Originally posted by: THX
The most likely scenario, IMHO, is the one painted by zombie84. LFL would want an anamorphic 24p disc, two reasons not to use the D1/D2 master. Given the advances in video technology, they'd want to do a new telecine/digital scan form the best available source, which would be the '93 interpositive. All this is entirely consistent with Jim Ward's comments, both on starwars.com and in the USA today article. The quote about video quality, which is from the journalist, not Ward (although he is presumably paraphrasing Ward) is: The original films' video quality will not match up to that of the restored versions. This seems most likely to refer to the fact that these editions will not have the digital "restoration" as performed by Lowry for the 2004 editions. To me, this is another plus point.
Now, the worst case scenario is that these are just being compressed from the D1/D2 letterbox masters used for the DefCol & "Faces" LDs (and the last VHS release). Even if this is the case, they will still be the best available version of the OOT on DVD: I will be happy to buy them and I strongly urge everyone else to do the same. This is a good example of an opportunity to vote with our wallets. We all want the OOT to live on into future formats and support for this product now is the best way to encourage that. If it is a big hit, LFL (other than Lucas) and Fox will want to keep re-releasing it to make more money - which is great for us. If it is boycotted because 'it should have been better', there will be no future for top quality versions of the OOT on home video.
The most likely scenario, IMHO, is the one painted by zombie84. LFL would want an anamorphic 24p disc, two reasons not to use the D1/D2 master. Given the advances in video technology, they'd want to do a new telecine/digital scan form the best available source, which would be the '93 interpositive. All this is entirely consistent with Jim Ward's comments, both on starwars.com and in the USA today article. The quote about video quality, which is from the journalist, not Ward (although he is presumably paraphrasing Ward) is: The original films' video quality will not match up to that of the restored versions. This seems most likely to refer to the fact that these editions will not have the digital "restoration" as performed by Lowry for the 2004 editions. To me, this is another plus point.
Now, the worst case scenario is that these are just being compressed from the D1/D2 letterbox masters used for the DefCol & "Faces" LDs (and the last VHS release). Even if this is the case, they will still be the best available version of the OOT on DVD: I will be happy to buy them and I strongly urge everyone else to do the same. This is a good example of an opportunity to vote with our wallets. We all want the OOT to live on into future formats and support for this product now is the best way to encourage that. If it is a big hit, LFL (other than Lucas) and Fox will want to keep re-releasing it to make more money - which is great for us. If it is boycotted because 'it should have been better', there will be no future for top quality versions of the OOT on home video.