Babylon 5: 16x9 or 4x3

[NancyDrew1930]

Before going any further, any discussion about the CGI quality is not what this is forum is about.  Please leave any discussion about the CGI quality out of this topic.

So, for those who like Babylon 5, which version do you find that you prefer watching? 

For a decade the 4:3 version was the main version available on broadcast, VHS and Laserdisc.  Then starting in 1998 the 16x9 versions started airing in Portugal, and in 2002, with the Season 1 DVD release, the rest of the world got the 16x9 versions on both DVD and broadcast, and these were the versions that aired and were available on streaming until 2021 when the 4x3 Remastered HD versions were released (with the exception of "The Gathering" which was released in 16x9 in 2021 after only being available in 4x3 since 1993).  And it 

So for you, when you watch Babylon 5, do you watch the 16x9 version or the 4x3.

For those who saw the original broadcast or watched it on VHS/Laserdisc, which version di you like going back to?  Or for those who discovered the show in the 20 years when the 16x9 version was the only version available, do you prefer that version? 

Which version do you find is closer to what the producers and directors were originally thinking of?

For me, I remember seeing "The Gathering" and most of Season 1 in 4:3 back in 1993/94.  But then the station I was watching them on lost the rights so I didn't see the full series in the 90's.  I also remember in the late 90's that my local library got a few episodes on VHS, so I remember seeing "The Gathering" again since I borrowed it once, but and maybe one or two other Season 1 episodes.  Then I never saw another episode until 2006/2007 when I found the Season 1 and Season 3 box sets in a used store.  Then I bought the rest including the movies and Crusade.

So for me, the 16x9 versions are my preferred way, because those are the primary ones that I saw for so many years, especially for Seasons 2 to 5 and the movies which I never saw in 4:3.  I do have the HD remasters, but whenever I want to watch B5, I find myself pulling out the DVD's because I find that I do not get into the story as much in the 4:3 versions as I do with the 16x9 versions.

[MistressStevie]

I watched most of the Broadcast Babylon 5s in 4/3 of the day.  Widescreen was often cropped in those day if there was 16x9 versions available, with the 480 line screens of the day few sacrificed the top and the bottom to provide the widescreen for viewing.  I rewatched the entire series on Amazon a couple years back and that was the remastered version so both wide and higher resolution so not the same as the original at all.  I love all Babylon5 as it really changed how we produce and consume television (or other serialization of moving pictures).  Story Arcs of more than a single "To Be Continued" now are the rule and now it can take several episodes for the plot potential to get established. 

The resolution on the remastered versions is amazing and I appreciate their filling my full 4K screen.  I like to believe that more depth of the vision is provided. The Story though is best when Ivonva gets inspired.
 

I'd like you to take the time to learn the Babylon 5 mantra:
Ivanova is always right.
I will listen to Ivanova.
I will not ignore Ivanova's recommendations.
Ivanova is God.
And if this ever happens again,
Ivanova will personally rip your lungs out.
– Susan Ivanova

Thus setting the standard for peak story telling.
Aspect Ratio and Pixel count are secondary. 

Now that I have fully retired, maybe making a youtube video about the technical differences would be a great way to learn several new tricks.   

[Stottie Girl]

In all honesty I don't think widescreen tvs were around in the UK when it launched so probably 4:3. I've since seen a few episodes on streaming which I guess must be 16:9.

Can't say I really noticed the difference. It's an excellent storyline, that's what makes it great. It does not matter whether it is 4:3 or 16:9 or crap CGI, good CGI. A good story is a good story. Babylon 5 was one of the best sci fi shows ever released, it should get more recognition that it does.