* * * This message was from Henrik Herranen to rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.m * * *
         * * * and has been forwarded to you by Lord Time * * *         
            -----------------------------------------------             

{at}MSGID: 
{at}REPLY:
 The irony is that hi-def DVDs *don't* use anamorphic processing because
> their native aspect ratio is 16:9.  Anamorphic is a way of squeezing
> the maximum resolution out of standard-def discs primarily on standard
> def TVs, while also allowing them to play on SD TVs.  Hi-def discs
> don't have to *worry* about playing on SD TVs, so that wasn't an issue
> in putting the spec together. 

I fail to see the irony. If a HD version of Babylon 5 would be done,
there would be exactly the same problems with special effects and
composite shots as there were with making the 16:9 DVDs. Actually,
they would be worse, because film elements could (and would) be
re-scanned for HDTV resolution, and most of the time the results
would probably be very good. However, the CGI and composite still
have only the composite video standard definition 4:3 NTSC masters
to begin with so the disparity on image quality would be even
bigger than with the DVDs.

The only way to save at least some CGI/composite picture quality
would be to transfer the effect shots as 4:3 elements in a 16:9
frame, so that there would be black borders at the left and right
side of the screen. That way the current DVDs could actually look
a _lot_ better than what they do now because the subpar vertical
scaling as used in the current transfers wouldn't be needed at all.

Reference:
http://www.iki.fi/leopold/Babylon5/DVD/DVDTransfer.html

Kind regards,
        - Henrik

-- 
Good signatures never die, they just fade away
                                                                           
                                                  
--- SBBSecho 2.11-Win32