In previous posts, I've written about advances in technology that have enabled Orphan, and other fansub teams, to get more out of analog sources. These included:The Domesday Duplicator, which taps into a laserdisc player's laser and records the raw RF data, bypassing the player's aging analog electronics. The RF information is then processed in software.An uncompressed VHS capture setup, which eliminates compression artifacts from VHS capture cards and allows software to deal with VHS issues.These improvements have produced noticeably better raws from analog sources and, as a result, a raft of re-issues of old projects.Technology does not stand still, though, and improvements happen almost continuously, particularly in software processing. For example, ld-decode, the software for the Domesday Duplicator, is now on its sixth revision and has improved in every aspect. A continuous "diet" of rips from flawed laserdiscs has made the software much more robust against bit rot and other physical problems. The latest development allows direct decoding to YUV colorspace instead of RGB, skipping the RGB -> YUV conversion that was previously required. The software is also much faster. However, processing of CX-compressed analog audio still requires improvement.Another fascinating development is the application of AI to anime. For decades, AI was a pipedream, and even today, it requires massive computing power. However, today's gaming computers are monsters: 8 to 32 cores, 16 to 64 threads, all the memory you can eat, and ultra-fast NVMe-based mass storage. Open source AI software is available. One of Orphan's encoders has been training an AI on hand-drawn anime from the 80s and 90s, and he is seeing substantial image quality improvements. On a commercial scale, AI is being used to produce better upscales of standard-definitions sources to HD.Of course, there are severe limits; it's still early days. The underlying sources have to be free of mastering issues such as blended frames and interlacing issues. The technology can do cleanup when none is required or desired, so manual inspection of results remains a necessity. But the promise is there. Someday, it may be possible to undo the problems in even badly damaged sources.One development remains tantalizingly out of reach: a "Domesday Duplicator" for VHS tapes. This would tap into the output from the helical scan playback head and then do all the decoding in software. It's a very complicated problem in both hardware and software, but it would get around some of the limitations in uncompressed capture, such as timing issues that require a Time Base Corrector. Hardware that would allow the tape to be "oversampled" as it is read might help even more.Do all these improvements presage yet another round of Orphan re-releases? Thankfully, no. The initial jump in video quality from years-old Internet raw to Domesday Duplicator capture or uncompressed VHS capture was massive; just look at Meisou ou Border (VHS) or Al Caral no Isan (laserdisc) if you need convincing. Further improvements are more incremental, and they'll be applied to new releases, not old ones. Unless, of course, AI can someday undo all the frame blending in Amon Saga or Every Day Is Sunday... just kidding.
Feb 13, 2021 • Subscribe
More like this
Using Crazy Technology To Restore One Piece
If one piece is so great why havent they made one piece 2 Edited/Written by @TeeHallumsYT SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/totallynotmark FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/totallynotmark FOLLOW ME ON…
Exile Continues…
Still alive. Still forcibly offline. 5 hours until another wind/ice storm, so not feeling hugely optimistic. And supposedly in about 26 hours, it'll be 40 degrees and pouring…
Learn How to Leverage Japan’s Approach to AI Technology in 2023
Japan has always been at the center of state-of-the-art technology, and it isn’t different with artificial intelligence.
Trash Cans Return To Kyoto With Compression Technology, Monitoring
You'd be hard-pressed to find a garbage can in a Japanese city these days. Thankfully, Kyoto is experimenting with a new approach to trash.
Shonen Jump enlists ChatGPT technology to help artists create manga
Plus: Artists' concerns force platforms to restrict AI-generated content; 'Black ships' competing for anime content; Anime licensing growth at TV Tokyo; and more
Pandemic Procrastination Continues
Template template template template. As I'm sure most everybody is aware at this point, there's a bit of a pandemic going on. I'm personally largely unaffected thus far,…
Trigun Stampede continues to SURPRISE me!! 🤯 #shorts
Trigun Stampede, the retelling/adaptation/interpretation of the orginial Trigun from 1997 continues to surprise me! It is full of surprises and I am excited where the show will go…
Show With Production Issues Continues to Have Issues
Tokyo Minority Report is apparently off this week due to ongoing production issues. Its four fans will be severely disappointed.
The Legend Continues! – Thoughts on SG5’s debut single “Firetruck”
The day has finally arrive folks! As of March 1st 2023, SG5 or Sailor Guardians 5 are officially debuted! As someone who has been following them a bit…
Back Arrow #20 — Rudolf Continues To Pontificate Pt 6
Man, am I tired of listening to him. Impressions: Are we seriously trying to promote Bit to a starring role as a hero? The craven coward who…
The Pokemon Craze continues
Pokemon was never expected to become the craze it became, but Satoshi Tajiri’s brain child has evolved into one of nintendos biggest franchises. It’s been fourteen years since…
The Kohl’s Saga Continues
Kohl’s has told its customers for years that “the more you know, the more you Kohl’s” and to “expect great things”. But do either of those apply when…
Episode by Episode Continues!
I’ve had such a fun time keeping my promise to watch an anime every week and writing about each episode, that I’ve decided to keep doing that! My…
Man vs Technology – It’s Out of Control
Man Vs Technology - we love it when our own creations try to destroy us, or at least narratives do.
Megatron Continues to Be the Most Interesting Character in Earthrise
In Siege, the first part of the War for Cybertron Trilogy, Optimus Prime is a deeply flawed character--and an absolutely terrible leader. Even as the first episode of…
Fairy Tail, the Manga Continues
This is a list of Fairy Tail spin-offs, one-shots, and continuing manga series that continue on from the series before and after the main Fairy Tail manga and…
Unlimited Continues and Limited Enjoyment
Cotton Fantasy arrived this month. It’s a cute, colorful, charming little shooter in all respects, and I said as much in my full review . I...
The Iceblade Sorceror #05 — Talking Continues to Be a Free Action
Why must you suck so much, Thursdays? Impressions: Like Tomo, I think any feelings of good will I had from laughing at episode 2 have completely run…
Tags I got on March 23rd – Neat Sunshine!
You know how it goes, when it rains, it pours. I got really behind on answering these posts and for a while people stopped tagging me which made…
SAKKA Online Streaming Service Set to Launch “NOISE” by Yusaku Matsumoto on March 24
Details on the streaming debut of Yusaku Matsumoto’s “NOISE” on SAKKA, coming March 24th, 2023.
Metallic Rouge #08 — Flashback Week Continues
I am so past ready for lore dump February to be over, in all the shows. Impressions: At least this one spiralled off into nonsense after spending…
Adachi and Shimamura – The Search Continues
Once again I continue my search for the great Yuri anime with Adachi and Shimamura. Find out how it did right here!
The Toys R Us Drama Continues
Despite entering bankruptcy and emerging as a new company, Toys R Us executives aren't able to escape the past quite yet, as Krystallina looks at their latest troubles…
DanMachi IV – 11 – The Banquet Continues
When we last saw Bell he looked…pretty dead! Fortunately, Ryuu soon finds a pulse—the Goliath Scarf Lili and Welf gave him saved his life. Ryuu keeps him alive…
Episode 559: Death March to Megalo Kamuy
Look out folks, this episode of Anime Pulse features comments by innocuousblond so you know what that means; beautiful voice acting by Southern Belle Joseph. Joseph is also…
Golden Kamuy, Megalobox, Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody, Dragon Ball
Manga March 2022 (2): To Your Eternity
Note I have discussed the manga in some capacity here already.
Death March to a Parallel World Rhapsody
If you thought Death Note when you first read this, you’d be wrong. If you thought Death Parade, you’d be wrong. If you thought George Gershwin or Freddy…
13 Cyberpunk Anime Series That Revel in Futuristic Technology
While Cyberpunk 2077 may have floundered a bit, it has reminded people what they appreciate about the genre – or forced them to remember it. The cyberpunk genre…
Battle Angel Alita, Cowboy Bebop, Serial Experiments Lain, Bubblegum Crisis, Dimension W
“Pacific Rim: The Black” Drops March 4 on Netflix!
It’s been a couple of months or so since the last thing I heard of Pacific Rim: The Black, the Netflix animated series set to expand on the…
Crescent Moon Marching, Coming March 16 only on Azuki
Azuki’s latest exclusive manga series is Crescent Moon Marching by Hamachi Yamada! Chapters 1 and 2 will launch on March 16, 2023. We’re so excited to be bringing…
EVERYDAY EVA Episode 5: Eyes On Rei | Mecha March
As Shinji starts to grow more into his class, his eyes start to turn toward Rei.
Dragon Ball Z Blu-ray NIGHTMARE Continues
Despite our best efforts to reach #Funimation about their #DragonBallZ #Blurays, they still don't get it. Twitter - https://twitter.com/AnimeAjay Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AnimeAjay/
Monthly Update | April 2019 – (Soft) Hiatus Continues
I know, half of the month has passed by already. Sorry about that. Long story short, I’m not feelin’ bloggin’ at the moment. I’m even doing a terrible…
Magical Revolution #06 — The Slave Harem Continues
Own slaves. Harass family and peasants. Just don't be so dreadfully boring about it. Impressions: Another episode spent having people stand around and explain how the titular characters…
Zombieland Saga: Revenge – 09 – The Legend Continues
As those who share Kiichi’s views grow in number, he still finds time for tea with Yuugiri, who whips up a medicine for his ailing grandfather. Kiichi and…
Androids, Cyborgs, and Robots: 20 Anime Series Featuring Intelligent Technology
You know what’s strange? We have never been further along with research into robotics, yet the popularity of intelligent technology anime has fallen off significantly. Finding a good…
Casshern Sins, Cyborg 009, Ergo Proxy, Ghost in the Shell, Planetarian
Together, Alone: How Laid-Back Camp Shows Companionship Through Technology
Alex Henderson explores Laid-Back Camp's use of tech like smartphones as a means of connecting one another, even across the greatest expanses
To Your Eternity – S2 14 – The March Begins
Princess Alme couldn’t afford to take Fushi at his word, but now that she’s witnessed his sundry good words across Renril, she has decided to trust him with…
[Vtuber] Holostars’ New Unit “UPROAR!!” Debuts on March 29~30
Male Vtuber Group “Holostars” is set to debut a new unit called UPROAR!!, consisting of 4 members. It has been almost 2 years since Holostars had new talents,…
Welcome to ‘Learn Play Innovate’ – Navigating the Convergence of Educational Technology, Game Design, and Learning Through Storytelling
Let’s embark on a journey where education meets innovation and play. I’m an educational game designer, simulation designer, English teacher, and travel blogger, eager to guide your journey.…
Fanart Thursday: March 7th for March 7th
It’s March 7th so…here’s March 7th! LOL. For those unaware, March 7th is the name of a character from the popular mobile game, Honkai: Star Rail. The HSR…
A Tale of Two Alchemists, I: FMA (2003) and Existential Technology
Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, has the inscription “Don’t forget 3.Oct.11” carved inside his silver pocket watch, the symbol of his office. It is a memorial of the day a new…
Bucchigiri?! Episode 9 Review – Matakara’s Bad Day Continues
I want Matakara to beat Arajin up!
Blue Lock Epi 21- 22: The Game Continues
These two episodes continue on this fantastic match between Rin vs Isagi, just who will be victorious
Listening to Japanese Music: Monthly Recommendation Roundup (March 2024)
Tough month, but we toughed it out ;)
Wave, Listen to me! | March Manga Madness Day 14
Day 14 of #MarchMangaMadness: Wave, Listen to Me! by Hiroaki Samura and published by Kodansha This was an impulse buy if…
ANiUTa’s US Service to Shut Down In March 2020
Earlier today, ANiUTa announced that they will be shutting their service down in the United States. In a statement on their website, the service stated that they will…
Muv-Luv Switch Ports to Release March 28th 2024
The Muv-Luv 20th Odyssey Box is available for pre-order now! It includes Switch ports for the Muv-Luv trilogy and Muv-Luv Unlimited: The Day After!
10 Year Retrospective, Month #3: Throwback to March 2012
As we celebrate our tenth anniversary on Beneath the Tangles, we want to take some time each month to look into the past, not only to commemorate our…