. Not every element can be excised, but a lot can just by lopping out extensions here and there. Here's what I've taken out/fixed:

1) An attempt at fixing the title card. Using the Spanish angle, I grabbed that version of the title card, then did a video crossfade when the crawl begins (early) to help mask the frame jump as best as possible with my limited resources and experience. On the whole I think it looks decent. Not perfect, but an improvement to be certain.

2) The extended dewback sequence. Hard cut from the sand crawler to the shot with the dewback(s) in the background. I don't have the ability to do soft wipes, and the hard wipes look worse than a hard cut. So be it. I intend to keep this shot in the long run, but I wanted to really take a stab at DE-SE'ing the DVD as much as possible tonight.

3) Mos Eisley. Hard cut from the drive into the city to the scene where they get "pulled over." Technically, losing the Ronto does lose some of the OT footage, as the Ronto was superimposed into the existing shot. To get rid of this, the entire thing needed to be killed. There are still other CG additions to the mind trick scene and cantina exterior, but this still removes most of the mos eisley sequence that's so offensive to so many.

4) Greedo's shot. It's gone. No explanation necessary.

5) Jabba. Though I intend to keep him in my ultimate version (with an automatic skip feature built in), I know a lot of people hate this sequence, so this one's being done for you guys on this particular version. I did a video fade between the surrounding edit points to try to mimic the original fade at this point. Hopefully it will suffice.

6) Biggs. I intend to keep him in the long run as well, but if this was an attempt to de-SE the DVD as much as possible, he had to go too in all fairness.

That's it, really. Battle of Yavin is untouched as I don't have any appropriate way to restore shots there. I still haven't the ability to fix Luke's green saber, which has bothered me more than anything other than Greedo shooting first from the day this DVD was put on sale. Hell or high water, I intend to fix it or bribe one of you to help get that fixed, but am in a holding pattern right now.

Stay tuned.

Post: #91933
Topic: Greetings from Wookie Groomer; Split Screen Project (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91933/action/topic#91933
Time: 5-Feb-2005 2:07 PM

I'm totally looking forward to not only the ESB and ROTJ projects, but the Mysterious Mysteries ANH as well. I just watched the current ANH and loved the comparison shots. This is a brilliant educational piece.

Post: #91952
Topic: Forget bluray and hd-dvd, check out hvd
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91952/action/topic#91952
Time: 5-Feb-2005 10:39 AM

Is it just an optical illusion, or is the HVD physically larger? Hopefully not, as a larger disc would have problems fitting into a standard 5 1/4" sized bay.

Post: #91950
Topic: ROTS Pictures (SPOILERS!!!!)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91950/action/topic#91950
Time: 5-Feb-2005 10:34 AM

I hate skinny lightsabers. ;-) Is it just me, or does it look like Palp's choked up a bit too much on the hilt? I expect his fingers to fry off holding it like that.

Post: #91842
Topic: The Theatrical Differences
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91842/action/topic#91842
Time: 4-Feb-2005 5:24 PM

Reading these specific differences makes me wonder something: Was the stereo mix of releases prior to the DVD based on the stereo mix, and was the DVD mix based on the surround mixes (2004 changes aside, of course)?

I now need to pull out the DVD to see if the stereo track has one set of changes while the surround has the opposing set of changes.

Edit: Nope. The DVD has "We've Stopped" and "Close the Blast Doors" in both tracks.

Now THAT would be a cool feature. The (relative) sound mix of each version as a selectable option. Mono, stereo or surround with the corresponding differences. Video option of the true original crawl.

MBJ, Zion, you guys listening?

Post: #91841
Topic: State of the Union
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91841/action/topic#91841
Time: 4-Feb-2005 11:15 AM

The President does not try to cover both sides, and nowhere do I suggest that. But the President has the power to set an agenda. The analysts do not. Whenever you listen to an analysis of a presidential speech, it becomes, at that point, heresay. If you can indeed filter out all of the slant and misinformation that comes from today's pundits, that is good. But to rely on analysis alone and not hear the direct words said from the one who is setting the agenda means that you are not making up your mind on what was said, but about what was said about what was said.

The vast majority of the talking heads on the regular networks, news networks, local channels, magazines, newspapers and Internet blog sites means that while free speech is alive and well, what is being said is getting diluted and twisted more and more. The proof is in the pudding: The accuracy of polls and pundit's predictions is growing more and more askew as time passes. Therefore, I don't put as much stock in what they have to say. For every truly informed and balanced talking head like Russert, there are dozens of O'Reillys and Carlsons and Kinsley's who are throwing darts.

Keep in mind that very few of these schmucks even studied political science. Most of them studied journalism (or it's bastard step-child "broadcast journalism"), which is little more than a specialization in language skills. Not that a certain failed Texas oil baron studied much of anything, but he has been given the authority to do more than just talk. He has been given the authority to ramrod an agenda. Fortunately in our form of government, checks and balances were created to keep him from turning agenda into law by his will alone. Therefore, when he goes before Congress, his cabinet, the judiciary and the nation as a whole to set his agenda, it is the duty of citizens to pay attention and hold him accountable. We do that by voicing our own opinions in forums where a difference can be made, and by influencing our other elected officials who can stop such an agenda if it doesn't agree with the will of the masses.

Post: #91830
Topic: State of the Union
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91830/action/topic#91830
Time: 4-Feb-2005 10:40 AM

Personally I put absolute zero stock in what the pundits and talking heads say afterwards. When the words come directly out of the President's mouth, I much prefer to make up my own mind about what is BS and what is not, rather than having these morons on the news try to distill it for me. Howard Dean's showing in Iowa and New Hampshire last year proved that the media (a) can't cram an opinion down the throat of voters to make it a reality and (b) is genuinely detached from popular sentiment on either side of the aisle.

All this said, the State of the Union is perhaps the most important speech for any U.S. citizen to tune in to (to everybody else, I apologize on the country's behalf for pre-empting your prime time shows). Yes, it is carefully penned, but it is far from B.S. It is the one constitutionally mandated speech where the three branches of government convene to hear the President's legislative agenda for the coming year. It illustrates the direction he intends to take the country more than any campaign speech ever will. Furthermore, when you watch, you can see where the opposition party intends to support the agenda, and where the opposition intends to block.

Given that our hard-earned and easily wasted tax dollars are at stake, we should give a damn about them. Furthermore, you should be incited to act based on what the President says. If on any given point you disagree with the President's agenda, it is imperative that you write your Representative and Senators -- even before writing on, say, this forum. After all, Jay may be the Emperor of OriginalTrilogy.com, but he doesn't have any discretion over how tax dollars get alloted. Remember, free speech was intended to petition the government, not just to protect the right to grouse among your friends. People have been doing that -- even in oppressive societies -- for centuries. Washington counts on our apathy to see that things stay as they are. But when people actually get involved, that is what creates change.

Post: #91826
Topic: Ossie Davis, 1917-2005
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91826/action/topic#91826
Time: 4-Feb-2005 10:23 AM

I'm glad he and Ruby were honored at the Kennedy Center this past December. Hindsight being 20/20, the timing was perfect.

Post: #91825
Topic: ROTS Pictures (SPOILERS!!!!)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91825/action/topic#91825
Time: 4-Feb-2005 10:19 AM

I know GL is absolutely intent on selling new toys, but why the heck didn't we see the "debut" of the X-wings, in all their shiny new splendor and glory in this film. After all, they're pretty old and battered by the time of ANH. Instead of these W-wings or whatever they're bound to be called, the story would be better serviced by the "old and battered" technology in the OT being "brand spanking new" in the PT.

Post: #91588
Topic: State of the Union
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91588/action/topic#91588
Time: 2-Feb-2005 2:55 PM

Love him or hate him, President Bush delivers the State of the Union at 9 p.m. EST (about five minutes from now). Be sure to watch.

Post: #91462
Topic: Firefox browser
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91462/action/topic#91462
Time: 2-Feb-2005 7:18 AM

Girl scout cookies. Samoas in particular.

But then again, if I had anything related to Girl Scouts on my computer, that would be a bad thing.

Post: #91359
Topic: Beautiful Women
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91359/action/topic#91359
Time: 1-Feb-2005 6:17 PM

Sessler, was that before or after she had kids? Because if it's after, then day-um!

Post: #91269
Topic: Idea -- Original Theatrical Prequels
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91269/action/topic#91269
Time: 1-Feb-2005 6:12 PM

Perhaps after Laserman finishes his OT project he might grace us with this project?

Post: #91258
Topic: MagnoliaFan Edits: Ep I "Balance Of The Force", and Ep II "The Clone War" (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91258/action/topic#91258
Time: 1-Feb-2005 5:41 PM

Dr. M, welcome aboard. Hal 9000 and I have taken different stabs at changing the subtitles to some moderate success. There are DVD-Rs floating around with two subtitle streams and four subtitle streams. You can get a hold of one pretty much by turning on Private Messaging [PM] and then asking aloud. Lots of us on the board are willing to spread the love. All three of the optional subtitles attempt to address your points in different ways. It's been a fun project so far.

One point ... the Kaiburr Crystal was actually a plot point for the original Star Wars in an earlier draft. It ended up being central to the plot of "Splinter of the Mind's Eye" which was a novel that came out between Star Wars and Empire. The origin of the Expanded Universe. MF dug this plot device back up, and it made the very end of BOTF so much better, as it gave explanation to what this Crystal Ball was that Padme gave to Nass. Hopefully that gives a little more background to where it came from.

Again, welcome to the boards. Look forward to your participation.

Post: #91294
Topic: Beautiful Women
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91294/action/topic#91294
Time: 1-Feb-2005 2:08 PM

With all of these pics of Monica Bellucci, I wonder if I'm going to hell for lustful thoughts of Mary Magdelene. I'm not sure if that was brilliant casting or "what were you thinking" casting on Mel's part. Time to pull out my copy of Dracula again.

Post: #91292
Topic: Firefox browser
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91292/action/topic#91292
Time: 1-Feb-2005 2:02 PM

After killing all my cookies and starting them afresh, the problem has gone away. I suppose it has issues with importing cookies from IE, but why, I don't know. A cookie is a cookie is a cookie.

Post: #91107
Topic: Firefox browser
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/91107/action/topic#91107
Time: 31-Jan-2005 5:54 PM

So I'm switching from the Evil Empire's browser to Firefox (Join the Alliance all of you). I have noticed some strange cookie issues, though, with this site and Firefox. Namely, it isn't doing a good job of remembering which posts were new the last visit and expiring them for the current visit. Anybody else having this issue? I've cleared out my cookies from Firefox entirely (they were imports from IE) and am rebuilding them from scratch.