A Different World was previously available to stream on Max and Prime Video, which both support the show’s original 4:3 format, before coming to Netflix where it’s now cropped to 16:9. These AI upscaling issues haven’t arisen for the show on other platforms before, but Netflix itself may not have been responsible. As noted by Gizmodo, the licensing rights to A Different World are held by the Carsey-Werner production company, which also owns Roseanne — another 1980s sitcom that’s similarly blighted with ugly AI upscaling on Peacock.
This is so weird, because they had already restored/updated it for HD when it was on HBO Max, and it was fine. No AI gibberish in the backgrounds. Did Netflix not have the rights to that version or something?
sgibson5150@slrpnk.net 3 weeks ago
I remember TNT used to show the later seasons of Angel, which was originally 16:9, cropped to 4:3 and then stretched back to 16:9. 🤮
Please leave the original aspect ratio alone. Also fuck AI.