HBO's "Game Of Thrones" Discussion (2011-2019)

[DasRetroKid]

Originally Posted by odditie

I'm sick of the discussion on the video being unwatchable too, but if that was their experience, then that's what their experience was and it's a failing of the network/creators/cinematographer.

To blame the viewer for the bad experience is unfair and silly.

While I can agree with you on the networking issue, I cannot on blaming the creators and especially not the cinematographer.

Are we now going to dumb down cinematography as well by demanding they keep the guy watching something like GoT on his tablet in mind? Or the guy that bought his TV, put it on torch mode and wants to watch GoT with every single window open and sun coming in full blast?

We're not talking the Price is Right here. GoT is a damn near cinematic experience, despite it not technically being a movie.

Based on all the feedback it is clear certain streams from certain providers had issues, but to blame the cinematographer is asinine.

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by odditie

I'm sick of the discussion on the video being unwatchable too, but if that was their experience, then that's what their experience was and it's a failing of the network/creators/cinematographer.

To blame the viewer for the bad experience is unfair and silly.

This is where i have to slightly disagree regarding blame on creators/cinematographer and say that the network may have some blame in sub part OTA and On Demand transmissions BUT i would also not expect a LOT of those complaining to be completely honest about their TV calibrations and how much ambient/external lighting from smartphones etc. they had in the room.

Most people have porrly set up TVs, loads of ambient lighting etc. and then watch dark content and complain its the fault of the content. I'm not saying the "It's too dark" comments can't centre around a genuine gripe that the artistic choice made to keep the scene dark didn't allow people to see as much detail in the scenes as they would have wanted to see the fighting unfold. Again, i watched the "Inside the episode" which was clearly filmed well before it aired and complaints came up to say they wanted there to be a claustrophobic and confusing element during the fight as it was in the dark. They present the undead as monsters and as we all can attest, most horror elements work best in the dark.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by myanks12

The bottom line with the darkness is this...if it's a few people complaining about it, you don't take it seriously. But that is not the case with this episode. It's a big story because many people reported the same issue. This many people aren't going to complain about it being too dark just for the sake of complaining about it, especially when there are have been plenty of other episodes with night scenes that people never said a bad word about.

For what it's worth, I went back and watched some scenes last night and it did appear to be brighter for me. It was still dark but definitely an acceptable image. I still had bigger issues with the battle strategy, execution of the battle, plot armor and the NK's death compared to it being too dark.

Most people have sub $3000 tvs so I do blame what most are willing to spend as a percentage of the problem, on the flip side, they're also not looking for overwhelming quality just watch-ability. Which like you said when its so big an issue major sites are writing articles within a few hours about it. That's an issue that rests with the choices they made filming it not on "derp get a better tv (likely from someone who didn't spend much anyway)"

I also don't equate seeing everything with it being delivered correctly. I could see everything same way I can see everything in AVP:R but there is 100% content lost by how it was shot/edited, and I'd bet big money unless they admit they fix it before disk release you'll get the same crappy presentation maybe slightly better.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

This is where i have to slightly disagree regarding blame on creators/cinematographer and say that the network may have some blame in sub part OTA and On Demand transmissions BUT i would also not expect a LOT of those complaining to be completely honest about their TV calibrations and how much ambient/external lighting from smartphones etc. they had in the room.

Most people have porrly set up TVs, loads of ambient lighting etc. and then watch dark content and complain its the fault of the content. I'm not saying the "It's too dark" comments can't centre around a genuine gripe that the artistic choice made to keep the scene dark didn't allow people to see as much detail in the scenes as they would have wanted to see the fighting unfold. Again, i watched the "Inside the episode" which was clearly filmed well before it aired and complaints came up to say they wanted there to be a claustrophobic and confusing element during the fight as it was in the dark. They present the undead as monsters and as we all can attest, most horror elements work best in the dark.

You already lost your argument, if your argument to be able to watch content is adjust your living situation and customize your tv for a single episode.

Sorry but that's not feasible for anyone but HT enthusiast. To say that's a requirement is retarded.

[manutd123]

Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but is the Night King and his threat over?

Has this been confirmed by the writers, producers etc? Or are we to expect a twist?

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by manutd123

Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but is the Night King and his threat over?

Has this been confirmed by the writers, producers etc? Or are we to expect a twist?

yeah he gonnnnnnneee

[odditie]

Originally Posted by DasRetroKid

While I can agree with you on the networking issue, I cannot on blaming the creators and especially not the cinematographer.

Are we now going to dumb down cinematography as well by demanding they keep the guy watching something like GoT on his tablet in mind? Or the guy that bought his TV, put it on torch mode and wants to watch GoT with every single window open and sun coming in full blast?

We're not talking the Price is Right here. GoT is a damn near cinematic experience, despite it not technically being a movie.

Based on all the feedback it is clear certain streams from certain providers had issues, but to blame the cinematographer is asinine.

I put them all in there to not assign blame specifically to anyone. That being said, unless they were told it wasn't going to be a problem for the broadcast, they do share some portion of the blame as they didn't anticipate issues with the limitations of broadcasting/streaming, fair or unfair.

[DasRetroKid]

Originally Posted by odditie

I put them all in there to not assign blame specifically to anyone. That being said, unless they were told it wasn't going to be a problem for the broadcast, they do share some portion of the blame as they didn't anticipate issues with the limitations of broadcasting/streaming, fair or unfair.

That is a fair analysis of the issue though we have to keep in mind that the very same cinematography some are criticizing, is going to look absolutely phenomenal on Blu Ray.

I would then look more to the show runners (creators) for not considering the limitations of streaming, however we must ask ourselves how much of that is under their control?

Some fans have pointed out that the show looks better when streamed via X app vs Y app. How much of that falls on the app (host) and their technology (or lack there of) for streaming and being able to keep up with the streaming demand of a show like GoT?

I myself have seen where a show looks better when streamed via Hulu as opposed to via NetFlix (and vice versa).

I personally feel that by asking the show runners and the cinematographers to try and keep so many of these variables in mind, we stand to lose what makes some of these shows stand above the rest.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by DasRetroKid

That is a fair analysis of the issue though we have to keep in mind that the very same cinematography some are criticizing, is going to look absolutely phenomenal on Blu Ray.

False lol if they've messed with it at all and it isn't a freak incident related to stream/ delivery. While it'll look better with HRD/4k but to say its a given that it'll suddenly make it perfect is beyond false.

As I've referenced over, and over again AVP:R is the shining example of how it was messed with and still to this day blu-ray disk or not is crushed by those decisions.

[DasRetroKid]

Originally Posted by supersix4

False lol if they've messed with it at all and it isn't a freak incident related to stream/ delivery. While it'll look better with HRD/4k but to say its a given that it'll suddenly make it perfect is beyond false.

As I've referenced over, and over again AVP:R is the shining example of how it was messed with and still to this day blu-ray disk or not is crushed by those decisions.

I believe what was filmed will look gorgeous on Blu. Perhaps I am the lucky few as what I streamed last Sunday looked great despite some minor macroblocking, but from everything I've seen, the issues seem to stem from the source the episode was streamed from.

I have a friend who streamed it live the same way I did (HBO app via PS4) and he too said it looked amazing (and he is a fellow videophile).

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by DasRetroKid

I believe what was filmed will look gorgeous on Blu. Perhaps I am the lucky few as what I streamed last Sunday looked great despite some minor macroblocking, but from everything I've seen, the issues seem to stem from the source the episode was streamed from.

I have a friend who streamed it live the same way I did (HBO app via PS4) and he too said it looked amazing (and he is a fellow videophile).

I'm sure given the swift backlash it'll be dealt with prior to home release

[Zvi]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

Who was the person that convinced Danerys to go to Winterfell and fight White Walkers instead of just focusing on Kings Landing? People seem to ignore how pivotal of a role that was. Yes, it wasn't the "Killer blow" but honestly, in the grand scheme of things, what does that matter?

Well, neither Jon nor DT did much damage to NK, and since Aria learned the art of teleportation, she might as well materialize next/behind/on top of the NK and deliver that blow.
What's the difference getting past dozen whitewalkers in a small courtyard or assassinating NK in the field, when he is on the way to winterfell. Later is more plausible and easier actually, at least for a trained assassin, unless her powers only work in the courtyard

All that aside, as it turned out, lord of the light or whatever deity it was, brought Jon back to life to gather allies and armies, sacrifice better half of those for no reason, then play tag with dead dragon, just so that NK would be "distracted" and arrogant just enough for Aria to deliver the kill. Talk about well planned

Originally Posted by NARMAK

They couldn't have predicted he'd do that to a dragon by himself though and it created extra tension and suspense for the viewers and lead to a cool scene. Honestly, isn't it boring if there's no twists and turns people don't expect?

Yeah, I felt extra tense watching that twist when bunch of mindless zombies were fishing out the dead dragon out of that lake. Expectations - subverted!!!

[Shin sam]

Originally Posted by drush9999

The Now TV stream was artifact city as well, and didn't look 720p, but I didn't have much issue with it being too dark.

Ah, ok. I did't mind it being too dark, it's just the bit rate need to be higher because of it.

[Zvi]

Originally Posted by BluProofie

Not only that, but GRRM frequently does stuff like this. He built up Robb for 3 Seasons/Books only to kill him, for example....

Robb in the books is nowhere near built/hyped up as in the show, so that one goes to showrunners, not GRMM. And it's pretty obvious red wedding wouldn't deliver the shock value it had without that.

[LegacyCosts]

Originally Posted by supersix4

You already lost your argument, if your argument to be able to watch content is adjust your living situation and customize your tv for a single episode.

Sorry but that's not feasible for anyone but HT enthusiast. To say that's a requirement is retarded.

It is feasible. Watch it in a dark room on a TV. Not hard.

[BluProofie]

Originally Posted by supersix4

False lol if they've messed with it at all and it isn't a freak incident related to stream/ delivery. While it'll look better with HRD/4k but to say its a given that it'll suddenly make it perfect is beyond false.

As I've referenced over, and over again AVP:R is the shining example of how it was messed with and still to this day blu-ray disk or not is crushed by those decisions.

You keep posting like it was a fact the episode is messed up, even though several people with properly calibrated TVs had no issues seeing it. The only major problem on my end was the horrible broadcast compression, which won’t be there on the blu-ray obviously.

It’s not that you have to buy a new TV. Lots of TVs have different brightness levels depending on if you’re watching broadcast/streaming or a blu-ray. When I first got my 4KTV, I had issues with the streaming and broadcast being much darker than blu-ray and had to adjust my settings.

[Shin sam]

Originally Posted by BluProofie

You keep posting like it was a fact the episode is messed up, even though several people with properly calibrated TVs had no issues seeing it. The only major problem on my end was the horrible broadcast compression, which won’t be there on the blu-ray obviously.

It’s not that you have to buy a new TV. Lots of TVs have different brightness levels depending on if you’re watching broadcast/streaming or a blu-ray. When I first got my 4KTV, I had issues with the streaming and broadcast being much darker than blu-ray and had to adjust my settings.

In a nut shell.

[LegacyCosts]

Originally Posted by BluProofie

You keep posting like it was a fact the episode is messed up, even though several people with properly calibrated TVs had no issues seeing it. The only major problem on my end was the horrible broadcast compression, which won’t be there on the blu-ray obviously.

It’s not that you have to buy a new TV. Lots of TVs have different brightness levels depending on if you’re watching broadcast/streaming or a blu-ray. When I first got my 4KTV, I had issues with the streaming and broadcast being much darker than blu-ray and had to adjust my settings.

When I first got my 4k tv I couldn't see anything when I put on the watchmen UHD. Took a bit of tweaking. HDR is often darker anyway and I'm pretty used to it, could explain why I had no issues with the the episode. It really did look shot with HDR in mind, I imagine it will look quite amazing on disc. People hate having to adjust TV settings I guess but we're on a blu ray forum, surprised people here arent tech savvy at all.

[Kevinicus]

It's not a TV/Display issue. It's not a cinematographer issue. It's a distribution issue.

I've watched it on 3 different displays (New 4K projector, High end - when purchased - Plasma, and a older Vizio) and 4 different distribution methods (HBOGo via Nvidia Shield, DirecTV recorded on DVR, HBOGo via Roku, Directv live feed). All of the experiences were different. Three were perfeclty fine but with differences (those differences were likely due to the displays), one was god awful - DirecTV live feed on the Plasma (the recorded DirecTV that was fine was on the Plasma as well).

[Stanis]

Someone mentioned AVPR darkness in the GoT S8 thread? LoL, AVPR is a black hole compared to GoT8.3's moon. I will say I can't imagine watching this episode during the day though, but frankly I found the orange smokey darkness quite lovely (except for all the compression banding)