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MeBeJedi

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Members
Join date
10-Mar-2003
Last activity
10-Feb-2025
Posts
4,879

Post History

Post
#65574
Topic
OT bootleg DVD reviews
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/65574/action/topic#65574
Time
"You should capture the Definitive LD uncompressed"

All 300 GBs?

"Then, you'd want to be able to transfer the LD's audio digitally at 448kbps for the 5.1 ac3 soundtrack."

Done that already.

"To do this, you'd need state-of-the-art post production facilities, of course... and people sympathetic to the cause."

Like laserman?

"....I own one! ...hmmm....."

Yeah, but where is it?
Post
#65509
Topic
Empire Of Dreams Review
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/65509/action/topic#65509
Time
"The one thing that I thought was really interesting is that all of the clips from the films were of the original versions. I thought these didn't exist anymore."

The heck they were. The opening sequence was definitely doctored.

"Noticing a lot of the original edition shots are remastered in the doc... (evil grin)"

Agreed. It's subtle. but it's there.

Too bad they didn't play the entire crawl, At least to the last line. I coulda done something with it.
Post
#65436
Topic
Info: OT Bootleg DVDs
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/65436/action/topic#65436
Time
"but the professionally created retail menus look even better. "

//sigh Then go ahead and put them on your own DVD. It's quite easy.

"Looking at MeBeJedi's set, it looks a little pushed on the white levels... Leia's clothes, the Star Destroyer in the fist scene... no detail in the white areas. Just a white blob."

Man, this is why I hate using captures. Let me tell you right now...my DVDs look far better than these pics. In fact, I'm trying out some new capture settings, and here are some preliminary results. (The aspect ratios are slightly different.)

http://home.netcom.com/~eandtc/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/vadercapture.jpg
Notice the boxes on the wall in the background don't disappear anymore.

http://home.netcom.com/~eandtc/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/sdcapture.jpg

http://home.netcom.com/~eandtc/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/leiacapture.jpg
Post
#65243
Topic
Info: OT Bootleg DVDs
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/65243/action/topic#65243
Time
"is laserdisc the best source? what about super8 ?"

Laserdisc is the best overall resource for the O-OT. By "super 8", are you referring to a camcorder or to film?

"Tactile Transducers: AURA "Bass Shaker" AST-1B-4 x2"

Dude! No wonder you wanted to watch the first 5 minutes! That SD flyover must feel SWEET! LOL

BTW, did you ever figure out where the layer-change/disk swaps are?

"after seeing the "Lucas edition" I feel quite bad thinking how great an official original trilogy DVD would have been."

Sad but true. The transfer is georgous, but the content is unacceptable.
Post
#65120
Topic
Info: OT Bootleg DVDs
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/65120/action/topic#65120
Time
"1. If you want your name on there why not add it somewhere during the credits?"

In case you hadn't noticed, I got in trouble for doing precisely that.

"2. Seriously, why not use the retail DVD menus instead of fan made ones?"

Seriously, I don't have them, and I don't want them.

"Making it perfect?"

That's my plan as well. I'm just not there yet.
Post
#65106
Topic
Info: OT Bootleg DVDs
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/65106/action/topic#65106
Time
"While I do agree with others that the credits should remain unaltered, I was referring to the menus in my post."

Not that this is really something I want to continue, but just to clarify: you're saying you don't like my name in the menus?

Not offended, just curious.

"Some of the details visible in the TR47 version are lost in the brightness of those white-heavy scenes."

If I may hazard a guess, are you referring to scenes in the hallways, where the outlines of the walls are indistinct (i.e. boxes) If so, I noticed that this is in my capture as well. This may necessitate a new capture, but that won't be happening in the near future. I really don't feel like remastering everything all over again at this point in time. Maybe I will work on adjusting the capture settings for ESB and ROTJ, and then go back to ANH.

That being said, Rebelscum is correct. There are a lot of variables to balance, and while the LD's are the best possible transfer source, they aren't the greatest transfer source, if you get my meaning. This is why laserman's set is going to take so long - there is a lot of fine tuning involved, and compiling the entire film takes 12-20 hours, depending. I had to do this a couple of times to get the MPEG just the right size to fit on the disc. Having a DL burner would make a tremendous difference. If anyone happens to have one just lying around, you can e-mail it to me.

This is why it's still a WIP, despite Riktor's rave reviews. There are little adjustments that need to be done, though I will still make a XVID of this version for all'y'all to see how it's going so far.

"In order to crank up the contrast and make the blackness of space more dense as MeBeJedi has been doing,"

Actually, I kept the contrast setting alone. Ultimately, it did more overall harm than good. That being said, I seem to recall leaving the capture settings at default, so there's still some experimentation that can be done at that end as well...
Post
#65107
Topic
LD Players, What is the machine of choice??
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/65107/action/topic#65107
Time
I've had three players during all this. My in-laws found a V8000 at a garage sale, and got it cheap because it had been stepped on. I don't recall which, but it played CLV and wouldn't play CAV discs (or the other way around.) Once I straightened out the chassis, it played neither.

After that, I got a Sony MDP 333 off E-bay for around $180. It came DOA and reeked of cigarette smoke. After getting it fixed for about the same price, it lasted a few months and died again.

The guy who gave me his Faces set in exchange for DVD tranfers gave me his Sony MDP 555, which was also dead (and why he was so willing to make the LD for DVD trade.) It would have cost 200-500 dollars to repair his unit (the capacitors had leaked onto the motherboard.)

Finally, after reluctantly going back to the repair ship to pick up the 555, the technician mentioned that he had a 701 unit that he'd reconditioned. This was great news, because I knew where it had come from (someone who knew how to keep it working), and I didn't have to pay shipping.

I would highly recommend going to some local (and small) electronics repair shops and possibly even pawn shops. Hell, just recently someone in one of these threads mentioned having to pawn off an excellent quality LD player when he needed the money. You never know what kind of deal you may fine (and you will save a bundle on shipping.) Hell, if you already have the discs, you can ask to have it hooked up to a TV and test it out first!

Good luck with your search.
Post
#65058
Topic
Info: OT Bootleg DVDs
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/65058/action/topic#65058
Time
"it's just a name to them that will be pretty meaningless."

I guess you've not noticed people always asking about the "TR47" DVDs, or the "Magnolia Fan" DVDs around the 'Net? I know I have.

Besides, it won't be meaningless to me.

"I think it's a good idea to be able to identify what the name of the bootleg is, so having the "MeBeJedi" name in the DVD menu is a good thing."

Someone else gets it.

"I think it would be great to add in the credit menu an image of the actual laserdisc it comes from and the hardware and software used to make the encoding and the authoring of the DVDr..."

DUDE?!? Get out of my mind! Lol!

I was actually thinking of creating an "easter egg" - a hidden "Thank You" menu listing hardware used, people involved, etc. I have a great statement for Lucas, himself.

"I hate PM's - email is the best for me"

I wish you'd told me that sooner!

"How does the detail/sharpness of the image look in comparison to the TR47 and Gonzo versions (I have the Gonzo versions and they look soft to me)?. It's really hard to get a good indication from screen caps."

I agree with you that screencaps just don't do it, but I've never seen an SW bootleg before! I've just never been interested in the "suspect" quality of them. I've seen bootlegs of other films, and they sucked tremendously. I don't just want a "copy" of a film, I want to "experience" the film.

That's why I wanted Riktor's opinion. I simply set out to make the best copy I could possibly make. Apparently, I succeeded.

"1. Separate regular letterbox AND anamorphic transfers (that way everyone is happy). I'd like both actually!"

The XVIDs will definitely be 4X3, and I will probably maintain this master for 4X3 DVDs as well, so after I finish the anamorphic, both will exist. (Technically, I could push a button and have the anamorphic version in a day, but I want to clean up the visuals - that's what's going to take a while.

"2. ONLY PCM audio. All remaining space for the the movies themselves."

The PCM takes up 1.2 Gbs. The DD is 332 Mbs. It doesn't affect the quality near as much as people are led to believe. My DVD had 3 soundtracks, and yet Riktor was floored by the visual quality.

"Here's my thought on "branding" your set:"

The funny thing is, I only included the final credits for the soundtrack because I like to listen to it. I didn't realize people held the visual quality of those last 5 minutes as dear to their hearts as the prior 115. Go figure...

Kinda makes me wonder if there's anyone out there who has the credits memorized.
Post
#65057
Topic
Star Wars - The Edits and DVDr releases thread
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/65057/action/topic#65057
Time
"And you say I need to lighten up?"

Sorry, that wasn't directed solely at you. There's been several people mentioning this. I was just trying to make a cool effect, and apparently ruffled a few feathers in the process. Kinda takes the fun out of this.

"I just ran through another thread and I think I know why you were a little snappy about the credit-alteration comment I made."

Yeah, see what I mean? Again, it wasn't just you - it was just that your comment brought back bad memories.

YOU RAPED MY CHILDHOOD! Lol!

"Just lemme know if you'd like to see what I come up with."

I'd love to see them. I, myself, don't have the capabilities to make my own labels (my father-in-law does, but I ain't bothering him. He's a butt-hole, and the colors on his projects never look good.)

"A couple of suggestions as a way to credit yourself without insiting another lynch mob"

You noticed that too, did ya?

"(like the one I occasionally get over the yellow saber):"

What was that all about?

"A logo before the film... Maybe similar to a THX intro. Or bill yourself in the end credits, maybe after Lucas is credited a writer/director and Kurtz is as producer, insert a credit - Digital Restoration - MeBeJedi."

Lol. That would be pretty cool! Maybe put my name under Lucas'. (I was actually thinking of putting something like that in the bottom right-hand corner as well.)

"That way you're billed without people up in arms thinking that you're claiming you wrote & directed it..."

Well, again, the overall intent was just to see if I could erase Lucas' name and replace it with my own. It turned out to be surprisingly easy, mostly because there were very few frames in the actual transition.

Then again, I could erase the "written and directed" part as well, and replace it with "digital restoration by". Then no one could accuse me of making the films my own.

(Disclaimer: THAT WAS A JOKE!)
Post
#65040
Topic
Info: OT Bootleg DVDs
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/65040/action/topic#65040
Time
"I really hope you manage to perfect an anamorphic picture with this set"

As I've said before, this part is very easy.

"I made the mistake of capturing mine with S-Video cable which introduced dot crawl everywhere. I may try that dot crawl removal filter, but I plan to recapture and start from scratch. Also, your menus and everything blow mine away."

Yeah, I tried that too. It really depends on your equipment. As you can see, composite capture is not inherently bad. Again, I highly recommend the WinTVGO model 190. This $40 workhorse did it all (with third-party drivers.)

"I do want to pass on what I did concerning the slideshows on from the DC LD's. I didn't like how you kept having to press the step or forward button to change the pictures. So, what I did is capture all of the pictures while I pressed the button. I tried to wait around 5 seconds each time. What I did then, was use Virtual Dub and edit the capture file where each picture was 1 frame. I also split each group of pictures by subject, i.e. Droids, etc. I then used a photo editor to get rid of the interference that appeared at the bottoms of some of the pictures. Finally, I loaded the pictures into DVD-Lab which has a slideshow creation function where you can set the duration and other settings. I know other software can do this as well."

I've captured the pics as well (they're somewhere on my hard drives ), and still haven't decided how to display them as well. It would be nice to have a timer as well as a means of jumping ahead if necessary. I think the latest Beta of DVDLab Pro has changed this. Ultimately, I will like create a page of thumbnails to be selected, as well as an option to play through all the pics in sequence. Best of both worlds, yes?

"MeBeJedi cannot burn to dual layer DVD's (yet). I'm sure he may have something up his sleeves though"

I'll probably take laserman up on his offer to burn one for me (though he, like you, aren't answering my PM's! )

"How about using MeBeJedi's version on one layer with supplements and menus on the other layer there by avoiding any current layer change problems during the actual movie? Just a thought."

Regardless of what other materials are or aren't on the disc, if I up the bitrates of the MPEG, there will be a layer change in the film. It's 2 hours - there's just no getting around it.

"No offense, MeBeJedi, but the menus could be a little better."

None taken...they are just missing some cosmetic touches, but the layout and functionality will remain. This isn't the final version. I just wanted Riktor's opinion on the overall DVD so far.

Hell, most people are just going to watch the films anyways. This was just a way for me to get to specific scenes or commentaries.

"I do hope MeBeJedi does not put "directed by MEBEJEDI" in it though, this is about preserving the O-OT, not poaching and branding."

Well, I wasn't completely serious about "planting my flag", but the XVIDs will have the "MEBEJEDI" ending. It's not like they will be archival quality anyways.

"So claiming these to be "your versions" is about as sane as lucas claiming the 2004 are "his versions" when he's taken the work from so many people before him and just added (or subtracted) to it."

Uhm.....okay. Then perhaps I shouldn't release these DVDs that aren't "my versions" ? Then again, I seem to recall you not wanting menus at all in the first place, so surely "my versions" don't appeal to you, right?
Post
#64992
Topic
Info: OT Bootleg DVDs
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/64992/action/topic#64992
Time
"are the MEBEJEDI DVDs anamorphic?"

Not yet, but I'm already working on it.

"I added MAIN MENU in there because if you don't have one you definitely should."

There is no "main menu", as much as there are chapter menus and commentary menus (the audio switches automatically.) IF I leave the 5.1 in, it will probably remain selectable by pressing the audio button. I have a feeling that most people will eventually just listen to it in PCM anyways. The only real advantage the DD track has over the PCM track is file size.

"I'd make more "normal" chapter names, but that's just me, everyone else seems to like them."

It's still a WIP, and I'll probably rename some of them, but it made my work a little more amusing to see those chapter names.

"My motto is: "Less is more" and that´s the advice I´m giving MeBeJedi."

LOL. Yeah, I knew there was too much going on in that menu, but it looks kinda cool. It's as easy to take off as it was to put on. That being said, if someone wants a custom order in Aurebesh...

"I love the MeBeJedi NEW HOPE logo too."

Me too. That will stay.

Next up...MEBEJEDI Strikes Back and Return of MEBEJEDI.

Hey, Rik - read your PM's. These people want their Torrents!