MovieChat Forums > MacGyver (1985) Discussion > Quality on Netflix is terrible

Quality on Netflix is terrible

posted 9 years ago by Aftershlock
9 replies | jump to latest

I've been watching a bunch of series on Netflix and they're all in HD but when it comes to Macgyver, the quality is worst than Youtube. What gives?

[–] ttrek-1 9 years ago

It is a show from the 80's that was never filmed in HD and the episodes are, as the dvd sets are, taken from video masters.

So the quality will never be anything to write home about unless the spend a bunch of money to restore it Star Trek TNG style.

[–] hackerman6731 8 years ago

Well, that's partly true. HD is just a term we use these days, MacGyver was shot on film, which is "HD". The resolution of 35mm film is about the resolution of 2-4k digital scans. You are correct about them being taken from the video masters though, they copied (telecine) the film to video. Then, those tapes were transferred digitally in the early 2000s for the DVDs, which is why they look so awful. If they go back and scan the original film, Macgyver will most likely look like a different show. Take the old show Emergency! for example, that is now streaming in HD on Netflix, and it looks STUNNING compared to the old DVDs.

[–] martinjames-muzo 8 years ago

Yes, I'm watching on CBS Action in the UK through HD gear and the picture reminds me of Star Trek The Original Series, but only on the occasions when they're using soft-focus, yet even softer! Having not seen it for 20 years, I would have argued they would have made this on VT, but on spotting the odd cue mark etc. I can see it. It certainly looks below par, even for the time, to think Ironside (for example) from around 15-20 years earlier looked far better in the first place. This could use a remaster like Emergency! and the first series of Trek.

[–] HellboundHero 8 years ago

At times the picture becomes pixellated, for some reason it's most noticeable during the opening and end credits of shows, but not so much during the show itself.

[–] double_perc 8 years ago

Go here - http://123movies.to/movie/search/Macgyver

[–] I_Guard_Tanelorn 7 years ago

I have no idea why MacGyver looks so crappy on Netflix. It's worse than the dvd rips. It must have something to do with the distribution deals which copies they can present. I'm really looking forward to the MeTV version. A lot of their old shows look pretty great. A-Team, similar time frame show, looks great.

"I said no camels, that's five camels, can't you count?"

[–] grillmasterj 7 years ago

it's better than MeTV broadcast quality...I could swear the playback is off of VHS tapes from someone's garage.

[–] Cognoscente (2463) 3 years ago

I wish the visual quality was as sharp as these photos: https://popcultmaster.com/2018/03/04/all-about-angus/

[–] EleazarHisSon (595) 2 months ago

Get the remastered HD versions on Blu-ray. MacGyver in SD is horrible, and I say that not being a picky eater with quality. Pluto TV has it for free with ads right now but they are the SD versions and I don't think they're worth it. I can't believe people used to watch this on DVD in the 00's. The show was really popular and iconic here in Sweden then (probably because Richard Dean Anderson is from Minnesota and plays hockey).