Poll Babylon 5 vs Deep Space 9? Which one is better in terms of graphics?

[dub]

I've yet to watch all of B5, but DS9 did just fine for what it was and for its time. Some of the graphics were very cool, some were cheap-o looking, some were clearly repeated from previous episodes. But the story arcs were awesome and the graphics sold me just fine and were never (or very rarely) so bad that they took me out of the story, which is all that matters to me. I'd love to see a reboot of the series with the feel of nuBSG , the graphics quality of that series and more fully serial writing now that we have the benefit of hindsight. I know that's not going to happen, but I'd dig it.

 

[Griffeytrek]

I've yet to watch all of B5, but DS9 did just fine for what it was and for its time. Some of the graphics were very cool, some were cheap-o looking, some were clearly repeated from previous episodes. But the story arcs were awesome and the graphics sold me just fine and were never (or very rarely) so bad that they took me out of the story, which is all that matters to me. I'd love to see a reboot of the series with the feel of nuBSG , the graphics quality of that series and more fully serial writing now that we have the benefit of hindsight. I know that's not going to happen, but I'd dig it.

B5 is most certainly worth watching in full. It remains one of the finest SciFi shows ever aired. With its contained building story arcs. You just have to slog through some questionable first season episodes until things start rolling. Oh and feel free to skip season 5.

 

[STEPhon IT]

Babylon 5 was one of the great SF shows on TV. If only it had a budget like the TNG spinoffs were getting; the producers could've done more with the visual presentation of the series.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

B5 is more visually imaginative, but for the graphics and special effects, DS9 is much better.

 

[Griffeytrek]

B5 is more visually imaginative, but for the graphics and special effects, DS9 is much better.

Let's not forget B5 and DS9 were in production at the same time. There was a healthy rivalry between the production crews, and they were constantly trying to better the other. So by the end of each they had both vastly improved.

B5 had the advantage of scale from early on. They could portray massive space battles that the practical effects Trek people could only dream of. The downside is the B5 mid 90's CGI does not age well or scale well into HD. Whereas the DS9 effects shots have mostly aged much better and still are believable to the eye. By the end DS9 was able to pull off massive fleet battles and B5's CGI had improved by leaps and bounds. DS9 still ages better. You can't beat a physical model for looking real.

 

[murby]

The last 2 ds9 season is for me great in terms of graphics

 

[STEPhon IT]

Let's not forget B5 and DS9 were in production at the same time. There was a healthy rivalry between the production crews, and they were constantly trying to better the other. So by the end of each they had both vastly improved.

B5 had the advantage of scale from early on. They could portray massive space battles that the practical effects Trek people could only dream of. The downside is the B5 mid 90's CGI does not age well or scale well into HD. Whereas the DS9 effects shots have mostly aged much better and still are believable to the eye. By the end DS9 was able to pull off massive fleet battles and B5's CGI had improved by leaps and bounds. DS9 still ages better. You can't beat a physical model for looking real.

The CG from B5 hadn't aged well back then. What the show had an advantage over DS9 was the stories were a lot better, and the conclusion was wrapped up nicely and made a lot of sense.

 

[DarKush]

B5 is more visually imaginative, but for the graphics and special effects, DS9 is much better.

I pretty much agree with this. DS9 just had better production values. Though B5 did have some neat starship designs, among other things.

 

[StarMan]

In terms of approximation to photo-realism - DS9. In terms of design, creativity and dynamism - B5.

 

[STEPhon IT]

Deep Space Nine was totally different in design from any Trek I've ever seen; it was why I love it originally. Moving away from what was done on TNG and taking to another level. From make-up to production design it was completely alien for my sights. Too bad it couldn't remain that way after the third season.

 

[maneth]

DS9 had more money to throw at it, so I think the DS9 FX have aged better. That said, Babylon 5 is one of my all-time favorite genre shows and I really enjoy the dynamism of the FX. The average fan film today has better CGI than Babylon 5 did 20+ years ago.