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Silent Man

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Join date
26-Jun-2005
Last activity
11-Jun-2023
Posts
16

Post History

Post
#714119
Topic
Harmy's THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Despecialized Edition HD - V2.0 - MKV & AVCHD (Released)
Time

Harmy said:

OK, there will be some cases, where going back to the original files and re-rendering won't be an option anymore - in those cases, would you prefer I

A) Keep the corners just in those shots

B) Crop the corners out by zooming the shots in a bit

C) Try to paint them out invisibly (that is the option I'm personally leaning towards)

 Option C, especially if it's the one you're already leaning towards. 

Post
#713941
Topic
Harmy's THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Despecialized Edition HD - V2.0 - MKV & AVCHD (Released)
Time

Having just watched ESB 1.0 a few days ago, the 2.0 workprint destroys it in every possible way.  The bump in image quality is awesome, and I'm stunned by the massive improvement of all the Cloud City scenes.  Loving the overall color palette, and the lightsaber duel is a thing of beauty now.  Seriously impressive work and easily the best I've ever seen this film look.  My nephew is approaching the age where he's ready to watch Star Wars, so these will absolutely be the versions he sees.  It really means a lot that I can share these films with him the way I saw them at his age.  Thanks for that, Harmy! 

As for the all-important corner debate of 2014, I'm not a huge fan of that particular cropping choice considering my venue is a rectangular HDTV in my living room, but I also respect Harmy's opinion on the matter.  Ultimately this is his ship and we're all just passengers (extremely lucky and grateful passengers) along for the ride.

Post
#608052
Topic
Harmy's STAR WARS Despecialized Edition HD - V2.7 - MKV (Released)
Time

So I finally got around to hosting a Despecialized 2.0 viewing with some buddies and the reactions were unanimously positive, even giddy in some cases.  Most of these friends had been suffering with the GOUT or SE DVDs for years, and to say that they were blown away by 2.0 is an understatement.  I can't emphasize that enough.  One of them said it was like an old friend had come home again; he didn't realize just how much he had missed it until seeing it like this.  Most of them just couldn't believe how good it looked, having resigned to the idea of living with the laser disc transfer.  I'll be burning a copy for each of them once 2.1 is released and giving them 1.0 ESB and ROTJ as well.  They don't have accounts here, but I was told to pass along their heartfelt thanks.

Between your De-Specializations and the Team_Negative1 restorations, I know that Star Wars is in the best possible hands.  I feel more enthusiasm for Star Wars now than I ever have.  Can't say "thank you" enough, but I'll keep doing it anyway.  Thank you!

Post
#608048
Topic
team negative1 - star wars 1977 - 35mm theatrical version (Released)
Time

Every time I read one of these project updates, I'm amazed all over again that such significant preservation efforts are actually happening.  I joined this site back in the X0 Project days, but eventually drifted away and figured that the GOUT was the best we were ever going to get.  Projects like this one have brought me back and made me hopeful about Star Wars again.  This project in particular is a real bright spot for fan preservation and something I never thought I'd see.  I can't wait to read and see more of it on your blog if I get an invite, and I will continue to follow the progress here regardless.  I'm just happy knowing that Star Wars is alive again!

Post
#603161
Topic
team negative1 - star wars 1977 - 35mm theatrical version (Released)
Time

I finally got a chance to catch up with this project and am absolutely thrilled at the prospect of seeing the original films intact and in high quality (and not sourced from some horrible laser disc transfer).  I don't have as much time as I'd like to be active on this forum, but I just had to pop on and say that, for me, this is the most exciting development in Original Trilogy fandom so far.  Everything about this sounds incredible.  I cannot wait to see the finished product and I'd love to follow your progress on the new blog.  I'm extremely grateful that there are people out there like your team who are willing to preserve this milestone in cinema history for all of us!  Seriously, thank you for seeing the importance of such a project and letting us all share in the results.

Post
#592936
Topic
Harmy's STAR WARS Despecialized Edition HD - V2.7 - MKV (Released)
Time

Mavimao said:

I'm actually really curious as to knowing how that'll go.

Harmy said:

Me too :-)

I'll report back with reactions once they've seen it.  I've been talking it up for a while now, so they're pretty excited to watch it.  We've been lamenting the horrible treatment of the OT for years, so this is going to be a revelation for most of them!

Post
#592906
Topic
Harmy's STAR WARS Despecialized Edition HD - V2.7 - MKV (Released)
Time

I just watched this and I'm absolutely stunned!  I loved your version 1.0 release, but this is just on a completely different level.  I'll be hosting a viewing party this weekend to spread the joy to all of my OT-loving friends who've suffered with the GOUT DVDs thus far.  Faces will likely be melted :).  I can't wait for the Blu-ray release!  In fact, I recently built a new PC and included a Blu-ray burner just for De-Specialized 2.0.  Awesome, incredible, outstanding work here Harmy!  Thank you!

Post
#577326
Topic
Star Wars OT & 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

Just what kind of dark magic are you guys casting to get the GOUT looking like that?  I was really impressed when I first watched DJ's Blu-ray set last year, but this is just... wow!  I'll happily wait as long as it takes if those screen captures are indicative of the final product.  Seriously great work here, guys! 

Post
#561348
Topic
Star Wars OT & 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

First, holy crap at that new PC, dark_jedi!  I've got some serious tech envy going on right now.  Congrats!  I especially like the case and how cleanly all of the components fit in there.  I'll have to keep that one in mind when I build my new machine.  And yeah, Diablo III will look amazing on that thing.  I'm going to try and upgrade before it releases as well.

Second, that new script is producing great results!  I loved the V1 Blu-rays, but this is looking exceptional so far.  Keep up the good work, guys!

Post
#535577
Topic
Harmy's RETURN OF THE JEDI Despecialized Edition HD - V3.1
Time

I watched all three of the Despecialized Editions back-to-back this past weekend and enjoyed the hell out of the experience!  They look great and it was nice to see the OT in HD without all the unnecessary additions.  The blending of HD and upscaled GOUT was a lot more effective than I imagined it could be.  You've done an awesome job, Harmy!

I did notice one glitch in ROTJ that hasn't been mentioned (as far as I know): There are a few seconds of pixelation on Yoda's back during a shot in his hut from 00:39:17 to 00:39:19.  It's the shot after Yoda asks if he looks "so old to young eyes" and Luke says "Of course not."  It cuts from Luke to Yoda and there are some pixels dancing along his back as he turns from the fire. Is everyone seeing that or is it just a bad burn on my end?  I know a version 2 isn't planned, but figured I'd mention it just in case.

Ultimately though, it's a small thing and in no way detracts from an excellent release!  Between these versions and Dark_Jedi's Blu-ray set, I've been in OT heaven lately.  I'm glad that there are people willing to treat the OT with such care, so thank you!

Post
#523042
Topic
Star Wars OT & 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

I was finally able to watch my Blu-ray set over the weekend and absolutely loved every minute!  There’s not much else I can say that The Aluminum Falcon and others haven’t already covered in great detail, but I’ll throw out a few quick thoughts anyway:

 The menus kick ass.  They’re simple, effective, and look fantastic.   Their inclusion definitely elevates the set above the V3 DVDs, and the overall aesthetic is a perfect complement to the films themselves.

 These films have never sounded better and having all of the audio options on one release is great.  I watched each with the 5.1 option and they sounded brilliant on my setup. 

 I was pleased with the V3 DVDs, but the video quality here is even better and certainly better than I was expecting.  Sure, certain moments of this release remind you of its origin, but more often than not I found myself amazed that this was actually sourced from the GOUT.  Star Wars and Return of the Jedi look especially great, with Empire right behind them.  Again, it’s a testament to the work done on the video that I was able to simply enjoy the films without grumbling about the deficiencies of the GOUT.

Also, I didn’t notice the issue raised by Mielr, though I wasn’t aware of it at the time of my viewing and I haven’t gone back yet to check.  It may very well be that I saw it, but just chalked it up to the nature of the GOUT.

Ultimately, the best thing I can say about this set is that it’s the version of the Trilogy that I’ll watch from now on, and the one I will show my nephew in a few years when he’s ready for Star Wars.  I’m glad I can finally retire my 2006 DVDs and proudly place these on my shelf instead.  Thanks again for making this set possible, dark_jedi!    

Post
#496521
Topic
Star Wars OT & 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

After reading through the pathetic Lucasfilm Complete Saga Blu-ray set reveal news this morning, I decided to track down the V3 DVDs so I could rid myself of the Special Editions once and for all.  I only have Star Wars so far, but man am I happy I do!  This looks great, dark_Jedi!  The 2006 DVDs are officially off my shelf to make room for these and I'll be eagerly grabbing the other two this evening.  The Blu-ray set sounds amazing as well!  Seriously, thank you so much for these releases!

Post
#118644
Topic
<strong>The Cowclops Transfers (a.k.a. the PCM audio DVD's, Row47 set) Info and Feedback Thread</strong> (Released)
Time
Nice job on the completion! Electronic high-fives all around. I scored the first TR47 set after stumbling upon this forum, and after reading through this thread I can't wait to get my hands on this updated version. Cowclops and TR47, your efforts are much appreciated! I have to say, the projects being discussed on these forums have done more to revitalize my love for Star Wars than anything officially released. Keep up the good work!