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MacGyver Online Forums > DVD & Bluray > MacGyver: The Complete Series BD Set


Posted by: Jano 12 December 2019 - 01:31 AM
Mac friends! I'm VERY excited that today, I'm finally able to announce MacGyver: The Complete Series Blu-ray box set from us at Koch Films in Germany (well, actually, from *them* at Koch Films, I'm only helping as an external advisor and Mac expert).

I teased that we might be able to do something a couple of months ago back and it was a long way to go, but yes, MacGyver will finally be back on Blu-ray in late 2020.

A little backstory on this release: I first checked in with my friends at Koch Films about one and a half years ago when the Mac remaster was first announced because I saw no chance that there would be any CBS BDs. So they checked, but the license wasn't available at that time because CBS in fact wanted to do the BDs themselves. (Don't we know it now!) Fast forward to one year later when they did do them ... and ... uh ... "surprisingly" realized it's not worth it for them.

Anyway, when it became clear there would be no further seasons from CBS and they even started to send out official email replies they had no plans to continue the series, I talked to my friend at Koch again in late April of this year. So they checked again ... and yes, after a couple months of waiting it finally became clear that it will in fact work out. (When CBS license out a property externally, they first do some sort of "feedback round" with their official local branches all over the world to see if any of them might be interested in still doing the property... in which case it wouldn't be licensed. But no CBS/Universal branch wanted to do Mac, so it was finally available for Koch.)

This is very exciting for me as I never thought I'd one day be able to see an ultimate high-quality version of Mac... much less actually help making it the best possible version for the fans. I can't go into much details as of now since we haven't started preproduction yet (we're currently expecting the box to come out next fall or winter), but I'll be writing an extensive booklet on the show's production and background and we'll try to add some cool bonus features (in terms of potential behind the scenes stuff, bloopers, b-roll etc., this will all come down to what is available from CBS, so I can't make any promises regarding that) and also possibly shoot some new interviews etc.

Now, of course, this is an American forum and you're probably wondering: "Nice for the German folks, but why should I care?" I can answer that for you: CBS will have the right to use our Blu-ray masters for their own CBS US edition of the show, and from what I've heard so far, they are in fact planning to do it. I can't say anything definite about this yet, though, since what they will end up doing or not doing is fully up to them, and if they do it, I don't know if it'd be a Complete Series set or if they would continue with the individual seasons. But anyway, in case they don't end up doing it after all, I'm sure you guys know how to get your hands on a foreign release if need be ... wink.gif

As for possible questions that might come up right away:
- Yes, we'll include season one again and will make sure that the "white flicker" compression problems won't make an appearance this time. wink.gif
- We'll try to include the slightly extended version of the pilot with the deleted scene set in the Pentagon. Both tv movies will be included, but only in SD, I'm afraid. CBS haven't remastered them and have no plans to do so, so it's unfortunately impossible to add them in a better version.
- We will try to have the original Mac logo recreated, so that our release doesn't come with the horrible random standard font logo that has been used since the DVDs came out. That's not a promise yet as it will depend on whether we'll be able to get a designer who will make it look awesome, but I hope we'll be able to make it work. smile.gif
- The box set will come with both English and German audio.

(For those who are careful enough to require sources and don't trust just some random dude on a forum, here you go biggrin.gif: https://www.facebook.com/KochFilms/photos/a.156185551079491/2896810767016942/)

Posted by: MacGyverGod 12 December 2019 - 03:01 AM
Interesting. Any subtitles?

Good luck with it.

Posted by: Jano 12 December 2019 - 03:14 AM
Not sure yet. There are some Koch tv show releases that have only German subtitles, while others have both English and German ones. So it could go either way, I haven't heard anything regarding this yet.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 12 December 2019 - 11:20 AM
It's interesting that they didn't want to go further because in the same week, they had also released the HD-remastered "Charmed" Season 1 BD (which still isn't available in Germany) and after a long wait, they just released Season 2 last month.

I wonder what the criteria was that they went with Charmed but not MacGyver; I don't imagine they sold that much since it was still over a year of a wait of releasing Season 2. hmm.bmp

Interestingly, they relased it as "press on demand" or something; without any subtitles or more languages; contrary to Season 1. I also heard lots of complaints on their FB page about the BDs not being recognized by other devices than "real" Blu-Ray-Players (e.g. Playstation, XBox or work computers). So on the other hand, I'm sort of glad they didn't do a "half-botched" release for MacGyver as well.

Posted by: Jano 12 December 2019 - 12:24 PM
Fans of witches might get some happy news tomorrow, too. biggrin.gif

Posted by: Jano 12 December 2019 - 01:49 PM
Thanks, I've actually been linked to this before, but the problem with it is that it only looks good at first sight. wink.gif

This is not actually an HD recreation, but what the video creator did was to take the SD intro and retouch/remove everything besides the logo. So it's not actually anything digitally created or even HD that could be used for professional purposes. It's too blurry and the outlines are too bumpy since it's basically just a roughly done cut-out from the SD intro.

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 12 December 2019 - 11:54 PM
QUOTE (Jano @ 13 December 2019 - 09:49 AM)
Thanks, I've actually been linked to this before, but the problem with it is that it only looks good at first sight. wink.gif

This is not actually an HD recreation, but what the video creator did was to take the SD intro and retouch/remove everything besides the logo. So it's not actually anything digitally created or even HD that could be used for professional purposes. It's too blurry and the outlines are too bumpy since it's basically just a roughly done cut-out from the SD intro.

Agreed.

I'd rather keep the fixed up HD version.

Kinda weird that they couldn't transfer the original to HD. You'd think in 139 episodes they could find 1 good copy of the title sequence.



Posted by: Jano 13 December 2019 - 12:02 AM
I'm not sure how it was done back then. Since all the visual effects were done during the mastering process, it's actually possible that the original logo only exists as an old SD videotape master and not on actual film stock. Or they weren't able to find it or whatever. It always confused me that the logo pretty much never appeared anywhere besides the opening. Even back in the day, merchandise, press pics etc. used a Times or other serifs font rather than the logo.

Anyway, yes, we'll only use a recreated version of the original logo if we can ensure that it will look good in the end, otherwise it'll stay the "random standard font" version CBS has used.

Posted by: CHEVIGNON 13 December 2019 - 11:00 AM
I am sorry, are you talking about this version of the logo not being good enough?

https://youtu.be/PkY_LAyGb8A

I would rather have this one than the *censored*ty version made for the HD release. Not only the logo is wrong, but the movement and speed make it look amateurish. Now, I am sure we can have this logo made in full Hi-Res 4K ready if necessary smile.gif

Posted by: Jakob 15 December 2019 - 11:28 AM
QUOTE (Jano @ 12 December 2019 - 11:31 AM)
Mac friends! I'm VERY excited that today, I'm finally able to announce MacGyver: The Complete Series Blu-ray box set from us at Koch Films in Germany (well, actually, from *them* at Koch Films, I'm only helping as an external advisor and Mac expert).

I teased that we might be able to do something a couple of months ago back and it was a long way to go, but yes, MacGyver will finally be back on Blu-ray in late 2020.

Wow, this is fantastic!! w00t.gif

Thank you very much for championing MacGyver on BD and for making the complete series box a reality. thumbsup.gif
Looking forward to buying it next year.

A few questions:

Do you know what CBS have done with later MacGyver episodes that feature visual effects?
The UFO in "The Visitor" and the explosion at the end of "Cease Fire" come to mind, for example.
Have they recreated the visual effects in HD, or will these scenes remain in SD?

And would the extended version of the pilot also include the alternate music, as heard in this clip from Czech television?
https://youtu.be/-iiIwdUvO3c

Posted by: Jano 15 December 2019 - 01:29 PM
I'm afraid it's too early to tell. We haven't seen any material yet since the contract was just fully finalized a couple days ago and I don't think Koch will order the files before next spring or summer.

Based on the lasers in the pilot, which were digitally redone, I'd assume that the UFO effect has been recreated, too. We'll see.

Same goes for the extend pilot scene. We don't actually know yet if CBS will be able (or will want) to provide it, but I guess it should exist somewhere since they also dug up that alternate explosion scene they used in the pilot's opening credits. In any case, anything having to do with the actual episodes (i.e. alternate or unseen material) will fully depend on what CBS makes available, so for the moment, we can just hope it will be possible to include someything along those lines, but we can't promise it yet.

Posted by: MacGyverGod 16 December 2019 - 02:18 AM
You're not going to re-use the alternate opening title from the Pilot are you? Can't you get the original footage when the theme plays and Mac using the parachute?

Posted by: Jano 16 December 2019 - 02:41 AM
Again, it's too early to tell. I don't have any info on any available material yet as production won't officially start before spring or summer. So I've got no clue what can or can't be used for the time being. wink.gif I know getting the slightly extended version of the pilot is on my friend's top priority list, but as with all content stuff, it will ultimately come down to what CBS is able and willing to provide. Koch does not have any access to the actual film stock and thus can't do any scanning or remastering themselves. So anything that pertains the footage must come from CBS.

Posted by: Jakob 16 December 2019 - 03:48 PM
I guess the "holy grail" would be finding Jerrold Freedman's original long cut of the pilot, if it still exists in the vaults somewhere. He mentions it in http://themacgyverproject.blogspot.com/2015/08/jerry-freedman-conversation.html:

QUOTE
Freedman: By the time I showed my two-hour cut to Henry and John, we were at each other’s throats. They recut it into a 90 minute movie and got it on the air. That’s the bottom line. When I saw the final cut I was upset, and used the DGA pseudonym Alan Smithee because I didn’t want my name on it.


Would be great to see it, even if it's just in SD. Who knows if Henry Winkler would be willing to approve a release, though...

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 17 December 2019 - 01:01 AM
QUOTE (Jakob @ 17 December 2019 - 11:48 AM)
Would be great to see it, even if it's just in SD. Who knows if Henry Winkler would be willing to approve a release, though...

I'm not sure Henry would have much say in it. The show and all its rights are owned by CBS. This includes any unused materials - as I found out from my run-in with Warner Brothers lawyers after posting the Young MacGyver pilot on youtube. dry.gif

So it's probably down to if they a) have it, and b) want to release it.

It's also possible that they haven't even thought about it so would need someone to ask the question to get them considering it.


Posted by: MacGyverGod 17 December 2019 - 02:10 AM
If you really want to have a say over there you pretty much have to be the head of studio apparently.

Posted by: Jano 17 December 2019 - 02:14 AM
QUOTE (MacGyverOnline @ 17 December 2019 - 11:01 AM)
as I found out from my run-in with Warner Brothers lawyers after posting the Young MacGyver pilot on youtube. dry.gif

That reminds me: My friend at Koch checked on this to be included as a bonus, but they won't allow it. (I guess they would need to pay someone again if it ended up being "officially" used somewhere.)

Posted by: macgybl 29 December 2019 - 02:32 PM
Great news! Following this can't wait for any progress updates. Can someone pin this thread

Posted by: OLE 3 January 2020 - 11:25 AM
HOLY, SH... GREAT NEWS. I live in Norway. You think subtitles from the DVD set could be reused for the BD box?

Posted by: Jano 3 January 2020 - 07:26 PM
Technically, it surely wouldn't be a problem. But ultimately, it will depend on Koch's license. Since this is first and foremost a German release, only German and English audio as well as German (and maybe English) subtitles are a sure thing. I'm not involved with their contract negotiations, so I'm not sure what might and might not be possible. I should have more info on this (along with all other interesting details) around spring or so once work on the set starts.

Posted by: OLE 4 January 2020 - 03:24 AM
I understand that!
Gaddamn, it would be a dream come true if that was possible biggrin.gif
My deutsch is rather rusty tongue.gif

But if the subtitles could be used, it would be a good move. Since more people would buy the box set, without making a different set for each part of the world. I would totally buy from Germany if it had Norwegian subtitles w00t.gif

Posted by: MacGyver Lab 20 February 2020 - 02:53 PM
QUOTE (Jano @ 13 December 2019 - 12:02 AM)
I'm not sure how it was done back then. Since all the visual effects were done during the mastering process, it's actually possible that the original logo only exists as an old SD videotape master and not on actual film stock. Or they weren't able to find it or whatever. It always confused me that the logo pretty much never appeared anywhere besides the opening. Even back in the day, merchandise, press pics etc. used a Times or other serifs font rather than the logo.

Anyway, yes, we'll only use a recreated version of the original logo if we can ensure that it will look good in the end, otherwise it'll stay the "random standard font" version CBS has used.

Hi !

If you want some templates to create your MacGyver logos, look at this:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/MacGyverLab/photos/?tab=album&album_id=304138146858943

I already try to recreate some of them, but it's not really a professional job, i guess, so don't use it.

Posted by: Roaddawg71 21 March 2020 - 08:21 AM
QUOTE (Jano @ 12 December 2019 - 01:31 AM)
Now, of course, this is an American forum and you're probably wondering: "Nice for the German folks, but why should I care?" I can answer that for you: CBS will have the right to use our Blu-ray masters for their own CBS US edition of the show, and from what I've heard so far, they are in fact planning to do it. I can't say anything definite about this yet, though, since what they will end up doing or not doing is fully up to them, and if they do it, I don't know if it'd be a Complete Series set or if they would continue with the individual seasons. But anyway, in case they don't end up doing it after all, I'm sure you guys know how to get your hands on a foreign release if need be ... wink.gif

Lets say CBS doesn't use the Koch masters and doesn't release anything else in the US, would there be a Koch version in English? And if so would it work in America? I'd try my hardest to get a copy.

This is really cool news as I was in awe to actually see MacGyver in HD and was devastated when CBS declined to release more seasons.

Thanks for the update!

Posted by: Jano 22 March 2020 - 06:21 AM
The German box will have at least German and English audio, so in general, it shouldn't be a problem for international fans to get it. I can't say yet, though, if it will (need to) be region-B locked.

In other news, we were supposed to have a first overview of possible interviewees in early April, but due to the current events, I'm sure any bonus feature filming will need to be postponed for several months. We'll see.

Posted by: STACE_MAC 2 May 2020 - 10:13 AM
Hello!

Any news about the German complete set? biggrin.gif

Posted by: Jano 2 May 2020 - 10:49 AM
No. Koch have received the digital streams a couple of days ago, but are currently still working on their Miami Vice set. Also, due to the current situation, the production process on any possible new extras like interviews etc. has been halted. There's currently no release date set, but depending on how soon or late stuff like interviewing people will be possible again, it might also be possible that the bonus features might be stuff like people from cast and crew filming themselves answering questions or something.

So no, for now, nothing's concrete yet, but I should have more info at hand once the production process has actively started on the set.

Posted by: STACE_MAC 7 May 2020 - 09:15 PM
QUOTE (Jano @ 3 May 2020 - 06:49 AM)
No. Koch have received the digital streams a couple of days ago, but are currently still working on their Miami Vice set. Also, due to the current situation, the production process on any possible new extras like interviews etc. has been halted. There's currently no release date set, but depending on how soon or late stuff like interviewing people will be possible again, it might also be possible that the bonus features might be stuff like people from cast and crew filming themselves answering questions or something.

So no, for now, nothing's concrete yet, but I should have more info at hand once the production process has actively started on the set.


Dear Jano,
thank you for the detailed response.
It was only my curiosity,but I'm very happy that the set is on the way,however. I understand the delay and the problems with the extras. It would be fantastic if will be not only interviews, but outtakes,behind the scenes etc (how I founded sometimes on the web). I hope so....

Thank you and keep us updated!

Lamberto from Italy smile.gif

Posted by: SamuelC 2 July 2020 - 05:56 PM
Hiya

Any updates on this or progress in general ?

Thankies

Posted by: martincr 17 August 2020 - 11:54 AM
I've noticed the HD episodes of season three of Macgyver (87-88) have appeared on some of the cloud sites. Of course it looks way, way better than the standard DVD versions (even though it was slightly compressed) seen on Amazon Prime and CBS Access. I assume the covid-19 situation will delay, just like everything else in the world, the release of the Koch blu-ray of the complete series that was expected by the end of 2020. Makes me wonder why Amazon, and of course CBS, are not pay streaming the HD versions of Macgyver if it's already being broadcast elsewhere.

Posted by: SamuelC 17 August 2020 - 02:02 PM
I did try and contact CBS about updating the versions they have streaming on Amazon Video and CBS All Access but no joy.

Posted by: martincr 21 August 2020 - 05:24 AM


Season 6............

Posted by: martincr 21 August 2020 - 05:27 AM



Season 7......

Posted by: martincr 21 August 2020 - 05:31 AM


Season 3....although compressed resulting in poor image quality

Posted by: martincr 21 August 2020 - 05:42 AM


Later series opening credits.....

Posted by: martincr 21 August 2020 - 05:47 AM
Again, it beggars the question. If sites around the world are, and have been streaming the entire series of Macgyver in HD, then why are the popular pay sites like Prime and CBS Access still streaming that awful SD version? Given what a customer pays for Prime, you would expect HD versions of a given show if HD versions have been released.

But....i was told the same thing happened with other 80s shows on Prime, like the Dukes of Hazzard (well.....umm) and the CHIPS tv series. Both were streaming in HD.....then were pulled and resorted back to the SD versions only.

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 21 August 2020 - 05:48 AM
Awesome! I'm so looking forward to getting the full HD set!

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 21 August 2020 - 05:56 AM
QUOTE (martincr @ 22 August 2020 - 01:47 AM)
Again, it beggars the question. If sites around the world are, and have been streaming the entire series of Macgyver in HD, then why are the popular pay sites like Prime and CBS Access still streaming that awful SD version? Given what a customer pays for Prime, you would expect HD versions of a given show if HD versions have been released.

But....i was told the same thing happened with other 80s shows on Prime, like the Dukes of Hazzard (well.....umm) and the CHIPS tv series. Both were streaming in HD.....then were pulled and resorted back to the SD versions only.

Yes, I can't make any sense of it at all. It's just ridiculous.

Even crazier is that CBS has put the HD version of Star Trek: TNG on Netflix (which looks amazing BTW)... why not put all the HD version online instead of just 1 or 2?!

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 21 August 2020 - 08:57 AM
QUOTE (martincr @ 21 August 2020 - 03:42 PM)


Later series opening credits.....

wow, that looks pretty sharp...

When channel hopping last week, I noticed that Season 3 of Baywatch was shown in HD quality on a Swiss channel. The German channel Nitro still aired the "old" version of MacGyver half a year ago... they're going to repeat it soon; will tune in to check if it's still the same version or not.

Posted by: STACE_MAC 27 August 2020 - 10:31 AM
QUOTE (martincr @ 22 August 2020 - 01:42 AM)


Later series opening credits.....



Image sounds good (but in the other screenshots the colors are pretty unreal and far from original color palette) but....the fonts are not the original from 1986-1991,but they kept the first season fonts!! Not good sad.gif .

Hope the blu ray will be different!! blink.gif

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 28 August 2020 - 04:30 AM
QUOTE (STACE_MAC @ 28 August 2020 - 06:31 AM)
Image sounds good (but in the other screenshots the colors are pretty unreal and far from original color palette) but....the fonts are not the original from 1986-1991,but they kept the first season fonts!! Not good sad.gif .

Hope the blu ray will be different!! blink.gif

The Bluray is made using the original film stock and color settings as recorded by the photography team on the episodes so they will be the correct palette. We're just used to seeing them so clear and bright.

The season 1 Bluray looks amazing, so I expect nothing less from the other seasons.

Posted by: STACE_MAC 15 September 2020 - 09:51 AM
QUOTE (MacGyverOnline @ 29 August 2020 - 12:30 AM)
QUOTE (STACE_MAC @ 28 August 2020 - 06:31 AM)
Image sounds good (but in the other screenshots the colors are pretty unreal and far from original color palette) but....the fonts are not the original from 1986-1991,but they kept the first season fonts!! Not good sad.gif .

Hope the blu ray will be different!! blink.gif

The Bluray is made using the original film stock and color settings as recorded by the photography team on the episodes so they will be the correct palette. We're just used to seeing them so clear and bright.

The season 1 Bluray looks amazing, so I expect nothing less from the other seasons.

Hi!
Thank you for the explanation!

Yes,
the feeling of Blu Ray image is great and I hope it come out very soon!!

Hope Jano keep us updated! smile.gif

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 15 September 2020 - 11:38 AM
There are reports that the CBS Streaming Service All Access will be rebranded as "Paramount +" next year. Maybe they will make the HD version available then?

https://www.adweek.com/tv-video/cbs-all-access-will-rebrand-as-paramount-next-year/

Posted by: Axminster 21 September 2020 - 06:46 AM
QUOTE (DashboardOnFire @ 15 September 2020 - 11:38 AM)
There are reports that the CBS Streaming Service All Access will be rebranded as "Paramount +" next year. Maybe they will make the HD version available then?

https://www.adweek.com/tv-video/cbs-all-access-will-rebrand-as-paramount-next-year/

I think that re-brand is a good idea. For me at least, the Paramount brand just seems more prestigious than does CBS.

But I just really need these episodes in HD to be stream-able. The pictures in this thread are amazing.

If they're really trying to make the name-change notable, I could see them wanting to be able to say something at the time like: "Multiple classic series now available in HD."


Posted by: sylvain1888 21 September 2020 - 10:19 AM
I hope the HD version will be released soon, and also the bluray, we are still in 2020 ...

Posted by: CHEVIGNON 9 November 2020 - 05:52 PM
Still no update about the German Blu-ray release? ;( any info about the aspect ratio of the later seasons? In the CBS promo remaster they were showing the later seasons shot comparison in 16:9. Will this be the master they use for the Blu-ray? Season one already look amazing, imagine an episode like Ghost ship in 16:9! This would be fantastic!

Posted by: Jano 9 November 2020 - 06:55 PM
No. This will not be happening before spring or summer of next year at the earliest. They're keeping it as the last of the current three CBS shows (at the moment, the Charmed box is about to be finished) in order to have enough time to get additional bonus materials and hopefully get approval to recreate the original logo (which might or might not happen as CBS considers the one that was quickly put together for the old DVD covers and was seen on the season one BDs the new official one, so this will need some convincing...).

Anyway, no, there is no widescreen version. What was shown in the first teaser for the HD remaster was a cropped version of the full picture. That's not how the show was intended to be presented and wouldn't work since way too often faces and other things filling the full frame would be weirdly cut off.

For some shows, it's possible to open the frame and then have more image information on the sides, but for MacGyver, what you could see on the season 1 BD is already almost the full frame of the negative. It already had slightly more image information than the old tv master on all four sides.

To make clear what I'm talking about:

Here's an old comparison I did in 2018 between the old tv version of "Ghost Ship" and the fake "widescreen" version as seen in the first HD remaster teaser:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img922/4005/AgzMNd.jpg

As you can see, there was about as much material added on the sides as was cut off at the top and bottom. With the typical 4:3 framing used in the 80s and 90s, this would just look odd when used for anything other than these few landscape shots. You'd have faces and other things that were supposed to be seen cut off at the top and bottom, while only non-essential new image areas would be added on the sides. (And I'm not even sure if the roughly 4:3 transfer of the season one BD didn't already show the full image of the film negative.)

For comparison, here's a scene from Gilmore Girls, which was originally framed with a smaller part of the film negative than MacGyver, which made it possible to open the sides for LOTS of new image information, while only a relatively small part is missing at the top and bottom (which is because most seasons were already filmed for a simultaneous 4:3 and HDTV airing):

user posted image

Also for comparison, here's the old SD tv master put on top of the current BD master:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/7762/kvUlfZ.jpg

As you can see, as mentioned above, this has already quite a bit more image information on three sides (even though it's obviously a bit less than in that Ghost Ship "fake widescreen" sample).

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 9 November 2020 - 09:36 PM
Thanks, Jano!

Really appreciate the updates here.!


Posted by: CHEVIGNON 10 November 2020 - 06:39 AM
Thanks for this detailed reply Jano!!!! It's a little disappointing unfortunately. Fake 16:9, uncertain release date and even the uncertainty of having the original logo back for the opening is baffling. I guess fans will have to do the work. And let's not talk about why the HD version is nowhere to be stream yet in North America.

Looking into the Ghost ship screen grab, it look like there is a lot more image on the side that was cut, so it may be a fake 16:9, but maybe each shot could be adjust to fit today's television format and still look good. They did that for several tv series, selling 4:3 version on dvd and 16:9 for broadcasting. When using original film, much more can be done and it will look like it was film yesterday.

Posted by: Jano 10 November 2020 - 07:16 AM
QUOTE (CHEVIGNON @ 10 November 2020 - 04:39 PM)
Looking into the Ghost ship screen grab, it look like there is a lot more image on the side that was cut, so it may be a fake 16:9, but maybe each shot could be adjust to fit today's television format and still look good. They did that for several tv series, selling 4:3 version on dvd and 16:9 for broadcasting. When using original film, much more can be done and it will look like it was film yesterday.

I did some tryouts after my post from last night. I guess it would be possible to open/crop the image to an okayish looking 16:9 version if done manually for each shot, but honestly, it would still have a wrong feeling to it.

Here are some screenshots of the season 1 BD, but cut in a way that emulates what it would look like in 1,78:1. (The black bars on the sides would be the area with additional new image information in addition to the already slightly opened current image.)

I guess it ultimately comes down to personal taste for everyone, but if you're like me, you'll see that a lot of these shots would just feel wrong, or at least somewhat off, since they were not composed for this format. The missing parts at the top and bottom will often result in a feeling of being zoomed in too much, especially for the faces, and are just not what a director of photography would compose them like.

Don't get me wrong, if it was possible to just open the sides and have more image without losing big parts and losing the original intention of the photographer, I'd be all here for it (for instance, I like the widescreen version of Gilmore Girls much better than the 4:3 version, but as mentioned, that was already shot with both formats in mind). But in cases like here where it's not really possible, I'll much rather have the pillarboxed 4:3 version that shows the show exactly the way it was intended instead of making too many shots feel off just to fill the whole screen of current tv sets. wink.gif

But anyway, no worries, I can assure you that the BD set will become the world's best MacGyver release ever. Koch just released their Miami Vice full series box and it has already been applauded internationally by fans as being even a lot better than the US BDs. smile.gif

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Posted by: Em86 21 November 2020 - 07:06 AM
I really hope that Bluray release is keeping all the "specials"

Like the third and fourth season´s different intros (Lost love & Parker house) :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4UZ8hT-vMQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXqOqFWAaew

Posted by: abherranz 28 November 2020 - 08:58 AM
Hello Jano !! It is a real joy to know that soon we will be able to have the entire series in high definition !! Thanks for the work that is involved.
I am Spanish and I would like to ask you if it would be possible to include the track in Spanish for the episodes or the subtitles.
Thank you very much and looking forward to having it in my hands. I've seen great work with the Miami Vice box and it's a blast.
Thank you
Cheers

Posted by: Jano 28 November 2020 - 09:18 AM
Koch confirmed German and English only for the Charmed box as they only have the German rights, so I'm pretty sure it will be the same for MacGyver. More languages only make sense for the internationally operating major labels that actually have distributors in several countries.

Posted by: sylvain1888 28 November 2020 - 11:37 AM
QUOTE (Jano @ 28 November 2020 - 09:18 AM)
Koch confirmed German and English only for the Charmed box as they only have the German rights, so I'm pretty sure it will be the same for MacGyver. More languages only make sense for the internationally operating major labels that actually have distributors in several countries.

Good evening and thank you for this information, besides all the information on Macgyver Blu-rays and where Charmed are welcome ... Thank you again for the blu-rays of our favorite series.

Posted by: Jano 12 March 2021 - 08:03 PM
No real news yet and I don't really expect the set to come out before the end of the year at the earliest (Charmed has just been announced for late May and then Streets of San Francisco will still follow before it's Mac's turn), but here's at least a little tidbit for you in the meantime:

Since the two made-for-tv movies are not available as HD masters, my friends at Koch are currently figuring out if they can at least be included as an AI-upscaled version, rather than just using the blurry SD masters. If the upscaling process works smoothly and is approved by CBS, this will result in a much more pleasant viewing experience with more details.

I've seen about ten minutes of AI-upscaled Trail to Doomsday footage and it looks much clearer than the regular SD version. Here are two comparison shots between the HDTV upscale on German tv and the Koch AI upscale demo:
https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/11922

Posted by: Jakob 16 March 2021 - 03:43 AM
QUOTE (Jano @ 13 March 2021 - 06:03 AM)
I've seen about ten minutes of AI-upscaled Trail to Doomsday footage and it looks much clearer than the regular SD version. Here are two comparison shots between the HDTV upscale on German tv and the Koch AI upscale demo:
https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/11922

Wow, that looks like a significant improvement! thumbup.gif
Fingers crossed the upscaled versions will be approved.

Posted by: Jano 19 March 2021 - 12:52 PM
The original comparison is gone for whatever reason, but I've re-uploaded it here for those who haven't been able to check it out yet: https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/12083

Posted by: Swizzer 21 March 2021 - 12:24 PM
QUOTE (Jakob @ 15 December 2019 - 11:28 AM)

Do you know what CBS have done with later MacGyver episodes that feature visual effects?
The UFO in "The Visitor" and the explosion at the end of "Cease Fire" come to mind, for example.
Have they recreated the visual effects in HD, or will these scenes remain in SD?


Hi

Because MacGyver in HD is completely out on some streaming Services and HDTV Airings i have most of the Episodes in HD and i can answer your questions.

Both Effects (Explosion in "Cease Fire" and the UFO in "The Visitor") are redone for HD. So no upscales there!

I did a comparison for you:
https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/12174

As you can see both are redone.
The Explosion looks much more realistic now. That is upgraded very well. In the old Master the Explosion Effect always looked very fake.

Also the composit work of the UFO Shot looks much better done with of course way better Picture Quality but still retains the old cheesy feeling of the effect if you know what i mean smile.gif
They changed a little of the Building under the UFO but thats ok.

Im very happy with the whole remastering.
Its like watching the show for the first time ever. And finally it looks good.
The SD Masters and therefore also the DVDs look terrible. Very blurry.
Non-Watchable on modern TVs.

I cant wait for the German Blu Ray Set.
That will be the best possible way to watch those HD Masters!
But until that is coming out im Happy with the Streaming/HDTV Versions.

Posted by: Swizzer 24 March 2021 - 01:41 PM
Somehow my comparison got deleted on the site.
I uploaded it again:
https://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/12287


Posted by: MacGyverOnline 25 March 2021 - 02:39 AM
That UFO shot still looks pretty bad doesn't it? laugh.gif

Posted by: Jakob 2 April 2021 - 04:23 AM
QUOTE (Swizzer @ 21 March 2021 - 10:24 PM)
Because MacGyver in HD is completely out on some streaming Services and HDTV Airings i have most of the Episodes in HD and i can answer your questions.

Both Effects (Explosion in "Cease Fire" and the UFO in "The Visitor") are redone for HD. So no upscales there!

Excellent news!
I'm glad the studio actually took the effort to replace the visual effects with new ones.
Thanks for the update and the screenshots smile.gif

Posted by: Axminster 1 July 2021 - 01:22 PM
QUOTE (DashboardOnFire @ 15 September 2020 - 11:38 AM)
There are reports that the CBS Streaming Service All Access will be rebranded as "Paramount +" next year. Maybe they will make the HD version available then?

https://www.adweek.com/tv-video/cbs-all-access-will-rebrand-as-paramount-next-year/

I just decided to log-in randomly with Paramount+. I hadn't checked in in several months -- before the re-brand -- and last time I did, MacGyver was still the blurry SD I remember.

But good news: It's improved now on Paramount+.

I'm not sure if it's what the experts would call HD, but it does have the reproduced logo during the intro/explosion, and the episodes themselves are clearer than I ever remember seeing them on TV.

Posted by: Jano 2 July 2021 - 07:52 PM
Yes, they are using the new masters:

user posted image

I wasn't able to verify if they actually stream them in full HD, though. At least on desktop, the image is kinda blurry and has lots of compression artifacts, so they either just stream a downscaled SD version or just use very low bitrates. It's possible, though, that they do this on purpose and that the image quality on mobile devices and connected tvs will be better than on desktop.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 28 July 2021 - 02:22 PM
via https://twitter.com/MDesbarres/status/1420498803212406788

Posted by: Jano 13 September 2021 - 04:11 PM
CBS have announced that they will do their own MOD (manufactured on demand) Blu-ray box of the show in the US:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/MacGyver-The-Complete-Collection-Blu-ray/300396/

This is NOT to be confused with the Koch Films set. (Originally, it was supposed to be the same as with Charmed, i.e. CBS releasing the exact same discs once the set is done, but apparently, they didn't want to wait this time.)

The CBS box does not come with any bonus features and has the episodes and films on 33 discs, while the German set will have 35 discs (that's 33 of episodes, one with the films and one with bonus features). Also, the German box will not have that ... not really beautiful old box design of the DVD set. wink.gif

More details tba.

Posted by: Axminster 13 September 2021 - 06:10 PM
I can't believe CBS won't pay a designer to faithfully recreate the original MacGyver logo.

Actually, I can as I guess they figure very few people care enough for it to impact sales, but still!

Sounds to me like the German set is the no-brainer.

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 13 September 2021 - 07:37 PM
QUOTE (Jano @ 13 September 2021 - 05:11 PM)
CBS have announced that they will do their own MOD (manufactured on demand) Blu-ray box of the show in the US:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/MacGyver-The-Complete-Collection-Blu-ray/300396/

So this is the real deal and not some fan-made ripoff?




Posted by: Jano 14 September 2021 - 04:50 AM
Yes, it's an official CBS release, even though they will only do it "on demand" in the US, as they did with Charmed.

As for the logo: As mentioned in some previous posts, we tried bringing it back for the German release, but CBS completely rejects even the idea because they "cannot let anyone interfer with their masters in that way". A recreated version of the original logo will be allowed to be used on the box design, but not in the episodes.

The rejection of any changes to their masters also means that the few individual intros (like for Lost Love and Secret of Parker House) cannot be included unfortunately, and they won't allow the extended Pentagon opening scene of the pilot episode to be shown either, due to it not being documented enough in their archives.

It will still be a great box with some nice new exclusive extras, but I just wish CBS was a little more flexible with some stuff. Especially not being allowed to use (a well made new version of) the original logo in the episodes is kind of a bummer. sad.gif

Posted by: Avilos 14 September 2021 - 08:26 AM
Will the German release be region free, be able to played on US Blu Ray players?

Posted by: CHEVIGNON 14 September 2021 - 09:23 AM
I'm sorry CBS...what's wrong with this logo????????
You want to keep the crap you've put on instead? are you kidding me?

And don't tell me it's not good enough for HD. It is in HD upscaled in 4K
https://vimeo.com/570970218

Posted by: CHEVIGNON 14 September 2021 - 09:24 AM
Here's a frame...

Posted by: CHEVIGNON 14 September 2021 - 09:26 AM
And here, close...and personal.

Posted by: Jano 14 September 2021 - 04:54 PM
Well, to be fair, this is a fun fan effort, but it's obvious that this "4K logo" was just somewhat sloppily cut from the original SD video (see the very uneven, bumpy outline) and then upscaled and a bit retouched. That's how all the "HD logos" I've seen so far were done.

We (i.e. Koch) would have done a completely new, digitally recreated version of the original logo, which would have looked gorgeous, but since it's not allowed to be used, there's no point to it, unfortunately. sad.gif

Posted by: CHEVIGNON 14 September 2021 - 05:56 PM
You know that the original is like that right? Bumpy and like it was sculpted with no perfect dimension for each letter, like it was hand made. Which is probably the case. And it’s these imperfections that create the texture of the MacGyver logo. I don’t call this fan made when it’s way better than this singular computer font they’ve used where you see all its pixels when it zoomed in at the end. Not only CBS paid someone for only an hour of work to recreate the title so they wouldn’t bust their budget but they were not even able to animate it properly. So now they only want to keep this version as the official one!!! God!! There are just executive people behind these decisions, the talent ones are long gone. So don’t tell me this fan edit is bumpy when it’s in fact how the original logo would look like in HD in all its glory!

Posted by: Jano 20 September 2021 - 01:29 PM
Despite all the restrictions from CBS regarding what we cannot do, now, here IS something that we can change, and I got the idea from reading through the old season one thread on the blu-ray.com forums: Would Mac fans enjoy if the show was presented in the chronological (production) order for the first time ever on our German Koch set? I originally only wanted "The Stringer" to be correctly placed as the very last episode, but browsing through the old threads, I realized that the actual chronological order of the episodes is slightly different from the way they were aired. Oftentimes, this will only be noticeable from some obscure calendar date in the back of a scene, but in any case, it's possible to arrange the episodes in a correct chronological order. User Kinard717 created a list of how that looks in this blu-ray.com forums post: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=15715613&postcount=191

Is that something fans would get a kick out of? I'd say let's do it, or is the majority of fans like "Nay, don't, dumb idea!"? biggrin.gif

The only thing that would need to be slightly altered is the placing of the "Coltons" episode. This was filmed during season six (as the second to last episode) but not aired until season seven, and CBS don't allow mixing the episodes between seasons. Still if it's presented as the first episode of season seven, it would only be one spot after its original production order and there are no consequences for continuity, so I guess we could let that pass.

Let me know what you think! cool.jpg

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 21 September 2021 - 10:55 PM
I don't personally like this idea.

This boxset is going to be the pinnacle collectors item for all true MacGyver fans. It should stay true to all aspects of the show, including the episode order - by airdate, not production number.

You should post this question in the https://www.facebook.com/groups/MacGyverOnline as well to get a better idea of what the fans think since it's much more active than these forums now.





Posted by: Jano 21 September 2021 - 11:30 PM
Well, that's a first to be honest. Anywhere else I posted about this, the idea was universally loved, not a single negative comment. So I guess a majority of fans would want the chronological order (that's at least what it currently looks like).

I do get the point, but you'll also have to keep in mind that the air dates are not really linked to the production and would have been moved around based on the channel's needs and other random reasons. (Also, the episodes weren't aired in German in the same order as in the US, so there's not really *one* "being true in all aspects" in that regard anyway.)

Personally, I do consider the chronological order to be most true to the intended vision of the makers of the show as that is the order the episodes were written in, too. I don't feel like it would make much sense to stick to a random broadcast order that was only done for reasons that don't apply anymore nowadays. (Why should, for instance, Mountain of Youth be shown as the last episode just because ABC didn't originally want to air it anymore and just quickly came out with it after the finale had such strong ratings? The Stringer was always meant to be the finale and the conclusion to the show.)

Posted by: CHEVIGNON 22 September 2021 - 08:32 AM
I have to agree also on keeping the original first broadcast order. However I do like the idea of having the possibility to watch it in the production order. So any fan can decide to watch it that way with the list you given us...which also wont matter if some episode jump seasons. But as a first broadcast viewer, the first and last season episode are always an event. You've been waiting all summer to see the start of the new season and hope it will be good. Than you expect the same for the last season episode. So, you can't put an episode like The Coltons as a season opener. You can't start the season with an obvious pilot for another series that barely involve our main character. So, for the box set, I would appreciate being as close as possible to the original. That's why the MacGyver logo should be restored to it's original look smile.gif BUT, EVERYONE will agree that the last broadcast episode was a big misstep from ABC and that was just plain executive stupidity and that The Stinger should have been broadcast as the last episode.

SO, in summary, Keep the original order, except for the last two episode of the series. And fire the idiot who has approved the new name font AS the official new one for the show.

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 30 September 2021 - 03:01 PM
QUOTE (Jano @ 22 September 2021 - 12:30 AM)
I do get the point, but you'll also have to keep in mind that the air dates are not really linked to the production and would have been moved around based on the channel's needs and other random reasons. (Also, the episodes weren't aired in German in the same order as in the US, so there's not really *one* "being true in all aspects" in that regard anyway.)

Fair point.

I'll post your question on our facebook page so you can gage the response from there as well.


Posted by: Avilos 4 October 2021 - 10:38 PM
I am all in favor of being able to see the shows in production order. It’s not so much about continuity but being able to be able to watch the shows development and evolution. Which is seeing them in the order each was shot.

Honestly it’s a huge frustration that episode orders of most series are stuck with broadcast order. Years and decades later in syndication and on home video. Which were decisions made by the original network that had no role in production of the series and often not part of the studios who own the shows. Usually if out of order it was because the network wanted episodes they thought were stronger for key sweeps weeks in the ratings.

If this happens I think The Coltons could be highlighted like a bonus episode. So it’s not presented as the season 7 premiere.

Any word if this will be region free? That can be played on US Blu Ray players?

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 14 October 2021 - 10:19 PM
QUOTE (Jano @ 22 September 2021 - 12:30 AM)
Well, that's a first to be honest. Anywhere else I posted about this, the idea was universally loved, not a single negative comment. So I guess a majority of fans would want the chronological order (that's at least what it currently looks like).

With the exception of Mountain of Youth and The Colton's, I think the original airdate is the order that the producers wanted us to experience the show.



There's some interesting results and comments coming from the facebook group too.

27 votes say airdate. 14 votes saying Production order.


https://www.facebook.com/groups/MacGyverOnline/permalink/1311093182675733


Is it possible to have 2 different menus so people can choose which one they want? Could it work like choosing a language, but instead choosing a play order?


I've attached a screenshot of the poll results from the fan club.



Posted by: MacGyverOnline 15 October 2021 - 08:35 PM
QUOTE (Avilos @ 4 October 2021 - 11:38 PM)
I am all in favor of being able to see the shows in production order. It’s not so much about continuity but being able to be able to watch the shows development and evolution. Which is seeing them in the order each was shot.

Honestly it’s a huge frustration that episode orders of most series are stuck with broadcast order. Years and decades later in syndication and on home video. Which were decisions made by the original network that had no role in production of the series and often not part of the studios who own the shows. Usually if out of order it was because the network wanted episodes they thought were stronger for key sweeps weeks in the ratings.

If this happens I think The Coltons could be highlighted like a bonus episode. So it’s not presented as the season 7 premiere.

Any word if this will be region free? That can be played on US Blu Ray players?

My understanding is that original airdates are decided by the order the production company give the episode to the network, not the network themselves. When you consider that production is only about 6 weeks behind airdate during it's original run, it doesn't really make sense that the network would be playing with the order of the show.

ALso remember that some episodes are filmed out of order to accommodate guest stars schedules, so production order doesn't always mean the order producers wanted.

Production order will mean we lose The Human Factor as the season 2 pilot and "soft reboot" of the series.


Posted by: angus20 12 November 2021 - 01:12 PM
Does anyone knows anything new regarding the German Koch set?

Posted by: Jano 12 November 2021 - 01:15 PM
What I wrote last is still the current status: Episodes in production order, 35 discs (33 with episodes, one with films and one with extras). Release date tba sometime in spring of 2022.

Posted by: macgyveritalia 20 January 2022 - 05:48 AM
Hello, everyone! biggrin.gif
Is there any news on the possible addition of other languages and specifically of dubbing in Italian?
Thanks!

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 20 January 2022 - 07:30 PM
No. What has been released seems to be the final product.

I should add that there was actually no news about the release either. It just happened out of nowhere.


Posted by: macgyveritalia 20 January 2022 - 11:47 PM
What a pity.
Thanks for the information!

Posted by: STACE_MAC 28 April 2022 - 11:59 AM
Hello all!

Any news about Koch media Box Set? Spring time!!

biggrin.gif

Posted by: macgyveritalia 28 April 2022 - 12:02 PM
Not yet. That was their last answer.

DEU
Leider gibt es noch keinen festen Veröffentlichungstermin. Sobald es hierzu Neuigkeiten gibt, informieren wir euch wie immer über unsere Facebook Seite. 😊 Liebe Grüße, Friederike

ENG
Unfortunately, there is no fixed release date yet. As soon as there is news, we will inform you as always via our Facebook page. Greetings, Friederike

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 24 October 2022 - 04:09 AM
Koch Films has rebranded itself to Plaion Pictures and is focusing on expanding their business to other countries and regions.

I wonder if this will have any effect on the MacGYver Bluray release?

https://deadline.com/2022/08/gemany-koch-films-rebrand-plaion-pictures-1235088171/

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