Reality: How good can old movies look? - Blu-ray Forum

nails · 11-11-2007, 02:01 PM

This is a very important topic to me. I've been trying to figure out how much work a studio would really need to go through to remaster an older movie from say the mid 90s and earlier to make the picture look good on the screen. Honestly can it ever really be polished? Will old movies always have grain in the background? Blade Runner will probably be the first and oldest movie to test HD remastering possibilities on old movies. After I saw what Lucas did to Star Wars it makes me wonder if they could make it looks almost flawless? Or would they have to photoshop each frame. Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

vsbdtv · 11-11-2007, 02:07 PM

This has been discussed before. But check out "The Searchers" if you want to see an example of an even older movie that looks great on blu-ray.

Matt X · 11-11-2007, 02:38 PM

Blazing Saddles BR looks like a brand-new movie to me - I suppose the benefits of BR treatment would differ from film-to-film, but BS proves that it CAN improve PQ on older movies greatly.

doctorsteve · 11-11-2007, 02:52 PM

2001

Petra_Kalbrain · 11-11-2007, 03:08 PM

Another one to check out is 'The Cowboys'. It's a John Wayne film from the 50's. When I saw it in Hi-Def I couldn't believe that it was a 50 year old film. It was truly an amazing sight.

buckshot · 11-11-2007, 03:09 PM

amen on the searchers and 2001. quick lesson as it has been discussed repeatedly.

film even old film has much more detail than even the highest definition can display. many directors and even photographers prefer film to HD video cameras because of this and because of films color rendering, contrast, and how well it captures skin tones. old film may have more grain than newer ones, but not necessarily. the searchers look absolutely amazing. its like standing in monument valley. that movie and the fifth element convinced my parents to get into blu ray.

EricJ · 11-11-2007, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nails

figure out
would need
Honestly
probably
would they

And now, your requested dose of reality:

11-11-2007, 02:01 PM	#1
nails Active Member Member since:Aug 2007	Reality: How good can old movies look? This is a very important topic to me. I've been trying to figure out how much work a studio would really need to go through to remaster an older movie from say the mid 90s and earlier to make the picture look good on the screen. Honestly can it ever really be polished? Will old movies always have grain in the background? Blade Runner will probably be the first and oldest movie to test HD remastering possibilities on old movies. After I saw what Lucas did to Star Wars it makes me wonder if they could make it looks almost flawless? Or would they have to photoshop each frame. Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

11-11-2007, 02:52 PM	#4
doctorsteve Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Apr 2007 Location:Tonawanda, NY Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:188 Blu-ray reviews:16	One "word" - 4 characters 2001

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Possible maybe early release BLU-RAY movies might become a reality?	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	HDTV1080P	16	06-23-2008 03:59 PM
Great Article on how movies are financed and how good movies don't get made.	Movies	GreenScar	0	06-18-2008 03:10 AM
Where is a good place to get good deals on BR movies?	Blu-ray Movies - North America	pucknut68	8	04-28-2008 01:44 PM
The Reality	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	jcdDigix	3	05-26-2007 04:58 AM

11-11-2007, 02:07 PM	#2
vsbdtv Active Member Member since:Oct 2006 Location:Atlanta, GA	This has been discussed before. But check out "The Searchers" if you want to see an example of an even older movie that looks great on blu-ray.

11-11-2007, 02:38 PM	#3
Matt X Senior Member Member since:Feb 2007	Blazing Saddles BR looks like a brand-new movie to me - I suppose the benefits of BR treatment would differ from film-to-film, but BS proves that it CAN improve PQ on older movies greatly.

11-11-2007, 03:08 PM	#5
Petra_Kalbrain Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Vancouver, BC 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:561 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:20	Another one to check out is 'The Cowboys'. It's a John Wayne film from the 50's. When I saw it in Hi-Def I couldn't believe that it was a 50 year old film. It was truly an amazing sight.

11-11-2007, 03:09 PM	#6
buckshot Blu-ray Guru Member since:Feb 2007 Location:san die ego Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:9	amen on the searchers and 2001. quick lesson as it has been discussed repeatedly. film even old film has much more detail than even the highest definition can display. many directors and even photographers prefer film to HD video cameras because of this and because of films color rendering, contrast, and how well it captures skin tones. old film may have more grain than newer ones, but not necessarily. the searchers look absolutely amazing. its like standing in monument valley. that movie and the fifth element convinced my parents to get into blu ray.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals