logo Sign In

The Clone Wars (2008 animated tv series) - a general discussion thread — Page 13

Author
Time
 (Edited)
Johnny Ringo said:

So your stance is "I'm fine with the ridiculous cost because i intend to pirate them anyway" ?

[for the record I don't intend to purchase these, just making an observation.]

 

its kind of hard to 'pirate' a show that is only on tv anyways,

so TIVO recorders, and other devices are bad? that's not my stance.

 

the shows are already out there, how is that 'pirating'?

 

for the record, i try to buy everything 'star wars' related on video (except for

#*$*#**Blu-ray*#* versions)..

 

later

-1

 

[no GOUT in CED?-> GOUT CED]

Author
Time

Has anyone (besides me, obviously) noticed that the Sky HD versions are full 2.35:1, and that the Cartoon Network versions are cropped to 16:9?

Why doesn't CN show this show in its OAR (original aspect ratio)??

Author
Time
 (Edited)

The episodes are 16:9 (HDTV ratio) orignally, not 2:35:1 (film ratio).

I noticed that CN stretches everything on their HD channel (which makes me mad to no end), so when I saw that Clone Wars was "Available in High Definition" I DVRed an episode to see if it was right.  Instead of the 16:9 image that is letterboxed on the SD channel, the HD image was cropped so that most of the letterbox bars were gone, but the image was still stretched and therefore still looked like crap.  I don't get it.  If you get a 16:9 show created in HD, then advertise that it's available in HD, why would you still take the SD signal, crop it badly, then stretch it?  I still DVR the SD version because I'd rather watch the OAR with black bars all the way around than watch ANYTHING stretched at all.

I wrote Cartoon Network about it.  Let's see what they say.

Star Wars Revisited Wordpress

Star Wars Visual Comparisons WordPress

Author
Time
doubleofive said:

The episodes are 16:9 (HDTV ratio) originally, not 2:35:1 (film ratio).

I respectfully disagree. I compared screen caps, and the opening of the Sky HD version shows all the stars that CN shows (i.e. full height), plus more on both sides. I sincerely doubt the creators would make a 2.35:1 opening starfield for release to British TV, and then crop the show itself. It's probably possible to confirm this by comparing some shots from the show -- something I might do tonight.

Just because I'm that big a nerd, yo.

Author
Time
Karyudo said:
doubleofive said:

The episodes are 16:9 (HDTV ratio) originally, not 2:35:1 (film ratio).

I respectfully disagree. I compared screen caps, and the opening of the Sky HD version shows all the stars that CN shows (i.e. full height), plus more on both sides. I sincerely doubt the creators would make a 2.35:1 opening starfield for release to British TV, and then crop the show itself. It's probably possible to confirm this by comparing some shots from the show -- something I might do tonight.

Just because I'm that big a nerd, yo.

 

So the 16:9 letterbox on the SD channel is actually CROPPED from a 2:35:1 HD master?  That would be weird.  Maybe my CNHD is the same way, but I swear they were really long in the face.

I just checked the Cartoon Network website, and their full episodes are shown in 16:9:

The DVD of episodes that is coming out has them listed as being 16:9 also.

I have a theory.  Maybe the opening starfield on Sky is from the movie which was 2.35:1.  Then the rest in stretched.  I'll have to DVR and compare again, but with pictures (am I nerdy enough to take photos of my TV?  Yes, I am.)

It will be interesting to compare shots from the CN SD, CN HD, and SkyHD.  When does TNT start showing them?  I have them in SD and HD also.

Star Wars Revisited Wordpress

Star Wars Visual Comparisons WordPress

Author
Time

But who would make a TV show in 2.35:1?  And didn't they have to alter the episodes used for The Clone Wars film because they weren't wide enough?

There is no lingerie in space…

C3PX said: Gaffer is like that hot girl in high school that you think you have a chance with even though she is way out of your league because she is sweet and not a stuck up bitch who pretends you don’t exist… then one day you spot her making out with some skinny twerp, only on second glance you realize it is the goth girl who always sits in the back of class; at that moment it dawns on you why she is never seen hanging off the arm of any of the jocks… and you realize, damn, she really is unobtainable after all. Not that that is going to stop you from dreaming… Only in this case, Gaffer is actually a guy.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

I have now confirmed The Clone Wars is natively 2.35:1. Episodes are shown at their OAR on Sky HD, but are cropped to 16:9 on Cartoon Network.

I've made screen caps to prove it:

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/121/logoskyhd320highiq7.th.jpg
Sky HD

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2241/logocn320highfc9.th.jpg
Cartoon Network HD

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3675/piratesskyhd320highkz0.th.jpg
Sky HD

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/6367/piratescn320highoe4.th.jpg
Cartoon Network

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/5388/lightsaberskyhd320highvs4.th.jpg
Sky HD

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4908/lightsabercn320highbx6.th.jpg
Cartoon Network

All caps made in MediaPlayer Classic Home Cinema, as PNG files at full size. Full Size for the Sky HD encode I have is 1280 x 544 (2.35:1), although the shows are broadcast at 1080p. Full size for my Cartoon Network version is 1280 x 720 (16:9, or 1.78:1); don't know what the broadcast resolution is. Sky HD caps are from Episode 11. Cartoon Network caps are from the recap of Episode 11, at the beginning of Episode 12. Images shown here are JPG, at a constant height of 320 px.

You'll also note that SkyHD doesn't have any annoying logos on the picture at any time.

Author
Time

Anyone notice that in Ep 14, as we see Ahsoka's shadow slicing up a pair of droids, her lightsaber also casts a shadow? That can't be right...

Author
Time

Anyone notice that in Ep 14, as we see Ahsoka's shadow slicing up a pair of droids, her lightsaber also casts a shadow? That can't be right...

Some CG graphist probably forgot to turn off the light...

 

Graphist - Please George, I don't want to be fired!

George - Don't worry, let's say that it's a new kind of lightsaber, the fans will probably don't even notice anyway. Ho... and you are fired by the way.

Author
Time
Karyudo said:

Anyone notice that in Ep 14, as we see Ahsoka's shadow slicing up a pair of droids, her lightsaber also casts a shadow? That can't be right...

I noticed that too and cringed.  That doesn't help my "how can something made of light cast a shadow?" argument.

Star Wars Revisited Wordpress

Star Wars Visual Comparisons WordPress

Author
Time

In my opinion, since this was a really quick shot and easily glossed over by less discerning viewers (i.e. kids?), it would have been cooler to see this done *right*, with Ahsoka's shadow -- sans lightsaber blade -- slicing up droids. It'd look like she just waved a flashlight at the droids, and they split in half and fell down. Cool...

Author
Time

So I recorded Friday's episode on both the SD and HD channels to figure out what kind of ratio the HD channel was giving me...


And it was just fine.  Whatever crop/stretch mess they had going on has been replaced by the standard 16:9.  That's awesome that SkyHD has them in 2.35:1, but I wonder if they'll be available on home video in that ratio.  The DVDs say 16:9 so far.  Maybe someone should start archiving the SkyHD versions just in case.

Star Wars Revisited Wordpress

Star Wars Visual Comparisons WordPress

Author
Time
doubleofive said:

Maybe someone should start archiving the SkyHD versions just in case.

There's at least one guy on a BT site I frequent that caps eps at 1080p, OAR, and then posts 'em. He also downsamples to 720p and posts that, as well.

There's also somebody here (prolly reading this thread, even) who has capped ep 10 (and others?) but who doesn't (yet) know how to get the stuff off his SkyHD box. I'll bet he susses it out pretty quick, though.

In any case, yeah, it's lookin' like it'll be possible to watch these in 2.35:1 from here on out, one way or another.

It'd be cool to be able to match the SkyHD video with the CN audio: 1080p at 23.976fps would be perfect!

Still don't get why CN crops theirs. SW stuff is, and always has been, scope!

(Except for the Holiday Special, I guess...)

 

 

Author
Time

I just realized that Paul Dini of DCAU fame is writing for this show.  Maybe some of it's good after all!

A Goon in a Gaggle of 'em

Author
Time

Watched an episode on TNT HD, and its 16:9 too.  Still strange that both HD channels in the US and the DVD sets are showing them in 16:9 but they're 2.35:1 in England.  What is the purpose of doing that?

I have the same problem with Star Trek Remastered.  CBS Digital rendered all of the new FX shots in 16:9, but the last time I checked the only way to see the shots in that ratio were on Xbox LIVE where the live action is 4:3 and the effects are 16:9.  CBS.com, iTunes, HD DVD, DVD, Blu Ray, they're all in 4:3 exclusively.  Why work so hard on something no one is going to be able to see?

Star Wars Revisited Wordpress

Star Wars Visual Comparisons WordPress

Author
Time
doubleofive said:
Karyudo said:

Anyone notice that in Ep 14, as we see Ahsoka's shadow slicing up a pair of droids, her lightsaber also casts a shadow? That can't be right...

I noticed that too and cringed.  That doesn't help my "how can something made of light cast a shadow?" argument.

 

"When Ahsoka cuts down droids inside the Separatist base, she is shown in silhouette and her lightsaber casts a shadow. Contrary to online debate, there's nothing wrong with this. Lightsabers do indeed cast shadows; anything that is opaque does. Try it with a fluorescent light tube."

http://www.starwars.com/theclonewars/guide/episode014.html

Forum Moderator
Author
Time

Overall the show so far has certainly been better than I expected it to be. Mind you, judged by the standards of real Star Wars it still doesn't do too well. But judged by the standards of the last two prequels it comes out looking quite good. I still have plenty issues mind you. Like how the Jedi often come off like twerps (Fisto, Luminara, Aayla, plus Kenobi sometimes). And Trespass annoyed me, though it had good atmosphere. And the whole Jedi anti-attachment thing still grates bigtime. But they've nonetheless done quite well. Ashoka and Ventress are successful portrayals. My view on Ventress has changed a good degree, a result of adapting to the format. A lack of Hayden Christensen is helpful. Though I'm still not crazy on their interpretation of Anakin -he's too much a bland Joe Shmoe to be the great Jedi hero who becomes Darth Vader, plus he's annoying sometimes. I really wish Lucas had kept his vision of Anakin more in line with the guy we met briefly at the end of ROTJ in Darth Vader's death scene. If he'd kept in line with that there'd have been no Jake Lloyds, Hayden Christensens or animated Joe Shmoes. 

Some expanded universe fans are getting bothered because the show is rewriting the story of the clone wars, going against what the expanded universe has established. And maybe you could say well Lucas should be able to brush aside the expanded universe for his stuff, but I think his stuff has been on the expanded universe level for a long time now, so maybe it shouldn't have that higher status. And Lucasfilm is selling expanded universe stuff as some sort of canon, so maybe it isn't fair to just rewrite its story just because Lucas feels like doing an animated show. This show is certainly best taken as expanded universe itself. Even though I gather we're supposed to see it as part of the great Lucas Vision that's higher than expanded universe.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

The series i will admit is somewhat entertaining, if you take it with a grain of salt and distance it from the star wars film series and compare it against these other kids cartoons airing on tv in the us at the moment.

Still the animation style even though they improved it is still awkward and wooden and video game-ish and awful in my honest opinion.  And i love Jennifer Hale's work in mass effect and kotor but here she comes off as annoying due to the french accent.  Nothing against french people just does not fit the character of an alien jedi.

The Genddy series was better at least in How grievious was portrayed, they added that stupid cough in revenge of the shit. I mean Sith,lol.

Plus the first half of the episodes have been pulled from free viewing on the Lucas site to boost sales for the dvd release and to get people to pay for the itunes in the duration.

Fuck that, i am not paying premium top dollar for this crap.  Not when i can spend it on better tv sci fi or animation elsewhere.

You want to pay for more Lucasized CGI garbage, go right ahead.  I prefer traditional animation.  And if a show or movie is made cgi it has to be up to snuff.  Lucas fails on almost all points.  It only looks stunning in blu ray on a HD display with the amped up color saturation, like video games are these days.  I don't mind video games or star wars videogames, but the original movies were not video game like until 1997, and of course the entire prequels were like a video game footage.

Just like when i paid to see Crystal Skull for a movie film and got a 2 hour video game without being able to control the action.

“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Now I have to figure out how to get the Clone Wars in their full aspect ratio. Le sigh :D At least since episode 10 apparently

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain.
"A myth is a religion in which no one any longer believes"...James Feibleman (1904-1987)
www . axia . ws/axia

Author
Time

Has anyone else been enjoying the Ryloth trilogy? I think it's been pretty good so far. It looks like in the next episode they're bringing back the Blurrg from the Battle For Endor. Though I suppose many of you might consider that a bad thing. =P

Forum Moderator
Author
Time
 (Edited)

Hey those old tv ewoks movies may have been cheaply done but at least the creatures were done with puppets and stop motion and not frickin ugly ass cgi.

Can you imagine if Lucas revisisted the ewok tv movies and added cgi that ruined them or put Jar Jar in there.

“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Notice I said "many of you", not me, I liked them. The Blurrg are one of my favorite Star Wars animals.

Now I'm gonna have nightmares about Wilford Brimley being replaced by Jar Jar. What will become of diabeetus? =/

Forum Moderator
Author
Time
 (Edited)

The funny thing is Lucas did those ewok movies himself so they'd be quality and they turned out mostly crap. Though fans have inexplicably tolerant toward them. Wilfred Brimley was very good in the second one though.

There was a whole ewok industry in the mid to lateish 80s. There wasn't just the show and the tv movies. There was a series of painful books with all sorts of silly cutesey stuff of the sort that turned up in the show. The sort of crap that was in the show started in books in 1984. The ewok show was basically care bears in space. Excruciating.

skyjedi2005 said:

Hey those old tv ewoks movies may have been cheaply done but at least the creatures were done with puppets and stop motion and not frickin ugly ass cgi.

Can you imagine if Lucas revisisted the ewok tv movies and added cgi that ruined them or put Jar Jar in there.

 

Jar Jar would fit in fine in the ewok movies. They were his level. But back then Lucas wasn't pushing that sort of stuff as serious Star Wars.