Snapshots and How it was done.
Order the DVD from DPI
For many years I thought about trying to somehow preserve my VHS copy of the original 1987 version of Upside Down, or wishing that DPI might re-release it on DVD. Eventually I learned that this second option was not likely to happen since the master tapes had become unavailable. I therefore decided to see what I could accomplish using my computer and video resources I had at home.
My original intent was to simply preserve and archive my own VHS tape to DVD. As I began to explore various software packages I started to gain a vision for being able to not just archive the tape, but to digitally enhance it as well. The original live production in the Boston Opera House utilized lighting techniques that worked well for the audience, but produced dark noisy scenes once it reached VHS tape. Of course, this was the best that could be done at the time, but I wondered if computer enhancement would be able to make a difference.
After many weeks of failure I finally found a combination of techniques that produced results that were, to say the least, amazing! Continued efforts produced even better results, and one by one, remaining issues were resolved. The sound was even converted to digital Dolby to be compatible with standard DVD players - but, alas only 2 channels.
Utilizing redundant information in the images - side to side, above and below and before and after every point in the picture - the software is able to remove noise and reconstruct detail that was previously obscured - and color and contrast are restored. The final result holds up very well on a large screen HDTV with audio that begs for the biggest speakers you can throw at it! (That is a combination that will show the faults in any DVD.)
Having shared my project with DPI, they believed that many around the world shared my love of the original 1987 production of Upside Down. Therefore, DPI is making it available - in this restored format - for those who, like me, appreciate the magic and spiritual energy captured that day.
Because of the unique way this DVD set came about, it is important to understand what it is and also what it is not:
WHAT IT IS: As already explained, it is perhaps the highest quality rendition of the 1987 performance in existence - apart from the original master tapes. For those who have seen the VHS tapes, the quality will be obvious. It is available only in NTSC, which is only a limitation to some outside the USA. First and foremost, it is a means to share the fruit of my labor with those who share a love of this great performance.
WHAT IT IS NOT: VHS tape by its nature loses some picture quality that can never be restored. Occasional minor imperfections in the image remain. Shortcomings in the original lighting can never be fully repaired. It is not a studio produced DVD. Studios spend million of dollars for equipment and software to insure quality and compatibility with all DVD players. I did not have access to that. As such I can not guarantee that there won’t be rare compatibility issues with a DVD player. It does not always play well using computer DVD software - but neither do some other DVDs I’ve tried. That having been said, so far the performance on standard DVD players has been beyond my greatest expectation.
Ed Cox
Order the DVD from DPI
For many years I thought about trying to somehow preserve my VHS copy of the original 1987 version of Upside Down, or wishing that DPI might re-release it on DVD. Eventually I learned that this second option was not likely to happen since the master tapes had become unavailable. I therefore decided to see what I could accomplish using my computer and video resources I had at home.
My original intent was to simply preserve and archive my own VHS tape to DVD. As I began to explore various software packages I started to gain a vision for being able to not just archive the tape, but to digitally enhance it as well. The original live production in the Boston Opera House utilized lighting techniques that worked well for the audience, but produced dark noisy scenes once it reached VHS tape. Of course, this was the best that could be done at the time, but I wondered if computer enhancement would be able to make a difference.
After many weeks of failure I finally found a combination of techniques that produced results that were, to say the least, amazing! Continued efforts produced even better results, and one by one, remaining issues were resolved. The sound was even converted to digital Dolby to be compatible with standard DVD players - but, alas only 2 channels.
Utilizing redundant information in the images - side to side, above and below and before and after every point in the picture - the software is able to remove noise and reconstruct detail that was previously obscured - and color and contrast are restored. The final result holds up very well on a large screen HDTV with audio that begs for the biggest speakers you can throw at it! (That is a combination that will show the faults in any DVD.)
Having shared my project with DPI, they believed that many around the world shared my love of the original 1987 production of Upside Down. Therefore, DPI is making it available - in this restored format - for those who, like me, appreciate the magic and spiritual energy captured that day.
Because of the unique way this DVD set came about, it is important to understand what it is and also what it is not:
WHAT IT IS: As already explained, it is perhaps the highest quality rendition of the 1987 performance in existence - apart from the original master tapes. For those who have seen the VHS tapes, the quality will be obvious. It is available only in NTSC, which is only a limitation to some outside the USA. First and foremost, it is a means to share the fruit of my labor with those who share a love of this great performance.
WHAT IT IS NOT: VHS tape by its nature loses some picture quality that can never be restored. Occasional minor imperfections in the image remain. Shortcomings in the original lighting can never be fully repaired. It is not a studio produced DVD. Studios spend million of dollars for equipment and software to insure quality and compatibility with all DVD players. I did not have access to that. As such I can not guarantee that there won’t be rare compatibility issues with a DVD player. It does not always play well using computer DVD software - but neither do some other DVDs I’ve tried. That having been said, so far the performance on standard DVD players has been beyond my greatest expectation.
Ed Cox
