My friend provided this quote from a Collinsport Historical Society article published in 2015:
"Another nagging problem with the original digital transfer was also not corrected for the 2015 DVD release of DARK SHADOWS: the color timing of several day-for-night shots in the series.
"When MGM re-transferred the 1991 episodes for the DVD and digital releases, the mastering technicians did not properly 'color time' the pilot footage that was shot 'day for night'
using filters on the camera," Pierson said. "Therefore this material does not appear as dark as intended so it appears that Barnabas is flirting with dim daylight, unfortunately."
My friend commented:
"I’m not familiar with the process of “color timing,” but it sounds like the issue lies with MGM (the owners of the series’ original elements). They’re the ones who created the film-to-digital transfers which have subsequently been licensed for release on DVD. So TGG Direct isn’t really to blame for MGM’s flawed transfer. You’d think if there were any technical specs that needed to be followed during the transfer process, the folks at MGM would have them (given that they own the footage). Oh well, perhaps if the series eventually gets a high-definition transfer, they’ll fix the issue then. One can only hope."
As to hope--I wouldn't hold my breath. I personally have never seen this series looking at all visually pristine. Even the VHS tapes which I did see appeared to be quite grainy and there seemed to be a heavy use of mist and soft focus. If some HD enthusiast attempted to give it the typical treatment fashionable today, everybody might wind up looking like painted bits of rubber as has been complained about the look of the BtVS set.
G.
