DJ, You might want to try using the Liquid Rescale plugin for The GIMP. http://liquidrescale.wikidot.com/en:examples
I also know you want to do this yourself, but I'll be glad to do it for you. I've got GIMP and LqR installed. It'll take me about 10 seconds to resize the image and send it back to you.
DJ,
I don't really know a lot about converting file formats and video stuff, but google sent me to this link: http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/325012-Tool-or-command-line-to-batch-remux-x264-acc-mp4-in-flv Gargalash's first post explains a workflow he uses to go from AVI to x264. That's the best I can do on short notice. I'll be glad to keep looking if you like.
Though, if I were to take a stab at something like this, I'd probably use ffmpeg and force myself to learn the command line arguments. From what I understand, ffmpeg is a video/audio alchemist's dream.
As for DVD vs. MKV, I like both. I can take DVDs with me to friend's and family's houses, or let them borrow them, and share the love. But for my own house, MKVs don't have to be burdened by size limitations which means my HTPC can send better data (higher res, higher bitrates, etc) to my TV and stereo.
I suspect that I'll end up with V3 in both formats, if both formats are created.
I'll add to the crowd: Very good!
How much quality difference is there between the V3 DVDs and the MBEs? I mean, I can see the bitrate differences you list, but what does that actually mean to my eyes?
Agreed, I didn't notice it until g-force mentioned it. I support the new subs for two reasons now. 1) They fit better with the quality of the video and 2) The jaggies are less noticeable.
g-force said:
I'm at work right now, so I can't view this on a known good machine, but is anyone else seeing aliasing on the blurred subs? In particular, on 'y's?
might need a reference (unblurred subs) clip to compare.
-G
Yup, now that you mention it, I see jaggies on y's, w's, and v's. There's jaggies on the crisp subs, too (moreso, actually).
Subs look great msycamore! They really blend in well. Really crisp subs would have stood out. But these look like they were there all along.
DJ, the colors look great. It may be a fluke, but playing back the most recent sample on my little laptop speakers, it sounded like the audio was odd. Sync was fine, but Han sounded a little pixel-y (which is a weird adjective for audio, I realize). I'm having a hard time coming up with words to describe what I'm hearing... just that it's a little odd. It may just be because of my laptop speakers, so feel free to ignore me. But, if others hear it too, it might be something to look at.
Barring my crappy laptop speaker quality... fantastic.
Sluggo said:
I should be able to view the clip you posted in an hour or two, but judging by responses from everyone else, you should be good to go.
same here.
Watched both clips. I prefer the video inside "Test Accepted Tweaks.rar". If I read your post correctly, DJ, that video clip comes from the "1159" tweak. The "test.rar" looked too red. My opinion remains the same, "1159" is the way to go.
@bkev
I see the blue tint as well, but I'm not all that worried about it. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_changes_in_Star_Wars_re-releases mentions an SE change that included a new starfield matte that removed the stars' blue tint.
Bluish stars are just part of the GOUT, as far as I understand things.
Seriously DJ, these are great. Please include these tweaks in V3.
As to vbangle's comment about the cantina being too dark... remember, the cantina *was* dark. All the sketchy bars I've ever been in have also been dark. I think with a properly adjusted display, the cantina looks no darker than inside the Falcon.
In this post, I think your colors are the (much) better of the two. DrM's seem sickly (especially the one of Luke's face). In yours, some examples of skin tone still seem a bit red, while others are spot on. If this is where you leave things, I'd be very pleased.
Having said that, I think DrM's "Tweak v4"colors in this post seem very good (that is, they are very close to yours).
rockin said:
Well, I would definitely be for more saturated colours, but just not like the ones in that topic - they look a little too saturated. But yeah, a little tweak for colours would be cool for the V3 set. 8)
Agreed. If you adjust anything, please keep skin tones accurate. I'd happily sacrifice lack of color details in the environment in order to keep people looking like people.
dark_jedi said:
I hope that cleared some up for you, I know people want to know when it will be shared, but as I said already, ALL these DVD's will go to the people that donated some Verbatim DL blanks first, then be shared after they watch them all and see if they find anything.
Is it too late to donate more Verbatim DL blanks to the cause?