"TNG" Remastered

[Picard Alpha]

I agree about TNG on DVD, the video transfer was the worst I've ever seen. I'm having a hell of a time trying to get the colors and levels to come out looking descent on Q Who, the first 2 seasons of TNG are very bland and "washed" with light, lacking in both color and contrast. Either the video transfer is absolutely horrendous (I'd love to get my hands on the original negatives) or the production crew just hadn't learned how to light the set yet. I always get a kick out of seeing them try to flag out the light reflection on the back LCARS stations, it looks terrible if you catch it. Someone once asked me why black construction paper was covering the display, lol. Also, they hadn't quite got the backlight on the stations down yet, they were very dim, often times they barely look on.

In my dreamworld, they would digitally retouch TNG to remove the black paper on the displays, and similar stuff.

And I really wish they would make the effort and use all the original visual effects instead of redoing them in CG. The work ILM did on the pilot looks marvelous in HD, as could be seen in Generations when they reused a couple of shots.

http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/generationshd/generationshd0976.jpg
http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/generationshd/generationshd0977.jpg
http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/generationshd/generationshd0978.jpg

http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/generationshd/generationshd1421.jpg

Wow, those pics truly are breathtaking.

I can't say my new CG effects will be much to talk about, but certainly on the same caliber as "Encarta IV: Dark Hope".

I did the last color enhancements on the original video last night and if all goes well, this should be available for viewing this weekend.

 

[mswood]

I agree about TNG on DVD, the video transfer was the worst I've ever seen. I'm having a hell of a time trying to get the colors and levels to come out looking descent on Q Who, the first 2 seasons of TNG are very bland and "washed" with light, lacking in both color and contrast. Either the video transfer is absolutely horrendous (I'd love to get my hands on the original negatives) or the production crew just hadn't learned how to light the set yet. I always get a kick out of seeing them try to flag out the light reflection on the back LCARS stations, it looks terrible if you catch it. Someone once asked me why black construction paper was covering the display, lol. Also, they hadn't quite got the backlight on the stations down yet, they were very dim, often times they barely look on.

In my dreamworld, they would digitally retouch TNG to remove the black paper on the displays, and similar stuff.

And I really wish they would make the effort and use all the original visual effects instead of redoing them in CG. The work ILM did on the pilot looks marvelous in HD, as could be seen in Generations when they reused a couple of shots.

http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/generationshd/generationshd0976.jpg
http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/generationshd/generationshd0977.jpg
http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/generationshd/generationshd0978.jpg

http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/generationshd/generationshd1421.jpg

I have no problem with almost all the model work done on Encounter at Farpoint, but after that I would want to see new work. Plus, one of the things i would really, really love is seeing much of the same shots but could we please, please keep the ships in scale..... But I absolutely do support (If they choose to do it) keeping the same style shots, the only time I really want to see completely new shots is when they are simply endlessly reusing the same shot over and over and over again.

 

[Dukhat]

But I absolutely do support (If they choose to do it) keeping the same style shots, the only time I really want to see completely new shots is when they are simply endlessly reusing the same shot over and over and over again.

You mean like...Angel One?

 

[RAMA]

They produced a standard def and 16:9 version from this.

are you referring to the cropped versions or do you think 16:9 means high def?

Don't shoot the guy down for having a go at this and being considerate enough to share it with us when you clearly only have half an idea what your saying.

Picard Alpha - have you done a colour grade on the episode as well as inserting new shots?

No I just didn't elaborate...its well known the 16:9 aspect ratio is preferred for HD conversion(4:3 shows converted to HD are often re-sized to this), though I realize that ar alone does not mean something is HD. That has more to do with scan modes, resolution and frame rate.



RAMA

 

[Barbreader]

BTW, I do link to CGI and similarly enhanced versions of pro shows when done by fans. So, I'll be linking to this. Compare: (See Doomsday Machine) http://startrekreviewed.blogspot.com/2009/06/153.html

 

[Picard Alpha]

The video is being uploaded now pending processing it should be available much later today, but likely tomorrow since I'll probably be away from the machine for the remainder of the day.

Here's a few comparison shots of my work as a tease:

Original Video (Converted to 16:9):

Up-converted and color enhanced version:

Original Borg Encounter (Converted to 16:9):

New HD 720p rendering of Borg Encounter:

Original Phaser Fire:

New HD 720p rendering of the defensive action:

I tried in most aspects to stay true to what the VFX people originally intended, and in most cases composed the new effects work as exactly as I could in the 3D world to match lighting and camera angels. Obviously they didn't have the tools of a 3D world back then, so I animated the camera more rather than having a static shot. Overall, I'm fairly pleased with the work and hope some of you guys will enjoy what I've done. Thanks for paying attention, and keeping with me.

 

[Dac]

Ooof, im sorry man, I've been really looking forward to this, but it pains me to say that the Borg cube mesh you used looks awful. I know theres kinda a bad selection of them out there, and I suppose this is the most detailed one, but it just looks blotchy and unaccurate to me. That's no fault on you though man, just the mesh author (Unless your the guy who made it, in which case, yes, its at you )

Admittedly, there isnt a lot of TNG style Cubes out there for public use, but Ed Giddings' one over at Trekmeshes is probably the best out there.

http://www.trekmeshes.ch/meshes/meshesdetails.php?Name=EDBORG

I know its probably a little late now, but The Enterprise looks alright and the lighting is great along with the effects for the Tractor beam and phasers.

Plus, if those images are the size of the video itself, you've done a good job cleaning up the image. I look forward to seeing the whole thing.

 

[JarodRussell]

Hm, why are the camera angles totally different?

Obviously they didn't have the tools of a 3D world back then, so I animated the camera more rather than having a static shot.

No offense, but that's the thing I really hope they avoid when they do a remastered version of TNG. Just keep everything as it is, in higher resolution.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

I liked it! Very nice!

 

[Barbreader]

I like it, too. And I like the Borg Cube.

 

[Faldor]

out of interest, how many model shots are in this episode?

 

[Picard Alpha]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyqsso2lzkU

Go on, hate away.

But before you do, note that I did this project for fun, and for myself. I simply wanted to work with some Star Trek effects again. Also, instead of prolonging the process further; my fan re-edit of the credits uses footage from Nemesis and TATV, I would have rendered my own version, but I simply didn't want to drag this out any further. Judging by some of the early comments from just releasing a few screen grabs, I probably won't keep this up long moving forward. I hope someone out there enjoys it my sweat labor...

I also noticed a glitch in a composited shot around 25:00, right now it's minor enough not to care about...

 

[Dac]

Well, I watched the first 10 minutes, then after that the video kept freezing and whenever I reloaded the page, would only play for a minute before freezing again. Dunno if thats on my end or not though.

I will say this from what I saw: Ensign Gomez was hot!

Also, I liked the lighting in the scenes I saw, but I can't help but be turned off by the models. I know everyone can't have access too/make the best around (and even if they do, have the power to render them) but it just takes *me* out of the project probably because I try to make high quality meshes (emphasis on the try due to me not actually having made a decent mesh, not emphasis due to some form of put down).

I'll check back later to see if I can load the latter part of the ep, as I look forward to seeing how you handled the Borg pursuit/regeneration shot, plus "their carving us up like a roast."

 

[Avon]

kept freezing for me too.

found it funny how in the titles, just as picard says 'space' it zooms right in on a planet.

 

[Barbreader]

Ok, you are enshrined in my Pro Trek sections (which actually links to fan redos: http://startrekreviewed.blogspot.com/2009/06/158.html

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

I didn't have any problem watching it late last night. Looked good to me, and yes, Lycia Naff was a hottie.

 

[Picard Alpha]

Not sure how long I'll keep this posted not only because of early feedback, but also it's probably not the best idea to post the entire episode on public domain. Imagine that, a lawsuit for something nobody even likes! I'll probably keep it up through late today, enjoy while you can.

 

[Picard Alpha]

Well, I watched the first 10 minutes, then after that the video kept freezing and whenever I reloaded the page, would only play for a minute before freezing again. Dunno if thats on my end or not though.

I will say this from what I saw: Ensign Gomez was hot!

Also, I liked the lighting in the scenes I saw, but I can't help but be turned off by the models. I know everyone can't have access too/make the best around (and even if they do, have the power to render them) but it just takes *me* out of the project probably because I try to make high quality meshes (emphasis on the try due to me not actually having made a decent mesh, not emphasis due to some form of put down).

I'll check back later to see if I can load the latter part of the ep, as I look forward to seeing how you handled the Borg pursuit/regeneration shot, plus "their carving us up like a roast."

I actually kept the model shot of the carving, and the regeneration. Why change perfection?

 

[Barbreader]

Not sure how long I'll keep this posted not only because of early feedback, but also it's probably not the best idea to post the entire episode on public domain. Imagine that, a lawsuit for something nobody even likes! I'll probably keep it up through late today, enjoy while you can.

Please cue me in when you take it down, so I can remove it from my website.

 

[Potemkin_Prod]

Imagine that, a lawsuit for something nobody even likes!

Nice to be called a "nobody"....