Thunderbirds in HD

[roose1982]

I was curious to see how the HD version of Thunderbirds looked on screen, and I have to say i was very impressed.

Initially, i was horrified at the thought of having the 4:3 image cropped to 16:9, but actually it doesn't appear to be that bad. What does everyone else think?

I've included some side-by-side screen shots comparing the original version to the new widescreen version. The screen caps are from the Carlton DVD's, and recent broadcast on Sci-Fi channel in the UK (only SD caps - sorry!)

As you can see, they've had to do some clever formatting to prevent the text from being cropped off on Virgil Tracy.

[Conrad Lefkon]

Hello Roose1982,

Thank you for providing the comparative screenshots. I haven't got Bluray at the moment but am pleased that this upgrade was done.

I would love to see more screen captures and, in particular, the scene where Thunderbird 2 is taking off on a rescue. On the ordinary DVD there are some vertical 'wiggly lines' that are clearly faults on the original film. Has that now been rectified?

Also, many of the launch sequences use the same old footage which always seems to be in very poor condition, perhaps due to some sort of duplicating or copying process.

I was wondering if there was a master copy somewhere that could have been reused on all the episodes to make them look better.

I guess a comparison might be for Network's Space 1999 where the original film for the opening credits showing Martin Landau and Barbara Bain was very 'dirty'. The technical people went back to the original film and recreated the credits over the top and did a great job.

[Silent Bob]

I must be an old luddite because i really do not like the Blu-Ray images. Now i know there is only supposed to be one format for HD and that is 16:9. But i understand that when Series 1 of Space was mastered in HD they made 16:9 and 4:3masters of the episodes. so why couldn't they have done that with Thunderbirds?
I have a lot of the HD screengrabs from Thunderbirds that were posted on the eagletransporter forum, but i would like permission from TonyB or someone else from that forum before i post them.

[TonyB]

Silent Bob, I really cannot see a problem with those images being posted on here too to be honest. They were originally posted to provide information.

However what I would suggest is that you add a credit in any of the posts and a link to the Eagletransporter forum, that would seem only fair.

[roose1982]

yes, that would be good to see some more screen grabs. I need to figure out how to take grabs from blu-ray - i wonder if its possible from my PS3.

Watch this space!

[Silent Bob]

Here are a selection of HD screen grabs from Thunderbirds, Ufo and Space 1999. These were all originally posted on the eagletransporter forum, by Adama. Sorry none of the main vehicles, but at least you can see what the shows look like in HD.
http://www.eagletransporter.com/forum/index.php

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/ThunderbirdsHighDefinitionScreenGra.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/ThunderbirdsHighDefinitionScreen-2.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/ThunderbirdsHighDefinitionScreen-1.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/ThunderbirdsHighDefinitionScreen-3.jpg

[Silent Bob]

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/ThunderbirdsHighDefinitionScreen-4.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/ThunderbirdsHighDefinitionScreen-5.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/ThunderbirdsHighDefinitionScreen-6.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/ThunderbirdsHighDefinitionScreen-7.jpg

[Silent Bob]

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/ThunderbirdsHighDefinitionScreen-8.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/ThunderbirdsHighDefinitionScreen-9.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/ThunderbirdsHighDefinitionScreen-10.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/ThunderbirdsHighDefinitionScreen-11.jpg

[Silent Bob]

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/UFOHighDefinitionScreengrabs1.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/Space1999HighdefinitionScreenGrabs.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/Space1999HighdefinitionScreenGrabs2.jpg
http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu278/arthur2shedsjackson_photos/Space1999HighdefinitionScreenGrabs4.jpg

[Conrad Lefkon]

Hello, Silent Bob

Many thanks for posting these screenshots. The Thunderbirds ones are brilliant and I particularly like the Gray and Houseman Construction Co. vehicle which is so detailed I feel I could reach out and touch it.

[Picasso61]

Yes - some super screen grabs from Thunderbirds episodes, Silent Bob. Brilliant!:D

[roose1982]

Thanks for sharing - i still can't believe the detail that you can see in the models.

Ironic that now the picture is much much clearer, the strings on the models and puppets show up more! Maybe VHS is the best way to experience the series after all!!?

[Dave Norris]

I have just bought an HD TV so seriously cosidering the blu rays but again nobody has mentioned the sound quality. Many films originally released in mono have at least stereo music tracks recorded which helps their transition to 5.1 in the Digital age. Star Trek has enhanced music and effects mixed for stereo (althoufht the main title was re recorded) and sounds perfectly acceptable through my home cinema sound system. I just wondered how good (or bad) the sound on these discs is?

[Silent Bob]

I have just bought an HD TV so seriously cosidering the blu rays but again nobody has mentioned the sound quality. Many films originally released in mono have at least stereo music tracks recorded which helps their transition to 5.1 in the Digital age. Star Trek has enhanced music and effects mixed for stereo (althoufht the main title was re recorded) and sounds perfectly acceptable through my home cinema sound system. I just wondered how good (or bad) the sound on these discs is?

As far as i am aware the Blu ray Thunderbirds discs have the same 5.1 sound that was on the Carlton discs (with extra sound effects :mad:) Dont quote me on that though. The new Blu Ray release of The Prisoner boxset has entirely remastered soundtracks. i will try and find information regarding the HD Thunderbirds discs.

[Dougurasu]

Wow, I get that people hate the 16:9, I do too, but wow. It almost seems a small price to pay to see detail like that. Before I really pass judgement on if I think the details and faults are too obvious I have to actually see an episode. But wow... I have yet to see strings though. I know these are pictures without puppets, but I'd just like to see if the obvious strings annoy me :) They never have before.

[Silent Bob]

The wires on the puppets are clearly visible on the remastered standard DVDs, never mind blu-ray. But this has never detracted from my enjoyment of the programmes at all.
Now i understand model makers wanting to see as much detail as possible, but as i have stated in another post, i think we getting bogged down to much in all this improved picture and sound debate.
We seem to be talking less and less about sitting down and just enjoying the programmes, and hoping that each new release is going to be better than the last.
My final words on the matter are this. Its wonderful how much skill and artistry went iinto making these shows when they can stand up to scrutiny after 45+ years.

[roose1982]

I have just bought an HD TV so seriously cosidering the blu rays but again nobody has mentioned the sound quality. Many films originally released in mono have at least stereo music tracks recorded which helps their transition to 5.1 in the Digital age. Star Trek has enhanced music and effects mixed for stereo (althoufht the main title was re recorded) and sounds perfectly acceptable through my home cinema sound system. I just wondered how good (or bad) the sound on these discs is?

In all honesty, i didn't find the 5.1 surround tracks that bad - to me, it gave the series an extra dimension. And, given the high quality of the images, it makes sense that it has big sounds to accompany those big pictures.

My only major disappointment on both the DVD and bluray version, was the inability to switch between the orginal mono and the new 5.1 tracks.

So - listen up ITV DVD (or whatever they call themselves these days) - next year, for the 45 anniversary, we went an ULTIMATE EDITION BLU-RAY set that has HD versions of all 32 episodes in both the new 16:9 format AND the original 4:3 format, PLUS the new 5.1 surround sound, with original mono.

And what they heck - whilst they're at it, why not bung in a few audio commentaries and isolated music scores.

Now that box set WOULD be worth 80 quid! lol.

[Dave Norris]

In all honesty, i didn't find the 5.1 surround tracks that bad - to me, it gave the series an extra dimension. And, given the high quality of the images, it makes sense that it has big sounds to accompany those big pictures.

My only major disappointment on both the DVD and bluray version, was the inability to switch between the orginal mono and the new 5.1 tracks.

So - listen up ITV DVD (or whatever they call themselves these days) - next year, for the 45 anniversary, we went an ULTIMATE EDITION BLU-RAY set that has HD versions of all 32 episodes in both the new 16:9 format AND the original 4:3 format, PLUS the new 5.1 surround sound, with original mono.

And what they heck - whilst they're at it, why not bung in a few audio commentaries and isolated music scores.

Now that box set WOULD be worth 80 quid! lol.

Thanks for the sound info guys. I had the original carlton dvd's with their 2.0 sound and found them disapointing and hated the 'added' sound effects in stereo, however network did a bang up job with the sound on both Space 1999 and The Prisoner that maybe.I will take the plunge and see if ITV had taken a leaf from their book. Yes an ULTIMATE EDITION blu ray with commentaries,isolated scores and a definative docco would be most welcome!

[Silent Bob]

Sorry to go off topic abit, but Network didn't do a very good job on The Prisoner DVDs. They have recieved numerous complaints regarding missing or incorrect dialogue, wrong titles and edits. the main culprits are Arrival, Dance of the Dead and Once Upon a Time. These faults have been corrected for the Blu Ray release.
Now back to Thunderbirds, i doubt if Network would go to the expense of creating a 4:3 pillar-boxed master for Thunderbirds, which is a shame as they prepared 16:9 and 4:3 masters for both Space 1999 and The Prisoner.

[Dougurasu]

Now back to Thunderbirds, i doubt if Network would go to the expense of creating a 4:3 pillar-boxed master for Thunderbirds, which is a shame as they prepared 16:9 and 4:3 masters for both Space 1999 and The Prisoner.

I don't see why they made an effort to make it 16:9 in the FIRST place. I mean, they had to change Virgil's text, and probably had to reframe every shot. 4:3 pillars would be EASY compared to all that trouble. I really don't understand what they were thinking.

[roose1982]

I don't see why they made an effort to make it 16:9 in the FIRST place. I mean, they had to change Virgil's text, and probably had to reframe every shot. 4:3 pillars would be EASY compared to all that trouble. I really don't understand what they were thinking.

That's an interesting point. It's certainly received a lot of criticism, and i wonder whether had they left it as 4:3 and pillar boxed it, they'd have actually sold more sets. After all, at around £80 i felt it was hugely overpriced, and fans may have been discouraged from buying it because of the this and the cropped picture.

Also, a full 4:3 HD master must exist, as surely they would have had to scan the whole of the 35mm frame in order to be able to later re-frame individual shots to fit the 16:9.

[Dougurasu]

I think a lot of the 80 pounds is thanks to the extra effort they had to put in to make it widescreen. But yeah... I still don´t understand why. It could´ve probably been around 60 if they didn´t do the cropping.

[air terrainean]

Pretty sure that the reason for Thunderbirds being reformatted in 16:9 was because the HD copies were being produced for a broadcaster who wanted it in that ratio, while The Prisoner was requested in 4:3 primarily for DVD release. Anyone know for sure ? Also not clear what has happened with UFO - at least one episode (Survival) has been produced in 4:3 HD, and was screened at the NFT recently. That looked fantastic, and a DVD release of the whole series to the same spec would be terrific. May be destined for BD though.