The REAL question is, "Where do I find a good PRS of DSOTR?"
All of the most vital producers of the DVD PRS's reviewed below have been given "cease and desist" orders from the copyright owners of the media used in these popular syncs. I'm sorry to bring this news to you, but that's the way it is, at least for now. I can't be on the side of those who think this is some sort of travesty, because I am an artist as well, and personally, I wouldn't appreciate someone pirating my work either. Politically speaking, I do believe there's an alternate, mutually beneficial way that these things may be handled. Perhaps someday these media moguls and artists will realize that they can actually put a little coin in their pockets, all the while providing a new and alternative form of entertainment. I don't know about you, but when I see a new sync I typically also wish to see (and maybe even buy) the film and/or music introduced to me. Who loses? Nobody! Oh well. For posterity's sake, for historical reasons, I'm leaving all of the information concerning the aforementioned major producers of PRS's intact. Remember, I neither produce nor sell syncs, so there's no need to contact me asking where to get one. They're gone -- they're all gone. Every now and then somebody tries to sell one on eBay but there are "eyes" everywhere these days, and these items get pulled rather quickly. Besides that, who knows what the quality is? Who wants to take a chance on wasting their hard-earned money?
Okay, with that said, here are some alternatives:
Global Rapture has a new twist on the DSOTR sync . I've seen the prototype for this one, and I liked it well enough. I'd written a review on it about a year (or so) ago, and it's posted below. It's different -- not the regular sync you and I are used to experiencing. This one's got special effects, over-lapping footage, and other stuff going on. It also has the soundtrack to the film fading in and out at different intervals. It's a whole NEW experience. I do look forward to getting a copy of the newest and best version so that I can review it, but I don't have it yet, so that's all I'm gonna say about it for now.
This
site Reduxfilms, offers syncs in a "new light". When you
order, you receive a copy of the original VHS tape, the original CD(s), plus
the sync on DVD. I've received two syncs from this site for review, and will
post them as soon as time (and my health) permit.
This is a really cool DVD trading site (no money involved)
for rare video and films such as 1930's footage, vintage children's
commercials, banned cartoons, oddball shows and documentaries, and of
course, syncs on DVD. Many (if not all) of the syncs offered are the ones
originally produced by Evening Star Gifts http://www.crashdog.5u.com/
Thanks to the
availability of video on the Internet, you can view DSOTR in very low
quality by clicking
here.
To see the Echoes/2001:JABTI
(Jupiter And Beyond The Infinite) sync, also in low-fi click
here.
Once you click on either of the above links, you'll find a fairly good
supply of other Pink Floyd clips and videos to view at your leisure.
Global Rapture Productions sent me a copy of this "project in progress", an audio/video collage, with TWoOz superimposed over and under thematic video footage, a little audio addition here and there. Before I begin with anything else, let me say that this is a very creative effort. A lot of work has gone into it even at this stage, and I look forward to seeing it in its fruition. Here are my thoughts on the experience:
The initial reaction is "Oh cool, something new has been added!" Then you are struck with the fact that this person has really paid attention to the details. Lots of cryptic things layered throughout. Reminds me a bit of the "footage" in William Gibson's novel "Pattern Recognition".
The further you go into this modified sync, the more you really see the potential of the project, and perhaps gain inspiration for others (fellow syncers?). But I did notice some things that I thought did need to be tweaked a bit here and there especially pertaining to the timing of the sync. Too much to keep up with (IMHO). However, the clever, symbolic use of TWoOz footage in other areas makes up for any complaints.
The sound quality is quite good, but you can tell it's been spliced together with software, because the transitions between songs is abrupt and too soon. But again, allowances must be made, as this is not a finished product. I also know firsthand how difficult splicing DSOTM audio footage is. I attempted as much when I created the Glass Side of the Moon project, using the Russian animated film The Glass Harmonica, from Masters of Russian Animation Volume 1.
At times I found the overlapping imagery a bit overwhelming -- just a bit too much, too fast. In the way of constructive criticism, I suggested to the Producer that if the plan is to have TWoOz footage and/or dialogue fading in and out of the creation, to maybe make it a little more consistent? At first there's this gradual phasing-in of the Oz footage, very creatively done; then it's just "there" for a seemingly long period of time; then there are long periods where there is virtually no Oz to be found anywhere; then Oz comes back for tiny spurts hither and yon. Perhaps this is the intention of the editor. But my suggestion, in order to show respect (so to speak) for the "mother of all syncs" is to make sure that at least the fading in of TWoOz is at key syncing points, and fading out during any perceived "downtime"? I apologize if I've overstepped my bounds in critique etiquette. I suppose I fancy myself an "expert" of sorts, having been in this sync realm for over 10 years.
From what I understand, this sync is or will be available to the public soon. I'll update this page with any news.
Overall, this is a really fun ride. I enjoyed experiencing this project, and look forward to when it's completed.
NOTE: Remember that the information contained below is null and void. The syncs are no longer available from these vendors. The remaining information is for historical reasons only. All outside links have been deactivated, since they lead nowhere.
There are more than just a few people who've made many-a-heart-felt attempt at getting it right, but have sadly failed in one respect or another. It could be that the timing is wrong, or the sound and/or picture quality is horrendous, or a combination of any of these. For example: I received a PRS of DSOTR on VHS tape, where the timing was very nice, and the packaging of the tape was attractive, but the syncer, for some strange reason chose to fade out the sound of the music at points that he must have deemed less important (such as maybe guitar solos? -- gasp!) and then would bring the sound of the movie to the foreground. Well, that's creative ... but stupid! It ruins the whole point of the sync! Then you have the low-life miscreant whose only desire is money (and I don't mean the song) and couldn't care less about the art of syncing, but who sees the trend merely as a means to make a buck. These people churn out garbage syncs for cheap prices and the unwitting buyer, while naturally trying to save a buck, ends up with a greasy, black banana peel. Calgon, take me away!
There really are some good PRS's out there. I feel it is my duty, as a Floydian, and my pleasure as a fellow syncer, to review and suggest to you what I consider after careful and unbiased deliberation, the best PRS's being offered.
Below you will find unbiased and clear appraisals of PRSs that have been submitted for approval. How long these will be offered? I cannot say. I know that Turner Entertainment and Warner Brothers are not very happy about the situation, and they could be on the rampage soon, so get it while the gettin's good!
The Definitive List's seal of approval ... DSOTR Master Edition DVD!
Before I go on to all the technical stuff, just let me say that a lot of care has been put into this package. I personally assisted the maker of this PRS, Evening Star Gifts (ESG), in an advisory position for perfect sync timing. The goal was to make THE version to end all versions for quality and timing. In my mind, with all the advice ESG took and used, the project is a success!
This DVD is the only one ever sent to me for review that actually played in my first generation DVD player! The picture label is printed directly onto the disc, instead of using a stick-on label, which eliminates problems that some machines have with sticker labels.
I only have a 27" TV and it's not
the best quality, so to discern the true quality of this
DVD, I
took the disc to Circuit City and asked a salesman if he wouldn't
mind performing an experiment for me. He checked out the cover of the DVD to
make sure it wasn't a porno flick, agreed and proceeded to pop the disc into a high
quality DVD player that was connected to nothing less than a big ol' monkey of a
flat
screen High Definition digital TV! Yeah, baybeh! Yeah! I instantly remembered that this disc is "Optimized for
Home Theatre", and I witnessed the fruits of ESG's labours! The
picture was astonishingly clear as was the sound! I had to tell the kid salesman
that I was finished viewing it for him to finally turn it off! He was riveted to
the screen!
I just wish I could afford one of those TVs! And that's why I'm asking you to
dig deep and give a donation to the "Let's Get Stegokitty a Big Ol' Monkey of a
Flat Screen Digital TV Fund".
OK, now on with all the technical stuff that could be wrapped up in one word ..."Woohoooo!"
SYNC TIMING: This production is precisely and exactly aligned with The Definitive List!
PACKAGING: Professional printing and paper, professional quality cover art on front and back. The disc has a sweet picture label, all which may be viewed by going to the website. Includes a folded card printed with the 101 syncs listed in the DL.
PICTURE QUALITY: Instead of using the THX TWoOz, this PRS is made using the 50th Anniversary edition of TWoOz, which from what I can tell is no different from the THX version. Picture is super sharp!
SOUND QUALITY: Digitally re-mastered DSOTM -- crystal clean, no caffeine!
NAVIGATION: User friendly navigational menus with several screenshots as backgrounds.
EXTRAS: Comes with the Contact/Echoes sync as a bonus! Interestingly enough, this was a project that ESG had already put together and was offering, before knowing that it was I who discovered it!
The Definitive List's seal of approval ... DSOTR Master Edition DVD!
The
Dark Side of the Rainbow Master Edition in Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound!
Digitally remastered multi-channel sound giving a whole new
perspective to listening to history's greatest classic rock album,
Pink Floyd's The
Dark Side of the Moon.
CAUTION: If you do not have an audio system that is capable of 5.1 surround sound, do not bother with purchasing this version as you will be sorely disappointed. The sound REALLY IS broken up into separate channels, so with a regular audio system, what you get is missing music!
Next up for review ...
SYNC TIMING: Timing is in perfect keeping with the Definitive List.
PACKAGING: No Frills, baby! Ever seen those jars of generic peanut butter that say "PEANUT BUTTER" in black ink, on a white label? Well, that's what you get here. So this is a case of not judging a "book" by it's cover, because beneath this seeming innocuous cover lies a product with mixed qualities.
PICTURE QUALITY: The video is pretty darn clean. Not sure of what the source is. To be honest, I didn't watch it all the way through. afterall, how many times can a man see this sync and not go insane?
SOUND QUALITY: The sound quality is good, but not great. I discerned a sort of popping sound every now and then.
NAVIGATION: Animated mini-scenes on the menus. Pretty cool!
EXTRAS: Has a nice, intro with an interesting, history of the sync and the relationship of the two media which form it. It's certainly leans towards "intent", which then falls into inaccuracy in order to support the theory. It claims that the 3 or 4 colours that are used in Technicolor are the same in number as the bands of coloured light emanating from the prism on the cover of DSOTM The truth is, there are 7 colour bands emanating from the prism. The maker of this PRS has been notified of this inaccuracy and is working on a new version which will correct this error. Another leg knocked out for the "intent" group, heheheheh.
BUMMERS: None come to mind.
This DVD is no longer available as far as I know, but you may inquire about it via email io@theblastshack.com Just be sure to remove the "nospam-" part from the beginning of the email before sending.
Another DVD by The Blast Shack has been made available, which features not only DSOTR, but also Echoes/2001(JABTI), Contact/Echoes, Wonka/2112, and one that I've never seen before, The Fragile Ring, which is done with Nine Inch Nails music and the film, The Ring. From what I can tell, all of this is able to fit on the same disc because it is a higher compression. It goes by the title Music & Movie Synchronizations Vol.1 DVD. For more information click here.
I scan eBay every once in a while and have spotted other PRS's for auction, none of which I able to vouch for as to their quality. I've written to several of these people, asking if they'd like to have their sync reviewed on my website (which would certainly generate more interest in their product if indeed it's any good) but for the most part, I've gotten no response. Keep in mind that these people with PRS's all over eBay and elsewhere on the Internet, are evidently out of the loop, as they have contacted neither myself, nor Baker, nor Bytor, nor Mike Johnston , nor any other respected and seasoned syncveteran. Does that necessarily make their PRS's bad? No, but it might cause you to think twice about spending your hard earned money on something that could be potential crap. I can and do assure you that any product from ESG is top quality! I don't like wasting my money, and I figure you're probably the same. That's why I made this page!
Keep on syncing and shine on, you crazy diamonds!
Stegokitty
Stegokitty is neither the manufacturer nor distributor of this, Nor OF any dvd PRODUCTS reviewed on this site. For concerns regarding quality, shipping, etc., you must contact THE PRODUCERS THEREOF. THIS SEGMENT OF THE WEBSITE IS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY.
