OmegaMattman

Now I just wish someone would do something like this for the '97 Special Edition versions and all their bonus material (VHS intros, behind the scenes, trailers, etc). That's now the only major release left that is an empty hole on my Star Wars DVD shelf...

I know there are several DVD editions of the '97 cuts floating around.  Lee Thorogood has an edition based on PAL Laserdiscs which looks quite good.  And, there are some DVDs based on digital TV broadcasts.  Plus, there are preservations of some "making of" material, like the Making Magic CD.  But, as you said, I'm not aware of an all-inclusive '97 package.

On a personal note, I had intended to try a preservation and 16x9 upscale of the '97 NTSC US Laserdiscs...but there's some weirdness with the framerate.  While the bulk of the movies are in NTSC Film (23.976 fps), the closing credits are NTSC Video (29.97 fps).  So, making solid progressive-film presentation where the credits don't look like junk is a bit of a puzzle I've yet to solve.

Still, it's something I'd like to try when I've finished some of my other projects.  "Rebellion 2: Lightsaber Boogaloo"?

Is this supposed to be my experience, or am I doing something wrong?

Honestly, I've been dumbfounded at the problems these discs have presented.  I created and burned them with ImgBurn and they play just fine off of my Sony BDP-S580 and older JVC XV-BP1.

The only suggestion I would have is to first unpack everything from the ISO to your hard drive.  Then, write the BDMV and CERTIFICATE folders to your disc in UDF 2.50 format.  It might work...or it might just be a waste of discs.  Sorry, I wish I had a better suggestion.

MAKING HYPERSPACE
PART 3 - RETURN OF THE JEDI:

NOTE: Again, a lot of repeated steps.  Also, unfortunately, I seem to have lost some of my details for color/level correction.

RETURN OF THE JEDI
STAGE 1
TOLLS: AviSynth and VirtualDub

STAGE 1-A

VirtualDub filters are identical to STAGE 1-A of Star Wars and Empire.  But, because the source is PAL GOUT (not NTSC), there are some differences in the AviSynth script:

NNEDI2(dh=true, field=0)
NNEDI2(dh=false,field=1)

AAA()
AAA()
spline64resize (1280, 618)
addborders (0,51,0,51)

orig = last
temp = orig.TemporalSoften(3,255,255,25,2)
int  = Interleave(temp.Repair(orig),orig)
DePan(int,data=DePanEstimate(int,trust=0,dxmax=1,dymax=0),offset=-1)
SelectEvery(2,0)

super = MSuper(pel=2, sharp=2,levels=7)
backward_vec2 = MAnalyse(super, isb = true, delta = 2, overlap=2)
forward_vec2 = MAnalyse(super, isb = false, delta = 2, overlap=2)
MDegrain1(super, backward_vec2,forward_vec2,thSAD=200)

Levels(0, 1, 255, 0, 250)

STAGE 1-B

This is where, ordinarily, I'd post the color/level correction details for the opening text scroll.  Unfortunately, my settings file for VirtualDub is M.I.A.  Sorry.

STAGE 2
TOOLS: Photoshop and Sony Vegas

Like Star Wars, Photoshop was used to recreate the subtitles for alien-speak. In Sony Vegas, both pieces of video from Stage 1 were edited together (according to Rebellion to preserve the audio).

Additionally, because PAL GOUT is a few frames longer during the introduction of the Rebel fleet, those frames were edited to ensure sync to the Rebellion soundtracks.

And, yet again, still photos were used for the opening Lucasfilm and "A Long Time Ago..." text screens, though the dissolves were preserved.

The alien subtitles were timed and overlaid in the appropriate areas. A Quickblur: 0.750 filter was also applied to the subtitles.

STAGE 3
TOOLS: AviSynth and VirtualDub

Finally, back to VirtualDub and Avisynth to create the final master AVI file. Here's the script:

fft3dfilter (sigma=2, bt=1, sharpen=0.0, plane=0)
fft3dfilter (sigma=3, bt=1, sharpen=0.0, plane=3)
fft3dfilter (sigma=3, bt=-1, sharpen=0.5, plane=0)

crop (14,88,-8,-88,align=true)
addborders (11,88,11,88)

Once the master AVI was complete, Return of the Jedi was rendered into an H264 file using MeGUI and the AVCHD was created with TSMuxerGUI.

MAKING HYPERSPACE
PART 2 - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK:

NOTE: A lot of this is "second verse, same as the first".  So some portions will be skipped or referred back to PART 1.  It also adds a brief 4th stage.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
STAGE 1
TOLLS: AviSynth and VirtualDub

STAGE 1-A

AviSynth Script and VirtualDub filters are identical to STAGE 1-A of Star Wars

STAGE 1-B

This stage applies to the opening text scroll.  The AviSynth script is the same, but the VirtualDub filters for color and whatnot are different.

VirtualDub Filters:
- Levels: 10, 1.100, 255, 0, 255, Operate in Luma instead of RGB=Yes
- Red/Green/Blue/Sat/Contrast: R=90, G=95, B=100, Sat=105, Cont=100
- CMYK Film Color: *C=25, +C=0, *M=0, +M=0, *Y=1, +Y=0, *K=0, +K=0
- Hue/Saturation/Intensity: Apply To ALL, Hue=-2, Preserve Luma=Yes, Sat=1.05, Int=1.00
- Hue/Saturation/Intensity: Apply To YELLOW ONLY, Hue=0, Preserve Luma=Yes, Sat=1.00, Int=1.15
-Flaxen's VHS Filter: Chroma Shifting (Use no other functions) - Horizontal=1, Neg.=NO, Vertical=0, Shift Chroma I=YES, Shift Chroma Q=YES

STAGE 2

Practically the same as STAGE 2 of Star Wars.  The opening Lucasfilm and "A Long Time Ago..." texts used a still image for everything but their fades in and out and the text scroll comes from Stage 1-B.

STAGE 3

This time, Stage 3 is a three-stage process.

STAGES 3-A and C

Unfortunately, there is a slight change in the framing of GOUT that occurs during a midway portion of Empire.  It begins after Luke crashes on Dagobah and ends after an asteroid hits a Star Destroyer.  The script covers those portions before and after the shift.

fft3dfilter (sigma=2, bt=1, sharpen=0.0, plane=0)
fft3dfilter (sigma=3, bt=1, sharpen=0.0, plane=3)
fft3dfilter (sigma=3, bt=-1, sharpen=0.5, plane=0)

crop (14,92,-12,-84,align=true)
addborders (13,88,13,88)

STAGE 3-B

This script covers the area with the altered framing.

fft3dfilter (sigma=2, bt=1, sharpen=0.0, plane=0)
fft3dfilter (sigma=3, bt=1, sharpen=0.0, plane=3)
fft3dfilter (sigma=3, bt=-1, sharpen=0.5, plane=0)

crop (12,92,-14,-84,align=true)
addborders (13,88,13,88)

STAGE 4

Back to Vegas to piece these 3 videos together.

Finally, Empire was rendered into an H264 file using MeGUI and the AVCHD was created with TSMuxerGUI.

Details on Jedi tomorrow.

STAR WARS
STAGE 2
TOOLS: Photoshop and Sony Vegas

This stage is very straightforward. Photoshop was used to recreate the subtitles for alien-speak. In Sony Vegas, all three pieces of video from Stage 1 were edited together (according to Rebellion to preserve the audio).

The Opening Fox logo came from Stage 1-A. The dissolves for the Lucasfilm and "A Long Time Ago" text also came from Stage 1-A. However, still images were spliced in for those two text screens because of the remaining jagged-edges and alias flicker.

The text scroll was Stage 1-B, with a 2 second dissolve into Stage 1-C for the first space battle shot. Then, back to Stage 1-A for the remainder of the film.

The alien subtitles were timed and overlaid in the appropriate areas. A Quickblur: 0.750 filter was also applied to the subtitles.

STAGE 3
TOOLS: AviSynth and VirtualDub

Finally, back to VirtualDub and Avisynth to create the final master AVI file.  Here's the script:

fft3dfilter (sigma=2, bt=1, sharpen=0.0, plane=0)
fft3dfilter (sigma=3, bt=1, sharpen=0.0, plane=3)
fft3dfilter (sigma=3, bt=-1, sharpen=0.5, plane=0)

crop (14,88,-8,-88,align=true)
addborders (11,88,11,88)

Once the master AVI was complete, Star Wars was rendered into an H264 file using MeGUI and the AVCHD was created with TSMuxerGUI.

Details on Empire will be posted tomorrow.

STAR WARS
STAGE 1
TOOLS: AviSynth and VirtualDub

STAGE 1-A

Here is the AviSynth script for this first rendering. Please note that I am leaving out the IVTC portion of the script. I usually prefer to do it manually, instead of using the "Film" function on DGIndex. It also leaves out the SOURCE portion of the script.

crop (0,84,0,-86,align=true)

NNEDI2(dh=true, field=0)
NNEDI2(dh=false,field=1)

AAA()
AAA()

spline64resize (1280, 618)

addborders (0,51,0,51)

orig = last
temp = orig.TemporalSoften(3,255,255,25,2)
int = Interleave(temp.Repair(orig),orig)
DePan(int,data=DePanEstimate(int,trust=0,dxmax=1,dymax=0),offset=-1)
SelectEvery(2,0)

super = MSuper(pel=2, sharp=2,levels=7)
backward_vec2 = MAnalyse(super, isb = true, delta = 2, overlap=2)
forward_vec2 = MAnalyse(super, isb = false, delta = 2, overlap=2)
MDegrain1(super, backward_vec2,forward_vec2,thSAD=200)

Levels(0, 1, 255, 0, 250)

You will notice a couple sections toward the end which were borrowed from the G-Force scripts.

VirtualDub Filters:
- Levels: 10, 1.100, 255, 0, 255, Operate in Luma instead of RGB=Yes
- Red/Green/Blue/Sat/Contrast: R=90, G=95, B=100, Sat=105, Cont=100
- CMYK Film Color: *C=0, +C=0, *M=5, +M=0, *Y=5, +Y=0, *K=0, +K=0
- Hue/Saturation/Intensity: Apply To ALL, Hue=2, Preserve Luma=Yes, Sat=1.05, Int=1.00

You'll probably notice the colors for the opening text aren't very good.  And, the colors for the first shot of the space battle are off, thanks in large part to the multiple sources Lucasfilm used.  These two things are color-adjusted with different VirtualDub settings...bringing us to:

STAGE 1-B

VirtualDub Filters for Text Scroll:
- Levels: 10, 1.100, 255, 0, 255, Operate in Luma instead of RGB=Yes
- Red/Green/Blue/Sat/Contrast: R=100, G=100, B=100, Sat=105, Cont=100
- CMYK Film Color: *C=-100, +C=0, *M=0, +M=0, *Y=20, +Y=0, *K=0, +K=0
- Hue/Saturation/Intensity: Apply To ALL, Hue=0, Preserve Luma=Yes, Sat=1.05, Int=1.00
- Hue/Saturation/Intensity: Apply To YELLOW ONLY, Hue=-4, Preserve Luma=Yes, Sat=1.00, Int=1.40

STAGE 1-C

VirtualDub Filters for Opening Space Battle Shot:
- Levels: 5, 1.100, 255, 0, 250, Operate in Luma instead of RGB=Yes
- Red/Green/Blue/Sat/Contrast: R=96, G=98, B=100, Sat=105, Cont=100
- CMYK Film Color: *C=14, +C=0, *M=0, +M=0, *Y=20, +Y=0, *K=0, +K=0
- Hue/Saturation/Intensity: Apply To ALL, Hue=0, Preserve Luma=Yes, Sat=1.05, Int=1.00
- Hue/Saturation/Intensity: Apply To RED ONLY, Hue=0, Preserve Luma=Yes, Sat=1.00, Int=1.10

MAKING HYPERSPACE
PART 1 - STAR WARS:

NOTE: The scripts are far less involved than those by g-force. In other words, prepare to be underwhelmed.

ANOTHER NOTE: This description will not include every single detail.  I'm not going to go through ever setting in VirtualDub or crazy steps I took to make my own life easier that no one else would probably use.  It will focus on main steps, scripts, and filter settings.

The video sources used on Hyperspace were the NTSC GOUT editions of Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back and the PAL GOUT edition of Return of the Jedi.

One important thing I need to point out about Hyperspace is that it wasn't a single script plugged into GOUT.  For starters, in order to recycle the Rebellion Collection audio mixes, it was edited according to Rebellion. While the timing on Empire was the same on both GOUT and Rebellion, that was not true for the other two films.  Star Wars had some extra padding at the front because of the "chapter branching" on Rebellion.  And the PAL GOUT for Jedi has a few additional frames than the NTSC GOUT during the first shot of the fleet.

Darnn said:

Is there any chance you could post here the description from the supplements disc about your process? I don't really care about any of the extras themselves that much, but that part would be interesting to look at. Assuming there's more to it than what you've already specified in this thread.

 The supplements disc doesn't really detail the process itself, just lists the sources and software used.

I'll be glad to post the full details in the next few days, as well as the original scripts.  Look for them on this post during the coming week.

I just read over on TheDigitalBits.com that Universal is looking into the complaints about the U.S. BD version, specifically about the audio.  They might wind-up issuing a replacement disc (which we can only hope would also restore the missing scene).

Geez, I had no idea the BD release(s) of Conan were so messed-up.  Glad I held off on purchasing.  I would say that I hope Universal eventually revisits it...but it is Universal :/

Sounds like a great project, DJ.  I look very forward to the final result :)

Okay, for some odd reason, I couldn't get TSMuxer to directly convert the MKV to AVCHD to check the size...but here's my solution:

1) Using the software of your choice, split the MKV back into its elementary streams.  (On PC, I just used MeGUI.)

2) Using TSMuxer, remultiplex the streams into an AVCHD.  Since, the MKVs are from teh same streams as the original AVCHDs, Jedi will be small enough to fit to fit a DVD9. (I just confirmed this in ImgBurn.)

vmancini said:

:( 

Update: they freeze

Did you download the "Fixed" versions or the originals?  The original Hyperspace set had a tendency to lock-up in some players (including my own after a time).

The only other suggestion I have is to download the MKV versions instead and convert them to AVCHD...or just play them as they are.  The video and audio streams are identical, so there's no drop in quality.

Sorry to everyone who's had so much trouble with these.  I honestly have no clue what the problem is.  And, from what I can tell on my own BD player (also a Sony), the "fixed" versions are working fine :/

For the subtitles missing from the Monsters HD broadcast, I'm utilizing a Roadshow Home Video Aussie rental tape. I will match the font, timing, position, size, etc. of the subtitles and add a slight shake and softness to them so they will be exactly like the theatrical subs. This should be coming in the mail soon.

Forgive my ignorance, but is this tape from the Carlton distribution print?  If so, it's the International English cut, not the U.S. version, so the Russian subtitles will be very different during the "warhead launch" scenes.

I don't know what to say.  So far, you're the only person I've had say the "fixed" versions aren't working.

All I can suggest is:

A) Triple-check that you did download the fixed versions.  The best way to do this is look in the \BDMV\STREAMS folder and count the M2TS files.  The fixed version should only have one M2TS file.

The only reason I'll really suggest checking this again is that the old version is still on Demonoid, along with Version 2.0.

B) Dowload the "fixed" MKV editions.  And, either burn them directly to a disc or convert them to AVCHD with TSMuxerGUI.

Maybe it's because my Vegas (Movie Studio Platinum 8.0) is an older, consumer-grade edition.

The built-in AC3 encoder only gives me the options of 5.1 at 448Kbps and 2.0 at 192Kbps.  And, it won't give me access to any "custom" settings :/

I wonder, though...why didn't you also use Vegas to make the subsequent AC3?

Vegas 8.0 (or at least my copy) doesn't give me control of the AC3 bitrate, the choice of adding Dolby Surround flags to 2.0 mixes, or the ability to author mixes other than 2.0 and 5.1 (like 1.0 for a single channel mono).  WAV to AC3 Encoder is much more versatile.

My method for doing this is tedious and was hoping you had a quick tip or a link to doing this efficiently.

So was mine...but I'm more than happy to share.  The software I used for this portion was:
- Sony Vegas Platinum 8.0 (though any program which supports VST audio effects will work)
- WAV to AC3 Encoder (Freeware)
- V.I. Stereo to 5.1 Converter (Freeware, reguires a program that supports VST)
- tsMuxer GUI (Freeware)

Okay, I'll use Empire as an example, which needed one 5.1 track and two 2.0 tracks.  Obviously, I took the stereo CD and trimmed the portion I needed.  Then, I saved it as a Stereo PCM WAV at 16bits and 48kHz for the eventual 2.0 tracks.

Next was to create the channels for my 5.1 file.  In Vegas, I used the VST effect program V.I. Stereo to 5.1 Converter.  If you decide to use it, you can read its manual to figure out how best to do this for you.  The important thing is to end up with 6 separate Mono PCM Wav files at 16bits and 48kHz: Front Left, Front Right, Surround Left, Surround Right, Center, and LFE.

Now, it's time to create the AC3s.  Make sure you know the format of the AC3 files you're trying to merge them with.  For example, Empire's 2.0 tracks are 224Kbps and flagged as Dolby Surround.  So, using WAV to AC3 Encoder, I reencode my Stereo WAV files in that same format.

For the 5.1, I needed an AC3 at 512Kbps.  Using Wav to AC3 Encoder's "Mux Wizard", I added all of my Mono WAVs to the appropriate channels.  Then, I encoded my new file at the proper bitrate.

Then, I used tsMuxerGUI to create two M2TS files, one for my splash screen and one for the movie, and saved them to my HD.  Then, I used tsMuxerGUI again to "join" those two M2TS files and save them as an AVCHD (Blu-Ray).  The most difficult part was getting the new chapter stops right with the added introduction.

It's probably not the most efficient solution.  But, when I was in a panic trying to fix this mess, it was the best I could come up with.

how are you guys burning this? i've used nero and imgburn and neither are working

The "fixed" AVCHD editions should burn fine with ImgBurn.  That's the program that was used to create the ISO (and associated MDS) files.

Are you using DVD9 discs (DVD+R DL) or trying to burn to DVD5 discs (DVDR)?  Hyperspace is sized for DVD+R DL format and won't burn to smaller discs.

If you're still having problems with ImgBurn and you are using the correct size discs, I'd suggest first extracting the files and folders from the ISOs (you can use WinRar).  Then, using ImgBurn, write the BDMV and CERTIFICATE folders to your disc in UDF 2.50 format.

To anyone who was planning on downloading Hyperspace, replacement editions are now posted on TehParadox and Demonoid.

Also, MKV versions of the first 3 discs have been made available.

The problem with the AVCHDs seems to have been related to using a separate M2TS stream for the opening anti-piracy and sound options notice.  The streams have been joined and the problem seems gone.  Weird :/

To anyone who might be downloading this right now (7/9/11),

It seems there is a problem with the authoring of Discs 1-3 which I am quickly trying to resolve.  I've temporarily removed download links or added warnings to the Demonoid and TehParadox listings.

In other words, I highly suggest not picking this one up until I post that new discs are available.  Ugh, it's gonna be a long night.

rockin said:

Is this making its way to myspleen OmegaMattman?

 I don't have a MySpleen account, so it's currently only on TehParadox and Demonoid.

dark_jedi said:

Was the ISO made using UDF v2.50? if not, these will not play.

I just verified the ISOs in ImgBurn and they are UDF v2.50.  I'm not sure what's going on :/

EDIT: Except for Disc 4, which is a standard DVD and UDF 1.02.

Shame, as I thought, it being a panasonic blu ray player.. it might work.. :-(

I've heard that Panasonics can be touchy on AVCHDs.  Sorry to hear that.

You can always try extracting the video streams from the ISO, converting them to MKV, and playing them from a memory stick (or a DVD9).

vbangle said:

 

Was there input from members here about the colors? Or did you you just trust yourself alone? The reason I ask is there are some very talented people here when it comes to color correction...just to name a few  Adywan, Harmy, Moth3r, the list goes on...

 There was some input early on from Harmy and Zombie84.  Other than that, I trusted myself.  I've been semi-decent at color-correction with past, non-SW projects (some of which I still need to upload and share someday).  At least, the results look good to me on my TV.

NeonBible said:

Can anyone tell me how the Hyperspace Collection compares to Harmy's Despecialized editions?

Hyperspace is purely an upscaled, color-corrected, and digitally remastered edition of the GOUT transfers (i.e. the '06 DVDs).