ab3
Subj : Re: TNG vs TOS - anybody still think Next Generation sucks?
To   : rec.arts.sf.tv,rec.arts.startrek.current,alt.tv.star-trek.tos
From : Mike
Date : Fri Sep 30 2005 20:33:44

From Newsgroup: alt.tv.star-trek.tos



electrictroy@gmail.com wrote:
> 

It is visible. the video state of the art in the 1980's wasn't near what
it is today in standard def. I think analog broadcast video made use of
about 400 out of the 525 lines of standard definition. DVD has the full
525 lines of resolution and the best of DVD's use high definition
digital transfers which are downconverted to DVD resolution. So, quality
is lost in the process but the result is the absolute best that standard
definition can offer on DVD.

1980's era broadcast analog video starts out with less resolution then
DVD and also exibits "chroma noise" which is almost nonexistant on DVD. 

Whether you see the difference depends on what type of TV you have.
There are some higher end standard defintion TV's which you can really
see the difference(like on a Sony Wega, which is what I have) and, of
course you can see it on a High Def TV.

So, watching an early episode of TNG on DVD looks like the 80's era
analog broadcast tape that it is. It looks soft, with the "chroma noise"
(lack of smoothness in some of the colors)it's the best I've ever seen
the show because it's like I'm watching it off the broadcast tape
masters, instead of off broadcast (which adds it's own artifacts and
quality loss) or a VHS tape(250 lines of resolution, more chroma noise).

But watching a TOS DVD is almost like looking at it on 16mm film. I know
16mm film would be sharper, but this is a reasonable faximile. I don't
mind the occasional film glitches if I can make out the woven glitter
effect on the landing party jackets in "The Cage" for the first time
ever. I kind of get giddy when the resolution makes me see things I have
never noticed in 30 plus years of watching the show. Like in "The
Tholian Web", I could see that they used mesh in the windows of the
helmets of the enviromental suit to give the impression of a glass
(without the troublesome reflections)face plate. The color is clean and
smooth. I have a lot of fun watching TOS on DVD. 





> .
> 
> Even if TNG was stored on videotape, the difference wouldn't be visible
> on DVD, because the videotape's resolution mathes the DVD's resolution.
>  We shouldn't see a dramatic difference until HD-DVD comes out.  Then
> you'll see how lo-res 525x480 video is compared to 1600(?)x1080
> film-transfer.
> 
> Also, the TOS DVDs were a let-down.  They didn't bother to clean the
> film, so you see all the glitches & flaws of 40-years of age.
> 
> troy

.

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