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The Original Series - non-'remastered' version on DVD?

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There has never been a perfect, "night of original broadcast" release of Star Trek. Which bugs me, honestly.

But who is there who has seen the original broadcasts and can remember them perfectly in order to spot the differences?

Well, the 16mm prints struck for broadcast in other markets should pretty accurate, many have fallen into collector's hands, especially those send out for after series syndication. I have one episode, I know a guy who has a bunch. The Space Seed clip linked above is from a 16mm print. The syndicated stations should have gotten copies of the same prints, without commercials. As a sidebar, I have 16mm copies of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea with all of the network bumpers and tags, along with network created previews for next week's episode: all were taken from local indie stations running the show. I consider prints of that nature to be accurate.

I can't see Paramount bothering to make sound and theme adjustments on a show they had just washed their hands of. Some markets kept the next week's previews attached, which was a great treat. However, even that was not quite right. The edit there was clipping out "Next Week" from the first two season's previews and and replacing it with a second season shot of the Enterprise and calling it the "next voyage."

I'm reasonably sure the changes made (other than edits for time) were done in the 80's for the home video release. When the series was temporarily taken out of syndication while Paramount sent out pre-cut prints on video tape. So, you don't have to have necessarily been there in 1966 and remembered. Just before 1985-ish, which is about when stations stopped relying solely on film prints.

So, what do I remember? The electric violin theme on the first bunch of episodes (and on the end credits). The lack of exterior engine rumble in the last two seasons. I don't consciously remember the rumble being dropped midway through the first season, but I clearly remember The Man Trap having no engine sound in the effects shots as it always stood out for me. The sound of the phaser rifle hitting the ground in WNMHGB.

Why I remember this stuff: before VCR's, I audio taped a buttload of episodes and listened to my favorites repeatedly. The sound mix has always been more important to me than the clarity of the image. Which is, again, why I mostly go back to my DVD-R transfers of Laserdiscs of the episodes when I watch. They are closest to the original sound mix, especially since I replaced the cello theme with the electric violin theme on the first 9 episodes (a close enough guess) and put the correct Paramount logo on the 1968 episodes of the second season.

And, also again, I'm sure everyone's tired of me harping on the sound mix. Most people are more than happy with the crystal clear image and sound. Fair enough. I'm more of a stickler; I like my shows to be accurate to their original broadcast.
 
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Me neither, honestly, I came on board in 1972. I'd probably not even raise an eyebrow if I got the same sound mix as an option that I remember from the old days. But we're not even getting the "original mono broadcast" mix they say we are.

I just want the option to hear it as it was originally made. You know, the one they say we're getting. :)
 
My understanding is that the picture on the remastered versions were created from the original camera negatives. Apparently, the audio wasn't taken from a similar first generation source (though I've learned that the original audio does exist, at least for some episodes, and probably all).
Interesting. In that case, where does the mono sound mix come from?
 
The sound mix has always been more important to me than the clarity of the image. Which is, again, why I mostly go back to my DVD-R transfers of Laserdiscs of the episodes when I watch. They are closest to the original sound mix, especially since I replaced the cello theme with the electric violin theme on the first 9 episodes (a close enough guess) and put the correct Paramount logo on the 1968 episodes of the second season.
Now it'd even be possible to rip and combine the HD video from the Blu-Rays with, let's say, stereo rips of the mono soundtracks from the laserdiscs and have the ultimate version.

As you say, it'd be better if the people with the multi-million dollar facilities had thought of that, but hey, money talks.
 
It's so bizarre that these things get re-jiggered like this. When The Monkees was put into syndication, the S2 credits were attached to both seasons, which led to scenes of curly-haired Mickey in the credits for the first season, where his hair was straight. Why do they bother to do this? Surely it would be less work and expense to just leave the episodes as they originally aired.
Well, in that particular circumstance it makes sense that the studio would want to have a single ubiquitous main title sequence for the entire syndicated package, the episodes of which could be aired by a local station in any order. The second season title sequence made for a better overall series sequence because it contained clips from more episodes as well as live footage of the band.

I can't recall--was the original opening of "Where No Man Has Gone Before" ever aired on NBC, or was the later first season title sequence added to the episode before its initial airing?
 
My understanding is that the picture on the remastered versions were created from the original camera negatives. Apparently, the audio wasn't taken from a similar first generation source (though I've learned that the original audio does exist, at least for some episodes, and probably all).
Interesting. In that case, where does the mono sound mix come from?

No (definite) idea. Something created for an earlier home video release perhaps, or maybe syndication at some point?
 
I'm sure at somepoint CBS will release a "night of broadcast" version to get us to, what now, quintiple dip?

The lack of exterior engine rumble in the last two seasons. I don't consciously remember the rumble being dropped midway through the first season, but I clearly remember The Man Trap having no engine sound in the effects shots as it always stood out for me.

I definitely recall the rumble disappearing about halfway into the first season from the early 80s syndication version. I think the Asherman compendium might note the exact episode.
 
I'm sure at somepoint CBS will release a "night of broadcast" version to get us to, what now, quintiple dip?

'Cos they force you to buy them at gunpoint.

Why do people seem to want to deny shops the right to have new, improved, refreshed, exciting products of vintage material on their shelves, instead of actual decades-old stock still in original packaging?

I really do not understand the anger re "double dipping".
 
I'm sure at somepoint CBS will release a "night of broadcast" version to get us to, what now, quintiple dip?

'Cos they force you to buy them at gunpoint.

Why do people seem to want to deny shops the right to have new, improved, refreshed, exciting products of vintage material on their shelves, instead of actual decades-old stock still in original packaging?

I really do not understand the anger re "double dipping".

I have no issue with double dipping as long as there is value in it. The TOS and TNG Blu-ray's had value for me.
 
Why do people seem to want to deny shops the right to have new, improved, refreshed, exciting products of vintage material on their shelves, instead of actual decades-old stock still in original packaging?

I really do not understand the anger re "double dipping".
When they just re-release in new packaging, there's no problem.

When they re-release with THIS supplemental material that wasn't on the LAST release even though it's been around for as long as the rest of the extras, that's when there's a complaint.
 
I know you asked about DVD, but the Blu-ray discs contain both versions, so you can choose the original effects and even mono soundtracks if you so desire.

Since obtaining these, I've been slowly working my way through them in order, choosing the remastered effects. There are times when they're welcome, and other times when it seems out of place and takes you out of the story.

I have a feeling that when I'm through these episodes in remastered form, I'll probably do all future watching as they were originally.

Harry

Regarding the blu-ray discs, I know some scenes were cut from the remastered versions. Are the original versions on the blu-ray set uncut? Thanks!
 
Regarding the blu-ray discs, I know some scenes were cut from the remastered versions. Are the original versions on the blu-ray set uncut? Thanks!
Welcome to the board!
Yes, they're all included. Only TOS-R broadcasts were cut.
Be aware, a mod may close the thread, as it's an old one. Best off starting up a new one in future ;)
 
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