Digital master tapes of the 3D series ‘Reboot’ found, but a playback device is lacking

Jacob Weldon and Raquel Lin found the master tapes from Reboot. (Photo: Reboot Rewind/Jacob Weldon/Raquel Lin)In the mid-1990s, a science fiction series with 3D effects was created, which was even digitally archived. Now, the master tapes have resurfaced. But according to a report, it is still unclear how these can be played.

Andreas Sebayang (translated by Jacob Fisher), Published 01/01/2024 🇩🇪

When the ‘Reboot’ series was created in the mid-1990s, it was something special. At that time, 3D animation effects were still something new and, above all, time-consuming. The graphics were quite modest in 1994 and, as a TV production, far removed from the more elaborate cinema productions of today. Pixar’s Toy Story wasn’t released until 1995.

But ‘Reboot’ is not just special because of its early use of CGI. It was also digitally archived at the time. As Globalnews writes, Jacob Weldon and Raquel Lin are currently producing the ‘Reboot Rewind’ documentary for the series. As part of their research, the team was allowed to search for the original master tapes and in doing so, found them. It was feared that the original tapes had been lost over the decades.

However, these digital D1 tapes (Wikipedia article) are not playable. This is because the studio does not have the necessary playback equipment. An appeal has been made on the Facebook page to try find a Bosch BTS-D1 device. The topic has also received considerable media coverage in Canada, where the series was produced.

Although the team has not found suitable playback device so far, it says it has already made good progress in raising awareness of the topic. After all, this is broadcast-quality equipment from a bygone era.

This because every single episode was recorded on D1 tapes and, provided the tapes are in good condition, are likely to be still in their original quality. Furthermore, the tapes contain animation tests, video game footage from Electronic Arts, IMAX content and advertising.

At the very least, Weldon and Lin hope to use the material on the D1 tapes to enrich their ‘Reboot Rewind’ documentary, which is scheduled for completion in mid-2024. They are confident they can achieve this, as the feedback they have received thus far has been so resounding that Weldon and Lin can no longer respond to all feedback.

I’ve been involved in the IT business for over 20 years, first as a Sysadmin (Mac & PC; 2000-2014) and then as a journalist (2005 onwards). I have attended many industry events, such as IDF, Displayweek, Computex, CES, and IFA, to cover subjects like mobile and local networks, Bluetooth standards, and developments in the mobile sector. Since 2017 I have also worked as an aviation journalist, which involves traveling around the world reporting about both planes and trains.

Translator: Jacob Fisher – Translator – 549 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2022

Growing up in regional Australia, I first became acquainted with computers in my early teens after a broken leg from a football (soccer) match temporarily condemned me to a predominately indoor lifestyle. Soon afterwards I was building my own systems. Now I live in Germany, having moved here in 2014, where I study philosophy and anthropology. I am particularly fascinated by how computer technology has fundamentally and dramatically reshaped human culture, and how it continues to do so.

Andreas Sebayang, 2024-01- 1 (Update: 2024-01- 1)