remaster

Remastering is the process of enhancing the technical quality of an existing work while preserving its original content and intent. The term is used for audio recordings, films and television, video games, and other media. A remaster updates the work for current formats and audiences without reconstructing the work from scratch, distinguishing it from a remake or a pure reissue.

In audio, remastering involves transferring the master recording to a modern medium, equalization, compression or limiting, dynamic range adjustments, noise reduction, and sometimes limited remixing to improve clarity and balance while keeping the original performances intact. In film and video, remastering includes scanning film elements at higher resolution, restoring or stabilizing images, correcting color and contrast, repairing damaged frames, and remastering the soundtrack. For video games, remasters typically raise resolution and frame rate, update textures and models, adjust lighting, and sometimes modernize controls, while preserving the game’s structure and level design.

Remastering grew with digital restoration technologies and the shift to HD, 4K, and streaming, enabling catalog titles to reach new audiences and device standards. It is frequently pursued to preserve cultural heritage and to monetize legacy catalogs.

Reception varies: some praise the improved technical quality, while others criticize deviations in sound balance or altered visuals from the original presentation. Notable examples include classic film restorations released in high definition and music albums remastered for digital release, as well as modern console video game remasters that bring older titles to contemporary platforms.