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".

[Drewbee87]

^^I just watched it on Netflix.com on my computer and took captures of my screen.

[Resettito]

I've rarely seen super 16 looking as stunning as this (even Friday Night Lights), top notch quality, especially on the big screen.

[MidtownMaestro]

Anyone out there have any insider info on the possibility of whether or not they'll have a blu-ray release.... seems crazy to me that a show as popular as this hasn't yet had a proper remaster and BR release. Tried watching a few episodes of current 1080p upscale and it's really (really!) rough, often changing drastically from frame to frame. Stars Hollow in real HD anyone?

[KyahCA]

It's a shame this show still hasn't gotten a BD release, especially since the show was remastered in HD and put on Netflix. I still own the series on DVD, but I still worry that one day Netflix will take the show off of their library and I won't be able to watch it in HD.

[CouncilSpectre]

Twin Peaks sat on the shelf for years after it had been remastered before it saw a blu release.

Similarly, The West Wing, STILL hasn't had a release and again, that's been ready for years.

Sometimes, these things just happen....glacially....

[blahsi]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

Twin Peaks sat on the shelf for years after it had been remastered before it saw a blu release.

Similarly, The West Wing, STILL hasn't had a release and again, that's been ready for years.

Sometimes, these things just happen....glacially....

WB isn't great with their back catalog, especially nowadays. I would love it if they would consider releasing these titles through their Archives collection. It'd be a bit more expensive than a mainstream release but at least we could own them!

[Farerb]

Why wasn't it released on Blu-ray yet?

[Nico Darko]

I finally started a rewatch, in HD this time, and I have mixed feelings. The picture of the remaster itself looks beautiful, no traces of DNR, beautiful colors, it's one of the best transfer of 16mm film I've ever seen.

My issue is that I wasn't expecting to be so distracted by the 16:9 aspect ratio. I'm halfway through season 1, and after making some comparisons, I'd say about 5 or 10 % of the image is cropped most of the time, usually at the bottom. It's not terrible but it makes a good number of shots look a little awkward. Some occasional shots also don't gain any information on the sides and are more heavily cropped (but that seems rare).
I had a quick look at seasons 2 & 3 and it looks like the cropping didn't stop.
The show was very clearly composed for 4:3 only, not protected for 16:9 until season 4 (I've noticed a few pieces of equipment as well, and syncing issues).

So it's pretty frustrating, I really wish a 4:3 version had been made available, and I hope that will be the aspect ratio if we ever get a blu-ray release.
I honestly might go back to my dvds if those issues get too distracting.

I'm surprised by the cropping, since the show was shot on super 16mm. But I guess it depends on the way you use it, and it looks like what was available was a 1:66.1 frame, I don't see why the frame isn't fully opened-up otherwise.

Also, I'm almost certain the pilot was shot on 35mm, the picture looks way too good and different from the rest to be 16mm. And I'm assuming it was 4 perf 35mm (4:3) since the pilot is a lot more cropped than the rest of the season.

[waxlion]

There’s a shot in one episode where one of Paris’s friends call Rory to ask about her PSAT scores. The joke is that she’s only doing it at the behest of Paris who is off screen, though in 16x9, Paris’s shoulder is in frame the entire time. I generally think the HD versions on Netflix are pleasing, but wouldn’t mind and future physical release to retain 4x3

[Nico Darko]

I've never watched the later seasons in 16:9 either, but I assume they don't have any cropping issues, since they aired on The WB that way starting season 4. Are they also free of goofs on the sides?

[waxlion]

Originally Posted by Nico Darko

I've never watched the later seasons in 16:9 either, but I assume they don't have any cropping issues, since they aired on The WB that way starting season 4. Are they also free of goofs on the sides?

I didn’t realize that they aired that way. The DVDs were all 4x3