How is it possible to convert SD to HD video?

[Hope It Is The Grog]

I've seen where David Kerin recently converted some Galactica footage from SD to HD, and I've seen the same kind of thing done elsewhere. Can anyone explain how this is even possible?

I mean, if you are starting with SD source material, that level of detail you need for HD just isn't there, right? How can the output possibly contain more sharpness and texture in the picture than the source you started with? Surely that information just doesn't exist?

I can understand if you have access to the film negatives and use those, because film contains incredibly minute detail. But I'm not seeing at all how any kind of HD "conversion" from an SD source can add sharpness and detail that just wasn't there.

Is it black magic?

Is there software that can make incredibly accurate guesses at what detail should be in the picture?

Or is all that detail somehow latently contained in SD video that logically doesn't have the room to store it?



I'm so confused!!!!!

[Cylon-Knight]

IMAX 3D HD BSG!
Black Magic, yep.

[GoldCylon]

I have a few of his videos he recently sent me to post online, but they were blocked on YouTube, and my site here can't support files that large. I am not sure where else to post them except facebook.
As for the upgrade from Standard Definition (SD) to HD it is a computer program that does the work. Making the standard SD film footage from 24 frames per second to about 50 frames per second. The computers program merges 10 pixels Per Square Inch (PSI) into a 20 PSI. This is auto scanned of a image outline, and then sharpen the edges via merging sharp points to rounded edges. Giving the appearance of a high res photo. Making the image color sharper aka brighter, and giving a steady cam view to the film footage is all part of the upgrade.
http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/evga_gefo ... 1080_1.jpg

[Hope It Is The Grog]

I think I sort of understand. So it really is the computer making an extremely sophisticated guess as to what the image is supposed to look like. Using algorithms or midichlorians or something.

[GoldCylon]

The something part is the best thing I have heard.

[Hope It Is The Grog]