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Post by Cinemaniac on Nov 30, 2023 14:01:44 GMT
I'm wondering if anyone could help me out with this one. I've noticed on certain TV channels there seems to be some sort of "technical error" with some of the programs or else some of the episodes of certain programs. The issue I'm referring to is this rather unusual movement to the picture, which appears to pose as a problem for those programs produced on videotape. I've noticed this on certain episodes of "ALL IN THE FAMILY" on MeTV as well as Catchy Comedy (used to be "Decades", but now it only airs classic comedy-themed programs). On that latter mentioned channel, all episodes of "GOOD TIMES" appear the same way, which is a shame because I also enjoy watching that show. Certain episodes of "SANFORD AND SON" appear the same way as well on Catchy Comedy. What's also strange is that MeTV airs the once "lost" episodes (1968-1972) of "THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW" abridged to only a half hour, and some of those episodes have that bad-looking picture movement. Fortunately, Catchy, as well as back when the network was still Decades, airs the full hour-long episodes of "CAROL BURNETT" completely uncut and without that rough movement. I almost thought something was wrong with the original videotape which these episodes were produced on, but what's strange is that one half of an episode would bear that quality, while the other part would look just fine. Programs produced on film look the same way on these channels. Some of those programs, to name a few, consist of "I LOVE LUCY", "THE HONEYMOONERS", some episodes of "PERRY MASON", color episodes of "GUNSMOKE", "THE TWILIGHT ZONE", "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW", and a few episodes of "CHEERS". These programs would appear as though they were altered to look like they were produced on videotape, as opposed to film. The reason why I'm curious, is because I would like to know the specific technical term so I can address this issue to certain network, with hopes things could soon get resolved.
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Post by topbilled on Nov 30, 2023 14:14:54 GMT
Not sure which networks you will be addressing your concerns to, but my guess is they will say it's a broadcast issue or reception issue. They probably won't admit they are using old syndication packages where all the episodes have not been digitally restored (since that would be cheaper for them to lease). Most of these channels are only interested in using the shows for ad revenue, they are not exactly interested in providing a clear viewing experience.
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Post by Cinemaniac on Dec 1, 2023 1:45:48 GMT
TopBilled -
You do prove a good point with your statement. The networks I've noticed this issue with are MeTV, as well as Catchy Comedy (debuted this past spring; formerly Decades). If you notice the quality of certain programs on these channels, as I had mentioned above. If you get Catchy Comedy, you'll notice that EVERY episode of "GOOD TIMES" has an abnormal look to the picture's movement. Compare those episodes on that channel to those on, say, GetTV, and you'll understand what I mean. As I've stated before, some of "THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW" episodes from the first few seasons have that same awkward look on MeTV, but on Catchy Comedy, when shown in full hour long episodes, they look normal just as they have originally aired, and yet both networks are owned by the same corporation (Weigel Broadcasting).
I'm not necessarily partial to these programs, but on Catchy, "NIGHT COURT" AND "MAMA'S FAMILY" both look awful. The videotape looks as though it's been slowed down a bit. These two programs don't have that "original" videotaped look to their appearance. I have some family that have noticed this and, being frequent viewers of these two programs, they've noticed how the copies on Catchy Comedy look badly altered compared to episodes obtained on tape from another network years ago.
I have addressed this matter to my local cable provider once, and was told it was likely an issue with the network itself. It could very likely be the distributors of these programs that have, for some odd reason, technically altered some or all episodes of these shows. The reason is far beyond me.
As I've previously stated, the movement to these shows look unnatural, and for those shows produced on videotape, it's very unbearable to view such programs when the entire show is moving so roughly. Take a look on MeTV, or else Catchy Comedy, at episodes of "ALL IN THE FAMILY". You will see that one episode would look normal, whereas another episode would have that same rough-looking movement. I'm almost certain I've told the correct term for that "rough" picture movement is "time-compressed", and have once used it in a complaint to some network (I think MeTV). Perhaps you or others may recall that a couple of times in the past, TCM has aired a badly "delayed" version of "SHOW BOAT" (1951 version with Kathryn Grayson), in which the movement appeared rather slowed down, as if it was filmed like many early silent films with those manually operated film cameras. I have placed a complaint to TCM regarding this issue, and fortunately, the movie has been presented in it's standard format ever since.
As you had stated, certain networks would not admit to using "old syndication packages" or certain programs. That's not the case on MeTV, for instance. They resort to really nice restored versions of various programs (except, for some reason, they DO air the old syndicated Turner colorized episodes from the first season of "Glligan's Island). I am all for quality when it comes to classic TV shows, movies, cartoons, etc.; so when these programs air on a television network with massive viewership, I would expect that the network would provide the best-looking versions of their selection of programs. I have seen better looking restored episodes of "THE HONEYMOONERS" on a local network that looked far superior to the somewhat quick-paced versions on MeTV. If I were to make a request to any certain "classic TV" network to air some classic program(s), I would at least hope to adress this issue with the request so that someone would be able to make sure these shows air in their "original" good quality.
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Post by topbilled on Dec 1, 2023 2:06:36 GMT
You mentioned how the speed seems slowed down. But it's usually the opposite. Some of these stations speed up the video so that a 24 minute sitcom can air in 21 or 22 minutes and thus provide two or three extra minutes for more commercials.
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Post by marysara1 on Dec 6, 2023 8:37:28 GMT
You mentioned how the speed seems slowed down. But it's usually the opposite. Some of these stations speed up the video so that a 24 minute sitcom can air in 21 or 22 minutes and thus provide two or three extra minutes for more commercials.
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Post by marysara1 on Dec 6, 2023 8:40:57 GMT
Doesn't that happen with silent films. Very confusing. I bought the Columbo series on Blu-ray which claims it was scanned from 4k.I didn't know T.V. shows were filmed in such a high resolution.
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Post by topbilled on Dec 6, 2023 15:20:00 GMT
Doesn't that happen with silent films. Very confusing. I bought the Columbo series on Blu-ray which claims it was scanned from 4k.I didn't know T.V. shows were filmed in such a high resolution. |
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Post by Cinemaniac on Mar 23, 2024 2:47:01 GMT
The correct technical tern I was looking for was "interlaced". I believe this means there's an issue with the screen bandwidth in which the frames are unevenly overlapped in each scene. I don't know if this has anything to do with the channel's reception, or else if it's just the quality of the copies of certain distributed episodes, but it's VERY distracting. If you want a good example of what I'm referring to, just tune into ANY episode of "GOOD TIMES" on Catchy Comedy (if anyone gets that network), or else "MAMA'S FAMILY" on both that channel and MeTV.
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Post by topbilled on Apr 3, 2024 4:24:50 GMT
The correct technical tern I was looking for was "interlaced". I believe this means there's an issue with the screen bandwidth in which the frames are unevenly overlapped in each scene. I don't know if this has anything to do with the channel's reception, or else if it's just the quality of the copies of certain distributed episodes, but it's VERY distracting. If you want a good example of what I'm referring to, just tune into ANY episode of "GOOD TIMES" on Catchy Comedy (if anyone gets that network), or else "MAMA'S FAMILY" on both that channel and MeTV.
Learn something new everyday! |
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Post by Cinemaniac on Apr 4, 2024 3:59:50 GMT
TopBilled -
If you look at some programs on certain networks, as mentioned above, you'll see exactly what I mean. It's a big nuisance when trying to enjoy any of these classic TV shows of my preference. If you get Catchy Comedy (used to by Decades) you'll see what I mean if you watch ANY episode of, say, "GOOD TIMES" (which I can fortunately enjoy on GetTV with the "normal" quality), as well as only a certain handful of episodes of "SANFORD AND SON", and "ALL IN THE FAMILY". The latter can be seen on MeTV Sunday nights, so if you don't get Catchy Comedy through your cable provider, you can at least see it on that channel. As stated above, Catchy Comedy airs the full hour long episodes of "THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW", including the originally sought-to-be "lost" episodes from the first five seasons, whereas on MeTV those episodes are shown in the abridged half-hour format, and those are sometimes interlaced. This is especially strange considering both MeTV and Catchy Comedy are owned by Weigel Broadcasting. I don't know if the interlacing is a technical error that came along with the restoration of the episodes when distributed to this network. Thankfully, no programs videotaped programs appear this way on Antenna TV, except for maybe just a few episodes of "THE JEFFERSONS", from what I have seen. I do intend on making a complain to Weigel in regards to the quality of these programs, because I can't possibly imagine viewers would overlook this situation. A friend of mine wishes to request some programs for MeTV to soon air, such as "THE FLIP WILSON SHOW", and intends on asking the network (or else Weigel Broadcasting), to air the episodes of this series as long as they're not interlaced.
Has anyone ever noticed this quality with any of these programs before?
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