Looking for that old movie to watch?

[Huntn]

I’ve been looking for a high def version of Treasure Island (1990) for over 10 years, at least one that is better than the DVD copy I have, that was made from the original VHS format, this made for TV movie was released in.

TCM.com has a 2011 DVD version that sells for $8 plus $5 for shipping. I have other DVDs that look pretty good on my 4k TV, but the Treasure Island DVD made from a VHS looks like crap. So I can’t say how good the TCM.com version is. It is possible, it is decent.

Then I noticed that Amazon, through their Prime Video sells a “HD” version of this movie for $15. I called them this morning and expressed my concern asking that if the resolution did not meet my standards, could I still get a refund after viewing it. They said yes!

So it turns out there is both good and bad news. The bad news is that their HD version of the movie is not HD, not as far as any real HD standard, it is definitely not a digitally remastered version. But the good news is that the HD version is substantially better than my current viewing choices (other than catching it when it is broadcast who knows when), and it’s watchable without continuous cringing, so I’ve decided to keep it.

 

[0388631]

I've been using TCM for years for this kind of stuff.

 

[a2jack]

IMHO. The best Treasure Island movie of all time, was made in 1934 with Wallace Beery, Jackie Cooper and Lionel Barrymore. TCM has it. a2

 

[0388631]

What I like about TCM is their BluRays tend to be cheaper than the competition. PBS tends to carry whatever they've ever aired for "life" I think. I was able to get sets a few years back of shows they aired in the 90s but hadn't since then. At least I don't recall them doing so.

This is why I'm not fully into the whole streaming crap. You want something but it's region specific or simply isn't available. A disc isn't going to run away from you in the middle of the night.

 

[a2jack]

Agreed: While, (non-pirate), streaming can give you a few choices, most online renderings have such poor quality as to be unwatchable. For example: 1934 Treasure Island is free on YouTube, but the pix ,and the stream is just awful.

4k is the now tech for TV viewing, but so far content from Netflix and other streamers is limited to CGI, ear/eye strainers and kid stuff. LOL . a2

 

[0388631]

Agreed: While, (non-pirate), streaming can give you a few choices, most online renderings have such poor quality as to be unwatchable. For example: 1934 Treasure Island is free on YouTube, but the pix ,and the stream is just awful.

4k is the now tech for TV viewing, but so far content from Netflix and other streamers is limited to CGI, ear/eye strainers and kid stuff. LOL . a2

Talking about the channel YouTube has for classic movies for free? Yeah, the quality is terrible on those. About 3 years ago I bought a BluRay of The Sea Chase and Our Man in Havana. The quality was amazing. Crystal clear.

 

[velocityg4]

The biggest question would be was this made for TV movie filmed or taped? If taped it can never be truly remastered to HD just carefully upscaled. Although there has been some recent AI algorithms for upscaling which could mean a better re-release.

Even if taped. We're not talking about VHS. It'll be studio grade tape. Which should provide near DVD quality source video. This movie was also released on Laserdisc. So, their should be some decent source remaining for TCM DVD.

If it was filmed. Hopefully, they'll get around to it and scan it. Although at this point I'd say scan it in 4K. Then let an intern remaster it if it isn't in high enough demand to have a pro remaster it. I'm just making the assumption that scanning and remastering are separate steps. I haven't looked much into the technique.

That stuff on youtube was probably just ripped from VHS and compressed heavily.

 

[a2jack]

Yeah, thank those old film makers for shooting in 35mm film. Even the real early stuff, shot in 16mm, is just fine for digitizing.

That early nitrate film stock was bad stuff as late as the 30's. We are lucky so much survived. a2

 

[Huntn]

What I like about TCM is their BluRays tend to be cheaper than the competition. PBS tends to carry whatever they've ever aired for "life" I think. I was able to get sets a few years back of shows they aired in the 90s but hadn't since then. At least I don't recall them doing so.

This is why I'm not fully into the whole streaming crap. You want something but it's region specific or simply isn't available. A disc isn't going to run away from you in the middle of the night.

I have mixed feelings about streaming and have purchased a couple of titles as streaming content. I describe the pros of streaming, is not having a disk stop working, but the con is you need internet, which most of the time, is not an issue, unless there is weather.
[doublepost=1559913694][/doublepost]

Yeah, thank those old film makers for shooting in 35mm film. Even the real early stuff, shot in 16mm, is just fine for digitizing.

That early nitrate film stock was bad stuff as late as the 30's. We are lucky so much survived. a2

Apparently the issues for some TV shows was that they used film to shoot scenes, but then transferred it all over to video to create the finished product, which would later require a ton of work to remaster in a higher resolution. A prime example is Star Trek generation that looked like crap on the first DVD sets. I have a remastered copy of Battlestar Gallactica and there is a video included of someone from the show telling the viewer how they slaved over remastering it.

 

[jdechko]

I have a remastered copy of Battlestar Gallactica ...

Did they fix the end? (Assuming you're talking about the BSG Reimagined series and not the original.)

 

[Huntn]

Did they fix the end? (Assuming you're talking about the BSG Reimagined series and not the original.)

I don’t know. Here is what I remember:

Spoiler: Battle Star Galactica Spolier

They end up on Earth and colonize it, but I’ve gotten a bit foggy on all the details.

 

[jdechko]

I don’t know. Here is what I remember:

Spoiler: Battle Star Galactica Spolier

They end up Earth and colonize it, but I’ve gotten a bit foggy on all the details.

Yep. That’s the end. It was kind of a joke. I love the series but every time I watch it, I’m always disappointed by the ending even though I know it’s coming.

 

[jamesarm97]

I loved that movie as a kid. Still remember parts of it today.

I’ve been looking for a high def version of Treasure Island (1990) for over 10 years, at least one that is better than the DVD copy I have, that was made from the original VHS format, this made for TV movie was released in.

TCM.com has a 2011 DVD version that sells for $8 plus $5 for shipping. I have other DVDs that look pretty good on my 4k TV, but the Treasure Island DVD made from a VHS looks like crap. So I can’t say how good the TCM.com version is. It is possible, it is decent.

Then I noticed that Amazon, through their Prime Video sells a “HD” version of this movie for $15. I called them this morning and expressed my concern asking that if the resolution did not meet my standards, could I still get a refund after viewing it. They said yes!

So it turns out there is both good and bad news. The bad news is that their HD version of the movie is not HD, not as far as any real HD standard, it is definitely not a digitally remastered version. But the good news is that the HD version is substantially better than my current viewing choices (other than catching it when it is broadcast who knows when), and it’s watchable without continuous cringing, so I’ve decided to keep it.

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