I've been watching the show on MeTV, and they recently started season five. Season four was the first color season, and it looked great, bright and crisp. But when season five started, the color looks dark and dingy, and the picture is kind of blurry, poor quality.

Is there some sort of reason for this? Like maybe season four was remastered and five was not? Or maybe MeTV isn't getting the "good" version for some reason? The difference is really striking.

I thought the same thing. Very dark and unfocused.

I thought the same thing. Very dark and unfocused.
For sure. I wonder why? Is this strictly a MeTV thing? Did they change their method of filming between season four and five? I notice there are only the first five seasons available on DVD, maybe they cheaped out on season five? Strange.

I tend to think it is the copy of the film. The series is running on FETV, METV and I think JLTV (jewish life tv) and I do find different formats sometimes on different stations. One of station seemed the old square look, another more wide screen, and then the contrast of picture. I now watching seasons 8 and 9 on several stations for I can't alway go on the whole series on one station.

I now watching seasons 8 and 9 on several stations for I can't alway go on the whole series on one station.
It's a long slog lol.

My guess is that when a show has been remastered for a DVD release (as season 4 was), the studio also prepares new remastered syndication episodes. Since season 5 was not released on DVD, the quality on TV masters is a notch lower--they're still using videotape transfers from the 1990s (now digitized, but with no upgrade in quality).

My guess is that when a show has been remastered for a DVD release (as season 4 was), the studio also prepares new remastered syndication episodes. Since season 5 was not released on DVD, the quality on TV masters is a notch lower--they're still using videotape transfers from the 1990s (now digitized, but with no upgrade in quality).
Season five is on DVD (6-9 isn't). But you're probably right about what they're using, for whatever reason. It sure looks lousy. Also, TV resolution back in the '60s wasn't what it is now.

Oh, right, but 5 just came out a few years ago. MeTV probably didn't update their source, or CBS never updated the syndication episodes.

If there's an old Viacom logo at the end, it's a 90s transfer.

If there's an old Viacom logo at the end, it's a 90s transfer.
You have that right, there's a Viacom logo at the end of every episode. I didn't know picture quality was that bad in the '90s.

Videotapes can degrade significantly, especially under poor storage conditions. The 1990s were 23 to 33 years ago...! They're unlike fine wine: worse with age.

The ideal is to go back to film negative materials for remastering. Use of tapes brings to mind the "lipstick on a pig" saying. :)

You have that right, there's a Viacom logo at the end of every episode. I didn't know picture quality was that bad in the '90s.

The 90s or late 80s videotape transfers were lightyears ahead of previous syndication, which sent 16 mm copies of old shows around from station to station. The videotape transfers were (obviously) taken from 35mm copies close to or actually the network originals.

But as noted above the videotapes themselves degrade. So the BH season 5 transfers as also noted are 30+ years old, themselves transferred to some digital media.

The season 5 BH is what the season 6 thru first half of 11 My Three Sons look like.

If the 35mm films are stored properly they are all probably still in pristine condition, particularly due to little use.

The 90s or late 80s videotape transfers were lightyeras ahead of previous syndication, which sent 16 mm copies of old shows around from station to station. The videotape transfers were (obviously) taken from 35mm copies close to or actually the network originals.

But as noted above the videotapes themselves degrade. So the BH season 5 transfers as also noted are 30+ years old, themselves transferred to some digital media.

The season 5 BH is what the season 6 thru first half of 11 My Three Sons look like.

If the 35mm films are stored properly they are all probably still in pristine condition, particularly due to little use.

This is the kind of rundown information I love to read about in regards to sitcom viewing options and distribution

^ Semi-OT…

When Channel 23 Miami (Univisión) was WAJA-TV in the late 60s up to 1971, those films of classic shows were NOT taken care of at all.

Splices, rolling picture, spots/scratches, you name it. Back then I wanted to see videotape programs, because I knew that wouldn’t happen.

Imagine this….even a **commercial** had that issue on WAJA!

cd

^ Semi-OT…

When Channel 23 Miami (Univisión) was WAJA-TV in the late 60s up to 1971, those films of classic shows were NOT taken care of at all.

Splices, rolling picture, spots/scratches, you name it. Back then I wanted to see videotape programs, because I knew that wouldn’t happen.

Imagine this….even a **commercial** had that issue on WAJA!

cd

I remember seeing The Honeymooners looking like this on West Palm UHF in the 80s.