To do an official HD or 4K remaster, Paramount would have to find the original 35mm film negatives, re-edit every single episode from scratch, and completely recreate the computer-generated (CGI) and physical model visual effects. After the official Star Trek: The Next Generation Blu-ray remaster failed to turn a significant profit, Paramount shelved plans to give DS9 the same treatment. Enter 2020: The AI Upscaling Revolution
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Watching "Emissary" in the 2020 4K upscale is a religious experience. The opening sequence—a zoom out from the wormhole to the golden desert of Bajor—finally looks like it belongs in the 21st century. To do an official HD or 4K remaster,
The Promenade—the central hub of the station—is a multi-level set designed with incredible detail. The 4K upscales reveal background text, alien signage, and props that were previously illegible blobs. The enhanced contrast allows viewers to see deep into the shadows of the dark Cardassian architecture, providing a true sense of scale to the station. The Limitations of 2020 AI Technology This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted
To appreciate the 2020 AI upscale, one must understand the technical tragedy of DS9’s original production. Unlike The Original Series and TNG , which were edited on film, DS9 (from Season 1 onward) was shot on 35mm film but then transferred to standard definition (480i) videotape for editing. The special effects (CGI ship battles, phaser fire, alien worlds) were rendered directly at 480p.
Furthermore, it democratized the remastering process. What used to require a Hollywood studio and a massive budget can now be initiated by dedicated fans with powerful consumer graphics cards and patience. For Star Trek fans, the 2020 upscale remains a definitive, historical proof-of-concept that finally allowed them to see the dark, gritty, and magnificent world of Benjamin Sisko in the crisp detail it always deserved.
The project's reach was also amplified by pioneers like "Captain Robau" (Stefan Rumen), who had previously used to upscale DS9 to 1080p. His early proof-of-concept work in 2019 showcased the potential of AI for video to a wide audience and laid the groundwork for the more ambitious 4K projects that followed.