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towne32

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3-May-2014
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14-Mar-2024
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Post
#710350
Topic
kk650's Star Wars Saga: Regraded and Semi-Specialized (Released)
Time

Thanks for all the detailed explanations! 

It's easy enough for me to glance at these things and think of alternatives, but it's quite another to try them out and see how they work. I do feel the opposite way about the dino vs. droid, but to each their own. The dino makes me feel like I'm back in 1997 and CGI cut scenes in video games are just starting to become a thing, but are not very good yet.

But it's just a personal preference. Obviously, as someone posting in this thread, I am not 100% anti-SE. I think there's nothing wrong with getting a bit crazy with a 20th anniversary theater re-release! So long as you don't try to wish away history after that. For just about anything *living* that has been done with CGI (Dinos, Jedi Rocks sequence, Sarlac*, Jar Jar ;) ) itjust misses the mark on a technical level. There are other flaws on top of those, in many cases. But if they spliced a Jabba prop into ANH well instead of a terribly anachronistic model, I wouldn't mind it sticking around despite the other faults with it (re-used dialog, breaking the Jabba reveal).

*on that note, I'm crossing my fingers that you can make this particular edit work. :)

Post
#710209
Topic
Harmy's THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Despecialized Edition HD - V2.0 - MKV & AVCHD (Released)
Time

I don't actually have a problem with Harmy's speeds.

It's more of a matter of:

Okay, I've decided to use html based file hosts to distribute my stuff. Do I choose a site (like Harmy did on the last one I grabbed) that people can get 7MB/s? Or do I choose a site that caps things at a rate that seemed mediocre in 1999? And disconnects randomly. And can't be set to download overnight (lets be honest, about 5 overnights), because it needs a new Captcha to be completed after each part finishes.

I don't think it's really bitching or ungrateful. It's just, if you're going to upload to one of these (for profit) sites, why not choose one that A. sends it to a bunch of other sites, like the "multi" ones, and B. Is accessible and gives the best service? I can't say enough good things about reconstructing a film from 1977 or even 1997. I don't understand reconstructing download experiences from 1997.

It's not immediately obvious why some services are used over others. I got Harmy's 1997 in an hour or two. I'm attempting to get someone else's work, and it might take me a week for each release. That's fine, but it's hard to imagine a reason for choosing the bad one other than lack of awareness of how immense the difference is. 

edit: Having said all that, instead of complaining or explaining all this, I should just be promoting the site that Harmy recently used, so that he and others continue using it: multiupload.nl was great. Thanks.

Post
#710190
Topic
Episode VII: The Force Awakens - Discussion * <strong>SPOILER THREAD</strong> *
Time

SilverWook said:

I'd be very surprised if they do it this film, as fans are expecting someone to bite it. Luke going the Obi Wan route to spooksville too soon would be a bit obvious, and merely ape the original film.

After the whole Vector Prime backlash, they aren't going kill Chewie, at least not this time out. Somebody has to mourn Han's passing with a mighty howl that will shake the bulkheads loose.

This is the welcome back to the Galaxy Far Far Away movie, things can get darker in Episode 8.

 Well, Chewie has the best voice for mourning at least.

Post
#710158
Topic
Episode VII: The Force Awakens - Discussion * <strong>SPOILER THREAD</strong> *
Time

So. What does everyone think of the possibility of OT characters dying in VII? (I'd rather discuss it now, as opposed to down the road when the spoilers may or may not be floating around).

I think there's a pretty good chance of Luke or Han biting the dust. Harrison has said that he thought Solo should die in V or VI. And I've read that Lucas only kept him alive at the end of Jedi for marketing purposes? (true?). Plus they might be concerned about getting him back for VIII and IX, if nothing is signed yet.

The more I see of Mark Hamill this year, the more convinced I am that he's going to pull off this role and won't just be shown in a scene for fandom to check off a box. But they might want to have him struck down to pass the torch to the next star. A bit too predictable to do it exactly like that, though.

Post
#710145
Topic
Harmy's THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Despecialized Edition HD - V2.0 - MKV &amp; AVCHD (Released)
Time

ComputerGeek said:

Just a request: when v2.0 is released, can you upload them to multiupload like you did for the original SW? The current host (without a DL manager) for ESB and RotJ only lets me download one part at a time and at a slow speed.

 Agree. Multiupload, as used for the 97 respecialized, worked fantastically. 

Post
#710111
Topic
Star Wars OT &amp; 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

dark_jedi said:

TV's Frink said:

dark_jedi said:

TV's Frink said:

Maybe Always got a 1997 Special Edition?

(I have no idea why he chose to post those specific shots instead of Star Wars ones)

We know why and that is really all that matters right? after all this is our thread.

*edit, I guess I should have said I know why, he told me in an email.

 Then I guess he didn't need to post that part here, did he?

Don't get me wrong, I love "v."  That guy always makes me laugh.

Are you thread Police? he can post in our thread on any of our projects if he wants to, ALL those he posted about are our projects, and the SW BD's are pictured, there is no Always thread because that was a gift from us to him, so can't you just go back to the Off Topic section and just leave this alone already I mean Holy Shit man?

 And have a thread exist that he doesn't constantly pollute? I can't see that happening.

Post
#710110
Topic
kk650's Star Wars Saga: Regraded and Semi-Specialized (Released)
Time

kk650 said:

towne32 said:

kk650 said:

towne32 said:

I think it looks great. I think the main flaw is the somewhat obvious sound cuts that we've discussed a bit already, so no need to dwell on that more. It would be lovely to see that fix in the 16gb version, though.

As far as other editing decisions go, as you've said, everyone would probably create a slightly different version for themselves. I personally would love a copy with *no* CGI 'dinosaurs' at all (or flying droids) in addition to the rest of your changes. But, different strokes for different folks.

And I did notice the grey line in that shot. Is it only a single frame with this?

If I had access to blu-ray level HD footage of the shots you're talking about without the 'dinosaurs', I'd certainly consider removing the one that walks accross Luke and Ben when they're in the speeder about to talk to the storm troopers. 

 I agree that the flying droids aren't the end of the world.

Would you consider asking Harmy/team negative1 to use their 35mm scan to get rid of the giant dino blocking the camera? It would probably need a lot of color alteration. Given that a lot of that has probably already been done on the shot, I'm not sure how much a clip can be changed back and forth before it starts getting... odd.

I don't necessarily like the 'dino' that they pass *after* the stormtroopers. But, the landspeeder was a mess in that shot as it was originally done. (I recall reading that it was processed and blurred repeatedly, and it shows). So, short of some rotoscoping to keep the speeder and lose the creature, it's probably fine for semi-specialized as is.

There is the shot when they're first pulling into the city, specific to the SE, where there are exact duplicate stormtroopers on both sides, making the exact same motions. I like the shot (for SE purposes), but the identically moving stormtroopers make it look like a 90's video game. Again, probably not an easy fix by any means.

Hmm, it's fascinating because i'm looking at althor1138's incredibly useful Star Wars COLD release to quickly compare the SE to the GOUT and it seems like that dino walking across was put there on purpose to hide the cheap looking half painted white and green R2D2 unit that passes by. Which is the lesser of two evils is the question, GL thinks the dino it seems. I'm 50/50 to be honest.

The shot when they pass the dino after the stormtroopers, I have no preference whether the dino is there or not, both are fine to me, though the GOUT and Japanese laserdisc release have a lot more deadspace below the R2D2 droid with the red top than the SE releases, making the GOUT/laserdisc shot look more like a set and a bit fake compared to the SE releases IMHO. In this case I would definately choose the SE shot because of the reduced amount of deadspace, making for better frame composition and making the set look more real, a definate improvement in my book.

The third thing you mentioned is something i've never noticed (nice spot, though you probably wish you hadn't noticed it now haha) so its not really an issue for me. As you say though, even if it was, I don't think there's that much I could do about it.

 I never really thought of the up close dino-skin as an attempt to block the green droid. Just had another look, and I don't think the droid looks too bad (surely he would have blocked the ugly yellow one instead?).

You're right about the other points.

I also compared the sound changes (as the shot switches) in your version, the SE, and the original. I think you're mostly right, that you found pretty good spots to cut. 

I think what's problematic for you is the very brief look at the first dino, after the dupli-troopers shot. I see why you have it there. Before the shenanigans, it's a prototypical example of what the SE is trying to do in expanding mos eisley, and you're *not* making a despecialized. But more importantly, the up-close dino skin in the next shot would be so much worse without the viewer having been exposed to what that creature *even is*. But the shot is so quick the way you've got it. It's a bit awkward in both the video and your sound cut. Have you considered cutting when the dino's feet hit the ground? The ridiculous part, honestly, is the swinging jawa.

In conclusion: Mos Eisley is a mess and it's difficult to strike a good balance.

Post
#709739
Topic
What if Lucas made the entire ST in '90s?
Time

The fact that the actors would be younger is really the only thing it has going for it. But I think it will be interesting to see them older, and it may work better for 'passing the torch' (whether or not are new characters will be decent is another matter - who knows at this point).

So, unless it was an alternate timeline where Lucas sold it two plus decades earlier, or somehow magically had it stripped from him by force (I like the sound of this timeline), I think we're better off.

Post
#709717
Topic
Harmy's STAR WARS Despecialized Edition HD - V2.7 - MKV (Released)
Time

The xbox one doesn't work with AVCHD, or even BD-R movies, because Microsoft are  bunch of tools. 

It doesn't play MKV, but most things don't. I *think* you would need to convert to MP4 container.

But yes, another thread in another section would be ideal. The answer you end up getting will apply to any video release.

Post
#709457
Topic
Team Negative1 - The Empire Strikes Back 1980 - 35mm Theatrical Version (Released)
Time

Some of those Sept '13 images are indeed a lot better. But I think there is just going to be a limit when it comes to jpeg compression. Something like tiff or png might be a good way to go, on a site that doesn't recompress anything (either a such confirmed image upload site, or simply a file upload site like mega, that doesn't care that it's even an image). Not necessarily every day, but once in a while would be a nice treat.

Beggars can't be choosers and all, I know. But even if it is technically a 1080 or 2k pixel image, your hard work is masked by certain compression algorithms. 

Post
#709396
Topic
Team Negative1 - The Empire Strikes Back 1980 - 35mm Theatrical Version (Released)
Time

bkev said:

Posting those pictures is a waste of time.  I might as well be looking at a 480 video on YouTube with that compression.

 

I agree. But it seems like continuing to suggest something they don't care to address might also be a waste of time.

I'm sure the real deal looks great, but has it been said why we're getting compressed movies and videos (that are still made to be 1080 pixels)? Seems like, since there are various team members working on various parts, it's a matter of swapping smaller sized preview videos around?

I still appreciate the previews to see the color/fading, damage, stabilization, etc. But, looking forward to getting an idea of the detail level too.

Post
#709091
Topic
Harmy's THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Despecialized Edition HD - V2.0 - MKV &amp; AVCHD (Released)
Time

Harmy said:

Some day maybe but as of now, ROTJ seems to be getting the least attention in terms of fan 35mm restorations. I would add that the scene in ROTJ that needs a 35mm source the most IMO is the musical number.

 

True. Maybe they will be kind enough to bump up those scenes in the priority list, as may have happened with the landspeeder ANH scene. Either way, at least team negative suggest that RoTJ will need the least cleanup as far as dirt/scratches/damage go. 

Anyway, veering off topic we are. :)

Post
#709084
Topic
Harmy's THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Despecialized Edition HD - V2.0 - MKV &amp; AVCHD (Released)
Time

Harmy said:

I definitely didn't use any VHS :D The '97SE source is a standard definition anamorphic PAL digital broadcast recording. As to 35mm scans - no I have only received those for two or three shots so far but I'm hoping to get many more for v2.5 - the thing is, I'm already pushing this further than I originally intended - I wanted v2.0 to be a quick new version that would replace v1.0 mainly for the reasons of v1.0's poor picture quality, rather than making any huge leaps in the despecialization department. And I think that as soon as I get my computer fixed, I will finish v2.0 fairly quickly and then do v2.0 of ROTJ in a similar fashion and then just wait until I have the better sources for v2.5s.

 RoTJ 2.5 could really benefit from some 35mm material for Anakin's eyebrows, as well as his ghost, and the Jabba's palace scene. Hope all those things come together some day.

Post
#708970
Topic
Star Wars OT &amp; 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

SamS said:

I really can't thank you guys enough times, so here's another THANK YOU! :)

Question: what are you guys using to print out the cover art?  My color laser printer is long gone, and I'd like a high-quality print out to store the discs (burned to M-Disc BD, FTW!) in.  I'm guessing FedEx Office won't touch it due to copyright fears?

 

Some copy-places just have computer terminals that you can sit at and print simple things from.

Post
#708867
Topic
Harmy's THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Despecialized Edition HD - V2.0 - MKV &amp; AVCHD (Released)
Time

GregMc said:

Not sure which version of TESB Despecialized I have, but it's the only one I could find.  The MKV file (md5:11d31216c9ba86e727173c8c9c1cc656) is 7,358,526,553 bytes and contains only the 720p AVC/H.264 stream, a 5.1 AC3 audio (English) stream, and and a stereo AC3 audio (also English) steam.

There were no chapters like my v2.5 ANH, so I created an XML and OGM file based somewhat on the chapters from some DVD version that I like and using the exact timecodes based on the closest I frames reported by mkvinfo for this particular version (whichever one it actually is).

They're lengthy (for a post) and there's not a [code] tag, so I'm not sure where to post them.  Still waiting on tehPARADOX email.

 

I think http://pastebin.com/ would be good for this, yeah?

Post
#708690
Topic
kk650's Star Wars Saga: Regraded and Semi-Specialized (Released)
Time

kk650 said:

towne32 said:

I think it looks great. I think the main flaw is the somewhat obvious sound cuts that we've discussed a bit already, so no need to dwell on that more. It would be lovely to see that fix in the 16gb version, though.

As far as other editing decisions go, as you've said, everyone would probably create a slightly different version for themselves. I personally would love a copy with *no* CGI 'dinosaurs' at all (or flying droids) in addition to the rest of your changes. But, different strokes for different folks.

And I did notice the grey line in that shot. Is it only a single frame with this?

If I had access to blu-ray level HD footage of the shots you're talking about without the 'dinosaurs', I'd certainly consider removing the one that walks accross Luke and Ben when they're in the speeder about to talk to the storm troopers. 

 I agree that the flying droids aren't the end of the world.

Would you consider asking Harmy/team negative1 to use their 35mm scan to get rid of the giant dino blocking the camera? It would probably need a lot of color alteration. Given that a lot of that has probably already been done on the shot, I'm not sure how much a clip can be changed back and forth before it starts getting... odd.

I don't necessarily like the 'dino' that they pass *after* the stormtroopers. But, the landspeeder was a mess in that shot as it was originally done. (I recall reading that it was processed and blurred repeatedly, and it shows). So, short of some rotoscoping to keep the speeder and lose the creature, it's probably fine for semi-specialized as is.

There is the shot when they're first pulling into the city, specific to the SE, where there are exact duplicate stormtroopers on both sides, making the exact same motions. I like the shot (for SE purposes), but the identically moving stormtroopers make it look like a 90's video game. Again, probably not an easy fix by any means.