Rumor: TNG-HD is a-coming

[milo bloom]

BillJ wrote:

---

Which I didn't understand since they rendered the effects in widescreen.

I hope they don't stretch or crop TNG for the new series. We watch all kinds of 4x3 material on our widescreen set and we don't have a problem with the bars on the side.

[AviTrek]

Harvey wrote:

---

I'd hope that once stations saw the result of presenting the series in widescreen, they'd pass. Is there much of a precedent for releasing 1.33:1 television programs cropped to widescreen on home video, anyway? I can't say I'm totally concerned about how the show is broadcast on TV -- I'll be watching it on Blu-Ray if it's released.

Seinfeld was cropped for 16x9 when it was remastered, and airs in syndication that way. Personally I think it looks terrible too.

[BillJ]

AviTrek wrote:

---

Seinfeld was cropped for 16x9 when it was remastered, and airs in syndication that way. Personally I think it looks terrible too.

Now see I've also watched these on TBS. The early seasons don't look so good, but once you get to season three you wouldn't know the difference if you didn't know it was originally done in 4:3. YMMV.

[Harvey]

BillJ wrote:

---

HDNet has shown shows such as Cheers and Hogan's Hero's cropped.

True, but have they been released in the cropped widescreen format on home video? Not as far as I know.

[BillJ]

Harvey wrote:

---

True, but have they been released in the cropped widescreen format on home video? Not as far as I know.

But it's been two-and-a-half years since it completed it DVD releases. If they had started today, we honestly don't know how they would've been released. The cropped versions looked perfectly fine on HDNet.

Like I said before... I'd like for widescreen to be an option on home video releases. Just like multiple audio tracks.

[Harvey]

I wouldn't mind if widescreen was included in addition to the original aspect ratio, but I'd much prefer a whole list of things before widescreen was a priority.

And, certainly those shows were released on DVD in their native aspect ratio -- those were SD releases. But if they were released to Blu-Ray, would they be the cropped versions? 1.33:1 shows I've seen on Blu-Ray so far have been pillar-boxed, not cropped. These include Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, The Prisoner, and Space: 1999.

[LOKAI of CHERON]

I bought the UK season 1 DVD set of Kung Fu, which I was dismayed to find had been re-formated to 16:9. It didn't even cross my mind to check the specs on the box before purchase.

Suffice to say, it looks terrible.

[Mr. B]

Harvey wrote:

---

I wouldn't mind if widescreen was included in addition to the original aspect ratio, but I'd much prefer a whole list of things before widescreen was a priority.

And, certainly those shows were released on DVD in their native aspect ratio -- those were SD releases. But if they were released to Blu-Ray, would they be the cropped versions? 1.33:1 shows I've seen on Blu-Ray so far have been pillar-boxed, not cropped. These include Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, The Prisoner, and Space: 1999.

Since filmed TV shows are shot full-frame, you'd have to chop off the top and bottom of the original to get 'widescreen.' I don't see how that would be desirable, especially with the tight framing that's frequently employed in TNG.

[RAMA]

Dac wrote:

---

Well, I took a stab at them:



Full Res: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...idescreen1.jpg



Full Res: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...idescreen2.jpg



Yes, they are tricky shots. Yes, I did squash/stretch them and Yes, I did resort to using content aware fill to "widen" the image...but I'd say none of the critical information has been lost in the transformation. Everyone's face is still in shot, everyone's uniform is visible to some degree and, most importantly, Troi's cleavage is left unharmed.

So while my techniques may have been clumsy and haphazard, if this schmuck can do it, I dare say the folks over at CBS digital could as well.

EDIT: And Yes, these have been blown up to 720p. I did my best with some digital noise reduction, but as you can clearly see its nowhere near enough HD quality.

The version shown on TATV, the only ACTUAL footage we have seen aired this way, does not have the apparent stretching as obvious as your efforts. Also you are not taking into account the slight difference in aspect ratios between the filmed version and aired version. Ok shoot me, but I think it looks pretty damn good in ENT.

AviTrek wrote:

---

Seinfeld was cropped for 16x9 when it was remastered, and airs in syndication that way. Personally I think it looks terrible too.

One of my favorite shows...and I think it looks way better this way.

RAMA

[Art Vandelay]

BillJ wrote:

---

It's just a straight crop. Doesn't look like there was any creativity involved.

So that's what's required for a stretch 'n crop violation of the image to look good! Creativity! Why, thank you, I was beginning to wonder. I guess Ted Turner was also being "creative" when he colorized Casablanca back in the 80s.

Let's consider an analogy. I like strawberries. Some people may like strawberries with mustard. I don't like that, but more power to them. My problem starts at the point when these people clamor for strawberries to be made available only pre-drowned in mustard. Why don't these people decide to simply get a side order of mustard (i.e. hit the stretch button on the remote control)? Please don't spoil the strawberry experience for all the mustard haters.

And to be honest, I strongly believe that CBS is going to go the OAR route.

[Harvey]

Mr. B wrote:

---

Since filmed TV shows are shot full-frame, you'd have to chop off the top and bottom of the original to get 'widescreen.' I don't see how that would be desirable, especially with the tight framing that's frequently employed in TNG.

Agreed, although since the effects will probably be rendered in widescreen, it might make an interesting, if entirely supplementary, feature.

[Art Vandelay]

Harvey wrote:

---

1.33:1 shows I've seen on Blu-Ray so far have been pillar-boxed, not cropped. These include Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, The Prisoner, and Space: 1999.

I like your style. We own all of these Blu-ray sets as well, and they're glorious, immaculate restaurations. Looking forward to the fifth and final Twilight Zone set in August! And hoping that they announce the second season of Space: 1999 soon. (When I watch this show, I always think that this is kind of what Star Trek: Phase II would have looked like.)

[BillJ]

Art Vandelay wrote:

---

My problem starts at the point when these people clamor for strawberries to be made available only pre-drowned in mustard.

This is where the analogy falls apart. Care to show me where anyone said it should be released in widescreen only?

BillJ wrote:

---

Like I said before... I'd like for widescreen to be an option on home video releases. Just like multiple audio tracks.

I'm truly mystified by some people's stark "all or nothing" worldview.

[Art Vandelay]

^ Remastering TNG in HD is crazy expensive as it is. So expensive indeed that the cost was considered prohibitive for a long time. Doing two versions - 4:3 and 16:9 - is going to be even more expensive. Therefore, I highly doubt that CBS is going to do that, and I assume that we're only getting one version. I'd just like that version to be the proper one, please. If CBS decides to give us a choice, I'd happily be proven wrong!

[BillJ]

Art Vandelay wrote:

---

^ Remastering TNG in HD is crazy expensive as it is. Doing two versions - 4:3 and 16:9 - is going to be even more expensive. Therefore, I highly doubt that CBS is going to do that, and I assume that we're only getting one version. I'd just like that version to be the proper one. If CBS decides to give us a choice, I'd happily be proven wrong!

Since they did Star Trek Remastered in 4:3 and 16:9, it may be that broadcasters are more inclined to buy widescreen programming in Europe and Asia. Which would make a widescreen version a forgone conclusion.