It is now looking more certain that Star Trek movies are headed to the high def Blu-ray format in 2009. Friend of the site and periodic contributor Bill Hunt of the Digital Bits today has a follow-up on his recent report of rumblings at Paramount Home Entertainment regarding at least some of the Trek films.
TOS first
From the Digital Bits Rumor Mill:
Also, watch for a Blu-ray Disc box set of all of The Original Series-based Star Trek feature films, including Star Trek: The Motion Picture (the theatrical cut, NOT the extended cut, as all the extended cut CG effects were produced in 480p and would have to be redone for HD release), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Star Trek: Generations MAY or may not be included as well (as it features Kirk and a few other Original Series crew members).
Confirmed by TrekMovie sources
Not that Bill needs it, but TrekMovie sources also confirm that work is ongoing now on a TOS movies Blu-ray box set (also likely to be sold individually). Timing is expected around the time of the release of the new Star Trek feature film in theaters. According to sources these are to be new remasters of both the film and audio and there are new special features as well.
Still no word on the four TNG feature films or the five Star Trek TV series, but the first two series to be released on Blu-ray would be The Original Series and Enterprise, as both are already HD ready. The final season of TOS Remastered is released in the next week on standard DVD (review coming up shortly).
CBS and Paramount are still not commenting on the record regarding any Blu-ray Star Trek releases, so consider everything above subject to change and not officially confirmed.
More info at the Digital Bits
Trek on Blu! Finally!
I’m saving my pennies…
So- no director’s edition for TMP?!? Why not go all out, and restore all the multiple cuts of each film (I, II & VI all have multiple versions), give us like some big monster 15 disc set for all six films (two discs each, then throw in a 2 disc for XI, and a bonus disc- maybe digital copies of the films?)
That sure was poor planning to do all those new effects for TMP in lower resolution. Man, that is really disappointing. The current dvd has a lot of specks in the print. Really too bad, because the Director’s cut is really a superior film to the orginal. I was hoping we’d get a better print of TMP Directior’s cut when it came to Blue Ray. Do you think they would really do all those effect in higher resolution again?
I was CERTAIN… and now I’m less certain… that Darren Dochterman had stated that the effects WERE rendered in HD.
Where the F is Dirty Daren??????????????????????
I bought my 65″ and now my other 73″ specifically to see TMP Directors edition in HD
If they go cheap once again and release the old video version I wil be extremely F-ing pissed and will BOYCOTT ALL TREK ON BLU-RAY
I’ll say it again — why, if Blu-Ray discs have so much more space on them, are new movies like Hellboy 2 being released in special 3-disc sets?!? Waste, waste, waste.
Yeah, the effect team mentioned over and over again how they were hoping to get the director’s cut in theaters or high def. Also the remake wasn’t exactly an extended cut. There was the 79 version which is on film, the ’80 version which may not be possible to copy to Blu and the 2002(?) version which I’m certain has higher quality. Perhaps they meant the extended ’80 cut wouldn’t be on board.
No they were not. It has been unfortunately stated several times by all involved that the fx render passes and composites were only conducted in standard def.
Paramount wanted to keep costs in check when producing a special edition of TMP. They probably were sure how marketable the first film would be beyond devoted trekkers.
It was poor planning as #4 already said, but this release came out in 2001, about seven years before blu ray hit it big. So it’s not suprisiing.
You suppose we’ll get that deleted scene from Star Trek II, where Spock says Savik was half Vulcan and half Romulan?
I only have it in a poor quality, I’d like it in SD or HD quality. :)
Yay! Where Star Trek belongs! :D
This is ridiculous. TMP isn’t going to be the Director’s Cut?! THEN DON’T RELEASE IT UNTIL YOU CAN DO IT RIGHT!
Jimminy Christmas, folks. This is one case where the general concensus is that the Director’s Cut is far superior to the original. At least release both Day and Date instead of jerking us around, because we all know that the DC will eventually come out on Blu Ray. I guarantee you, Paramount is just fishing for that fat double-dip money. As uninspired as the transfer for TMP: DC is on standard def DVD, I will stick with that until further notice, thank you very much.
My first reaction was, “I don’t like it. I don’t like it one bit.” On the other hand, it would be nice to have the original theatrical version on HD for posterity and if Paramount wants to take their time to redo the new FX, then I’m all for that.
Blu-ray is nothing short of amazing.
I can’t even watch my old dvd’s now that I have a Blu-ray player.
The effects were rendered at 480p as a cost cutting measure.
The creative team wanted to render at Film resolution, but it would have been expensive at 4k or 8k resolution, and at that time, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD did not exist in the general market.
The DVD was targeted for DVD, and there was no reason to render and composit at a resolution higher than 480p at the time.
I would like to see this material re-rendered, and released on Blu-Ray, since the Directors Edition is as much a tribute to Robert Wise as it was a definitive version of the film by his hand.
No Star Trek VI? Am I missing something?
Hope they’ve done something to spruce up TOS-R’s inconsistencies.
Bring on Enterprise Season 4!!!
Why do most sources say that TOS-R S.3 releases on the 18th not the 11th?
Has this been changed?
I was sure it was the 18th…I do work for a video rental company as well.
sorry my bad on the TOS 3 release. I just got my copy and new it was coming out on a tuesday, got tomorrow and next tuesday confused. I am working on my review now.
#7 – The films being released on 3-disc sets are for DVD. While Blu-Ray may have more space on the discs, the higher resolutions of the films and the enhanced sound tracks eat up a lot of that space.
Blu-Ray is not considered by many to be the killer app that replaces DVDs. The studios and many in the industry still consider DVD to be the main product of choice by consumers. The initial expense of Blu-Ray and all the discs is still out of reach of the typical consumer.
Bill Hunt at The Digital Bits has expressed these same details on his web site numerous times. DVD is here to stay for a long, long time. Blu-Ray is nice, but DVD is more affordable and that makes it the first choice of the studios and consumers alike,
I’m glad to hear that the theatrical version of TMP will finally be released. While it’s not as good as the director’s cut in either visuals or plot, it was the movie we saw in ’79.
On the other hand, why on earth didn’t Paramount spring for the new effects in 1080p? It’s not as if the rise of HDTV was unknown in 2001.
Ideally, we should be able to get both versions. Do you hear that Paramount? I want to buy two more copies of a movie I’ve already bought 3 times!
No plans for the TNG movies (at last First Contact?). Well, then I don’t see a reason to buy the blue rays, the necessary player and a HD-tv.
Look at the numbers people. A small poll conducted on this very site states that 40% aren’t even considering purchasing a Blu Ray player EVEN for Trek. Spinning discs are primitive technology and Blu Ray is Sony’s death rattle. And don’t get me started on DRM. I’m not putting down HD, but really how far away are we from having the capacity to put the entire Original Series on a single USB stick?
Paramount in another”doesn’t plan ahead” shocker. As soon as the new cut of TMP is on Blu Ray I’ll have my excuse to actually go buy a player. Right now, not so much.
Ok. Tos on Bluray is fantastic. But Tmp The Directors Edition has to be on Bluray. It’s Simply a far Supiror Version the the origanl. I like the first just fine but please have tmp dr edition on there. Also. On the Tos Series there are some Deleted scenes from the Episode Where no man has gone before. Please do something with that and put that on there in the deleted scenes file along with any other Tos Deleted Scenes. That would be so kool.
I’ll snap up the BD releases of the movies, PROVIDED they have all the previous special features included, and the same options. So, I will NOT purchase TMP on BD until the director’s cut is re-done with 1080p effects. (I hope.) As for the rest of the flicks, like I said… must have the same options.
Even if the TMP Blu-ray is just the theatrical cut, I’m hoping the image is seriously cleaned of dust and scratches (but not the grain).
It’s about time!
No TNG films, no director’s cut of TMP, no deal. TMP probably could’ve benefited more from the Blu-ray format than any of the other films.
Theatrical Cut + Director’s Cut + Extras could’ve been an ideal package. If Paramount can remaster the audio and video, then how much would re-rendering the new footage in HD cost over that? Especially then many consider the director’s cut to be the superior version of the film.
Shame again about the TNG films. Seems like these days any Star Trek that doesn’t feature Kirk or Spock gets shunned.
I certainly won’t be buying a box set if ST:TMP Special Edition isn’t included with HD CGI. Looks like I’ll wait for the separate releases of each movie.
What is the problem? I thought the Special Edition was rendered for possible big screen release?
@29, I don’t think Paramount is “shunning” TNG films. More, I would suspect that TNG films are being held back to 1) More specifically market the new film and 2) to allow for yet another major roll-out of Blu-Rays, possibly timed to the release of the new film on Blu-Ray. I doubt anyone at Paramount is dissing TNG.
I would pay $1000 for TNG on Blu-Ray. Then again, I’m pretty dumb.
You have got to be kidding me Paramount. Robert Wise does this awesome Directors cut of his movie and you cheap SOB’s won’t release his version on BD???
What a slap in the face to Wise, Dochterman and all the fine folks who worked on that release.
Sheeesh Paramount, get your s–t together. :(
Excellent news about Blu Ray episodes!
As for the Theatrical cut, thats good news, because that wasn’t released on DVD as far as im aware, and I like to own all. Hopefully the Director’s edition can be re-rendered!
It’s absolutely ridiculous that we’re only getting the theatrical cut. Paramount’s ineptitude continues to amaze me…. of course, it’s always possible they’re gonna release a “30th Anniversary” Edition of TMP next fall so that we all double-dip.
I’m definitely not touching the theatrical cut but I’ll buy all the other films.
I was disappointed that they never released the original version on DVD anyway, so I might actually get the blu-ray if it’s the theatrical edition. At last I could retire another laserdisc!
I agree with #23 SPLOCK, in a few years we will have movies on USB flash drives, music is already being sold on it now.
Just think, not having to worry about scratched or dirty discs, no waiting for the player to read the disc, instantly hopping to the scene you want.
We will have come full circle, from the days of playing music and video games on ROM cartridges to movie and video game DVD’s and Blueray Discs and then to compact USB flash memory drives.
@ 20,
What bothers me about Blu-Ray is that Sony’s top scientists said they don’t expect the format to last more than 5 years… and this is a kick in the DragonBallz! I mean, I just bought a PS3 and I’ve started to collect BD films, they now tell me that it’s just a step towards another format much better than BD and mine is already useless?
Well gee… Thanks a lot $ONY!
I have around 1700 DVDs, don’t feel like RE-Buying my movies again for the sake of the BD quality when I’ll hear it’s going to die in 5-8 years. DVD lasted a bit longer!
Upsetting to say the least.
So much FUD going around…Blu Ray will probably be around for a good long time.
Some people predicted DVD would fall flat on it’s face back in ’98.
Not everyone has the bandwith to dowload movies let alone HD content. Some providers are putting limits on how much you can download in a month.
Having all of TOS on a memory stick sounds nice in theory, so long as the stick doesn’t go bad or you lose it! ;)
@40,
This isn’t some lame attempt to whip up a tension between DVD Vs BD. The facts are clear, Sony’s people and even some of their partners have said BD won’t last as long as DVD.
If THEY say this, who else has more authority then those who created the format?
Sure, Memory Stick media is in circulation already, I have one with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but it was only SD quality. Not even close to HD. Yet the stick it’s self was capable of storing a BD disc.
Holographic storage which has been around for at least 10 years now, has STILL not reached the mainstream and yet, it’s capacity is far greater than BDs. They are much more environmentally friendly and can store incredible amount of data on a single credit card chip sized square.
Yet we’re here with the so called next Gen. media and it’s still a spinning disc. What’s wrong?!!?
Going from VHS to DVD was a revolution… Going from DVD to Blu-Ray is an update. Same physical format, different encoding… Sure it’s slightly different, but not revolutionary.
My hopes were to have these holographic storage instead of spinning discs!!!! I’ve seen working models 4 years ago! It simply read a small square and it stored 60GB! And no spinning discs! It wasn’t going to be rotten like some DVDs and some poorly made BD discs. Holographic storage comes in spinning discs today and in simple squares…
Sorry but I’m confused as to why we’re still at spinning discs and not data crystals, storing holographic data.
:/
http://www.inphase-technologies.com/
http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/rd/443/ashley.html
http://news.zdnet.com/2422-13569_22-156258.html
TNG is DEFINITELY being re-mastered in HD. Major post houses in LA have been bidding for the massive project. The company that did the TOS gave me this info.
Everyone MUST remember that 7 seasons of TNG is a MASSIVE undertaking when you consider the 80’s video FX technology comprised a much larger percentage of the episodes than TOS. Clearly CBS is planning to move forward with it. Likewise Paramount would be foolish to ignore the TNG movies. Likely both will be part of a major marketing campaign following the release of XI film and Blu-Ray TOS versions.
Just stop and think it through. Further, it is likely that DS9 and Voyager re-mastered will not be released until TNG project is released. Especially since their more recent FX and general condition will hold up in syndication, even over HD digital broadcasts for a few more years. Again two MASSIVE projects of 7 seasons each.
RD,
I know there were people interested in this endeavor. My company, LucidSFX, was one of them. We were negotiating with SideFX software to have them bid on our behalf.
If this is true, please feed us more insider tips.
EdenFX had BETTER get this one!
41: “This isn’t some lame attempt to whip up a tension between DVD Vs BD. The facts are clear, Sony’s people and even some of their partners have said BD won’t last as long as DVD”
They said no such thing.
They said that it would probably not be *as successful* as DVD, since that format’s success is unprecedented. They DO believe it will last a good while and be profitable.
“Going from VHS to DVD was a revolution… Going from DVD to Blu-Ray is an update. Same physical format, different encoding… Sure it’s slightly different, but not revolutionary.”
VHS lasted 25 years. Tape itself was used for decades (and still is).
DVD is 8.5GB, Blu-ray is 50GB, hardly just “different encoding”. You also go from a red laser (CD players had red lasers) to a blue-violet one. BD construction is a lot more rigid and less prone to scratches.
1080p has 6x the pixel density of 480i (which DVD is, it’s not true 480p).
BD has multichannel (up to 7.1) lossless audio, exact replications of the studio master. DVD is limited to either 2 channel lossless (PCM) or multichannel lossy.
The programming possibilites of the Java interactive have only been touched upon. BD is only 2 years old!
I’ve heard about holographics since the 80’s (I’ve been in electronics/computers since 1986). These days when people talk about it, it’s for HDD (hard disk) replacement, not video media.
“Going from VHS to DVD was a revolution… Going from DVD to Blu-Ray is an update. Same physical format, different encoding… Sure it’s slightly different, but not revolutionary.”
I agree to an extent, but for a true film lover their is no comparison. Blu-Ray is superior in every sense of the word.
#32 and apparently pretty funny, too.
I’m not buying BD. Too expensive and tired of this double-dip unless there are really great extra features, like DeKelley and Doohan tributes. I’ll just settle to watch them on my holo-deck instead.
@ 44 and 45,
:(
I love my PS3 and I didn’t think I would. I love Blu-Ray, that’s why I bought the PS3.
I really wish that the format will live long enough for me not cursing down the road for having bought the same movies thrice or more.
One thing I’m having a bit of trouble with is getting used to the menus. Also it loads a bit slowly but as you say it’s a software based format so it takes time to decode etc.
I’m not one who’s for Digital Downloads, for me it HAS to exist on a shelf in my living room, apart of my collection. I don’t want it on a HDD.
As a real collector I think you’ll understand, when you collect things you’d like to own them fully and completely with inserts, cover and disc art work (remember Disney always put that as being a special feature? Geesh!)
;)
Anyway, big question…
Should I invest in a BD player from Samsung or is my PS3 still ok to go with my series 4 Samsung 32 inch LCD?
I’m BD all the way….if people want to watch stuff in SD or compressed downloads with no features that’s their business. I like my stuff looking as good as possible. Even if BD were to become an enthusiast format like LaserDisc was that’s fine with me so long as the studios keep churning the stuff out.
#47- I believe there was a De Kelley tribute on the Star Trek VI disc.
#48-Stick with your PS3 for now. The hardware running that machine is far greater than anything Samsung is offering. Unless you’re afraid of excessive wear and tear on your PS3, I’d say hold off for now.