Details on TOS-R HD-DVDs [updated]

CBS has released details for the upcoming 1st season of Star Trek: The Original Series digitally remastered for HD-DVD:

Disks: 10 (box)
Format: HD-DVD Combo (double sided w/ HD-DVD on one and standard DVD on other)
Sug. price: $217.99 [oh my]
Release Date: November 20, 2007
HD Features (include)

  • a "Starfleet Access” interface
  • picture-in-picture video commentaries,  comparisons of re-mastered vs. original effects, encyclopedic information (science, life forms, technology), episode trivia and more on seven episodes.
  • in-depth tour of the starship Enterprise
  • documentary on making of remastered Trek
  • behind the scenes footage (also on regular DVD side) [related story]

more details below…

Press Release with Details

STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES TRANSPORTS INTO HOME ENTERTAINMENT’S NEW FRONTIER WITH THE LAUNCH OF SEASON ONE ON HD DVD/DVD COMBO DISC SET
Out of this World 10-Disc Set Featuring Fully Remastered Episodes,
Exclusive HD DVD Interactive Features and Rare On-Set Home Movie Footage Arrives on November 20, 2007

        

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment invite you to experience STAR TREK: The Original Series as never before when the legendary first season arrives for the first time ever in a 10-disc HD DVD/DVD combo disc set on November 20, 2007.  Meticulously remastered from the original camera negative specifically for this high-definition release, each classic episode is presented in pristine condition with state-of-the-art digital visual effects.  1960s special effects have been replaced with 21st century computer-generated imagery to give new depth and atmosphere to various elements including the main title sequence, the galaxy shots frequently seen from the Enterprise’s bridge, the battle scenes, planets and alien ships, some of the matte paintings used as backdrops for new worlds, as well as the Enterprise and other Starships, which have been replaced with state-of-the-art CGI-created ships.  The new computer-generated Enterprise is based on the exact measurements of the original model, which now rests in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.   

The refurbished episodes also feature higher quality sound for the famous opening theme. The original score by Emmy® Award-winning composer Alexander Courage has been re-recorded in state-of-the-art digital stereo audio with an orchestra and a female singer belting out the famous vocals.  A digitally remastered version of William Shatner’s classic original recording of the 38-word “Space, the final frontier…” monologue continues to open each episode.

In addition, the extraordinary set features true HD audio and exclusive HD DVD interactive features produced by New Wave Entertainment.  Interactive menus and a “Starfleet Access” interface will allow viewers to activate icons which provide such features as Picture in Picture video commentaries and an interactive tour of the starship Enterprise.  Both the standard definition and high definition presentations also include rare on-set home movie footage, an inside perspective on what it took to transport Trek into the 21st century and much more.  Housed in a futuristic clear case, the STAR TREK: The Original Series HD DVD/DVD set will be available for the suggested retail price of $217.99

STAR TREK: The Original Series is a 10-disc collection presented in the original aspect ratio (1.33:1) screen.  The standard definition presentation includes Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, LAS Mono and French Mono as well as English, LAS and French subtitles.  The HD DVD presentation features English Dolby True HD and LAS Mono with English and LAS subtitles.  The DVD is not rated in the U.S. and rated G in Canada. 

Bonus features on the HD DVD side are as follows:
o    Starfleet Access – On-screen graphical interface allows viewers to access Picture in Picture video commentaries, comparisons of re-mastered vs. original effects, encyclopedic information (science, life forms, technology), episode trivia and more on the following episodes:
•    Where No Man Has Gone Before
•    The Menagerie, Part 1
•    The Menagerie, Part 2
•    Balance of Terror
•    The Galileo Seven
•    Space Seed
•    Errand of Mercy
o    Spacelift: Transporting Trek into the 21st Century
•    From new visual effects to sound, this documentary provides an in-depth exploration of the remastering of classic Star Trek episodes.
o    Billy Blackburn’s Treasure Chest: Rare Home Movies and Special Memories
•    Join crew member and “extra-extraordinaire” Billy Blackburn as he shares his own behind-the-scenes home movie footage of life on the set of Star Trek.
o    Interactive Enterprise Tour
•    Viewers will explore the Enterprise interior and exterior in detail as they pilot their own shuttlecraft in this spectacular 3D simulated feature.
o    Perpetual Entertainment’s “Star Trek Online” MMO Game Preview
 
Bonus features on the standard DVD side are as follows:
o    Spacelift: Transporting Trek into the 21st Century
o    The Birth of a Timeless Legacy
o    Reflections on Spock
o    Life Beyond Trek: William Shatner
o    To Boldly Go…Season One
o    Sci-Fi Visionaries
o    Billy Blackburn’s Treasure Chest: Rare Home Movies and Special Memories
o    Kiss & Tell: Romance in the 24th Century
o    Trek Connections
o    Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier
o    Episode Preview Trailers
o    Perpetual Entertainment’s “Star Trek Online” MMO Game Preview

 

HD DVD offers up to six times the picture resolution of standard DVD, with brighter, sharper and more vivid images and color.  HD DVD also offers incredible audio with support for Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby True HD.

 

Prelim Artwork:

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“in-depth tour of the starship Enterprise”
This sounds interesting! I must buy this!

I can wait a few years to buy that…..200 bucks…..sorry

$200, WOW. Nice to have some info/date and having both standard and HD (even though I allready have all of the trek series on DVD) but after all the complaints about the high prices of the first release I’m a bit surprised. I mean I don’t know what the standard/norm will be with the HD series sets but probably not that.

Extras look interesting. I agree with #1, look forward to this “in-depth tour of the starship Enterprise”.

HD DVD not Blu Ray? Will prove a mistake

Who does the commentaries, Solow, Justman?

I’m sure that when this product comes ‘across the pond’ so to speak, that the usual practice of $ = £ will be in effect. If that is the case then there is no way I will be spending £200 on one season.
In fact when I first read the article headline, I thought it was $199 for all three seasons. Even then my first reaction was “Too rich for my blood!”

Sorry to say CBS, but your prices stink!

The in-depth tour of the Enterprise sounds interesting, but not at this price point.
I’ll wait a few years if necessary and get it at a much better price.

I can’t afford that! :(

Not Blue-Ray? $217.99?

I´m sorry, but i won´t buy this pack.

FOXXXXXXXXXXX

When it will come out on Blu-Ray I will buy this. But I will not buy a HD-DVD player just to watch Star Trek. I already have a Blu-Ray player so … I don’t care for HD …

When it will come out on Blu-Ray I will buy this. But I will not buy a HD-DVD player just to watch Star Trek. I already have a Blu-Ray player so … I don’t care for HD …

That price point makes the baby Kirk weep….bitterly.

#6. Mark Lynch
“’I’m sure that when this product comes ‘across the pond’ so to speak, that the usual practice of $ = £ will be in effect. If that is the case then there is no way I will be spending £200 on one season.”

You could wait until they show it on BBC2 like I will. I don’t care about the gimmicky extras — tour of the ship; you’ll try it once, maybe twice at most — behind the scenes footage — not interested — I don’t care about HD either. The PAL system is much better than NTSC anyway with 100 more horizontal lines and 25 FPS meaning no jerky pulldown — one film frame = one TV frame — so the difference isn’t as noticeable. I can understand why people with NTSC systems want to upgrade though.

As for those who say they won’t buy it, I bet most of you secretly will, and CBS know you will. I bet most of you bought it on VHS, DVD and have recorded it off air already. What’s more, I bet when they re-package it in a ’50th anniversary limited edition box set’ you’ll buy it all again.

Still, it’s your money!

Nope, I bought it on the old CED Videodiscs, and a combination of Beta and VHS videotapes. I have never bought the DVDs as I thought they were too expensive, and seeing this price, I will not being the HD DVDs either. My videodisc and Beta players still work fine. I’ll save the money for popcorn and Diet Dr. Pepper.

^^Agreed. Too much crap I won’t watch more than once. I’d really like to know what retarded monkey at Paramount thinks this is going to sell. I didn’t pick up the original versions because of the price gouging on that one. The price dropped right about the time “Re-mastered” started so I decided to wait for the Re-masters. When they come out with a set sans useless crap and in an affordable range (like 60.00 max) I’ll pick it up.

Until then, I hope they lose money big time on this. The money that I planned on buying Re-mastered with? Already starting spending it on my second favorite show of all time….Babylon 5.

Screw you Paramount.

As for the “interactive tour”…..Been there done that. It’s called “Enterprise 3” for Elite Force, by some of the most talented modders I’ve ever seen. They even have the “Star League” and “Starbase 11” tours that you can walk around to your hearts content. And it was free.

Won’t buy it at that price.

And another grumble: the “all new packaging in a futuristic, clear case.” Just looking at the thing makes me roll my eyes — it looks like they’re continuing the tradition (started with the TOS DVD season sets) of spectacularly crappy packaging. Yes, it might look pretty. Even “futuristic” (which apparently means “plastic with holes in it”). But the original DVD season set packaging is some of the worst I’ve seen in terms of actual usability. When you strip it down, it’s basically a set of small jewel boxes bound together with clear tape. Yes, tape. Bleagh.

This set looks AMAZING!!!

Come on guys!!! Look at all the extra effort they have gone to! Okay, its bloody expensive, but we all know what Trek on digital is like – EXPENSIVE! They could have made way less effort and still charged as much.

As soon as this comes out on Blu-ray, I’m going to buy it. I don’t care if its expensive. CBS-D are busting their balls each week to create these episodes as often stated on this board by people who constantly decry the fact that they don’t have enough time to do better.

I honestly can’t wait for this set. The only drawback is the lack of blu-ray, although once that comes out, I don’t have to wait for the UK release as the PAL/NTSC issue doesn’t exist in HD and just about all Blu-rays aren’t region coded.

I don’t own any ‘next generation’ video systems (i.e., HD DVD or BluRay) and don’t plan to think about buying one until the HD wars are done. Heck, I don’t even own a HD tv!

Besides, my wife would kill me for spending this much money on a product that I am not convinced will be complete.

Besides, wait a few years, and you will be able to get all three seasons in a bound boxset for about $200. I’d pay that for three seasons… not for 1.

Rob+

The only thing that would make me plop down the cash for this is if someone could confirm that CBS-D has been given the time and money to go back and 1) update the effects in the earlier episodes to the newer model and 2) fix those things they wanted to the first time around but couldn’t.

I know that hasn’t happened, so I won’t be buying these discs.

If it happens in the future, I will buy those sets then.

I predict low sales and thus mega-discounts after a few months. I predict even lower sales through anticipation of low sales and thus mega-discounts. Will be $40 remainders in Wal Mart within the year.

I mean – over $200 for ONE season? They have to be kidding. That would mean the set would cost more than the player!

Still no blooper reels.

#16 Toonloon
You are being sarcastic aren’t you?

# 2. Kirk

I think I can wait too. Sure I am interested to see these on a big HD Television but I really have begun to feel annoyed at the things that get left unchanged. CBS have done some truly great work on this project but I really do feel it’s been full of to many missed opportunities. I think I will wait until the money men in charge of TOS decide its time to do a super deluxe version with all the special effect being looked at. From displays screen on the bridge to the hand phasers as well as the set back drops having some depth added to them etc…

There have been lots of good things to come out of this project but I feel we are only getting a half finished product as a result of the remastered team only being given a week to turn around new effects for a new episode. That sort of time given to look at an episode isn’t long enough. So much is getting left undone. I know some could say the stuff left undone is through choice by the remastered team as the original brief was to just update the space shots and matt painting. But I think they even must realise how short sighted that brief was. I am sure I can’t be the only one who would love to see more being done?

I enjoy the way CBD team have made the new effects fit in with the feel of the rest of the show but I have to say I haven’t been so happy about certain result because of this. For example the cloak of the Romulan bird of Prey in “Balance of Power “ that felt like a massive waste of an opportunity why not make it look more impressive now that that they can? Plus “Tomorrow is Yesterday” The wobbly Enterprise through the clouds was just poor. Why did they try and make it look like a model now? What the point?, this is a chance to make it better. Finally the Thasian ship in Charlie X was very poor, I just feel it could have resembled a ship more than the blob we got. It didn’t necessarily have to be a solid ship but something with more of a definite shape to it and it could of moved a lot better than it did.

I think the trouble this project has had from the start is that they have not been bold enough to change more stuff through fear of offending the “Purist”. I love TOS as it was but I would desperate love to see it fully brought fully in the 21st century or should that be 23rd? I really do hope someone who has a say in this project somewhere who holds a bit of weight in the decision making will really either seriously consider adding more effect changes to this existing project before the DVD realised or that they would bring out another super deluxe version for people like myself. I am sure there must be more people who are hoping for this? Or am I alone here?

I don’t mean to criticize CBD digital work because of the most part it has been fantastic, I just wish we weren’t getting a rushed final product. And at the end of the day that sounds and feels like what we are being given. I am not sure what the dollar rate to pound is at the moment but I reckon $200 is around about £150 and that’s a lot of money for something rushed and only half finished. If they ever do go back and make it all it could be then and only then do I think I could justify buying TOS on DVD again.

Plus I would love to see TOS in widescreen. They could crop it in some places and other places they could add to the edges in others.

For example on the bridge they could crop some of the top and bottom off the non essential action and on planet surfaces they could add extra to the new backdrops they put behind the live action but extending it out to the edges and really rip the back wall of the set.

Yes I know that’s a lot of work but that is the level of attention I would love to see this show given. I guess I am just a mega geek.

#21 No. But now that I’ve calmed down a bit that is very steep. Mind you, the exchange rate between dollars and pounds is really good for us brits at the moment so I reckon it will probably be around the £100 mark, which is about $40 more expensive than the previous DVD sets.

Being anti HD-DVD, I’m probably never going to watch this series in High Definition unless BluRay wins the war.

I’m not pro Sony, but when it comes to Microsoft, I’m staying clear of their format.

Wow, that’s a pretty bold price to be asking for a half finished product like TOS:R. No offense to CBS:D, but this is pocket gouging at its worst. Unless they have been afforded the time to go back and redo the ‘failed’ effects properly, I will never buy these DVD’s. To whoever is pushing the release of these DVD’s out the door, we’re NOT fools…and if these things are pushed out half finished…we will make sure people know so they don’t waste their hard earned dollars.

So, lets get the information out there. Have you allowed CBS:D to go back and fix the half baked work or not?

This is expensive, and the price will eventually come down. I remember like 10 years before TNG’s release on DVD, Columbia House Video was selling two-episode tapes of TNG for $20 or $30 per tape. Then the DVD seasons were like $100 per season, and then they offered all of them for around $400 or so.

The price will come down. If not, I won’t be buying. I am waiting for the dual format players to come down in price. If I have to wait five years, fine.

Now if I were a rich teacher, money wouldn’t be an issue.

I won’t be paying over $200! The worst part is that set could be sold for $50 and still make a nice profit and that’s a fact!

17. Father Rob

Sometimes when it comes to format wars, the only way to end I’m sorry to say is to support the one you think is best. I have an HD TV but I have no BluRay player.

Here’s an excerpt on an article Bill Hunt had to say regarding Microsoft and their HD-DVD format.

“Microsoft doesn’t give a rip about HD-DVD, or movies on disc at all for that matter, except to the extent that backing HD-DVD for a while now both undermines Sony’s efforts and leverages Microsoft’s success in achieving their ultimate goal of dominating the future of online distribution of digital entertainment. And hey… if fueling a format war in the meantime creates consumer confusion that hastens the demise of discs and the advent of mainstream downloading, so much the better for Microsoft. That’s how we see it.”

You can read the whole article here:
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/soapbox/soap060107.html

The price makes me sad. I wanted to get this set, but $217 puts it WELL out of range.

Sounds like a good set, but I’ll wait for the budget bin before diving on this. It shouldn’t retail for more than $150 if they want to move a significant number of units. The BluRay issue is also a big negative, since the industry seems to be leaning there.

£200??? What are you kidding???

$-£ would equal that if you bought this you’re talking £107 which i admit is to rich for my blood just for one season.

I think I’ll just buy the season off of iTunes. I can stomach 56 bucks but 200, dang.

I was going to ask for this for Christmas, but I don’t think I can convince my wife to spend THAT much…

Too bad.

Dual format just makes it more money. Not a smart move, Paramount. Plus with the announcement of Close Encounters on Blu-Ray in November, I think I’ll wait for the BR version of this since it’ll be cheaper.

I don’t have either Blu Ray or HD DVD (as of yet) I’m waiting to see who wins the war first (this is like daleks vs the cybermen all over again)…

Can someone please confirm that you can’t play Blu Ray discs on a HD DVD player? If so this is Betamax vs VHS all over again, and sadly the inferior format won that one.

Since I can’t edit my posts :P

It’s not the money I have a problem with. People forget how much it costs for the original VHS tapes. $217 is CHEAP for all the episodes on a high-def format. It’s the PRINCIPAL of the dual-format discs I have a problem with.

If ten people pitch in $20 each then pass it around then…..

Oh, uh, forget it.

I have both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players and there’s no WAY I’ll be parting with two hundred clams for only one season. Have they lost their minds?! Here’s hoping that Netflix is stupid enough to buy some sets.

217$ ouch ouch…jesus

I would pay $200 for this in a heartbeat….if it were on blueray. I love me some TOS, but HD DVD is a lame duck. Let’s hope it’s not an exclusive and all this hi-def goodness will eventually migrate to Blue-Ray.

No 12 Non-frantic

“The PAL system is much better than NTSC anyway with 100 more horizontal lines and 25 FPS meaning no jerky pulldown — one film frame = one TV frame — so the difference isn’t as noticeable. I can understand why people with NTSC systems want to upgrade though.”

Fine argument if you’re sonically challenged. I to live in a PAL market and prefer movies running at the same speed as the theatrical release and not 4% faster with pitched up audio because of the PAL conversion process. I by NTSC DVD.

Back on the subject. As much as I’d love to see these episodes it ain’t gonna happen until I can buy a combo Blu-ray/Hd-Dvd player with 1080/24 for good measure.

No 12 Non-frantic

“The PAL system is much better than NTSC anyway with 100 more horizontal lines and 25 FPS meaning no jerky pulldown — one film frame = one TV frame — so the difference isn’t as noticeable. I can understand why people with NTSC systems want to upgrade though.”

Fine argument if you’re sonically challenged. I to live in a PAL market and prefer movies running at the same speed as the theatrical release and not 4% faster with pitched up audio because of the PAL conversion process. I by NTSC DVD.

Back on the subject. As much as I’d love to see these episodes it ain’t gonna happen until I can buy a combo Blu-ray/Hd-Dvd player with 1080/24 for good measure.

#36… yes, the HD-DVD and BluRay formats are generally incompatible.

However, there are a few manufacturers who are no making combo players. LG, for example, makes the Super Blu Player which can read and play HD-DVD, BluRay, and standard DVD discs. It even has an upconverter built in, so it will take standard DVD discs and modify their output to full 1080i.

Of course, none of this ability comes cheap, with players like the Super Blu retailing for around $1300.

Give it a year or two… by then, the format wars should shake out, and the players should become more affordable.

All agreed that this overpricing will equal poor sales, even among the diehards… so team, what are you willing to pay for this?

I’d go about $50 for a season and not too much more I think. To me even that’s a little pricey relative to other products out there. So thats my high end, gotta have it range. I’d like to see them around $30, $35.

BEST!!

=h=

\/\/007!!!

so they are releasing this so soon, eh? I assumed they’d wait until the remastered series completes…

$217.99?

They’ve lost their minds. I THOUGHT I was gonna pass before…now I KNOW I will. All with (as far as we know) UNFINISHED FX!

Wow! What a deal! CBS-Paramount…you amaze me with your marketing acumen!

TTM

Am I missing something? Weren’t these supposed to include the un-altered episodes as well? Or was that another fabrication.

^^^ Yet another reason to pass, Daren.

I just remembered that Anthony is going to be at the San Diego panel today.

Hey Anthony! If there’s a Q&A session, please ask them what their marketing department was smoking when they came up with that MSRP.