| Author |
Message |
|
| billyweeds |
 Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:10 pm |
 |
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 20618
Location: New York City
|
Rod wrote: I have a problem with TCM, and it's not a small one: oftentimes the prints they show of films are woefully fuzzy, lacking in sharpness and proper contrast, consequently their films are often a serious eye-sore. Doubly irritating seems to be that the less well-known the film, the better the print.
This is totally on the money--and to make matters worse, the prints are hardly ever letterboxed, something you would expect a channel like TCM to do much more often. |
|
|
| Back to top |
  
|
| ehle64 |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:30 am |
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 7149
Location: NYC; US&A
|
billyweeds wrote: --and to make matters worse, the prints are hardly ever letterboxed, something you would expect a channel like TCM to do much more often.
I don't know which TCM you get with Time Warner Cable, but over here in Queens, if the film was made in Letterbox, they screen it that way. You can even go to their website and make sure that the film is being presented in it's original size. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| daffy |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:51 am |
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 1939
Location: Wall Street
|
Who's on First?
BY CHRIS GAVALER
- - - -
(A CUSTOMER steps up to a video-store counter with a stack of videos.)
CASHIER: Hi. Did you find everything you wanted?
CUSTOMER: (Handing over membership card.) Yes, thanks. (Pause.) When is this one due back?
CASHIER: The day after tomorrow.
CUSTOMER: Yeah, when's it due back?
CASHIER: The day after tomorrow.
CUSTOMER: Yes. The Day After Tomorrow.
CASHIER: Right.
CUSTOMER: Right. When's it due back?
CASHIER: The day after tomorrow.
CUSTOMER: I mean the movie. The Day After Tomorrow. When is it due?
CASHIER: Oh! I get it. That's funny. You thought I meant—right, OK. It's due the day after tomorrow.
CUSTOMER: The Day After Tomorrow is due the day after tomorrow?
CASHIER: Exactly.
CUSTOMER: And Before Sunset?
CASHIER: Anytime before 10.
CUSTOMER: Is it the same as The Day After Tomorrow?
CASHIER: We close the same time every day. Ten o'clock.
CUSTOMER: But what day is the video due?
CASHIER: The Day After Tomorrow?
CUSTOMER: Why are you asking me?
CASHIER: The Day After Tomorrow is due the day after tomorrow.
CUSTOMER: I know, but what about Before Sunset?
CASHIER: Anytime before closing.
CUSTOMER: But what day?
CASHIER: The day after tomorrow.
CUSTOMER: Before Sunset?
CASHIER: You can bring it then if you want to, but we're open till 10.
CUSTOMER: The movie! Before Sunset. When is Before Sunset due?
CASHIER: Oh! We did it again, didn't we? Isn't that just like that ... what's that sketch called? Anyway. Sorry. Before Sunset is due the day after tomorrow.
CUSTOMER: Thank you. (Pause.) Is that the same for the others?
CASHIER: You're not renting The Others.
CUSTOMER: Why not?
CASHIER: I don't know. You can if you want to.
CUSTOMER: Well, I would like to rent the others, please.
CASHIER: I'll check the computer.
CUSTOMER: For what?
CASHIER: The Others.
CUSTOMER: What's in front of you?
CASHIER: (Looking through stack.) Well, we have The Day After Tomorrow and Before Sunset. Then Seven, After Hours, 48 Hours, Ten, and Before Sunrise. Hey, that's funny, "before sunrise"—we could have gotten confused about that too, huh?
CUSTOMER: Yeah. Could you ring them up, please?
CASHIER: So you don't want The Others?
CUSTOMER: I want all of them.
CASHIER: But not The Others?
CUSTOMER: I want everything sitting right there in front of you.
CASHIER: OK, I'll ring them up. (Pause.) I'm sorry, but your account limits you to six rentals.
CUSTOMER: Oh, OK, I won't rent Ten.
CASHIER: Excuse me?
CUSTOMER: Get rid of Ten.
CASHIER: You have seven here.
CUSTOMER: I still want to rent Seven.
CASHIER: You're not allowed to.
CUSTOMER: Why can't I rent Seven?
CASHIER: Because it's over the limit.
CUSTOMER: Right, but I want Seven. Get rid of Ten.
CASHIER: (Pause.) That would leave negative three.
CUSTOMER: Excuse me?
CASHIER: You know what? We'll just let it slide this time.
CUSTOMER: Thank you. (Pause.) Is that one due back the day after tomorrow, too?
CASHIER: Yes, you have 48 hours.
CUSTOMER: But is it due with the others?
CASHIER: You don't have The Others.
CUSTOMER: What did you just ring up?
CASHIER: You want me to read these to you again?
CUSTOMER: No, just tell me when they're due.
CASHIER: The day after tomorrow.
CUSTOMER: But what about the others?
CASHIER: You don't have The Others.
CUSTOMER: Is 48 Hours due the day after tomorrow?
CASHIER: Yes, by 10 o'clock.
CUSTOMER: Is Ten due the day after tomorrow?
CASHIER: Yes, by 10 o'clock.
CUSTOMER: What about After Hours?
CASHIER: There's a late fee.
CUSTOMER: For what?
CASHIER: If you return after hours.
CUSTOMER: The day after tomorrow?
CASHIER: All of them.
CUSTOMER: So it's due the day after tomorrow?
CASHIER: By 10.
CUSTOMER: What about Seven?
CASHIER: You can bring it then if you want to, but we're open till 10.
CUSTOMER: The movie! The movie! When is the movie Seven due?
CASHIER: (Holding up each video one at a time.) Seven is due at 10 the day after tomorrow. The Day After Tomorrow is due at 10 the day after tomorrow. Before Sunset is due at 10 the day after tomorrow. 48 Hours is due at 10 the day after tomorrow. After Hours is due at 10 the day after tomorrow. And Ten is due at 10 the day after tomorrow
CUSTOMER: Thank you! (Noticing the last video after a long pause.) But what about Before Sunrise?
CASHIER: (Pause.) We're not open before sunrise.
(CUSTOMER gives up and walks out.)
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2005/3/4gavaler.html |
_________________
"I have been known, on occasion, to howl at the moon."
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/index.html |
|
| Back to top |
|
| Ghulam |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 2:12 am |
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 4742
Location: Upstate NY
|
| Daffy, that is the funniest stuff since Abbot and Costello. Thanks. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Joe Vitus |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:57 am |
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 14498
Location: Houston
|
Billy,
We've got Time-Warner cable down here, and the way it runs (I figure this is the same everwhere), if the movie is shown both early in the day and then later in the evening, the second showing will be letterboxed. Oftentimes, even the prime time showing will be. They got a lot of miliage out of showing both wide-screen version of Oklahoma!, and of course, all airings were letterboxed.
One odd problem I've run across is that there seem to be jerky pauses. The image will freeze for a second (though the sound doesn't stop) and then suddenly the image is the same scene a couple of seconds later. This happens all the time, and I wonder if it's intentional, to hurt the quality of bootleg tapings. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Kate |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 11:54 am |
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 1397
Location: Pacific Northwest
|
| So I watched Bad Santa yesterday and fully enjoyed myself. Laughed out loud many times and for the first time actually liked Billy Bob. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| lady wakasa |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 12:05 pm |
|
|
Joined: 21 May 2004
Posts: 5911
Location: Beyond the Blue Horizon
|
I may not remember this perfectly (I'm really tired right now), but the topic of Turner versions came up on alt.movies.silent. The Turner guy said that basically they try to get the best version possible, but sometimes the source sends them the wrong thing. Sometimes they run it like that (because basically they don't know until it's aired); sometimes they substitute another movie.
Like I said, I'm really tired right now and may be getting some particulars wrong.
I think I've heard of the jerky pauses with running PAL on NTSC (converted through the medium or on the machine), but not on tv. I dunno, maybe I'm thinking about the shadows thing. Whatever it is, I don't think it's intentional - you're interfering with the quality of the broadcast, which would be shooting yourself in the foot (especially since some of those viewings are to promote DVD releases). |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Marj |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:45 pm |
|
|
Joined: 21 May 2004
Posts: 10497
Location: Manhattan
|
Quote: We've got Time-Warner cable down here, and the way it runs (I figure this is the same everwhere), if the movie is shown both early in the day and then later in the evening, the second showing will be letterboxed. Oftentimes, even the prime time showing will be. They got a lot of miliage out of showing both wide-screen version of Oklahoma!, and of course, all airings were letterboxed
Joe - I've never ever seen this. And I have Time Warner too. It appears that TCM shows the best print they have. If it is in letterbox, that's how they show it. But you've made me curious enough to call Time Warner. If only I hadn't just finished fighting with them over my bill! But actually the question should go to TCM, anyway.
Quote: One odd problem I've run across is that there seem to be jerky pauses. The image will freeze for a second (though the sound doesn't stop) and then suddenly the image is the same scene a couple of seconds later. This happens all the time, and I wonder if it's intentional, to hurt the quality of bootleg tapings.
I understand that this is a function of digitalization. Have you ever watched an old DVD? The same thing can happen. I am anything but techno savvy, so I can't explain it. Maybe someone else can? |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Joe Vitus |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 7:09 pm |
|
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 14498
Location: Houston
|
Marj,
I was thinking it was an issue of digitalization. I wondered if I were watching on digital cable rather than the older model if those jerky movements would disappear. [/b] |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Marj |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 7:25 pm |
|
|
|
Joined: 21 May 2004
Posts: 10497
Location: Manhattan
|
Joe,
As I said, I'm terribly technically challanged, so I wouldn't know. But logically it would seem to me that if TCM is using a digital movie, then the problem is coming from their end.
Also, I do agree with what Lady said. It just makes sense. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Joe Vitus |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:39 pm |
|
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 14498
Location: Houston
|
I was embarrassed to admit this earlier, but I have no idea what
Quote: I think I've heard of the jerky pauses with running PAL on NTSC (converted through the medium or on the machine), but not on tv.
means. I don't know what PAL or NTSC is, and what medium or machine is converting? |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Rod |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:15 pm |
|
|
Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 2944
Location: Lithgow, Australia
|
| PAL and NTSC are color systems, Joe, basically defined by how many color lines your TV set uses. All Aussie sets are PAL. |
_________________
A long time ago, but somehow in the future...It is a period of civil war and renegade paragraphs floating through space. |
|
| Back to top |
|
| Joe Vitus |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:18 pm |
|
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 14498
Location: Houston
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| censored-03 |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 11:30 pm |
|
|
Joined: 24 May 2004
Posts: 3058
Location: Gotham, Big Apple, The Naked City
|
Joe Vitus wrote: Marj,
I was thinking it was an issue of digitalization. I wondered if I were watching on digital cable rather than the older model if those jerky movements would disappear. [/b] |
_________________
"Life is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel."
-- Horace Walpole |
|
| Back to top |
|
| Joe Vitus |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 11:45 pm |
|
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 14498
Location: Houston
|
You're right, it is very recent.
I really can't afford the upgrade to digital, and when I move, I probably won't get even basic cable. But then, I actually don't watch TCM much. If I want to watch an old movie, I rent it. I don't know if they aren't scheduling things I want, or if I just find renting more convenient (but alternatively more expensive; sometimes I don't think my finances through, properly). On the other hand, I had to tape They Drive By Night off TCM, because it isn't available, and the stuttering (good word, by the way) drove me nuts. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
