Please explain something to me about HD
#1
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Please explain something to me about HD
A couple of weeks ago, someone made a post asking that if Buffy, Firefly, X-Files, and some other shows came to HD, would people buy them. The consensus seemed to be from that thread that the answer was no, because HD wouldn't improve the shows much due to them not being filmed with HD cameras.
If that's the case, how in the world does HD improve something like Casablanca or the Wizard of Oz, considering the technology didn't even exist back then? What is the difference between these?
If that's the case, how in the world does HD improve something like Casablanca or the Wizard of Oz, considering the technology didn't even exist back then? What is the difference between these?
#3
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Originally Posted by abrg923
The consensus seemed to be from that thread that the answer was no, because HD wouldn't improve the shows much due to them not being filmed with HD cameras.
Here are the relevant posts from the thread you're talking about:
Originally Posted by Phantom Stranger
Most seasons of the show were shot on film but edited in video, which significantly limits how good it could look unless Fox was willing to do for Buffy what Sony did for Seinfeld and go back to the original film source.
Originally Posted by WMAangel
If Fox went back to Buffy and did like Paramount did with Star Trek (went back to the original film elements to clean and remaster, redo special effects in HD, etc.), then I'd be first in line to buy that no matter what the cost....seriously, as long as they keep it windowboxed at 4:3 inside the 1080p 16x9 resolution, I'd be more than willing to drop over $100 a season...even the first two seasons shot in 16mm could easily benefit from a complete remastering from the original film elements.
Originally Posted by Mr. Salty
It may be a personal preference, but there is no technical limitation any more than there is for movies. "Miami Vice" was shot on 35mm film and potentially could look very good in high definition.
Put me down for Firefly out of the ones listed. I'd go for Buffy and Angel, too, but their special effects were rendered in standard-def.
Put me down for Firefly out of the ones listed. I'd go for Buffy and Angel, too, but their special effects were rendered in standard-def.
"FireflY" is recent enough that it shouldn't suffer from those limitations (I don't recall, but it may have even aired originally in HD). But for the other shows to look good in HD, the original film elements would have to be retransferred to video in HD, then re-edited. The special effects would also have to be done all over again. Paramount was willing to spend the money to do that on the original "Star Trek," but it remains to be seen if anyone is willing to do that for other shows. The price tag would be very high.
If that's the case, how in the world does HD improve something like Casablanca or the Wizard of Oz, considering the technology didn't even exist back then? What is the difference between these?
Last edited by Mr. Salty; 02-11-08 at 05:26 AM.
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To those of you who took the time to explain this, I want to throw my thanks in. I was unsure about this distinction as well and you did a very good job explaining it.
#6
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Some people said they wouldn't do it because of the expense. It's easier to justify a movie at a time, but thinking of it in terms of a series that would cost a few hundred dollars turns them off. I would want the series to be all HD or all SD (unless it was produced partially in one and part in the other), so I wouldn't buy a season in HD unless I'm willing to commit to the whole show in HD.
#7
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I said I wouldn't because I didn't like the shows that were listed... except for the first two-thirds of the X-Files series. Even then, it's too expensive an investment.
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Originally Posted by Drexl
Some people said they wouldn't do it because of the expense. It's easier to justify a movie at a time, but thinking of it in terms of a series that would cost a few hundred dollars turns them off. I would want the series to be all HD or all SD (unless it was produced partially in one and part in the other), so I wouldn't buy a season in HD unless I'm willing to commit to the whole show in HD.
#9
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Personally, I find most anamorphic widescreen TV DVDs to be the best upconversion material. Later seasons of X-Files, for instance, I think look excellent upconverted. The early seasons, before widescreen anamorphic was used, not so much.
Season 4-6 of 24 are, in particular, remarkable to my eyes.
In the few of cases where I've seen the Hidef and SD versions of TV shows, the SD versions are often spectacular, IMO, upconverted. The HD is better, but the SD is just really really good as well. I've personally seen this with Nip/Tuck and Damages.
This is all YMMV, I'm using this on a 42" 1080P Panny Plasma from either a A3 or Panny 10A. I sit close to the TV in my set-up, less than 5' away. Put the SD in one, HD in the other. Switch back and forth on the same frozen screen -- you can definitely tell the difference. Makes you not want to pay twice as much or more for HD versions.
-beebs
Season 4-6 of 24 are, in particular, remarkable to my eyes.
In the few of cases where I've seen the Hidef and SD versions of TV shows, the SD versions are often spectacular, IMO, upconverted. The HD is better, but the SD is just really really good as well. I've personally seen this with Nip/Tuck and Damages.
This is all YMMV, I'm using this on a 42" 1080P Panny Plasma from either a A3 or Panny 10A. I sit close to the TV in my set-up, less than 5' away. Put the SD in one, HD in the other. Switch back and forth on the same frozen screen -- you can definitely tell the difference. Makes you not want to pay twice as much or more for HD versions.
-beebs
#10
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I can attest to that on Heroes. I originally had the SD versions before getting the HD-DVD set, and while the HD-DVDs are of course spectacular, the DVDs look pretty damn good themselves.
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Originally Posted by beebs
Personally, I find most anamorphic widescreen TV DVDs to be the best upconversion material.
In the few of cases where I've seen the Hidef and SD versions of TV shows, the SD versions are often spectacular, IMO, upconverted.
In the few of cases where I've seen the Hidef and SD versions of TV shows, the SD versions are often spectacular, IMO, upconverted.
The DVDs upconverted look to me just about as good as the HD broadcasts....I was really surprised....
#13
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Originally Posted by LivingINClip
All about cost here. There is no way I can justify double dipping on entire TV series, even ones I friggin' adore such as King of Queens.
Last edited by Fist of Doom; 02-08-08 at 10:30 PM.
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Originally Posted by LivingINClip
Yowaz's she is super hot.
#16
Less Photoshop:
God, I love those kind of hips.
God, I love those kind of hips.
Last edited by DVD Polizei; 02-09-08 at 10:37 AM.