Was the last series of Merlin in HD?

tom 2000 · 19-09-2009, 6:39 PM

I seem to remember it was but not this one. Am I right and if so does anyone know why?

tbeachly · 19-09-2009, 6:46 PM

I thought it was too. May be wrong though. Was surprised not to see it on BBC HD tonight.

Goooner · 19-09-2009, 7:13 PM

I don't think it was, Robin Hood has been in HD, but don't think Merlin has.

derek500 · 19-09-2009, 7:26 PM

Merlin is not in HD this season or last. It's filmed with super 16mm film, which according to BBC guidelines is not of a high enough quality to be converted to HD for broadcast.

Angelus09 · 19-09-2009, 7:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek500

Merlin is not in HD this season or last. It's filmed with super 16mm film, which according to BBC guidelines is not of a high enough quality to be converted to HD for broadcast.

Merlin was shot and then shown in 720p in the US, download an episode to see.

derek500 · 19-09-2009, 7:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelus09

Merlin was shot and then shown in 720p in the US, download an episode to see.

Merlin was shot on film. It's only the BBC's policy not to render 16mm film to HD for broadcast. NBC have a different policy.

There are other examples like Ashes to Ashes and Life on Mars.

Angelus09 · 19-09-2009, 7:44 PM

Its a shame, the bbc get our licence fee then show crap like simply come dancing and antiques roadshow instead.

Jaycee Dove · 25-09-2009, 4:54 PM

When series 1 was not in HD the BBC were forced to comment in Radio Times as to why.

They said they wanted it to be but the foreign camera crews used were not familiar with HD so had opted not to and the BBC had reluctantly agreed.

Or words to that effect.

norliss · 25-09-2009, 8:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaycee Dove

When series 1 was not in HD the BBC were forced to comment in Radio Times as to why.

They said they wanted it to be but the foreign camera crews used were not familiar with HD so had opted not to and the BBC had reluctantly agreed.

Or words to that effect.

Take it from me, although some of Merlin is shot in France (the castle for example) the crew is from the UK, save for some of the stuntmen and extras. Besides which, is HD solely the preserve of British TV? I think not.

File under "Total cobblers".

Angelus09 · 25-09-2009, 10:07 PM

cobblers indeed. the Merkins (americans) got it in HD just fine.

derek500 · 26-09-2009, 7:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelus09

cobblers indeed. the Merkins (americans) got it in HD just fine.

Merlin was shot on super 16mm film. The BBC's policy is not to render that type of film for HD broadcast.

Other countries have different policies.

rcaudwell · 29-09-2009, 8:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek500

Merlin was shot on super 16mm film. The BBC's policy is not to render that type of film for HD broadcast.

Other countries have different policies.

It would have been easier for them to just come out and say that rather than trying to blame "johnny foreigner" in the Radio Times.

Jaycee Dove · 29-09-2009, 4:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norliss

Take it from me, although some of Merlin is shot in France (the castle for example) the crew is from the UK, save for some of the stuntmen and extras. Besides which, is HD solely the preserve of British TV? I think not.

File under "Total cobblers".

Indeed, but that is what the BBC said in Radio Times as this was a quote from their official HD spokesperson who said that they had really wanted it in HD but this was why they had to accept that it would not be.

Radio Times devoted a whole section to a letter from a reader asking why and this official 'explanation'.

Redemption80 · 04-11-2009, 3:15 AM

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but after viewing the HD versions show in the USA, im not surprised the BBC didn't show this.

It looks very rough, and more like upscaled DVD.

The US show everything on the HD channels, alot of it not worthy, its nice to see the BBC taking a stance of quality.

Angelus09, both Strictly and Antiques are more popular than this, so obviously they get priority, plus they are studio based, so easy to film in HD.

Scapegoat · 06-11-2009, 12:56 PM

Another possible factor is SFX.

A lot of stuff on the BBC HD channel is basic filmed TV rather than stuff with CGI effects.

Wasn't this one of the reasons why DW was not shown in HD? Rendereing HD CGI was more expensive? Though I am not sure if this is genuine.

Torchwood obviously uses some, but tends to have less, and less flash version.