Comments on: Some HD Remastered Trek Showing Up On XBox Live

By: Matt Wright

Matt Wright — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 21:48:39 +0000

For more on how Knight Rider was reformated for HD see here:

http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=625030

By: Daniel Shock

Daniel Shock — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 14:46:25 +0000

All I really know Matt – is that it filled my 16:9 screen…perhaps the overscan on my tv hid any black bars on the sides.

By: Matt Wright

Matt Wright — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 08:47:21 +0000

#27 Wasn’t Knight Rider 1.66:1 like they did with Hogan’s Heros? That seems to be a nice compromise between 16:9 (1.77:1) and the original 35mm ratio of 1.37:1.

By: John N

John N — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 19:40:35 +0000

#27 – Thanks for the info Daniel… I didn’t realize that 4:3 would be missing info. I’m certainly all for bring THAT information back… :)

By: Daniel Shock

Daniel Shock — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 19:36:13 +0000

Actually, with 35mm film, you do get more info on the sides as it is not in the 4:3 ratio – they do cut a bit off the sides. Look here:

http://www.reelclassics.com/Techtalk/aspectratio-graphics.htm

the second one down, I believe is close to the full 35mm film image.

When you look at Knight Rider in 16:9 – you can see quite a bit more on the sides. Some shots are a little odd because it looks like everyone decided to stand really close together in the center of the frame

I’m not sure if its still on, but Knight Rider was in 16:9 on Universal HD. Its one of the HD channels my cable company caries.

By: John N

John N — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 18:33:02 +0000

#23 and 24 – Daniel

Well, I have an open mind, so I’d be more than happy to see a few examples of fully cropped epidoses before making judgement.

And I agree… information on the sides is generally more important, but since cropping from 4:3 to 16:9 doesn’t give you any additional “side information”, and instead just deprives you of “top and bottom” information, does that apply in this case?

Also… any idea where I can see the 16:9 versions of Knight Rider? I’m curious about possibilities… :)

By: Beryl

Beryl — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 18:10:15 +0000

If it ever comes out on HD discs, they should have two versions.

By: Daniel Shock

Daniel Shock — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 17:41:45 +0000

and I’d also like to say that I’ve been impressed with 16:9 versions of Knight Rider and Hogan’s Heroes that have been on HDNet and Universal HD.

By: Daniel Shock

Daniel Shock — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 17:22:49 +0000

John N – well, yeah – I find rectangles more pleasing to the eye. I also think that information on the left and right side of the frame is far more imporant than whats on the top and bottom.

That being said, some of the shots in the show are SO tight, that I have a hard time believing that it will not look like crap.

I would really like the chance to see a couple of episodes in 16:9 format to make that determination on my own.

By: Lao3D

Lao3D — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 16:02:19 +0000

Cervantes is right about the missing cloud. I think that does indicate clearly they are remastering for both options, which is a very good thing. Another interesting thing, if you look at the Starbase 11 shot seen in the linked series above, there is more at the sides than was seen in the broadcast form, again indicating they are planning for the dual format options. It will then become the viewers choice: See the full frame original and lose a little remastered footage at the sides, or see the full widescreen remastering and lose a little off the top and bottom. Seems like a win-win situation — or a lose-lose if you’re a glass-half-empty sort!

And for those who can’t make up their minds, there’s the back and forth as described by the xBox folks. Seems to me like they have the situation well in hand…