Short version: You can convert high def to standard def, but not vis-versa. ("It has always been easier to destroy than to create.") Back in the 60s, all the VFX were created in high def, on film, because they didn't have any other way. Starting in the 80s, with the rise of tape and CGI, that changed; effects were created in standard def to start with, and they never had a high-def version. After all, the shows were only going to be shown in standard def, right? The Twilight Zone (and the original Star Trek) were made with the older methods, so a high-def version already exists. But for Babylon 5, that standard-def version is all that was ever created. There's no way to get a high-def version without starting from scratch. (Star Trek: The Next Generation fell in-between the two methods. The final version only existed at standard def, but they still had most of the original pieces in high definition; CBS has been able to reassemble them into a high definition version. For B5, those original high-def pieces don't exist.)
Yeah, it basically comes down to the use of filmstock or video. Since the former creates it's image through a photo-chemical process, the "resolution" is only limited by the materials. Video on the other hand uses magnetically stored analogue data, which if more efficient to store, cheaper to produce and easier to duplicate that film, but it's also much more limited in terms of resolution. Anyway, the best way to encourage WB to do this for B5 is to convince them there's money in it for them and the way to do that is to go make some noise.
Okay, there's the thing. I just didn't realize that older stuff was already "high def" by being on film.
A fan in Warsaw Poland posted a great Free Babylon 5 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTk0fryxk3Q&feature=youtu.be Have any of you thought of doing something similar? If you post it on YouTube and send the link to FreeBabylon5@gmail.com Jenny will add it to the Free Babylon 5 channel. I'd love to create a DVD of a whole bunch of these to send to WB. Jan
In case anybody follows Jerry Doyle on Twitter and saw this tweet: I just listened to the interview with Stephen Furst and there was *no* news or 'scoop' of any sort. It was a nice conversation but no news of any sort. That was $3 and 30 minutes I'll never see again. Jan
Perhaps he's just using the hashtag without understanding what it means? Maybe he thinks it's just a general B5 tag? I'd like to think he's not deliberately misleading B5 fans in order to jip them out of a download fee... On the positive side, anyone who read that and didn't know what #freebabylon5 was has probably googled it and found themselves at the facebook page, so I'd call that a net gain all things considered.
I'm going to take the opportunity to send him an informative email about the campaign. Who knows, he might give us a plug. It's great that I can point him to the website and FB page to show him that we're worth taking seriously. Worth a try, anyway. Jan
It's a banner weekend for #FreeBabylon5! We've passed 5,000 Likes on our Facebook page and we're starting the process of gathering emails for our upcoming newsletter. You can sign up for it at http://tinyurl.com/qzx8zg6 and I promise your info will *never* be shared or sold. And speaking of banners, there's also a new cover photo adapted for #FreeBabylon5 by Richard Frost. Jan
Lots of fans expressed interest in the swag I had available at Space City Con in January and I promised to make it available if I could. I've got some 'diplomatic pouches' of Free Babylon 5 goodies available on Ebay now. http://www.ebay.com/itm/111307218046?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649 Each one contains: -Two (2) Free Babylon 5 lanyards - perfect for con badges or work IDs -One (1) #FreeBabylon5 dog tag in either Space Black, Station Blue, Mars Red, Drazi Green or Centauri Purple (sorry, we cannot accept color requests) with both 20" and keychain chains -One (1) #FreeBabylon5 carabiner (key holder) in either Space Black, Station Blue, Mars Red, Drazi Green or Centauri Purple (sorry, we cannot accept color requests) -Three (3) Free Babylon 5 ribbons suitable for convention or ID badges -One (1) oversize (3") Free Babylon 5 button -At least 5 regular Free Babylon 5 buttons -At least 5 Free Babylon 5 'Voice of the Resistance' postcards -At least 5 Free Babylon 5 'BabCom' wallet-size calendars Jan
I'm so excited!! I just got the official email from San Diego Comic-Con that we've been approved for a panel! Right now my mind is racing trying to think of everything I need to do before July 23 (when I leave for the con). This is huge! We've already sent buttons and postcards to a dozen or so conventions but SDCC is the opportunity to reach over 100K genre fans. Help me spread the word if you can. More details soon. Jan
Any update on the campaign...can you re-post what steps every fan can do right now...and any progress? Have you tried contacting the ME-TV network as one avenue?
So far our major victory was getting the show in reruns on the Watch channel in the UK. They ran all of the seasons and movies and season one again but it's off the schedule for now. I asked, though, and they said it would be back but didn't have any dates. Always and forever and every day, fans can write wot Warner Bros. and ask them to make the show available to TV stations and/or streaming sites (other than the current $2-per-episode model they're using). Also writing to TV Stations to get them to ask WB for it is the best two-prong campaign. Lots and lots of info for contacting TV stations on the website http://freebabylon5.com/ With Comic-Con, we'll have a unique opportunity to maybe even catch the eye of WB execs in person. Can't be sure yet, but WB always has a big booth and presence at the con and if I'm able, I'm hoping to make sure the #FreeBabylon5 presence is felt. Which brings me to the topic of...money. So far, a few generous donations from the B5 books folks and a few fans have financed this campaign (as well as my own pocket). My goal is to connect with at least 5,000 of the 130,000 attendees at SDCC. In order to do that, I need things to give to people that will make them *want* to do something once they're back home. If anybody's got a few bucks to kick in, any donations would be very welcome sent to PayPal at freebabylon5@aol.com Many thanks. Spreading the word about the campaign is also a big help. There are so many social networks these days, no way I can check in with and monitor them all. If you've got a fave, please feel free to let folks know about #FreeBabylon5. Thanks! Jan
Okay, I put in my two cents. Is there any channel that you guys are focusing on, like the MeTV Network? They have national exposure and do show a tiny bit of genre programming-- most notably the original Star Trek (although it's the "enhanced" version). Maybe they could be convinced to expand that.
Thanks very much, RJDiogenes! At 24 hours in, we're about 14% to the goal. Our main thrust has been targeting WB itself at Kevin Tsujihara, CEO Warner Bros. Entertainment 4000 Warner Blvd Burbank, CA 91505 But that looks like a great match. There's a contact page here: http://metvnetwork.com/contact/ And a snail-mail address of Me-TV Network 26 N Halsted Chicago, IL 60661 Thanks for the suggestion! Jan
Huge news for the #FreeBabylon5 campaign - We're goin' to Comic-Con!! San Diego Comic-Con, that is. Well, okay, so I already posted that. But I'm now allowed to give details. Our panel is: #FreeBabylon5 - A Fan Campaign, Thursday, 7/24/14, 10:00a.m. - 11:00a.m., Room: 29A And it's even better! Thanks to the good offices of AZ SF Cons, we'll be sharing a Fan Table on the Mezzanine level, MZ-03. Hope you'll help spread the news. Here's the chance for the campaign to reach a portion of the 130K genre fans who'll be there. Jan