3 ms·

They're not "fake looking", they are fake. There is no color information in the original film in much of those situations. The algorithm being used is basically

by LocalH 3y ago

They're not "fake looking", they are fake. There is no color information in the original film in much of those situations. The algorithm being used is basically inventing the chroma channel out of thin air, based on a guess. Now what would be cool (and may already exist, given the extremely intelligent people who work on image processing) would be a setup where you could take a high-resolution scan of some black-and-white or some badly faded film, along with a lower-resolution copy of a version with more proper color, and "transfer" the color grading to "restore" color to the higher-resolution version. This would still require guessing, but much less so, as you're using an "authoritative" version as a control to direct the algorithm. I'd be fine with that as long as it was done with care and went through a vetting process.

j4yav 3y ago
Fake things can definitely look fake, I think, or am I missing the distinction you are drawing here? I don't understand what you are correcting me on, but I'm curious. I'm aware there's no color in the black and white original.
- peteforde 3y ago
  Honestly, I think that a lot of people on HN are just difficult. I don't know whether it's learned or biological, but there's clearly a driving urge for some of these folks to just argue the most pedantic nonsense until the oxygen is all gone. I find it hilarious that someone would be deeply offended by AI colorization of scenes from 100+ years ago, which are impossible to recreate and many showing glimpses into the past which would otherwise be mostly forgotten. The reason that they get millions of views is because it gives modern people the opportunity to make the shocking realization that times change, but these people are not so different from us. One has to wonder if someone angry about the introduction of artificial color is also angry to realize that actors are playing characters and comedians are not just making up funny jokes while you watch.

by LocalH 3y ago

j4yav 3y ago

Fake things can definitely look fake, I think, or am I missing the distinction you are drawing here? I don't understand what you are correcting me on, but I'm curious. I'm aware there's no color in the black and white original.

peteforde 3y ago
Honestly, I think that a lot of people on HN are just difficult. I don't know whether it's learned or biological, but there's clearly a driving urge for some of these folks to just argue the most pedantic nonsense until the oxygen is all gone. I find it hilarious that someone would be deeply offended by AI colorization of scenes from 100+ years ago, which are impossible to recreate and many showing glimpses into the past which would otherwise be mostly forgotten. The reason that they get millions of views is because it gives modern people the opportunity to make the shocking realization that times change, but these people are not so different from us. One has to wonder if someone angry about the introduction of artificial color is also angry to realize that actors are playing characters and comedians are not just making up funny jokes while you watch.