Double-image pillarboxing on Umatic/VHS transfers?

[Winsordawson]

More and more I've seen non-HD videos (especially videos recorded with a smartphone) pillarboxed with a section of the video being played. It feels like I'm seeing double or having a bad headache. Is this considered as a professional alternative nowadays? What is wrong with black?

For example, this company lists on the bottom of their page a converted U-Matic video which displays this pillarboxing and upscales it (?) to HD:

http://www.alivestudios.co.uk/u-matic-tape

[lordsmurf]

It appears to be a stupid effect.
It reminds me of JJ Abrams abusing the lens flare effect.

It's not professional, no.

[Winsordawson]

Thanks, I was wondering since I see it on the news as well.