Star Wars Theatrical DVD: How to make Anamorphic and add Mono Mix?

[Spineratti]

Hey there,

I own the Original Unaltered Theatrical Editions of the Star Wars Trilogy on DVD (Limited Edition 2006, the 4x3 Letterbox Versions). Now here's my system: I make backups of my DVDs and watch the backups, while I keep the originals in my closet for preservation.

While I'm at it, I might as well make the backup copies 16x9 anamorphic, so I can enjoy them on a Widescreen TV. What's the easiest, least frustrating, highest-quality way to do this? And if I have to do it step-by-step, show me the steps.

[CWR03]

The latest DVD versions also include the original, unaltered widescreen versions (probably ripped straight from Laserdisc) and are ready to go for widescreen playback. I would suggest getting the new set for the least amount of work and loss of image.

[Spineratti]

Eh?

I thought the 2008 Boxset was a carbon copy of the 2006 Limited Edition DVDs?

Or are you talking about a brand-new 2009 set?

EDIT:
Sorry, but the latest DVD set of the Star Wars Trilogy (the 2008 Boxset), even though it includes the Original Theatricals, they are NOT anamorphic widescreen-ready. I just performed research on it.

Now, normally I wouldn't mind the Letterbox format because of the ZOOM function on 16x9 TVs, except for two factors:

1. Some TVs not only crop the top and bottom when they zoom in, like they should, but they also crop some of the left and right as well.
2. The alien subtitles are set for 4x3 viewing, NOT 16x9 viewing, meaning that when I zoom in, the subtitles are cut off. If I could adjust the subtitles for a widescreen-safe area, that would probably be enough alone...

[SeeMoreDigital]

According to Wikipedia all six films of the Star Wars series were shot in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1: -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Trilogy#Technical_information

Given that to be the case, I'd get the newest releases of the 16:9 anamorphic DVD's and back them up to .ISO files

[Spineratti]

Look, the Original Theatrical Star Wars DVDs (2006 and 2008) are NOT 16x9 Widescreen!

If you're talking about the Digitally Restored and Remastered Special CGI Editions, then yes THOSE are 16x9 Widescreen.

But I'm not concerned about the "Special Edition". I want to convert the Original Theatricals to 16x9.

Understand where I'm going? Sorry to be so anal and uptight, but it sounded like you couldn't understand my problem.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Here's a suggestion...

Cut out a short (MPEG-2) sample from one of your DVD's. Upload it to RapidShare or similar provider. And provide us with a link.


Cheers

[Spineratti]

Will do.

EDIT:
Here's the clip. (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GQ0J96MA)
The password is Spineratti

[Guest]

What is that clip? It seems to be MPEG1 320x240 20fps!

Obviously, we want to see an unprocessed piece of the original DVD.

[Spineratti]

And how do I make that?

[Guest]

You can use DGSplit to split the VOB file.

Or you can open the VOB in DGIndex, set a project range, and then Save project and demux video. Then upload the resulting M2V.

[FlimsyFeet]

I have the same release, and can confirm it is disappointingly non-anamorphic. He's also right that the alien subtitles end off off the screen when you zoom in on a 16:9 dispaly.

There was an avisynth script to improve this specific disc metioned in this thread (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=144235).

[Episodio1]

I rented it a few years ago. SW: 4-5-6 Theatrical releases. It's 4:3.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_changes_in_Star_Wars_re-releases#2006_DVD_release

Fans are still waiting for a unaltered releases in proper quality. ^^

No more Special editions and New episodes 1-2-3, please... not even in Bluray...

[SeeMoreDigital]

Well...

As long as these "4:3" releases contain progressive frames, it shouldn't be too difficult to generate reasonable looking, up-scaled 16:9 encodes.

A 2.35:1 image on an 4:3 NTSC DVD will contain 272 vertical pixels. By contrast, a 2.35:1 image on an 16:9 NTSC DVD will contain 363 vertical pixels. This equates to an increase in vertical resolution of 33.46%.

A 2.35:1 image on an 4:3 PAL DVD will contain 327 vertical pixels. By contrast, a 2.35:1 image on an 16:9 NTSC DVD will contain 436 vertical pixels. This equates to an increase in vertical resolution of 33.33%.

Upscaling any image by "a third" is quite a bit :eek:

[Spineratti]

I'm having trouble uploading the new HQ video file, but now that the point I've been trying to make has been confirmed, should I still try uploading it?

On an unrelated note, @Episodio1:
Yes, I am a Star Wars fan, and even though I actually don't mind the Prequels and Special Editions, I still prefer the Theatrical Editions, mainly because of the nostalgic feelings they give me.

It all depends on how Lucas pulls off the upcoming Final Cut of his saga. If he actually makes everything consistent, inplace, and all-around enjoyable, then I'll gladly accept that cut as a work of art. However, if it turns out to be an even bigger IN-consistent mess than it is now, then screw Lucas's "original vision", and I fully support the Theatrical Cuts.

No one knows how it will ultimately turn out, but that's my stance on the matter.

[SeeMoreDigital]

I'm having trouble uploading the new HQ video file, but now that the point I've been trying to make has been confirmed, should I still try uploading it?I would not mind seeing the MPEG-2 source..

By-the-way... I have 1997 versions of Star Wars 4, 5 and 6 on LaserDisc :eek:

[Spineratti]

Will continue uploading then. The problem is the connection keeps timing out.

[g-force]

Spineratti,

if you can do it in Avisynth, here is a function that I threw together for just this purpose.

Function Anamorph(clip input)
{# By G-force. turn 4:3 letterbox into 16:9 anamorphic. V.1.01

w = Width(input)
h = Height(input)
h2 = 2*Round(h/16)

input.Crop(0,h2,0,0-h2)

Spline16Resize(w,h)

Return(last)
}

[Gavino]

...
Crop(0,h2,0,0-h2)
input.Spline16Resize(w,h)
...
Should be:
input.Crop(0,h2,0,0-h2)
Spline16Resize(w,h)

[g-force]

oops, Nice catch Gavino!

I updated my post.

-G

[Spineratti]

@G-Force:
Nice job. But according to my research, AVISynth usually needs another program to execute its scripts. Two questions:

1) What program is recommended for using AVS scripts? Or do I not need one?
2) Is this just for the m2v video clip, or can I do it for the DVD?
3) If I can do it for the DVD, then will I be able to save an ISO of the DVD with the new anamorphic setting on my computer?

[thewebchat]

AviSynth is a library, and among its interfaces are a VfW and a DirectShow interface. What this means is that you can play AVS scripts in any typical VfW/DShow media player (Media Player Classic, Windows Media Player). If you want to make a new ISO, you will have to re-encode with some (crappy) MPEG-2 encoder, so I do not recommend that.