As technology has continuously evolved, so has the way moviegoers watch their favorite films at home. These days, the dominant forms are Blu-ray disc and digital HD, allowing fans to relive all the greatest moments in the clearest video and audio quality. Watching a blockbuster in the theater can still be an experience like no other (especially if it's in IMAX), but few things are better than watching a modern tentpole like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on a widescreen TV from the comfort of one's own living room. With everything available, there's never been a better time to design a home theater system.

Of course, it wasn't always like this. In the early days of home media, VHS was the top choice, placing the film on a video tape (or possibly more, depending on its length). Obviously, the format is now defunct and hasn't been produced for a number of years, but those who grew up with VCRs can still be nostalgic for their old school charm. It's for this reason YouTube user Damien Kazan Filmmaker has created a fan-made trailer imagining a VHS release for Rogue One. You can watch it above.

There's great attention to detail here, as the short clip is even presented in the classic "pan and scan" aspect ratio that fit the older 4:3 televisions that were in many home entertainment systems before HD became in vogue. Little touches like the tracking effect and standard definition quality add to the teaser, and it comes across as a touching homage to a bygone era. The project is quite similar to the VHS advertisements that were released for the original trilogy, complete with voice over selling the merits of the film to appeal to viewers.

Rogue One - Tim Sexton poster edit
Rogue One artwork composite by Tim Sexton

One interesting thing about this trailer is that when Rogue One is shown in standard definition, the footage looks like even more of a recreation of the settings and vehicles from the original films. The masters at ILM worked tirelessly to ensure there was a strong amount of visual consistency between the spinoff and A New Hope (even though four decades separate them), and the action sequences here appear to be pulled right out of one of the first movies - even though Rogue One was made with modern CGI and revolutionary camera techniques to craft a new sense of realism.

Obviously, Rogue One will never see the light of day on VHS, but this is still a fun video to check out as fans gear up for the Blu-ray release next week. There are probably those who would prefer the standalone come out on tape, since many are still in possession of their original trilogy VHS sets so they can watch the unaltered versions of the classic trilogy. That won't happen, but people can always dream.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is now available on digital HD. The Blu-ray hits stores April 4, 2017.

Source: Damien Kazan Filmmaker

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