Gilmore Girls HD on Netflix, Blu-ray to follow?

[GoldMotel]

For those who don't know, the entire series of Gilmore Girls was just put on Netflix, remastered for HD.

I've watched the first three episodes, and the remaster is...weird to say the least.

Episodes 1-2 are remastered in widescreen, but the opening credits are in the show's OAR (4:3). However, I did not notice any goofs in the sides of the frame, which means that the first season was protected for widescreen (which would be shocking, since the first season aired in 2000), or whoever oversaw the remastering fixed any goofs digitally.

However, for some reason the entirety of Episode 3 is remastered in 4:3. An odd choice not be consistent on aspect ratios for the entire show.

In terms of quality, The quality of the print is very good, everything looks much more crisp and clean. Though episode 2 does have 2 quick instances of hairline print damage. But it's literally a second or two.

I think this the first time the show had ever been presented in true HD, so hopefully this means we'll get a blu-ray release in the next year or so.

[Nico Darko]

The first season aired in 2000, not 1997.

This is good news in any case, I'd love to see those first seasons in HD, the 1st one doesn't always look great on dvd.

And I don't wanna push the aspect ratio debate in every topic, but Gilmore Girls is a 4:3 show, Amy Sherman Palladino said so herself. I saw a few eps in widescreen, and I've never seen so much dead space, it didn't feel right, the show feels much more intimate in its OAR.

[GoldMotel]

Originally Posted by Nico Darko

The first season aired in 2000, not 1997.

This is good news in any case, I'd love to see those first seasons in HD, the 1st one doesn't always look great on dvd.

And I don't wanna push the aspect ratio debate in every topic, but Gilmore Girls is a 4:3 show, Amy Sherman Palladino said so herself. I saw a few eps in widescreen, and I've never seen so much dead space, it didn't feel right, the show feels much more intimate in its OAR.

Thanks for the date correction, it's been so long since I've seen the show, the "1997" in the pilot threw me off.

Yeah, I agree with you about the aspect ratio being the original, however, if they were going to do widescreen, they should fully commit.

It's weird that some episodes are in widescreen, but some are in OAR.

[Veronica Mars]

I'm depressed now.

I only watched the first two episodes last night, so I assumed they'd all be 16 x 9 and I was thrilled. Not going to like it changing to 4 x 3.

[GoldMotel]

Originally Posted by Veronica Mars

I'm depressed now.

I only watched the first two episodes last night, so I assumed they'd all be 16 x 9 and I was thrilled. Not going to like it changing to 4 x 3.

My biggest question is why they didn't make the opening credits widescreen while the rest of the episode is. They have access to all the footage.

A sign of laziness, perhaps?

[Veronica Mars]

Originally Posted by Nico Darko

The first season aired in 2000, not 1997.

This is good news in any case, I'd love to see those first seasons in HD, the 1st one doesn't always look great on dvd.

And I don't wanna push the aspect ratio debate in every topic, but Gilmore Girls is a 4:3 show, Amy Sherman Palladino said so herself. I saw a few eps in widescreen, and I've never seen so much dead space, it didn't feel right, the show feels much more intimate in its OAR.

There was practically no dead space. It looked terrific in 16 x 9.

[Nico Darko]

Originally Posted by Veronica Mars

There was practically no dead space. It looked terrific in 16 x 9.

Didn't see the netflix versions, but the hdtv versions for S4-7 had tons of dead space, everything you need is in the 4:3 frame, 16:9 looks very awkward to me. But as usual, it's a matter of taste.

Would love to see some HD screenshots by the way

[Veronica Mars]

Originally Posted by Nico Darko

Didn't see the netflix versions, but the hdtv versions for S4-7 had tons of dead space, everything you need is in the 4:3 frame, 16:9 looks very awkward to me. But as usual, it's a matter of taste.

Would love to see some HD screenshots by the way

Seasons 4-7 were broadcast in 16 x9 HD.

Even ABC Family shows those episodes in 16 x 9 HD, although they might not have the show anymore if Netflix does.

It looks exactly the way they wanted it to look. Only seasons 1-3 were broadcast in 4:3.

[Nico Darko]

Originally Posted by Veronica Mars

Seasons 4-7 were broadcast in 16 x9 HD.

Even ABC Family shows those episodes in 16 x 9 HD, although they might not have the show anymore if Netflix does.

It looks exactly the way they wanted it to look. Only seasons 1-3 were broadcast in 4:3.

S4-7 were released on dvd in 4:3 because that is the format wanted by the creator. They were protected for 16:9 and made available in HD at the time, but it doesn't mean that's how the directors would prefer the show to be seen.

S1-7 were all framed for 4:3.

But both aspect ratios are acceptable (not sure about S1-3), 4:3 is simply how they framed it first, so it feels more right to me, that's all. I feel the same way about "Friends".

[Veronica Mars]

Originally Posted by Nico Darko

S4-7 were released on dvd in 4:3 because that is the format wanted by the creator. They were protected for 16:9 and made available in HD at the time, but it doesn't mean that's how the directors would prefer the show to be seen.

S1-7 were all framed for 4:3.

But both aspect ratios are acceptable (not sure about S1-3), 4:3 is simply how they framed it first, so it feels more right to me, that's all. I feel the same way about "Friends".

While I'm sure you're right, I doubt ASP had any say in how they released the dvds. WB basically fired her.

The WB wanted seasons 4-7 to be broadcast in 16 x 9, I'm sure because everything else around that time was and people were complaining about it. I'm remember writing them an email myself.

If they also protected for seasons 1-3 and it looked like they did based on the first two episodes, I just know I'd prefer to see it in 16 x 9. I also feel this way about Friends.

That said, at least they should pick one or the other. I have no time tonight to look through the episodes, but I'm very disappointed that they skip between 16 x 9 and 4:3. That makes no sense to me.

Had I checked it out last night and it was in 4:3, as I expected it to be, I wouldn't have a problem. But if they messed around with the show to be able to present it in 16 x 9 while on Netflix, they really should have done it with each episode.

[hedge hog]

Never watched this when it was on, but I love Lauren Graham in Parenthood, and started watching this on Netflix. What a great and funny show, so far. The HD remaster looks pretty good if soft at times.

[hedge hog]

Hm, watching Season 1 Episode 3, and it's in 16:9, like the first two. So that's good.

[blahsi]

Originally Posted by hedge hog

Hm, watching Season 1 Episode 3, and it's in 16:9, like the first two. So that's good.

They must have updated it today because it wasn't yesterday It was in SD, so it was a jarring change from the first 2 episodes. I might have to rewatch it now.

The one thing I notice watching the HD versions is how much more colorful some scenes look now. Quite the contrast from the earlier DVDs!

[GoldMotel]

Originally Posted by hedge hog

Hm, watching Season 1 Episode 3, and it's in 16:9, like the first two. So that's good.

Thanks for the update. Netflix must have fixed it.

Just finished watching episode 4-5, quality is still very good and following the aspect ratio set by episodes 1-2 (episode in wide, credits in OAR).

Does anyone know whether the first season was shot on film or digital? Because it doesn't look like any grain is present...at all. I mean, it doesn't look like a DNR mess, but it's kinda odd that the image is so clean.

[Nico Darko]

The show was shot on film, Super 16mm to be exact.

[GoldMotel]

Originally Posted by Nico Darko

The show was shot on film, Super 16mm to be exact.

Guess that means whoever restored it did a good job, because fine details seem intact and it looks like there is no DNR present. At least for the first 5 episodes anyway.

[Veronica Mars]

Originally Posted by GoldMotel

Guess that means whoever restored it did a good job, because fine details seem intact and it looks like there is no DNR present. At least for the first 5 episodes anyway.

I'm through 5 episodes too and literally couldn't be more thrilled. Some are complaining that's it's not in OAR, but I think it looks TERRIFIC. Others are saying there is too much dead space on the sides and I'm just not seeing that all.

Even the main characters seems centered. If I didn't know better, I would think this was exactly how it was meant to look.

I know better to think blu-rays will ever be released, but I sure hope Netflix keeps this show until I'm really old because I am not sure I could watch the dvds again.

I can't wait to watch more tonight and it was tough to turn it off last night. I even tweeted a few times to Liza Weil (Paris) and she favorited my Gilmore Girls tweets. I had a huge crush on her. Her meanness was a huge turn on to me.

Oh, and I'm glad they "fixed" episode 3 and that reports of other episodes being in 4:3 seem to be wrong.

[Nico Darko]

How can you see no dead space when the show was so clearly composed for 4:3 ? Are you sure Netflix is not cropping the image ?

I would greatly appreciate some screenshots

[GoldMotel]

Originally Posted by Nico Darko

How can you see no dead space when the show was so clearly composed for 4:3 ? Are you sure Netflix is not cropping the image ?

I would greatly appreciate some screenshots

Unless some very subtle cropping is happening, it seriously looks like there is no dead space for the episodes so far (at least episodes 1-7).

It's the weirdest thing.

[Drewbee87]

Couldn't really get into this when it was on, I might give it another shot though. I watched the opening of the Pilot on my computer to get some caps for you guys, I don't have the DVDs and can't seem to find good rips online so I can't do comparisons: