Countdown to Doomsday…
I’d like to thank all of you for the great response… it really helps me keep pushing forward to finish this wacky thing. It still looks as if I’ll be able to complete the episode by the end of the week… so I’m making a callout now of Friday Evening (Pacific Time) will be when the episode will be out. That’s the encouraging news.
Now, the let-down news. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look as if I’ll be able to put up the entire episode uncut… This is for many reasons, but mostly because of bandwidth concerns. This means that I will be putting up several smaller sections of the show… but including all of the new effects. (much like my “effects only” reel was for the teaser and act one sections…) I wish I had unlimited resources to put towards getting this out to the public… but that just isn’t the case. I’ve been putting my own time and money into upgrading my software to get this done… so the line must be drawn here… this far and no further. (See what you made me do… I’m quoting a darn TNG movie…)
Just so there isn’t any sense of animocity… I really want everyone to tune in to their local broadcast of CBS Digital’s Doomsday Episode this weekend… it’s important… and good ratings will maybe make everyone breathe easier there. My version is just being offered as a “bonus”, alternate reality look. So, please treat it as such.
Now, back to work.
February 6th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Again, looks great — can’t wait to see both episodes.
Just a note — the Betafive.com address does not direct you here — I always have to add “/wordpress” to the address because I have had no success linking here from the main page. There might be some interested folks out there who are currently bouncing off that front page…
February 6th, 2007 at 11:59 am
One simple word…….YouTube!
February 6th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
It might come down to YouTube… the problem is, everything looks awful there… but it is fun, isn’t it.
February 6th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
There’s always bittorrent….
February 6th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
How large would the full episode be uncut Daren? I might be able to help host the full version and get a torrent started.
Depending on the size of course, but I’ll speak to a friend of mine and see what he says, because I know everyone will want to have a chance to see the full version.
February 6th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
I actually don’t know how large the full episode will be yet… lol Cause it isn’t done… but with the sections I’ve output so far, I anticipate five sections of between 30 and 45 Meg… (And that will be in WMV format too, for all you PC heads…) And I’d love for someone to start a torrent… Cause I don’t know much about this “newfangled” internet thing. lol
February 6th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
I found out about the original pitch reel you made because of YouTube. It may not have the best quality, but the exposure can’t be beat. You can also get feedback there, too.
BitTorrent would be good for getting the full high quality version out there.
February 6th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Ahhh, so around 300 megs. Hmmm, I can likely upload the full episode to a friends server and then help seed the torrent. The more people who volunteer, the better. I truly believe your work deserves to be seen as a complete episode. Don’t worry Daren, we’ll help you out.
You should go over to Treknation.com and talk to some of the guys in the forum there…or better yet, maybe the New Voyages and Exeter people would help mirror the full episode and setup a torrent for it as well. “There are always, possibilities.”
February 6th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Isn’t wmv one of the less efficient formats to use? I use XVID avi’s when I make my own stuff. I notice with a double pass it becomes MUCH smaller while still retaining good picture. Though I hear that H264 is the best right now, though I haven’t learned how to do that yet.
First I usually make a high quality master in AVI format. Then I use the freeware virtualdub to make smaller versions to post on the web. Virtualdub is VERY fast. And I love the pricetag, FREE! It’s great for testing out various codec quality settings. But always remember to do a double pass. Doing a single pass is never as good a quality as a double pass when you are doing compression.
February 6th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
All my quicktime files are in h.264… but after a couple of people complained, I’m offering it in wmv format…I don’t wanna get into format wars on this… the files will look fine for what they are… compressed for the net…
People are welcome to make their own conversions… however. Just let me know what you’re doing with them…
February 6th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
I can’t wait Darren.
I might suggest also offering the files in a zipped format. That migt help reduce the wear and tear on your server. Also, alot of people who hosted the New Voyages mirrors might be able to help you, I would avoiod U Tube, destroys resolution greatly.
Best
Bill
February 6th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
As far as format goes, either Xvid or DiVx is good quality, small file size, and universally playable. And again, offering it via bittorrent would benefit all, as we’re helping to provide the files once we get it from the original source.
Seeding is good…
February 6th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
With all the dedicated folks out there, I think you’ll definitely be able to release the full episode Daren.
Some of the New Voyages mirrors shouldn’t have a problem hosting the full episode. To Serve All My Days was around 600 or 700 megs, so yours will be pretty light in comparison. 
February 6th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
I agree with Ninjew: Xvid or DiVX and offering it via bittorrent. I would go for DiVX myself, as I have a DiVX certified DVD player and I would really like to see this Daren’s work on my lowly TV. Maybe I’m selfish…
Steve
February 6th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Divx would be a poor choice over xvid though. Xvid has surpassed Divx in small file size vs. quality ages ago. I can give you some tips on how to easily convert a wmv to a DVD though.
February 7th, 2007 at 3:47 am
Hey Daren,
Just saw the preview for the ‘official’ version from CBS-Paramount. Wow. I think they stole some ideas from you. Shame its gonna be butchered for commericals. I can’t wait to see yours.
Bill
February 7th, 2007 at 9:12 am
Hey Daren, I’ve been doing my best to get some help hosting the full uncut episode over at New Voyages. Just wanted to give you a heads up that you may get some offers by email.
February 7th, 2007 at 9:19 am
telestrike you are EXACTLY correct as CBS DIRECTLY stole several key elements from BOTH of Daren’s released Doomsdayworks
But the ONE thing I can say is this they stole some of BEST elements of Daren works such as the exposed superstructure of the Constellation from the first 1990s clip, the hard tilting bank of the Doomsday Machine as it closes on the Enterprise to show its girth it does not move like the original on a string and impressive contrasting angle approaches of the ships against the Doomsday Machine rather than the single shot focuses of the indivdual ships as shown in the WONDERFUL imagainative fly by of the Enterprise towing the Constellation with the Doomsday in hot pursuit!
Gods I LOVE that! Still perfect!
Though truth be said I STILL like the SEEABLE yellow tractor beam myself.
True some will say that this is a low point of CBS to so OBVIOUSLY take many of Daren’s ideas and use them without official acknowledgement
But I think in some ways this is the ultimate compliment that the CBS people can give to Daren to acknowledge that is WAS INDEED HIS efforts in getting the fans movitivated with his dedicated hard work who is REALLY at the heart of this project.
As do we
Again thanks for all your work Daren
Oh and by contrast I think I will more than likely consider Daren’s version the REAL update and CBS the “alternate reality” version
Damn that shuttlecraft size contrast still stinks…..
February 7th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Daren,
The bandwidth and potential copyright issues with posting the whole episode are understandable.
Would it be possible for you to release just your effects shots in high-res (at least as good as your trailer) with perhaps a few frames of live action around the in and out points on either side, so those of us with the official DVD and basic editing skills can piece together a keepsake version of the show? It’d be a shame to have no way to enjoy your hard work in complete context.
February 8th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Might I suggest the Newsgroups.
Just post the entire file to;
alt.binaries.startrek
I imagine you would satisfy a great number of us with this method. Bittorent is fine if you have enough seeders, otherwise a download can take days. No matter how you choose to distribute, I am seriously looking forward to your version!
February 8th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
What about DivX? The Dr.Divx encoder is freeware and you can load an MPEG2 vob into it and get out a nice looking 350-400MB file for the the length of a TV episode.
February 8th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Of course I’m not sure if Dr.Divx is available on the mac. The Divx converter is, but it’s not free.
February 8th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Xvid is free for both PC and MAC. It will also give better results than divx. I’ve experimented with both, and the quality of xvid beats divx every time.
February 8th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Yeah, but there is no easy Xvid converter app.
February 8th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
You can download the Divx bumndle and use it the free trial to convert it into an episode. Just becareful of the viewing dimensions. Too small will chop up the visuals and too large will take a larger download. Go for something around 580 x 440 or something like that (I’m not sure of the dimensions). THen, if you can, seed it on a torrent file.
Actually I’m quite surprised that many of the hosts from New Voyages or New Frontier haven’t offered to help.
I can seed the episode if you want.
Best
Bill
February 8th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Hi I’m really looking foward to your version of the Doomsday Machine. Will you be releasing the full version? I think a Torrents a very good idea or you could upload the full version to FileFront and let people download it from there. I hope you do release the full version anyway. Thanks.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
telestrike, there are plenty of free, easy to use apps for converting xvid. ffmpegx is the first that comes to mind.
February 9th, 2007 at 4:55 am
How are things going for the big countdown Daren?
February 9th, 2007 at 6:19 am
ffmpegx sounds like the ideal thing to use to make a web friendly encode.
February 9th, 2007 at 7:00 am
The countdown is on schedule. Expect something later today.
February 9th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Can’t wait Daren. To be completely honest, this feels like Christmas.
February 9th, 2007 at 9:34 am
My bad, New Horizon,
I should haev agrred with you on thatm ffmpegx is probabaly an easier way to go.
Peace and Tribbles
Bill
February 9th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Really appreciate your efforts Daren. Looking forward - -
February 9th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
It’s coming through now, Khan…
February 9th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
I wonder just how many of us are gonna make a DVD out of your copy just so that they can say they have a true remastered episode. I think the effort that you and your lone computer have done over the combined efforts of a group of people at CBS is outstanding. Have you had any offeres for mirrors to host the entire epiosde?
I can’t stress how utterly fantastic this is for all the Trek fans.
Thank You
Best
Bill
February 9th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Still sorting out the mirrors… but I’ll be putting up the effects only clips in moments…
February 9th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Daren, I ‘ve been following your efforts closely and I must say that your work is impressive. I’m looking forward to viewing the completed episode. Peace and long life.