caligulathegod

User Group: Members
Join date: 22-Dec-2005
Last activity: 2-Mar-2024
Posts: 298

Post History

Post: #302246
Topic: .: The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :. (SEE FIRST POST FOR UPDATES) (* unfinished project *)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302246/action/topic#302246
Time: 30-Nov-2007 2:58 AM

Speaking of which, can't wait for that update to the site that was promised after the April Fools Day joke...

Post: #300953
Topic: ***//BUILDING EMPIRE\\: PAL & NTSC DVD - NEW EDITION NOW ONLINE! ***
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/300953/action/topic#300953
Time: 9-Nov-2007 2:17 PM

Cool. I do think you are better off using the bit budget toward the feature rather than the fancy menus and ROM extras. Did you actually keep all your raw stems or did you have to recreate it all?

Post: #300896
Topic: ***//BUILDING EMPIRE\\: PAL & NTSC DVD - NEW EDITION NOW ONLINE! ***
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/300896/action/topic#300896
Time: 8-Nov-2007 9:03 PM

Got Nero Suite? Nero Vision will do a decent basic transcode. Rip the main movie from the DVD with DVD Decrypter or DVD Shrink and then use Nero Vision on the VOBs to create a new DVD in NTSC. If you want to replicate the menus or want to get rid of the PAL speedup, then you need another method. On the NTSC version of Building Empire DVD, I didn't want to alter the soundtrack on the extras, since they were taken directly from CDs, so I just used Nero Vision. I got fancier with the main feature.

Post: #300517
Topic: //RETURNING TO JEDI\\: NTSC & PAL DVD
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/300517/action/topic#300517
Time: 3-Nov-2007 11:14 PM

I imagine that if it is for the film festival they want it to go right into the video rather than having to go through menus.

Post: #300465
Topic: //RETURNING TO JEDI\\: NTSC & PAL DVD
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/300465/action/topic#300465
Time: 2-Nov-2007 8:33 PM

Originally posted by: Moth3r
If the main feature is 25fps progressive, then the easiest way is to resize the video vertically to 480px, change the framerate to 23.976fps, and resample the audio to run at the slower speed.
Has this edition got menus? You'll probably have to rebuild them in your authoring package when you make the NTSC DVD.

Yeah, I had to re-encode everything and rebuild menus from scratch. I seem to recall Jambe's features as being interlaced.

Post: #300464
Topic: //RETURNING TO JEDI\\: NTSC & PAL DVD
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/300464/action/topic#300464
Time: 2-Nov-2007 8:31 PM

I'm sorry, but I'm not proficient at AviSynth and I wanted to use simple tools to do it. I have the best luck with TMPGEnc. You set the size (720x480), 16x9, encode mode to "non-interlace", frame rate to 23.976 fps (have to do it in that order). Under Advanced tab, checkmark " Do not frame rate convert ". GOP structure should be Max 18. Shouldn't need to make any other changes. When finished, process it through DGpulldown 23.976 --> 29.97 to set the pulldown flags.

I then used Womble MPEG video wizard as a check because it will tell me to 4 decimal places how long it is in seconds (might need to check in minutes to get that part, then seconds, because minutes gives the decimal as frames). I then used GoldWave's time stretch feature on the wav and set the time stretch feature to match the time (setting warns that it will change the pitch, which you want). You can then convert it to AC3 using whatever tool you have.

When everything is complete, i checked it all out in Womble to make sure the lip sync was good, then MUXed it with whatever authoring program I was using.

For some reason, my copy of Empire was corrupted and had a slightly shorter soundtrack than video track, so I had a lot of problems getting it to exactly the right length. Jedi didn't and worked first time through, as has every other video I've processed.

Also. I seem to recall having to encode BE and RTJ in two steps. First was all the settings I mentioned (but a much higher bit rate for first encode) except frame rate (kept as 25fps) and I also deinterlaced it in TMPEnc advanced tab; then processing it again, but with the frame rate change. For some reason, doing the deinterlace and frame rate conversion at the same time was processing each frame twice (that is, double printing). I don't know if it's because I've only worked with progressive material since then, but I've never had to double encode anything since.

You can adapt to whatever program you use, but be sure when you change the frame rate to only change the frame rate number (that is, 25 to 23.976) and that it does NOT "frame rate convert". It seems counterintuitive, but that setting tries to alter the frame rate but make sure the overall time length is the same. You don't want that. You want it to end up longer and the sound out of sync because you are going to stretch the sound out to match the video.

I also used Adobe Audition on the WAV (Gold wave might do this, too) and selectively re-pitched sections of the commentary voices. Using the spectrum analyzer display makes it easier.

Let me know if you need any help.

Post: #297873
Topic: ***//BUILDING EMPIRE\\: PAL & NTSC DVD - NEW EDITION NOW ONLINE! ***
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/297873/action/topic#297873
Time: 27-Sep-2007 12:08 AM

Originally posted by: Jambe Davdar
I am making an updated version of 'Building Empire' for the 'Miami Underground Film Festival' in March 2008. It will include clips from some things that have come to light since it's initial release, such as:

- The Risk Business
- Machine Men
- BBC ESB John Williams Doco

I will also be correcting the 'Rouge Squadron' subtitle to 'Rogue Squadron'.

If anybody has any further suggestions I would like to hear them.

JD

There was also a misspelling of Ray Hassett's name on the scroll about Superman movie alums when John Ratzenberger is talking to Leia. I'll see if I notice anything else. I got so sick of watching it earlier this year I haven't gone back since February

Good luck on the festival.

Post: #296881
Topic: Greetings from Wookie Groomer; Split Screen Project (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/296881/action/topic#296881
Time: 7-Sep-2007 10:33 PM

I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! — Thank you!

Post: #295919
Topic: .: The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :. (SEE FIRST POST FOR UPDATES) (* unfinished project *)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/295919/action/topic#295919
Time: 24-Aug-2007 4:25 AM

Criterion likes to release quirky films by well regarded directors whether they are in English or not. They're not all The Bicycle Thief, but they aren't Star Wars, either. Hell, they did Pink Flamingos! The Michael Bay films are acknowledged as out of character for the company (and I'm sure they had their reasons) but the other 400+ on the list still point to a pattern. Listing the films that seem out of character kind of goes along with what I was saying about the Criterion worship. They could release outright crap and it will still be obsessively collected like some supercilious Pokemon card because of the spine number. The mere fact it took so long for them to stop doing non-anamorphic laserdisc ports to DVD should be reason enough to be suspect of the high esteem in which they are held, regardless of their selection.

I really didn't plan on getting into a debate about Criterion. Criterion has their own agenda on what they choose to present and I'm not going to pretend to be privy to it. My whole point was just an offhand comment that it just seems pretentious to put "Criterion Collection" on the cover. I really liked the idea of putting "X0 Collection" in the exact same style and font, though. It's an acknowledgment of the respectful treatment being given the film while also paying homage to the work of the X0 team. They really are great covers. I especially like Strangelove's.

But you know what, they probably would do one, if only to pay for all the other obscure titles they do.

Post: #295900
Topic: .: The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :. (SEE FIRST POST FOR UPDATES) (* unfinished project *)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/295900/action/topic#295900
Time: 23-Aug-2007 9:28 PM

Originally posted by: Doctor M
I think Criterion would absolutely make a restored OT release if they could get the rights away from Lucas.
(Although I've never been a fan of their video quality. They're really better at extras than anything else.)

But what IS important is not IF Criterion would make a Star Wars release... it's that these are NOT from Criterion.

You might as well call it an Anchor Bay release or Fox or even Disney for all it matters.
Criterion is a company name and nothing else. To attribute them to the work done by the X0 people is just plain pointless.

Exactly. An ersatz "Criterion Collection Star Wars" is like serving pizza on "Royal Doulton china 'with the hand-painted Periwinkles...'" while at the same time diminishing the efforts put forward by the X0 crew.

As a side note, I don't think Criterion would do a Star Wars special edition, even if they could. Perhaps back in the laserdisc days but not now. Criterion fills a specific niche and is not just the ne plus ultra of film presentation. Here's a list of the Criterion Collection releases. Putting Star Wars in there is putting a square peg in a round hole. They aren't doing "Blade Runner" anymore.

As far as highjacking the thread, it's been well over a year since any updates. Pretty much the last 12 months have been a hijack. Other than hoping for the best for Laserman we might as well enjoy the thread.

Post: #295851
Topic: .: The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :. (SEE FIRST POST FOR UPDATES) (* unfinished project *)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/295851/action/topic#295851
Time: 23-Aug-2007 10:28 AM

Originally posted by: Mielr

Regarding Criterion and the types of movies they typically release, it's true that they're associated with smaller, "artsy" films nowadays, but I think Criterion did a lot more mainstream-type movies back in their laserdisc days. I still have my criterion LD of Blade Runner (though not a blockbuster like SW was, it wasn't a "little" film either).

Back in the laserdisc days they were the only game in town doing special editions. They hit mainstream a bit more often back then (and even then tended to present versions of films not typically available or in ways not available otherwise-like letterboxing and directors cuts or original versions) but they were still primarily involved with classics and foreign films. Now, with DVD special editions being quite ubiquitous, Criterion has focused almost exclusively on more obscure classics and foreign films and eschewed blockbusters (with the maddening exception of the two Michael Bay films and perhaps a couple early releases before DVD special editions became the norm such as Silence of the Lambs and Spinal Tap). Considering all the good work that Criterion does in preserving and presenting obscure and overlooked masterpieces, it almost cheapens Criterion to be associated with one of the highest grossing mainstream blockbusters in history. As much as I love Star Wars, it doesn't belong with Bergman, Cocteau and Truffaut.

Don't get me wrong. I adore ArnieD's and Strangelove's covers. They are about as classy as I've ever seen and would be honored to have them as covers on my own personal copies, but the Criterion Collection appellation strikes me as twee fanboyishness (not that I don't delve into fanboyism, myself of course). I'd love to see the same covers without the affectation of putting Criterion on them.

Post: #295751
Topic: .: The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :. (SEE FIRST POST FOR UPDATES) (* unfinished project *)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/295751/action/topic#295751
Time: 22-Aug-2007 3:20 AM

The covers are cool and quite classy, except for the Criterion worship. Criterion is more for Bergman and Bertolucci flicks (despite the paying a few bills with Armageddon). What makes Criterion special is that they take films that wouldn't otherwise typically see such a release and do lavish editions of them. Star Wars is about as mainstream as it gets and doesn't fit into Criterion's mold. Criterion would be more for THX1138 than Star Wars.

Post: #292901
Topic: What are you listening to now?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/292901/action/topic#292901
Time: 19-Jul-2007 6:28 AM

Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix on my mp3 player.

Post: #292806
Topic: The Hobbit (70s animated Rankin/Bass feature) (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/292806/action/topic#292806
Time: 18-Jul-2007 7:10 AM

Cool. I have an affection for it. I don't think we're supposed to link directly to torrents in the forum, however.

4. No direct links to media downloads of copyrighted materials (VOBs, WMV, QuickTime, torrent files, NZB files, ED2K links, etc.) with the exception of short clips to demonstrate quality or content. No direct links to pages containing such files

Post: #292805
Topic: Lucas wearing "Han shot first" shirt during Indy IV production
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/292805/action/topic#292805
Time: 18-Jul-2007 7:00 AM

Originally posted by: JangoxFett
My guess is that only the SE:04 will mostlikely be in high-def. a fan preservation made OOT blu-ray/HD maybe. ether way I am glad I am not yet ready to go high-def. there is still some time (Nov 9, 2009) I think thats the last day of Analog.

IMO.

It's a misconception that we are being forced into HD. That date is just the cutoff for analog to digital. HD is just the deluxe application but it isn't required. If you have cable then you won't even notice a difference. If you already have digital cable, you are already there. Only people with rabbit ears will have a disruption. People who plug cable directly into the TV will need a box. HD will continue to be a half dozen or so free channels and mostly premium channels, but it won't be required.

Post: #292746
Topic: ***//BUILDING EMPIRE\\: PAL & NTSC DVD - NEW EDITION NOW ONLINE! ***
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/292746/action/topic#292746
Time: 17-Jul-2007 11:40 AM

The main concern was the movie soundtrack itself. As beautiful as PAL is to look at (and I was indeed jealous), the voices all sounded like they were sucking helium. The entire soundtrack was slowed down to 23.978fps which naturally corrected the pitch. The added commentary voices were a mixed bag. Because I was most familiar with Mark's and Carrie's voices and they sounded the most like sloths when slowed down, I re-pitch corrected them back 4% higher. The other voices didn't seem to suffer as much so they were left as they were. I took the lessons learned on Empire and when I did Jedi it went perfectly the first try so I actually took the time out and manually re-pitched nearly every voice while leaving the movie soundtrack naturally corrected by the speed change. I even took out some pops and denoised some commentary. Empire and Jedi both have their supplemental material converted in the usual ways so that the PAL soundtrack wasn't altered (mainly because they were taken directly from CDs to begin with).

Empire does have the issue that the menus aren't as smoothly transitional as Jambe's original because of the way Encore did them. Jambe's Jedi was previously converted by Boon23 into NTSC although not pitch-corrected or slowed down but the disc was better authored (keep in mind that while the content is 100% Jambe's work, the menu authoring had to be re-created from scratch) so I converted Returning to Jedi in my method and inserted it into Boon's authored disc. It's also a dual layer DVD encoded at the same bitrate as Jambe's original while Boon's was single layer and much more compressed. Thing is, after finishing it, no one seemed to want it and folks were satisfied with the single layer version available. I've sent a copy to Jambe and to two other people that requested it (1-post noobs that went as quickly as they came) and that's it.

Anyway, Jambe's original PAL versions of Building Empire and Returning to Jedi are available on torrent at Demonoid, and NTSC versions of Empire and the single layer Jedi are there as well. Dual layer Jedi is as yet unavailable.

Post: #292742
Topic: ***//BUILDING EMPIRE\\: PAL & NTSC DVD - NEW EDITION NOW ONLINE! ***
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/292742/action/topic#292742
Time: 17-Jul-2007 10:37 AM

Have you checked out the NTSC version? It was painstakingly converted from 25fps to 23.978fps (rather than the usual IFO tricks which use the PAL soundtrack for compliant, if not truly converted, NTSC video) and pitch corrected so it sounds like the Empire we all know and love yet still showcases Jambe's marvelous work on this project. I say painstakingly because it took a month of trial and error to get it right due to some weird conversion glitch. The Jedi one went flawlessly and took only a few hours (it's never been distributed, though and only Jambe and a couple others even have a copy).

Post: #291908
Topic: //RETURNING TO JEDI\\: NTSC & PAL DVD
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/291908/action/topic#291908
Time: 4-Jul-2007 11:02 AM

Made quick work of him.

Post: #291882
Topic: Giorgio Moroder's Metropolis (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/291882/action/topic#291882
Time: 4-Jul-2007 12:39 AM

I'd much welcome a Spanish subtitle file. I've sent you a PM. Thanks a lot.

Post: #291624
Topic: Sci-Fi Channel
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/291624/action/topic#291624
Time: 29-Jun-2007 10:56 PM

Originally posted by: JediSage
And the decline continues...Sci-Fi is showing ECW Wrestling now. I guess because the opening title sequence has lots of fire in it it can be classified as Science Fiction. HUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Are there not enough channels dedicated to the teenage male demographic?????????

SCI-Fi gotta eat.

Post: #291331
Topic: How many Dune threads do we need?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/291331/action/topic#291331
Time: 26-Jun-2007 10:15 PM

Considering there's 2300+ active Star Wars threads spread over three dedicated subforums not counting threads in the other sub forums, this is pretty obnoxious.

Post: #291240
Topic: How many Dune threads do we need?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/291240/action/topic#291240
Time: 25-Jun-2007 5:32 PM

What we need is another Star Wars thread.

Jeez.

Post: #291202
Topic: Is the Children of Dune any good?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/291202/action/topic#291202
Time: 25-Jun-2007 9:50 AM

I thought Children of Dune was quite good. It definitely is made for fans of the novels. It assumes more familiarity with the characters and situations than the Dune miniseries did. Plus, it forwent the aesthetic decision of the first mini to make it look like a stylized stage production and made it more realistic. Alia was hot, but they probably could have gotten a better actress for the role.

Post: #291201
Topic: Would anyone want a Dune remake?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/291201/action/topic#291201
Time: 25-Jun-2007 9:43 AM

I'd be happier with God Emperor of Dune as a miniseries.

Post: #291188
Topic: NTSC to PAL
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/291188/action/topic#291188
Time: 25-Jun-2007 2:38 AM

If you really want it quick and easy, if you have the full Nero suite you can use Nero Vision to convert it. It will convert mpg directly from PAL to NTSC and you can use it to convert a PAL DIVX/XVID to PAL mpg then convert THAT to NTSC. It's as close to one button solution as it gets. It might not be "preservation-worthy", but it's watchable.