Would a TV Series filmed in SD benefit from a BD release?

[The_Iceflash]

This might be a stupid question but would a TV show filmed only in SD benefit from a BD release or wouldn't it make a difference? Thanks.

[Disneykid]

If a show was shot on tape (like Three's Company or The Cosby Show), then Blu-ray wouldn't make much of a difference if at all. However, if a show was shot on film (like Friends or Seinfeld), then Blu-ray would make a difference.

Here's the problem with older TV shows on Blu-ray, though. Many shows like Friends that were shot on film were edited in SD, and the masters were put on tape. That means in order to get a genuinely good HD transfer out of them, they basically have to go back to the original dailies and re-edit them using HD software. It's the reason we haven't gotten Star Trek: The Next Generation on BD, yet. I believe there's a way to get around this, but I'm not exactly sure how.

This scenario only applies to shows from the 1980s and 1990s, I believe, but I could be wrong. Shows from the 1970s backward that were shot on film (like Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie) were given film masters just like feature films, so those should be easier to transfer to BD. Again, I'm not entirely sure that everything I've said is correct, but I think that's the gist of it. Anyone who knows more about this subject than I do can correct and elaborate.

[Escapay]

Here's the problem with older TV shows on Blu-ray, though. Many shows like Friends that were shot on film were edited in SD, and the masters were put on tape. That means in order to get a genuinely good HD transfer out of them, they basically have to go back to the original dailies and re-edit them using HD software. It's the reason we haven't gotten Star Trek: The Next Generation on BD, yet. I believe there's a way to get around this, but I'm not exactly sure how.

I remember reading an article about this somewhere (TrekWeb?). In addition to having to re-edit the dailies from scratch, all the special effects were done in SD, either on film or in computer. The film portions would have to be re-edited, while the computer effects would have to be recreated in HD (like the original series' "Remastered" releases with the new CGI effects).

"Doctor Who" in the UK is another prime example. The entirety of the classic series was done on videotape, save for film inserts in episodes and all of "Spearhead in Space" (which was shot all in 16mm, I think). So the quality on DVD is the best that the show can ever look. Unfortunately, the same thing applies to the new series up through Series 4 and "The Next Doctor". It was shot in standard-definition, and so a Blu-Ray release wouldn't improve the quality. Everything from "Planet of the Dead" onwards (as well as all of "Torchwood" and I believe "The Sarah Jane Adventures") was shot in high-definition.

albert

[The_Iceflash]

Good points. What made me think of this was thinking of the TV DVD sets I have already and whether or not an upgrade would even be possible given the facts about their production. I guess series' like the Golden Girls, Growing Pains, Night Court, etc wouldn't really get any better than what we have? What about some more current season sets like Hannah Montana whose first three seasons were produced in SD whereas the last season was recorded entirely in HD. Should I expect the DVDs to be the best they can be? (With the last season aside). It might be a good idea to somehow make a list of shows (Very numerous I know...) and have such a reference for them in regards to their home video releases.

[milojthatch]

My understanding is that the shows that can be unconverted, the biggest issue really comes down to money and time. As was already explained, it gets expensive and time consuming. I imagine that select shows will finally have the work done anyway, like "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Shows that will basically pay themselves and some. As the tech gets cheaper to use and/ or easier/ faster, some other shows may get the Blu Ray treatment.

But there will be I think most older shows that will always be in SD, and the biggest thing Blu Ray will offer is fewer discs. Personally, I would not be surprised if DVD's are ultimately still made purely for tv shows.