Stella at 20 DVD?

[prostx23]

Hi,

 

I have parts 1 and 2 on vhs. Was this ever put on DVD. I don't have the equipment to do a transfer myself so I was wondering where I cold find this on DVD (if it exists in that form)?

 

Mike

[accousticguitar]

Somebody is supposed to be working on a DVD version but I haven't heard a word about it for a long time. It is supposed to have more footage than the original version. Still waiting.

[+Nathan Strum]

I had taken on the project, and another AtariAger offered to help with it, but neither of us have gotten back to it.

 

Just reissuing the originals is problematic since one of the masters no longer exists, so it would still have to be re-edited from the original source material.

 

I wouldn't look for it anytime soon, unless the other person comes back to it. It's still on my eventual "to-do" list of projects, but at the moment other things have priority.

[seanhq]

Hi,

 

I have parts 1 and 2 on vhs. Was this ever put on DVD. I don't have the equipment to do a transfer myself so I was wondering where I cold find this on DVD (if it exists in that form)?

 

Mike

I actually have both Stella at 20 volume 1 and 2 on DVD. They were made from the VHS tapes, but the quality is pretty good. I would be happy to send you a set if you covered the cost of 2 blank DVD's and postage. PM me if interested.

[jaybird3rd]

I bought both volumes of the "Stella at 20" series from Cyberpunks Entertainment about ten years ago, and I've been eager to see a DVD release for a long time. I started a petition thread in late 2005 in the hope that this would happen; perhaps this played a small role in getting Nathan involved in the project.

 

If you read back through that thread, you'll notice that Glenn talks about possibly releasing "Stella at 20" for free online. YouTube was a relatively new company at that time, but now that it has achieved mainstream acceptance and prominence, I think the technology is finally ready for Glenn's idea. Even a transfer of the VHS footage would be of adequate quality for YouTube, even though it isn't nearly as good as the original unedited footage.

[seanhq]

@jaybird3rd: I've sent Nathan a PM but wanted to follow up here too.

 

The last blog entry on progress dates back to July 28, 2007.

 

This really needs to get done. I'm willing to help. I took Multimedia Integration (sound, video and photography) production and editing classes in college and now work full time as a web/graphics designer (16+ years experience). I could also help make some box art and cool menus, etc.

 

As an added bonus I have equipment to make DVD copies (10 at a time), so I could get some quantity out pretty quickly. I also have a friend who works at a "mom and pop" video store, so I could get some empty DVD cases to use as well to help with keeping costs down.

[+Nathan Strum]

It's Glenn's (mos6507) project, so it's really up to him if it changes hands or not. I'd suggest contacting him with any proposals. However, I wouldn't suggest sending around unauthorized copies of bootleg DVDs. I don't think he'd appreciate that.

 

That said, my intent is still to get back to the project and finish it up, unless Glenn would rather hand it off to someone else. But as anyone knows who's been involved in any project around here (hardware, homebrews, etc), these things can take years to finish. Despite how many people may want something to happen - it's still just a hobby.

[seanhq]

It's Glenn's (mos6507) project, so it's really up to him if it changes hands or not. I'd suggest contacting him with any proposals. However, I wouldn't suggest sending around unauthorized copies of bootleg DVDs. I don't think he'd appreciate that.

I only offered to provide the original poster copies on DVD because he already owns the VHS tapes.

 

That said, my intent is still to get back to the project and finish it up, unless Glenn would rather hand it off to someone else. But as anyone knows who's been involved in any project around here (hardware, homebrews, etc), these things can take years to finish. Despite how many people may want something to happen - it's still just a hobby.

It's been over 2 years (Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:02 PM) since you did the digital dumps to your computer where you said:

 

Stella at 20 is now in the computer, backed up to a second external drive, and backed up to DVCAM tapes.

 

172.42 GB is how much space the source footage takes up. That translates into roughly 14 hours.

That alone is the major part of this project. Having the originals in hand, now it would just be a matter of editing things together.

 

I know that if someone is doing the project in there spare time or for a hobby like you it can take a long time, but for example with me, I do this sort of thing for a living and would be willing to get it finished up for free just so the people who really care in the hobby can have this information and share it with others. Stuff like this is part of history and should be preserved and passed on to others IMHO.

 

Back in college for my capstone I only had a few months to get that project put together and finished to graduate and it was a lot more involved then this and I had to record new video, sound, edit it, etc all while working 2 jobs and other classes to complete as well.

 

Anyway, the offer is there and I could make it happen sooner verses later. Maybe Glenn will see this (I'll PM him too per your suggestion) and see what happens.

 

I hope my comments don't sound like I'm being a jerk, because that's not my intentions at all... what you've done so far is awesome and very much appreciated I'm sure from everyone including me, but the project just needs a little push to get over the hump.

Edited October 22, 2009 by seanhq

[+Nathan Strum]

It's (potentially) a lot more involved than re-creating the lost master. Glenn and I were planning on it being a completely re-edited and expanded version of Stella, since there's a lot of footage that couldn't go on the VHS tapes due to time constraints. Just reissuing what's already there would be a disservice to the wealth of material that hasn't been seen. Anyway, as I said, it's up to Glenn, so I've asked him what he would like to do, and if that's having someone else take over the project, then that's okay. Realistically, I wouldn't be able to start on Stella until January because of other commitments, and even then I'm not about to predict how long it will take.

[seanhq]

It's (potentially) a lot more involved than re-creating the lost master. Glenn and I were planning on it being a completely re-edited and expanded version of Stella, since there's a lot of footage that couldn't go on the VHS tapes due to time constraints. Just reissuing what's already there would be a disservice to the wealth of material that hasn't been seen.

I understand the original idea of expanding the original footage (which would be really cool) because of VHS time limits, but I guess my question would be what's been going on since you dumped all the content into digital format 2 years ago? Has it just been sitting idle or did you do any of the fun stuff you mentioned back then?

 

Anyway, as I said, it's up to Glenn, so I've asked him what he would like to do, and if that's having someone else take over the project, then that's okay. Realistically, I wouldn't be able to start on Stella until January because of other commitments, and even then I'm not about to predict how long it will take.

Indeed. I did send Glenn a message and I'm waiting for his reply.

 

Just to be clear, I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, I know comments/text can be misread with lack of tone, I just think this project has sat idle for too long and if people with the skills and time are available to donate said skills and time (raises hand) to get it done, lets do it. Stella is now 32 years old, so every day that passes without progress on the project, this awesome historical information could potentially be lost forever... dun dun DUN!!

Edited October 22, 2009 by seanhq

[+Nathan Strum]

I understand the original idea of expanding the original footage (which would be really cool) because of VHS time limits, but I guess my question would be what's been going on since you dumped all the content into digital format 2 years ago? Has it just been sitting idle or did you do any of the fun stuff you mentioned back then?

It's been idle. I've had other projects (plus work, life, etc) that simply have had to take priority over it. It tends to be pretty far down my "to-do" list most of the time, because other projects generally have deadlines and release dates associated with them. So Stella gets shoved aside for another day. That happens a lot with hobbies. If this had to be finished (say, to be released at some game expo, or to meet some release date), it would move up the list.

[seanhq]

It's been idle. I've had other projects (plus work, life, etc) that simply have had to take priority over it. It tends to be pretty far down my "to-do" list most of the time, because other projects generally have deadlines and release dates associated with them. So Stella gets shoved aside for another day. That happens a lot with hobbies.

I completely understand about work, life, etc, which is why just like you did in the very beginning, I'm offering to help to take some of the pressure off your hands and get this going. At first you were full steam with it and then it went Kaboom! (yay Atari game reference) and it's not moved forward in 2 years. You've done a lot by just getting the masters in digital format, so I'm hoping Glenn would like the idea of finally getting this off the ground, for historical purposes. As we've seen in the original thread, a ton of people are interested in this project and for nothing to be happening with it for so long, it's disappointing.

 

Since I do this sort of thing for a living (16 years now), I can honestly say that if a few hours a week (2-4) over a six month month period (just to not have a lot of pressure) in donated time and resources, this project could be done with some really cool enhancements for a proper DVD release, especially with the software available today for editing. It's not like we're working on 365 days - 10 hour days of footage like a feature film. Granted, I haven't seen all 14+ hours of un-released footage like you have, but I assume there is some good nuggets in there to be used. Shoot, just having 1 DVD with the original Volume 1 & 2 on it and a second DVD with all the unreleased footage as a bonus disc would be cool.

 

If this had to be finished (say, to be released at some game expo, or to meet some release date), it would move up the list.

Well PRGE was just last month (September 2009), so how about maybe setting a goal for next years PRGE? That would give you or whoever close to 12 months for putting something together. There is a lot of support for Atari related things at PRGE. Even our fearless AtariAge leader Al was there this past expo to share in the retro gaming and Atari magic.

 

Again, I'm not trying to be a pain or anything, I'm just super motivated about the idea of Stella at 20 having some new life on a DVD and seeing some of the unreleased footage.

[+Nathan Strum]

...as I said, it's up to Glenn, so I've asked him what he would like to do, and if that's having someone else take over the project, then that's okay.

[seanhq]

@Nathan: Apparently my comments are being taken the wrong way. I know it's Glenn's decision what happens with the footage, I'm not asking you for it. I'm just expressing my views, concerns and ideas to you (and anyone who reads my comments). It just seems strange that nothing has happened for 2 years. That's all. Like I said, I do this sort of thing for a living, I know what it takes (or doesn't take) to get something like this off the ground.

 

I apologize in advance, well pre, post and presently apologize if I was being a pain. That's not my intentions at all... I'll just drop it and maybe one day we'll see the unreleased footage for Stella at 20. Until then, I will enjoy my original VHS tapes and my personal DVD copies.

 

Cheers,

 

-Sean

[prostx23]

Hi,

 

Has there been any progress on this project or any updates?

 

Mike

[+Nathan Strum]

Nope.

[prostx23]

Darn... (shrugs shoulders and walks away quietly till next year)

[DEBRO]

Hi there,

 

Sorry to bring up an old topic but I was wondering if this was still planned for some date?

[+Nathan Strum]

It's as planned as any homebrew project is. Spare time is the biggest limiting factor.