Agree, but...

Posted by belloq from spider-mtc-tj011.proxy.aol.com on August 07, 2001 at 15:06:19:

In Reply to: Hmmm... posted by Fall Guy on August 06, 2001 at 22:46:02:

Agreed, no change in content, just quality. Although I don't think Indy fans have to worry about Lucasfilm/ILM changing actual shots, because they have never given the same funding or attention to any of the Indy films when compared to their support and re-tinkering with the SW films. Which DVD is the first to be released?- Episode 1- arguably a worse film than the other SW and Indy films. Ultimately, I think we'd be lucky to have the cleanup I recommend. And DTS for IJ is unlikely, given THX/Skywalker Sound's relationship with Dolby.

THX is a step in the right direction, but they seem to have ambiguous feelings about, if not outright approval of, certain DVDs with audio and video of less than optimal image and audio quality, ie non-anamorphic video and diffuse bipolar rear home theater surround speakers. And while most experts agree that DTS is the best in home audio quality, THX seems to support Dolby. Being the first ever stamp of quality in the theater and home theater is a good first step, but far from the total quality management company they are perceived to be. It is a Lucas revenue stream wrapped in a smart marketing scheme, not an objective non-profit quality approval association. While a good step, I still keep seeing higher quality offerings from non-THX approved DVDs and theaters, and therefore remain objectively, realistically pessimistic.

belloq

: I don't care as long as they just clean the orginal up, but I'm afraid they may do a bit more than that. Just like they did to the re-released SW trilogy.

: I didn't say that THX was the ultimate in sound (THX refers actually to more than just audio. The THX label means that a post production facility has applied the highest standards for sound, video, compression, and replication (VHS/DVD).

: THX in a theater goes beyond that. The theater has to fulfill certain requirements to get THX approved. This includes things like a minimum viewing angle of the screen from any seat, a specified brightness and exact alignment of projection, fine-tuned sound, etc.

: DTS, SDDS, or Dolby Digital, are just parts of the whole sound system that decodes sound from the respective format. The so-called THX crossover is a specifically designed system of speakers and amplifiers that optimizes sound output.

: In general, I find that theaters which have THX (THX-E since The Phantom Menace...) to have better sound than the ones that advertise for example SDDS.
: FG

:
: : I don't recommend changing the actual content of the shots, just improvements in the clarity of the already existing effects elements by compositing them digitally rather than optically, and digitally cleaning up some of the minor scratches and spots on the video and audio. -much like what ILM did to the SE of SW:TESB in the recompositing of the snowspeeder effects shots. This is the kind of treatment any great film should have before filed into permanent archives, such as the library of congress. In any case, I don't think anyone would refuse the same Raiders, just with more clarity and resolution in certain shots. The result might even grease the wheels (marketing-wise) of a re-release in theaters.

: : THX is not a mark of total ultimate never-to-be improved quality, just a mark of a certain level of quality and a marketing scheme for another Lucas revenue stream. However, DTS is widely thought of by experts as the best available digital movie sound for the home. Therefore, it would be a welcome sight on the DVD.

: : belloq

: : : I'm sure that the quality of the DVDs (whenever they will be released) will be excellent. I don't think we will see a sub-standard Indy DVD.
: : : As for messing with the f/x, I don't see the need. Raiders is 20 years old, just let it be. I want to see the original, not an updated version. Any extra (be it newly added scenes, updated f/x) should be an option.
: : : Regarding the sound, doesn't even the latest VHS release have THX sound already? ;)
: : : FG
: : :

: : : : This is an appeal to Lucasfilm/ILM apply their "special edition" magic to the Indiana Jones films (similar to what they did for the Star Wars trilogy SE.) Especially regarding Raiders- no additional scenes are needed, but I would like to see them scan a new print from the original negative, clean up some of the spots and scratches, color correct some shots and clean up some of the effects shots using modern techniques and technology. The Raiders effects scenes are showing their age and it would be quite easy for ILM to repair some of the image quality problems in the final ark apparitions shots. 1)Find the original effects elements, 2)scan them into an effects/compositing system and 3)sync and digitally composite them without the image degradation of the old-school optical printer. A DTS audio track would also be an outstanding addition for the DVD. Just a suggestion...

: : : : belloq
: : : :
: : : :

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: Agreed, no change in content, just quality. Although I don't think Indy fans have to worry about Lucasfilm/ILM changing actual shots, because they have never given the same funding or attention to any of the Indy films when compared to their support and re-tinkering with the SW films.  Which DVD is the first to be released?- Episode 1- arguably a worse film than the other SW and Indy films. Ultimately, I think we'd be lucky to have the cleanup I recommend.  And DTS for IJ is unlikely, given THX/Skywalker Sound's relationship with Dolby.

: THX is a step in the right direction, but they seem to have ambiguous feelings about, if not outright approval of, certain DVDs with audio and video of less than optimal image and audio quality, ie non-anamorphic video and diffuse bipolar rear home theater surround speakers.  And while most experts agree that DTS is the best in home audio quality, THX seems to support Dolby.  Being the first ever stamp of quality in the theater and home theater is a good first step, but far from the total quality management company they are perceived to be.  It is a Lucas revenue stream wrapped in a smart marketing scheme, not an objective non-profit quality approval association.  While a good step, I still keep seeing higher quality offerings from non-THX approved DVDs and theaters, and therefore remain objectively, realistically pessimistic.

: belloq

: : I don't care as long as they just clean the orginal up, but I'm afraid they may do a bit more than that. Just like they did to the re-released SW trilogy.

: : I didn't say that THX was the ultimate in sound (THX refers actually to more than just audio. The THX label means that a post production facility has applied the highest standards for sound, video, compression, and replication (VHS/DVD).

: : THX in a theater goes beyond that. The theater has to fulfill certain requirements to get THX approved. This includes things like a minimum viewing angle of the screen from any seat, a specified brightness and exact alignment of projection, fine-tuned sound, etc.

: : DTS, SDDS, or Dolby Digital, are just parts of the whole sound system that decodes sound from the respective format. The so-called THX crossover is a specifically designed system of speakers and amplifiers that optimizes sound output.

: : In general, I find that theaters which have THX (THX-E since The Phantom Menace...) to have better sound than the ones that advertise for example SDDS.
: : FG

: :

: : 
: : : I don't recommend changing the actual content of the shots, just improvements in the clarity of the already existing effects elements by compositing them digitally rather than optically, and digitally cleaning up some of the minor scratches and spots on the video and audio.  -much like what ILM did to the SE of SW:TESB in the recompositing of the snowspeeder effects shots.  This is the kind of treatment any great film should have before filed into permanent archives, such as the library of congress.  In any case, I don't think anyone would refuse the same Raiders, just with more clarity and resolution in certain shots.  The result might even grease the wheels (marketing-wise) of a re-release in theaters.

: : : THX is not a mark of total ultimate never-to-be improved quality, just a mark of a certain level of quality and a marketing scheme for another Lucas revenue stream.  However, DTS is widely thought of by experts as the best available digital movie sound for the home.  Therefore, it would be a welcome sight on the DVD.

: : : belloq

: : : : I'm sure that the quality of the DVDs (whenever they will be released) will be excellent. I don't think we will see a sub-standard Indy DVD.
: : : : As for messing with the f/x, I don't see the need. Raiders is 20 years old, just let it be. I want to see the original, not an updated version. Any extra (be it newly added scenes, updated f/x) should be an option.
: : : : Regarding the sound, doesn't even the latest VHS release have THX sound already? ;)
: : : : FG
: : : :

: : : : : This is an appeal to Lucasfilm/ILM apply their "special edition" magic to the Indiana Jones films (similar to what they did for the Star Wars trilogy SE.) Especially regarding Raiders- no additional scenes are needed, but I would like to see them scan a new print from the original negative, clean up some of the spots and scratches, color correct some shots and clean up some of the effects shots using modern techniques and technology.  The Raiders effects scenes are showing their age and it would be quite easy for ILM to repair some of the image quality problems in the final ark apparitions shots. 1)Find the original effects elements, 2)scan them into an effects/compositing system and 3)sync and digitally composite them without the image degradation of the old-school optical printer.  A DTS audio track would also be an outstanding addition for the DVD.  Just a suggestion...

: : : : : belloq
: : : : :
: : : : :

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