I’m curious, CatBus – how much do you think AI upscaling can improve print scans to get mildly closer to camera negatives quality (in terms of making despecialization more seamless)?
It depends a little on how clever the AI is. The only project I’m really following along these lines is DrDre’s, and it looks like the improvements are modest but noticeable. I’m a fan of AI enhancement, but I’m not sure it could ever really approach camera negatives.
I agree with that. The source I’d recommend AI enhancement on the most is the 2004 HDTV/2011 blu-ray. It’s already negative-sourced and it has some shots that look better than the UHD release (in terms of DNR and power windows). The only limitation on that version is that it was (presumably) a 1080p scan and has crushed blacks throughout. With the latter, luma restoration from the UHD might be helpful.
I’m firmly on the detail side of the struggle. My personal goal is to be able to watch the Star Wars trilogy as if it had had a respectful Blu-ray release (we’re talking 1080p here, I’m not picky), akin to other classic films respectfully restored for the format. Imperfect authenticity isn’t a dealbreaker for me, as long as I can’t detect it.
I’m in that boat too. Fortunately, Harmy’s 3.0 seems like it will deliver in that regard (and in 4K, no less). I’d prefer to use as little projection print material as possible, just to make OOT shots possible/allow custom mattes to blend better. It’s why I’m also behind keeping the 2004 HDTV stuff around since it is negative-sourced versions of shots changed in 2011.