Old DVD Titles to BD Format: What Technology(ies)? - Blu-ray Forum

Rush · 12-05-2007, 02:53 PM

Many Classic, and not so classic, films are being re-released in BD format. I would like to know what technologies are being used to transfer the old material to the BD format. Are the producers going back to the original film material and "reshooting" the disk? Are they merely "upconverting" the old DVD disks? Etc.

I remember that when music CD's were new, many producers of the old, classic recordings were going back to the original analog session tapes and remixing the music to digital masters, from which the CD would then be pressed. Others were merely repressing the existing analog masters with various levels of enhancement. Also, many of the "better" jazz, rock and classical disks gave information about the source of the original material and some basic information about the conversion process(es) used. A few would give a fairly detailed technical discussion of the technology of the reproduction, focusing of course on how their specific approach enhanced the material to get the best digital reproduction as possible on the disk.

Are any of the BD disks being published with this kind of information available? Or, is it out there to be discovered, and, if so, how does one go about getting to it?

For example, I'd be interested in getting a BD disk of Gone With the Wind, and it could be extraordinary. A few years ago, this film was completely refurbished and a very good DVD released. If I were to find a BD release of this film, I would also be very interested in knowing the technology employed to produce the new release and how that technology could be expected to render an excellent HD viewing experience and how it may not give what the same film would have given if recorded in the most modern film technology designed with HD disk production in mind.

Also, does anyone know of any general discussions of these topics that are available online or elsewhere. As I suggested above, many new releases of old films in the BD format are coming, and I would like to be able to develop a bit of knowledge so that I can develop a sense of what to expect as I get into Blu-ray viewing on my new system.

Thanks for any info anyone may have on thiis area.

sean10mm · 12-05-2007, 07:05 PM

It depends on what original film elements are available. Ideally you make a new print from a well-preserved negative, scan it at high resolutions (4k is typical, 8k is better), then apply corrections to the scan like removing dirt and scratches, correcting the color timing, etc. to produce a pristine image that is true to the original.

35mm film has much higher "effective resolution" than even Blu-ray, let alone DVD, so even very old movies can look much better on Blu-ray.

Storm · 12-05-2007, 08:34 PM

Good information. I was not aware of the process.

Whytewash · 12-05-2007, 08:41 PM

the key lies with the original master. Hopefully on classic movies, the master has been VERY well preserved. That being the case, even wicked old movies like gone with the wind can be absolutly pristine!

Suzukiman600 · 12-06-2007, 05:15 AM

Awesome. Thanks for the information.

Rush · 12-06-2007, 09:48 AM

Thx, sean and whytewash, for the info. I hope that is the process used for these old films being brought into BD format. After the scan, I suppose it is an argument about which specific codec is best to bring the scanned film to blu-ray.

Also, I hope there is as much care used to bring the old soundtracks to today's formats as there was in bringing many of the old rock, jazz and classical recordings to CD.

I'm already learning from reading reviews of BD formulations of older films of the many approaches that can and are being taken to get from there to here and the debates that are being generated. It's going to be a fun ride into Blu-ray and HD TV.

Maxell · 12-06-2007, 10:29 AM

It's all about the original film. I can't wait to see blu-ray transfers on alot of movies, because many dvd transfers did not come out good, some limiting themselves to 4.7gb single layer. And I'm not just saying that because I'm used to blu-ray quality.

openup · 12-08-2007, 06:38 AM

There was an article on Sound & Vision about Warner Bros. Studios and some of their processess and technologies for doing the transfers/restorations of older films. With pictures of some of their gear as well.

It was a news story on the front page here at blu-ray.com about the remastering of Blade Runner but they also discuss some of the technical details as well.

Link: https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=732

Hope this information is useful

12-05-2007, 02:53 PM	#1
Rush New Member Member since:Dec 2007	Old DVD Titles to BD Format: What Technology(ies)? Many Classic, and not so classic, films are being re-released in BD format. I would like to know what technologies are being used to transfer the old material to the BD format. Are the producers going back to the original film material and "reshooting" the disk? Are they merely "upconverting" the old DVD disks? Etc. I remember that when music CD's were new, many producers of the old, classic recordings were going back to the original analog session tapes and remixing the music to digital masters, from which the CD would then be pressed. Others were merely repressing the existing analog masters with various levels of enhancement. Also, many of the "better" jazz, rock and classical disks gave information about the source of the original material and some basic information about the conversion process(es) used. A few would give a fairly detailed technical discussion of the technology of the reproduction, focusing of course on how their specific approach enhanced the material to get the best digital reproduction as possible on the disk. Are any of the BD disks being published with this kind of information available? Or, is it out there to be discovered, and, if so, how does one go about getting to it? For example, I'd be interested in getting a BD disk of Gone With the Wind, and it could be extraordinary. A few years ago, this film was completely refurbished and a very good DVD released. If I were to find a BD release of this film, I would also be very interested in knowing the technology employed to produce the new release and how that technology could be expected to render an excellent HD viewing experience and how it may not give what the same film would have given if recorded in the most modern film technology designed with HD disk production in mind. Also, does anyone know of any general discussions of these topics that are available online or elsewhere. As I suggested above, many new releases of old films in the BD format are coming, and I would like to be able to develop a bit of knowledge so that I can develop a sense of what to expect as I get into Blu-ray viewing on my new system. Thanks for any info anyone may have on thiis area.

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12-05-2007, 07:05 PM	#2
sean10mm Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Blu-ray reviews:4	It depends on what original film elements are available. Ideally you make a new print from a well-preserved negative, scan it at high resolutions (4k is typical, 8k is better), then apply corrections to the scan like removing dirt and scratches, correcting the color timing, etc. to produce a pristine image that is true to the original. 35mm film has much higher "effective resolution" than even Blu-ray, let alone DVD, so even very old movies can look much better on Blu-ray.

12-05-2007, 08:34 PM	#3
Storm Senior Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:North Carolina, USA Blu-ray collection:320 Trading Score:3	Good information. I was not aware of the process.

12-05-2007, 08:41 PM	#4
Whytewash Special Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:'Couve, WA Blu-ray collection:60 Blu-ray reviews:1	the key lies with the original master. Hopefully on classic movies, the master has been VERY well preserved. That being the case, even wicked old movies like gone with the wind can be absolutly pristine!

12-06-2007, 05:15 AM	#5
Suzukiman600 Active Member Member since:Dec 2007 Trading Score:1	Awesome. Thanks for the information.

12-06-2007, 09:48 AM	#6
Rush New Member Member since:Dec 2007	Thx, sean and whytewash, for the info. I hope that is the process used for these old films being brought into BD format. After the scan, I suppose it is an argument about which specific codec is best to bring the scanned film to blu-ray. Also, I hope there is as much care used to bring the old soundtracks to today's formats as there was in bringing many of the old rock, jazz and classical recordings to CD. I'm already learning from reading reviews of BD formulations of older films of the many approaches that can and are being taken to get from there to here and the debates that are being generated. It's going to be a fun ride into Blu-ray and HD TV.

12-06-2007, 10:29 AM	#7
Maxell Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007	It's all about the original film. I can't wait to see blu-ray transfers on alot of movies, because many dvd transfers did not come out good, some limiting themselves to 4.7gb single layer. And I'm not just saying that because I'm used to blu-ray quality.

12-08-2007, 06:38 AM	#8
openup Member Member since:Nov 2007 Blu-ray collection:7	There was an article on Sound & Vision about Warner Bros. Studios and some of their processess and technologies for doing the transfers/restorations of older films. With pictures of some of their gear as well. It was a news story on the front page here at blu-ray.com about the remastering of Blade Runner but they also discuss some of the technical details as well. Link: https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=732 Hope this information is useful

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