X-Files being remastered on Blu-ray starting in 2013

Jeff · 11-17-2012, 05:54 PM

It appears that Fox has decided to basically remaster The X-Files in HD starting in 2013.

Similar to what CBS has done with Star Trek TNG, they will re-create the show from scratch using the original film elements (super 35mm from what I recall) and remake all the special effects in HD. The show will also be presented in it's original 16:9 (1.78 aspect ratio) widescreen format that it was shot in.

The early seasons were just edited in full screen format (1.33 aspect ratio or 4:3), even though they shot it in widescreen according to John Bartley the show's cinematographer.

I'd also like to mention that September 10, 2013 marks the 20th anniversary of the series.

I'm really excited about this. I thought that with the second movie not going over too well that it wouldn't be done. However, they did release it pretty close to The Dark Knight's original release in theatres (July 18 2008 versus July 24 2008 for the second X-Files movie), so maybe that's why it may have had a low amount of viewers in the theaters.

Kit · 11-18-2012, 09:11 AM

Excellent news!

Can't wait to watch Jose Chung's From Outer Space in HD!

Jeff · 11-18-2012, 11:34 AM

Yep, some of those episodes could really use a touch up. One of the earliest ones I've noticed has flickering rainbow colors on Skinner's shirt:

I think they must have mastered it using a composite video cable. DVD standards use component only, which separates the color from the black and white part of the picture. If you don't separate the colors during the editing process (or transferring film to video), you get rainbows.

8IronBob · 11-19-2012, 08:06 PM

Hmm... I suppose I shall look into this. Thanks for the heads up.

Paroxysm · 11-21-2012, 10:36 PM

Jeff: Sure it isn't just a moire effect due to a tight pattern on the shirt?

Jeff · 11-22-2012, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paroxysm

Jeff: Sure it isn't just a moire effect due to a tight pattern on the shirt?

I was actually referring to Skinner's collar on the shirt, not the other parts. If you have the episode "Ascension" in season 2, fast forward to the 38 minute mark to see it. You'll notice that the colors will start flickering and it'll look like a rainbow (even though he has a white shirt with black stripes). Wish I could show you a sample clip, but probably not allowed here.

I think the technical term for this is called cross-chrominance (cross-color or rainbow noise).

At any rate, with a new film transfer and Blu-ray release, this will be eliminated.

One of the other things I was going to mention is that X-Files was one of the first TV shows to be released on DVD, and I believe the episodes like the above screenshot may have even been from a broadcast tape, rather than a high quality DVD transfer (eg. 24 or Futurama looks really nice for a DVD).

Jeff · 01-21-2014, 09:33 AM

Sorry for bump, but I just wanted to let you know, they started airing X-Files in HD with a Blu-ray release sometime this year. Not exactly sure when, there's no set date.

Here are some screenshots of the HD version of it. Click on images and links for the full resolution. It's full 16:9/1.78 aspect ratio like I said, as opposed to the old 4:3/1.33 aspect ratio (more picture information, no black bars).

Commando Nukem · 01-23-2014, 08:55 PM

This is excellent news all around. X-files is a classic show and it deserves the triple star treatment.

Jeff · 01-24-2014, 07:41 AM

Indeed. It's about time I replaced my DVDs. I've had them since they were first released back in 2000 or so I believe.

NutWrench · 02-11-2014, 04:39 PM

I still get a kick out of the early 1990's technology in the X-Files.

Jeff · 02-13-2014, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NutWrench

I still get a kick out of the early 1990's technology in the X-Files.

Yep. Tape recorders, big cell phones, and a bunch of other things.

11-17-2012, 05:54 PM	#1
Jeff	X-Files being remastered on Blu-ray starting in 2013 It appears that Fox has decided to basically remaster The X-Files in HD starting in 2013. Similar to what CBS has done with Star Trek TNG, they will re-create the show from scratch using the original film elements (super 35mm from what I recall) and remake all the special effects in HD. The show will also be presented in it's original 16:9 (1.78 aspect ratio) widescreen format that it was shot in. The early seasons were just edited in full screen format (1.33 aspect ratio or 4:3), even though they shot it in widescreen according to John Bartley the show's cinematographer. I'd also like to mention that September 10, 2013 marks the 20th anniversary of the series. I'm really excited about this. I thought that with the second movie not going over too well that it wouldn't be done. However, they did release it pretty close to The Dark Knight's original release in theatres (July 18 2008 versus July 24 2008 for the second X-Files movie), so maybe that's why it may have had a low amount of viewers in the theaters. Last edited by Jeff; 11-17-2012 at 07:29 PM.

11-18-2012, 09:11 AM	#2
Kit	Re: X-Files being remastered on Blu-ray starting in 2013 Excellent news! Can't wait to watch Jose Chung's From Outer Space in HD! __________________ "Screw, damn, and bloody do not a sermon make."

11-18-2012, 11:34 AM	#3
Jeff	Re: X-Files being remastered on Blu-ray starting in 2013 Yep, some of those episodes could really use a touch up. One of the earliest ones I've noticed has flickering rainbow colors on Skinner's shirt: I think they must have mastered it using a composite video cable. DVD standards use component only, which separates the color from the black and white part of the picture. If you don't separate the colors during the editing process (or transferring film to video), you get rainbows. Last edited by Jeff; 11-18-2012 at 11:38 AM.

11-19-2012, 08:06 PM	#4
8IronBob	Re: X-Files being remastered on Blu-ray starting in 2013 Hmm... I suppose I shall look into this. Thanks for the heads up. __________________ PC Specs (a.k.a. "Galacticus Prime"): http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7Vk7FT

11-21-2012, 10:36 PM	#5
Paroxysm	Re: X-Files being remastered on Blu-ray starting in 2013 Jeff: Sure it isn't just a moire effect due to a tight pattern on the shirt? __________________ I demand a fiddle contest! this is what i think of you ^&%&%^@#^%@#%^#@^& - dukeonly

01-21-2014, 09:33 AM	#7
Jeff	Re: X-Files being remastered on Blu-ray starting in 2013 Sorry for bump, but I just wanted to let you know, they started airing X-Files in HD with a Blu-ray release sometime this year. Not exactly sure when, there's no set date. Here are some screenshots of the HD version of it. Click on images and links for the full resolution. It's full 16:9/1.78 aspect ratio like I said, as opposed to the old 4:3/1.33 aspect ratio (more picture information, no black bars).

01-23-2014, 08:55 PM	#8
Commando Nukem	Re: X-Files being remastered on Blu-ray starting in 2013 This is excellent news all around. X-files is a classic show and it deserves the triple star treatment. __________________ Open Maw Productions

01-24-2014, 07:41 AM	#9
Jeff	Re: X-Files being remastered on Blu-ray starting in 2013 Indeed. It's about time I replaced my DVDs. I've had them since they were first released back in 2000 or so I believe.

02-11-2014, 04:39 PM	#10
NutWrench	Re: X-Files being remastered on Blu-ray starting in 2013 I still get a kick out of the early 1990's technology in the X-Files. __________________ "If by chance some day you're not feeling well and you should remember some silly thing I've said or done and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled."