[Request] Crocodile Dundee (1986) Australian Version VHS audio

[jerryshadoe]

There is no center channel, as the audio is only available in Stereo...

[Chewtobacca]

If you have an odd pattern of duplicate fields, but none blended, you could use a smart bobber like QTGMC and then something like fdecimate.

That's true, but the quality is never as good, and this video looks bad enough as it is.

[Doctor M]

If you have an odd pattern of duplicate fields, but none blended, you could use a smart bobber like QTGMC and then something like fdecimate.

That's true, but the quality is never as good, and this video looks bad enough as it is.

From what was described, field matching might be almost impossible, and I've seen QTGMC actually improve a source. It's important to note that QTGMC is not a straight bobber, it actually takes into account surrounding fields/frames to reconstruct what's missing.

Anyway, it was just a suggestions since jerryshadoe did say he wasn't happy with the idea of manually IVTC'ing.
It's always worth testing for comparison.

@jerryshadoe - Even the BD is stereo? That sucks. If the stereo is lossless, it might not be a bad idea to try applying DPLII to it and upmixing the channels.

[Chewtobacca]

From what was described, field matching might be almost impossible, and I've seen QTGMC actually improve a source.  It's important to note that QTGMC is not a straight bobber, it actually takes into account surrounding fields/frames to reconstruct what's missing.

I know what QTGMC is/does. And I've seen it improve sources too, but using it on this one should be the last resort, in my opinion.

[IcePrick]

I have a couple of questions. Do we know for certain that that Aussie tape is the original version? I'm just wondering if CBS FOX got lazy and put out the International Cut in all territories. And do we know for certain that the film was originally in stereo?

EDIT: by the way, I have a PAL VCR with Hi-Fi audio. I can do the capture if no one else volunteers.

[jerryshadoe]

If you have an odd pattern of duplicate fields, but none blended, you could use a smart bobber like QTGMC and then something like fdecimate.

That's true, but the quality is never as good, and this video looks bad enough as it is.

From what was described, field matching might be almost impossible, and I've seen QTGMC actually improve a source. It's important to note that QTGMC is not a straight bobber, it actually takes into account surrounding fields/frames to reconstruct what's missing.

Anyway, it was just a suggestions since jerryshadoe did say he wasn't happy with the idea of manually IVTC'ing.
It's always worth testing for comparison.

@jerryshadoe - Even the BD is stereo? That sucks. If the stereo is lossless, it might not be a bad idea to try applying DPLII to it and upmixing the channels.

I can do the manual IVTC if it ends up being needed, especially since in this case we really aren't talking about that many frames... True, it's not exactly a "few" frames, but compared to a project that I have been working on for over two years where I am manually IVTC'ing around 70 episodes (each about 23-25 minutes long) of a TV show that will never see the light of day on an official release... In comparison to THAT, THIS will be fast and easy. I am not very familiar with QTGMC on a technical side (just aware of it's existence and purpose) and if I run into problems with my approach, then I'll reach out for help

Here's the BD info: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Crocodile-...ray/95660/

As you can see there, the first film only comes with a DTS-HDMA 2.0 lossless track (unlike the second film that is 5.1) and, to be honest, the track is a little "lifeless." I'm not saying that it's not a decent transfer, as it's not overzealously filtered, but it lacks a certain dynamic range that IS present on the LD and for this project I want to use a hybrid of the LD PCM and HiFi Stereo VHS audio to have the best possible experience in the sound department.

From what was described, field matching might be almost impossible, and I've seen QTGMC actually improve a source.  It's important to note that QTGMC is not a straight bobber, it actually takes into account surrounding fields/frames to reconstruct what's missing.

I know what QTGMC is/does. And I've seen it improve sources too, but using it on this one should be the last resort, in my opinion.

You seem to know you Avisynth scripts and plugins pretty well, so I'll take your word that it's a "last resort."

I have a couple of questions. Do we know for certain that that Aussie tape is the original version? I'm just wondering if CBS FOX got lazy and put out the International Cut in all territories. And do we know for certain that the film was originally in stereo?

EDIT: by the way, I have a PAL VCR with Hi-Fi audio. I can do the capture if no one else volunteers.

Ok, let's run down your questions as best as I can....

- Based on everything that I have read on the internet (in various older forums where Aussies have "verified" that the Australian Cut R4 DVD is, in fact, the Australian Cut which was the same as the FIRST RELEASE 1987 CBS/FOX VHS in Australia and people were happy for the "upgrade.") I have been able to come to conclusion that the 1987 VHS tape contains the proper (i.e. Aussie) version of the film. I also saw comments relating to the runtime of that 1987 VHS tape in relation to the R4 DVD and that they both are 104 minutes. (the runtime here is one of the easiest ways to verify which version is on the tape)

- Not surprised that you asked that question, as we have seen many releases get botched like that and not only by CBS/FOX... LOL

- Your last question is a partial mystery to me too because... Well, the "International Cut" is stereo and I am 100% sure of this. Just open the LD or BD audio and look at the waveform or compare it to the R4 DVD with Aussie cut that is 100% for sure - mono - and you'll hear the difference. HOWEVER, I am NOT sure whether the Aussie cut was released in mono or stereo and finding info on that is very hard online because it usually gives specs for the "IC" only. My ONLY indicator that the Aussie 1987 VHS tape maybe is in Stereo (and therefore the Aussie version was released in stereo) in the fact that it says "HiFi Stereo" on the spine of the VHS case (posted a pic of this earlier in thread) BUT I KNOW that this may also be bullsh** and the audio on the tape might be HiFi Dual Mono just like the R4 DVD... I just don't know and until someone (or me) verifies this, it's all speculation. If the VHS tape turns out to be dual mono like the DVD, then it's just a matter of downmixing the LD audio to mono and taking it from there. Either way, it won't make a difference but if there is a stereo track that exists, I would prefer to preserve it.

GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR OFFER TO CAPTURE THE AUDIO and I will keep it in mind when I start moving on that part of project. Details would have to be discussed over PM (privacy and all, LOL)

[Chewtobacca]

True, it's not exactly a "few" frames, but compared to a project that I have been working on for over two years where I am manually IVTC'ing around 70 episodes (each about 23-25 minutes long) of a TV show that will never see the light of day on an official release...

Ouch! I wish you the best of luck on that.

There is much more added material in the Australian version than I initially thought. I guessed it was a few minor differences here and there, but some of the scenes that were cut are quite lengthy and do add to the story. It's a pity that more people haven't seen them.

[Doctor M]

I just watched the R4 release tonight... yeah that is some poor quality video and sound.
Any chance while working on this you could put together English subtitles? Between sound quality and accents there is just some stuff I can't hear.

[karbre]

Has there anything been going on in the last years? If nobody is working on this, I might give it a try (and acquire the necessary skills on-the-fly as I haven't done such things before).

I do have the Blu-ray. I don't have the R4 Fox DVD yet. I already checked eBay AU but it's a bit cumbersome with shipping. If somebody can provide a rip of the DVD, please shoot me a PM.

Concerning audio, I do not have the means to capture VHS audio. Either someone can provide a digital scan to me, or I'll have to resort to the DVD mono.

[Croweyes1121]

Anything ever come of this project? I’m the one who put together the earlier hybrid cut. I’ll be the first to admit the result wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped to accomplish. The source material just seriously sucked. I disagree that downmixing the entire project to mono would’ve been a better option, but...I’d definitely have handled the edit differently today had I to do it over again. I was hoping someone might’ve tackled it in the last few years. All credit and thanks to whomever improves upon it. I’ll be only too happy to enjoy a better copy.