The Amazon Prime 16:9 versions are not the same as this Simon sanctioned re-release. They predate it by several years.
Edit: found a link for this claim. directv did them http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=42c992...
I watched The Wire about 3 years ago and I nearly stopped after the first few episodes because it did look 'cheap' or 'old' to me. I'm glad I persisted, it really is brilliant. Definitely watch it in HD if you can.
Why are people downvoting this comment?
.. because the artistic intent master race has chosen 4:3 over a big, clear picture. I blew through a bunch of episodes last night, and it was way easier for me to watch in HD and widescreen than 4:3. Guess I'm a knuckle dragger!
There's also an interesting discussion on how these things are converted from SD to HD in that reddit thread you listed first. I found an article that expands on it a little more (though talking about the X-Files and referencing an image made for Star Trek) http://observationdeck.io9.com/x-files-remastered-in-hd-but-...
Re:The Wire in HD
by Implicated on Saturday December 27, 2014 @12:25PM
(#8803179)
> the new HD release is already on Amazon Prime Instant Video
I'm having a hard time finding this... any chance you can link?
Amazon Prime includes streams of several HBO series, including The Wire...I don't know when the switch was made to HD: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003AY9U4K/ref=dv_dp_ep1
Note: I'm viewing it from a U.S.-based account/computer...which may be a factor.
edit: I'm wrong. I'm conflating the apparently older 16:9 release with this new one. See [leeshro's comment](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8803190)
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I've re-watched "The Wire" about 3 to 4 times already...the new HD release is already on Amazon Prime Instant Video and I don't think I would've noticed if the news hadn't been posted. On The Wire subreddit, someone posted a few more comparisons:
http://www.reddit.com/r/TheWire/comments/2qgs9e/the_wire_rem...
If you're new to The Wire, I suggest watching the HD versions first, in spite of Simon's compelling arguments to the contrary. The Wire just has so many disorienting things about it to new watchers -- the barrage of police lingo, the high number of black to white characters, the 90s-era technological timeframe -- that the 4:3 ratio's fidelity isn't worth the mental bias you might have that associates 4:3 with "cheap" or "old"...the show can already be difficult for people to get into.
Speaking of the r/TheWire subreddit...a year ago, a sound editor did a Q&A...if you're interested about the minutiae of the show, and curious about the technical details of sound mixing is done...it's one of the best things I've ever read about the show:
http://www.reddit.com/r/TheWire/comments/1qn6ff/i_was_a_soun...