World War II in Colour and HD

loz · 08-09-2009, 9:08 AM

On Discovery HD starting this Friday.

The first episode leading up to the outbreak of war is now on Anytime.

The colourisation is quite effective.

However, hard to see where the HD lable comes from, as most of the footage is very low res and posterised.

Nevertheless, it is interesting, and like I said, the colourisation is good.

HDCriticalFan · 08-09-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loz

On Discovery HD starting this Friday.

The first episode leading up to the outbreak of war is now on Anytime.

The colourisation is quite effective.

However, hard to see where the HD lable comes from, as most of the footage is very low res and posterised.

Nevertheless, it is interesting, and like I said, the colourisation is good.

I started watching one of these programmes.

Whilst it can justifiably claim the HD label (as most of the source material is film - albeit often damaged stock) it is the colour element that disturbs me.

I thought that this was going to be like the Albert Kahn stuff seen recently on the BBC, where they have recovered early "autochrome" images in colour (see The Wonderful World of Albert Kahn). This provided a magical glimpse into a lost world.

However the thought of simply "colouring-in" stuff for no reason leaves me feeling very cold. It's as if today's kids won't look at something if it is in black and white.

I prefer my wartime footage to be original and in b/w. It should look gritty and real, not cleaned up and coloured nicely.

Regards

loz · 08-09-2009, 1:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDCriticalFan

I started watching one of these programmes.

Whilst it can justifiably claim the HD label (as most of the source material is film - albeit often damaged stock) it is the colour element that disturbs me.

However the thought of simply "colouring-in" stuff for no reason leaves me feeling very cold. It's as if today's kids won't look at something if it is in black and white.

I prefer my wartime footage to be original and in b/w. It should look gritty and real, not cleaned up and coloured nicely.

And there we have the diametrically opposed views common of forums.

I thought the total opposite. No way HD, but liked the colour

BrianPK · 08-09-2009, 4:09 PM

Wife and I have been fascinated by the first 2 episodes and is a "must watch" from now on.It's very well done but I think the reason for some of the footage looking so dodgy is that most has never been seen before (probably because it was unwatchable) and is now,after being subjected to "modern processes" of a watchable quality.
We've seen this type of programme before i.e. 2nd world War in Colour etc and far clearer and more distinct but not this footage.But this series is presented in such a way that once you start,it's difficult not to keep viewing. Highly recommended.

chrishull3 · 10-09-2009, 7:50 AM

Pitty i cant watch it but if its old 16mm i fail to see how it can be put on a hd programn.

HDCriticalFan · 10-09-2009, 2:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishull3

Pitty i cant watch it but if its old 16mm i fail to see how it can be put on a hd programn.

Translates to :-

Quote:

It's a pity that I can't watch it, but if it's old 16mm film then I fail to see how it can be put on in an HD programme.

Whilst 16mm film isn't accepted today as an HD source (at least, not according to the BBC in-house standards) it is still film. As such it is capable of pretty good resolution. I grant you that they are stretching it a bit though. This is a show that really does not need HD (or do it justice).

Regards

King Tones · 10-09-2009, 2:32 PM

I am enjoying it and finding it very interesting.

Not fussed about it being true HD or not.

Deftones

chrishull3 · 10-09-2009, 3:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDCriticalFan

Translates to :-

Whilst 16mm film isn't accepted today as an HD source (at least, not according to the BBC in-house standards) it is still film. As such it is capable of pretty good resolution. I grant you that they are stretching it a bit though. This is a show that really does not need HD (or do it justice).

Regards

There is a big difference in 16mm and super 16 that the bbc allow 10%, just because the old material is film means little, it could be 35mm of course, i do agree about the show not needing hd just strange that they use a hd channel to show it.

loz · 10-09-2009, 3:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishull3

There is a big difference in 16mm and super 16 that the bbc allow 10%, just because the old material is film means little, it could be 35mm of course, i do agree about the show not needing hd just strange that they use a hd channel to show it.

quite a bit of the footage would struggle to be CGA resolution, yet alone HD.

HDCriticalFan · 10-09-2009, 9:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishull3

... strange that they use a hd channel to show it.

I couldn't agree more !

Regards

Captain Kevman · 11-09-2009, 11:50 AM

I think the colour makes it look unbelievably real and makes it all the more shocking. When it's been in black and white, you don't see how gruesome it really was.
There was a scene were a little girl was sitting over her mother and she was covered in blood. Hit me more than if it was still in B&W.

Thoroughly enjoyed the first episode and looking forward to the next one!

*rovex33* · 13-09-2009, 7:09 PM

I agree the HD claim was taking it a bit far.. The trouble is it only has to be broadcast in HD for them to be able to claim its HD technically speaking they could re-encode a mobile phone video to 720P and claim its HD. HD is not a claim of quality, the documentary HD channels often broadcast programs shot on domestic camcorders, but if they are 720P capable thats good enough for them.