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Spaced Ranger

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Join date
22-Feb-2009
Last activity
13-Feb-2017
Posts
986

Post History

Post
#767514
Topic
Star Wars GOUT in HD using super resolution algorithm (* unfinished project *)
Time

DrDre said:

... frame 6167. I tried to clean it in the past, but didn't get very positive feedback. It's a really difficult frame, because of the amount of grain.

With Super Resolution being a temporal process, using temporal noise reducers will directly work against the SR effect. One must use spacial noise reduction, but those tend to smear over everything, even those having withholding parameters (edge-preserving smoothers).

I don't know if there is an Avisynth equivalent to this, but I've found a paint program's JPEG artifact removal to be an amazing noise reducer by targeting "out of place pixels" that happens with such things as compression and random noise. If a pixel is in keeping with it's surroundings, it isn't processed. As a result, the noise is reduced (strength settings: low, normal, high, maximum) but the detail is not ..

Post
#767290
Topic
The Knick Knack Boobs Restoration
Time

@ Danfun128

Lack of source is not unusual for plug-ins. If it works, it works. BTW, note that CYS doesn't convert everything ... only what you want. In this case, if you select, it will convert a YouTube music video to a MP3 (or better) for your player without  intermediate steps & extraneous files after download. Otherwise, your get just what YouTube has -- of course, the separate audio and video DASH files are stitched (no re-encoding) back together into a single file.

@ Molly

Interesting about youtube-dl. I've used some online services -- savefrom.net is one, but they don't do stitching w/o their app. (As a general rule, to limit 3rd party access to system & information, I don't use apps.) I'd prefer browser integration. CYS fills that bill very nicely, but only on newer OS's (FFmpeg's oldest compatibility seems to be Win-XP).

Post
#767211
Topic
The Knick Knack Boobs Restoration
Time

Actually, there are a few reasons for using that plug-in.

One reason is with up-to-date browsers, YouTube decides what files you can get ... for your best experience, of course.  :\  If you're on a slow line, you can't force a higher quality video (with all that stutter?  tsk, tsk). It's just not on the list from which you would pick!
That's one giant leap (backward)  for user freedom, more small steps (forward) for comrade YouTube.
:O

Another reason is that CYS (Complete Youtube Saver) lists all YouTube video formats. Here's the overview list (there is also a details list, with codec types, file-sizes, the works, which you select what to show) ..



And, as you can see towards the bottom of that list, there is built-in audio conversion and saving in a variety of formats (all using FFmpeg). What could be easier and still thumb your nose at Google/YouTube statist ambitions?

  And if you act within the next 10 minutes, we'll throw in a 2nd one ... absolutely free! Just pay shipping and handling!

Post
#766884
Topic
The Knick Knack Boobs Restoration
Time

Rick2525 said:

... the Bobby McFerrin song is now truncated by two lines worth of "blah" in the end credits ...

Thanks, I was going to mention that. I originally thought the song was truncated. After a closer listen through the previous YouTube links, it confirms that the last "blah" stanza was actually seamlessly excised to shorten the song, which otherwise ends normally. Too bad. The final ...   bl-l-l-l-lah!   bl-l-l-l-lah!   ... was the kicker.  :D

.

Finding 2003+ editions is allot easier than was hunting for the 1989 original-version ones. This first finds Knick Knack it in the supporting role of Extras ..

                           
Finding Nemo Collector's Edition DVD     Finding Nemo Collector's Edition Blu-ray

But fear not, Knick Knack takes center stage (with other Pixar shorts) under Pixar's own banner ..

                              
Pixar Short Films Collection Vol.1 DVD     Pixar Short Films Collection Vol.1 Blu-ray

.

BTW, you may have noticed YouTube not having 1080p as a viewing option anymore. That is, not for everybody. Why? Well ..

googlesystem said [October 26, 2013]:

YouTube Drops Support for 1080p Streams in the Regular HTML5 Player

"YouTube switched to adaptive streams in the Flash player and now does the same thing for the HTML5 player, but this requires Media Source Extensions. The adaptive DASH player uses separate chunked streams for audio and video ... YouTube removed the non-DASH streams for 480p and 1080p. This means that you'll no longer be able to watch 1080p videos in YouTube's HTML5 player if you use Firefox or Safari."

But there seems to be a working solution for Firefox in an available plug-in ..

Complete YouTube Saver 5.5.1 (or whatever version by the time you read this)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-Us/firefox/addon/complete-youtube-saver/

"Download YouTube videos in various formats including 480p/1080p (DASH formats). Convert audio track from videos to MP3 or WAV, or save audio track in native format (Ogg Vorbis, AAC/M4A, MP3). Save YouTube page, video, and comments pages to one folder."

Post
#766509
Topic
Star Wars GOUT in HD using super resolution algorithm (* unfinished project *)
Time

Yes -- the original standard-definition frame to which was applied the Super Resolution upscale. (I wanted to compare your results from the starting point.)

[Thanks for the picture -- I just saw your update w/link when ready to post this!]

.

BTW, thanks for posting that sequence of steps! While reviewing them, what came to mind was the wave-particle theory of light. So I quickly worked up a proof-of-concept in a paint program, which I thought you might find interesting.

The reason for "noise" on film (most noticeable when under-exposed) is that light can be said to behave as "particles". Light particles travel to and randomly hit the film, but in density proportional to it's "brightness". Less light means less hits or bits of exposed film -- dark and grainy (fewer exposed film grains interspersed between lots of unexposed film grains). As brightness increases, ever more hits increase the exposure of the film -- lighter and less grainy (more exposed film grains compared to fewer unexposed film grains). And the pattern of exposure is random from frame to frame, even if successive frames look the same. The result? Darker is "noisier" and lighter is "cleaner".

Why does film (like that with which we work) seem so uniformly grainy? From original negative, generational copies impresses their images, including the now built-in "graininess", on each next generation. The dark areas really don't get much more grainy (just more randomized). The light areas, however, accumulate ever more noise as part of it's picture. After enough generations, they saturate in graininess just like the dark areas.

Therefore, when "de-noising" a film to look as pristine as the original negative, the greatest strength should be applied to the lightest areas and the least strength to the darkest areas.

Also, approaching it from the opposite direction, when "re-graining" a film, the opposite is followed -- the least strength should be applied to the lightest areas and greatest strength should be applied to the darkest areas.

So ... for your re-graining, I wanted to see how it would look if the grain was added in proportion to it's brightness: most in dark; least in light. Thus ..

The 1st picture (150% magnification) is your step 3 final Super Resolution v7 -- short-labeled here as "regrain" & "regrain compare". In the paint program stack, it is the only one showing (the "open eye"). I would blink that solid layer on and off to compare before and after.

The 2nd picture has all the other "eyes" open. It used your step 2 Super Resolution v7 with grain/noise removal, here short-labeled as "no grain", and your "regrain" to isolate your added grain, to be put back a new way:

* Group inverts no grain
* Group - add grain dodges Group into no grain = isolates (added) grain from step 3
* Group - add grain burns isolated grain back into no grain

dodge and burn are paint program functions that work based on image brightness -- perfect for pulling out grain/noise and putting it back in, both in light proportion. Accuracy is not precise, but for quick test in a paint program, you can get the idea.

      
SW GOUT SuperResolution natural regrain [click for full picture]

Post
#766395
Topic
Star Wars GOUT in HD using super resolution algorithm (* unfinished project *)
Time

DrDre said:

Although the function seems to work very well for the dark halos, the light halos are much less affected (I've tried multiple settings). Also, the edges are generally softened, ...

DeHalo_alpha() settings are very non-intuitive and there is little clear idea what those numbers actually do. (It's been an "alpha" for a decade, and probably will remain so 'til the end-of-the-age.  :D  So we're stuck with puzzling it out ourselves.)

Settings I tried in that link were applied to a letterboxed standard definition source. For your high definition source, I can guess the radius would be generally increased for that addition coverage -- keeping in mind the independent x,y settings to reduce influence in a direction less needed. Same with dark,light halos being independently adjustable, as needed.

The sensitivity settings probably are key. My original tests early in the THX 1138 preservations thread were way too strong (caused noticeable smear-softening). Later, I discovered what was happening and significantly back them off for better effect.

At best, it's a band-aid that might be better than a gaping wound.  :)

.

P.S. - Would you also post your non-compressed (.PNG) base-picture used for your above HD GOUT creation steps demonstration? Thanks.

P.P.S. - Also, I suggest having DeHalo_alpha() as step 2b. This will ensure it applies brightness manipulation only to legitimate targets and not tricked by the original "grain" into processing other areas. Further, when grain is restored picture-wide, that will help mask any weakness in the DeHalo_alpha() result.

Post
#766321
Topic
The Knick Knack Boobs Restoration
Time

Jetrell Fo said:

... US version ... I have a widescreen tv, 42 inch, and the entire screen was filled while watching the shorts.  I believe the movie is 1:77:1, per the director.

http://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/07257/8847-CS/Toy-Story:-Deluxe-Edition-%281995%29

Thanks, that's confirmation enough! I couldn't expect LDDb's aspect ratio for Toy Story to apply to the laserdisc extras as well. I'll update my above graphic to reflect this.

.

@ DavidMerrick & TV's Frink

Sorry to be the one to break this to you both, but ...

"Lasseter exclaims. '... why do we even want to attempt to do another one?' That question gets right to the heart of a recurring criticism leveled at Pixar in recent years. ... And in addition to original upcoming projects ... Pixar’s slate includes ... 'Cars 3' ... " -Variety, March 10, 2015

:O

Post
#766317
Topic
Star Wars GOUT in HD using super resolution algorithm (* unfinished project *)
Time

DrDre said:

I've decided to follow the critics suggestions. ... It will sadly also have some enhanced ringing and aliasing as some of you noted, but that's a price I'm willing to pay for the higher resolution.

               "I say, is it too much to ask for both?" -Tony Stark, from Iron Man

Of course, you may want to have just the Super Resolution, but I have successfully tried "de-ringing" with DeHalo_alpha() at the Edge Enhancement Removal thread. The second of my two entries demonstrates almost magical removal of a mild version of that anomaly without affecting the rest of the picture. (Avisynth script is in the first entry, under the more sever "ringing".)

Post
#766180
Topic
The Knick Knack Boobs Restoration
Time

Cool! Would you verify which aspect ratio was put onto the laserdisc (US or JP)? And, better yet, could you cap & post the shot like what I posted here? (It's at the beginning -- the 1st close-up shot of Knick the snowman as he turns his head over to the other knick-knacks' party.)

Also, the workstation monitor picture (snagged from one of those Pixar info sites) has videotape's tell-tale data-noise at bottom-frame. It's possible it's from a documentary on the VHS. Is something like this also on your laserdisc? If so, would you cap & post that, too? (The snagged picture looks like a geometrically distorted screener snapshot.)

Post
#766111
Topic
The Knick Knack Boobs Restoration
Time

C'est la vie ... besides, if it actually had been the original version, then I would've died from financial shock!  :D   But thanks for keeping an eye out for info and such.

Unfortunately, finding information is like picking through pebbles in that goldfish bowl at the end of the film. I'm still finding bits and pieces even while writing this up!

The original version premiered in 3D (more accurately stereographic) at SIGGRAPH (1st source says 1988; 2nd source says 1989 -- I'd go with 1989) and was formally released in November 1989.
Pixar Talk: Knick Knack - http://www.pixartalk.com/shorts/knick-knack/
Pixar Wiki: Knick Knack - http://pixar.wikia.com/Knick_Knack

Was there a later 2D version to be tacked onto the ends other movies or TV broadcasts? (I would think.) What film format? What aspect ratio?

About aspect ratio, this picture from a workstation monitor of the 1989 original shows the viewport as 16x9 widescreen ..

It is accurately portrayed. Note that the spherical objects are fully round. That means the VHS  and possible laserdisc  postings on YouTube were pan&scan (cropped) 4x3 fullscreen. Here it is again, but with the representative YouTube videos overlaid ..

An interesting puzzle piece of Knick Knack's history was that the 1991 Pixar VHS tape on Page 1 was not a commercial product, but a  low-volume-run give-away for the early showings.
Big Screen Animation - Curiouser: Rare 1991 Pixar Shorts VHS - http://www.bigscreenanimation.com/2012/07/curiouser-rare-1991-pixar-shorts-vhs.html  [read the comments, too]

Post
#765933
Topic
The Knick Knack Boobs Restoration
Time

This is the GHOOOOST of Spaced Ranger ...    ... he died of shock upon seeing that eBay listing!  OOo-ooo-ooooo!

[edit] Fortunately I got better and now I'm back ... "havin' fun as usual"! 

Those kind of things happen to me. In this case, I was looking around for pictures to post for Knick Knack's previous releases when I came across an eBay listing for a "trailer".  (Yep, SilverWook, your mention above.) As I was busy I almost moved on but thought "what the heck" and took a look at "35mm Film Trailer Walt Disney Pixar KNICK KNACK Cartoon 3:31 Flat". I think what killed me was the seller describing it as "This is the complete cartoon, not just the trailer!". The room spun around me and then everything ... went ... dark ...

Then I found myself scrutinizing the picture ..

.. and that label ..

KNICK KNACK
PIXAR/'89-'03rr/3:31/FLAT

It meant "original 1989 - 2003 re-release".

Oh. False alarm. And just when I thought I finally had "all the time in the world"<--[must be read with Scottish accent] ...

Post
#765924
Topic
How to capture HDCP-encrypted HDMI sources (Vudu, Netflix, Directv, Virgin Media, etc.)
Time

GameofThrones said:

Here in Austria, downloading is legal but uploading/sharing is illegal ... if it is illegal capturing TV Shows & Movies, then i will not do it anymore, simple as that. (then i am hoping for a Blu-Ray Release soon :-) )

Well, for that 2nd part, today's Blu-ray releases get low opinions on this forum. So don't hope for that!  :D
That's why we have all these projects to produce "new" versions to fix everything from neon re-coloring to confused re-editing to artificial re-sounding ... or create new "fan versions" for just having fun with the movies we love.

For that 1st part, with downloading legal, it's sounds like you're on solid ground for capturing anything you like by law. (That's what I was getting at with my "countries" comment earlier.) And as business must abide with the laws wherein they operate, some agreement provisions may be null & void. (Same, too, from my "businesses" comment earlier.)

No one here is a lawyer ... at least, he hasn't put up his shingle. So, if you must be absolutely certain, you should consult with one who works with such law. And then you won't have to guess what is actually legal and what isn't.

Post
#765585
Topic
The Knick Knack Boobs Restoration
Time

BTW, my previous post was meant generally (I should've prefaced it "@ all").  ;)

.

I've been looking for direct sources of the original Knick Knack since it's 1989 premiere. Here's the results so far:

The best would be the original film, but there seems to be no further info on the 3D version or even a standard 2D version (16mm? 35mm? 65mm?). Leads on this, anyone?

.

Next best are the laserdiscs. There are more than one containing Knick Knack ..

    
  Toy Story Deluxe CAV Laserdisc     Toy Story Deluxe CAV/CLV LD JP    Tiny Toy Stories CLV Laserdisc JP

.

At lesser quality, there are the VHS releases ..

           
   P·I·X·A·R "L.R.T.K." VHS (1991)        Tiny Toy Stories VHS (1996)

.

With those sources being analog media, how can we be sure of Knick Knack's original color? We needn't guess. Fragments of it (as short as 1 frame) made it over to DVD and Blu-ray (for best resolution), under the umbrella of ...


Toy Story 2 Special Edition Blu-ray

With the assistance of a certain piggy bank doing some serious channel surfing, it happens at 18 minutes 54 seconds into the movie. Here that video segment ..

YouTube:
              
       Toy Story 2 - Let me take the wheel (HD clip)

Not fast enough to keep up with a pig?   Here it is in ... very ... slow ... motion ..

This last find is particularly helpful to bring the original color over to the 2003+ update and make this a full Knick Knack Restoration!

Post
#765574
Topic
How to capture HDCP-encrypted HDMI sources (Vudu, Netflix, Directv, Virgin Media, etc.)
Time

Whoa, those samples look great! And I'm assuming they sound great in 5.1, are in sync, and have no dropped-frames.

BTW, before you put on the cuffs and haul yourself away ...
* Different businesses may have different contracts. Different circumstances may make contracts legal fully or only in part or null & void.
* Different countries may have different laws. Different circumstances may make for exceptions as specified or implied or unwritten (common law).
* Your mileage may vary ...

Generally (as me being just some guy) speaking, if your private activities don't cause anyone else any loss, you're probably okay.  :)

Post
#765349
Topic
Info: Star Wars laserdisc database
Time

SilverWook said:

If he has the Trek documentaries that were only released in Japan, I'd be envious. ;)

In the similar Star Trek original series laserdisc listings webpage http://www.blam1.com/StarTrek/OriginalSeries.htm, a quick search shows both ..
"This television special, produced in 1988, provides a brief history of Star Trek up through it's 20th Anniversary." [THE Star Trek SAGA: FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT]
.. and ..
"Following the pilot episode, there is a behind-the-scenes look at "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and a look at the upcoming "Star Trek V" feature film."
.. for the JP LD of The Cage (full color). Are those the documentaries to which you were referring?

.

@ _,,,^..^,,,_

Use healthy skepticism when gathering info from LDDb. I've discovered missing critical information (which is misleading by it's absence) and other information that is just plain wrong -- in what they accept from well-meaning posters -- as documented in our Cinerama 70mm 2001 preservation. Is it possible? (Page 5).

Post
#765148
Topic
The Knick Knack Boobs Restoration
Time

In Sheik Ilderim's best Arabian accent  [after he asks Judah Ben-Hur if the meal was to his liking and Judah eventually catches on to reply with the expected belch] :
Thank you, thank you!  :D

Of course, mermaid Sunny Atlantis would be restored to her previous allure as well. My demonstration on Sunny Miami was just a (successful) proof-of-concept, and when you've seen one set of boobs restored, you've seen them all.

Post
#764903
Topic
The Knick Knack Boobs Restoration
Time

Another pass at YouTube shows better posted sources than the ones I previously found.

.

For the 1989 original version, postings are difficult due to the obsolete consumer formats and the analog-to-digital conversion required. This one boasts "AC3 Audio". It may be from laserdisc, but the picture appears to waiver, like videotape but without the telltale tearing at picture bottom. Anyway, it's the best I've seen online so far ..

YouTube:
               
  Pixar Knick Knack Original 1989 AC3 Audio GOOD QUALITY

.

For the 2003 revised version, the next posting is an easy one because of it's digital media release, which makes for easy extraction at full quality (HD in this case) ..

YouTube:
               
                    PIXAR'S KNICK KNACK - 1080p

.

And there are commentaries! One is of John Lasseter and Eben Ostby talking about their original release in 3D  (but I haven't seen that one online yet). That one would be very nice ... to see . [EDIT: found it]

YouTube:
               
Pixar Short Films Collection Vol. 1- Audio Commentaries [AUDIO]
                  [Knick Knack @ 12m50s to 16m19s]

.

The other commentary is Lasseter and Ostby talking about the short's inspiration from snow domes ..

YouTube:
               
         Finding Nemo - Knick Knack wCommentary

.

These are great sources to get organized and even set up a repeatable run. Thereafter, the original, best captures could be plugged in for the best restoration.

Post
#764865
Topic
Star Wars GOUT in HD using super resolution algorithm (* unfinished project *)
Time

DrDre said:

... this release is far more detailed, and can really be seen as the first true high definition GOUT sourced release. ... this is where I'm going to leave it. 

This was awesome! Thanks for showing what all the tweaking could bring out. I've been looking at the single frames but I'm sure, when it's running at 24fps, more of the "random noise" will naturally blur away in our persistence of vision.

Are your Super Resolution versions only "adjusting it's dials"? Are you running a script with additional filters? And would you go into detail about that for others to duplicate your approach/results (if you're not holding those cards close to your vest)?  :)

.

@ _,,,^..^,,,_

That de-aliasing looks great! However, the grain plate looks like it's creating a bigger problem than what it's fixing. (Not to go much off-topic here, but it's how film reacts to light's photon properties not being replicated by universally applied grain.)

Post
#764651
Topic
How to capture HDCP-encrypted HDMI sources (Vudu, Netflix, Directv, Virgin Media, etc.)
Time

Captain Walrus said:

My main criteria was for a stand alone system ... All this allows me to archive my SkyHD box in HD. And other HD streams as well.

Thanks for sharing! I like the thought of a stand-alone recorder and the idea of hard drives as final storage. Still, hard drives crash (and with such a BIG mess) more than I've noticed recordable discs going bad (and with a much tinier loss).

* Would the cost of a 2nd drive to mirror each 1st drive, and the time to do that after each added capture, be worth it to not save/master each new capture to a disc?
* How about the splitter, which other models seem to "work" during only limited production runs? Would you (or anyone) know if your brand/model is still "HDMI-useful" in a present day purchase?
* Do you capture 5.1 audio?
* Is there faculty for fast & frame-accurate editing to neatly trim the ends off and/or attach title cards to captures?

Post
#764524
Topic
THX 1138 &quot;preservations&quot; + the 'THX 1138 Italian Cut' project (Released)
Time

THX11384EB said:

So I was checking out THX 1138 on iTunes ...

THX 1138 (SD) - released 1971 - runtime 1hr 24min

... confirm whether or not it is the original version.

SilverWook said:

It would be bizarre if the original version was on there after all the hassle we've gone through.

 

THX11384EB said:

It is the Director's cut in SD.

            

But thanks for looking into it, THX11384EB ...   :)

Post
#764357
Topic
Info: L.A. area Home Theater Forum member looking to find good home for 5000(!) vintage VHS and Beta tv recordings
Time

SilverWook said:

"I have a fantastic collection of VHS and Beta I assembled back in the 90s... rare movies that haven't been released to disk, off air broadcasts, animation that has since been censored, weird public access programs... amazing stuff. I carefully catalogued everything on index cards and always recorded at SP on high quality stock."

Whoa!  In the words of Louie DePalma from Taxi:

            
"Would you believe it? I'm salivating! I'm actually salivating!"

An early circulation of THX 1138 (or other movies!) from one of those off-Broadway TV stations that can't afford updated releases ... dare I even think it's on his tapes?  And cataloged?  What are we waiting for?!   :O

Post
#764029
Topic
THX 1138 &quot;preservations&quot; + the 'THX 1138 Italian Cut' project (Released)
Time

msycamore said:

Personally, I still think Lucas was a brilliant director and filmmaker (with the emphasis on was) ...

My (delayed) thought here is that George Lucas is a one note filmmaker. And that's not bad. John Wayne was a one note actor -- he played "John Wayne" in all his flicks. Everyone loved it and couldn't wait to see him play "John Wayne", again, in his next one.

Lucas' few, early films, which came from his gut, are great and uniquely from his perspective (keeping in mind the collaborative effort of film-making). Those were all his gut had; he has nothing more to say. For example, each Star Wars "sequel" was the same movie -- how many times must we see yet another Deathstar or [fill-in-the-blank] explode before we say "we've been here before"? It's the reason why he keeps "tinkering" with his old movies (to their detriment). He literally has nothing else:

"Lucas still talks incessantly about the Star Wars franchise despite his relatively hands-off role in the upcoming films which are now being overseen by Disney" -David Oyelowo, My great friendship with George Lucas by British actor David Oyelowo

.

Speaking of getting back to those great, original movies ... I haven't heard back from Antcufaalb and his THX 1138 laserdisc captures. Does anyone know if his instances of every-significant-shot-change SeriouslyScrewedUp3D CF were more prevalent than first thought?  .. Sorry for even my suggesting super-saturation to check for more of that ..  :O  ..

LAUNCELOT: "Sorry, sorry. See what I mean? I just get carried away. I really must ... sorry, sorry!"     -[Monty Python And The Holy Grail]