I showed ESB Revisited to a friend a few days ago, and noticed the resolution more so this time than when I first watched it nearly two years back.
I have a 75" 4K screen and so it is pushing the image harder than most but I think the more our eyes become accustomed to watching 4K content the more you notice when the presentation is lower def. Just like the moment came to most of us who’d amassed an old VHS collection, where you’d take it to the charity shop because you realised you’d stopped putting the tapes in the player after becoming used to clarity of DVD.
Adywan, I don’t know if you’ve gone too far down the road with 720p to change direction now, but if there is the potential to use the 4K source for either SW:R or ROTJ:R then I think that would be really wise - as the ‘last gen’ feel of 720p is a gulf that is only going to increase in the coming months and years. I don’t think keeping them consistent with ESB:R is a good reason not to as has been suggested, as intentionally hobbling something to bring it ‘down’ to a lower quality would be self-defeating. Technology is moving on and the longevity of the Revisited project would be better served with 4K. At the time of their release fans may have to choose between watching the best edited version (Revisited) or the best looking version (4K), and it will be a compromise. Star Wars fans have long had to compromise on owning the version they really want, and it would be nice to have one that is finally perfection!
Adywan, I know you prize presentation and always have good reasoning, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts and the challenges around Revisited 4K?
I’ve been trying out upscaling the Revisited films to 4K, maybe you could check what these look like on your tv? https://lensdump.com/a/esbr-4k.AG8Hq