A Blu-ray Experience and Question

[ZapBrannigan]

I currently own this edition of the remastered DVDs (eBay photo):

I'm not an expert, but the set above strikes me as the absolute high-end of DVD resolution and quality. It's gorgeous. I'm basing that on my Samsung TV: 32-inch diagonal, 720p HD (1366 x 768), contrast ratio 35,000:1. To my untrained eye, it seems like these DVDs deliver something very close to HDTV.

Today I finally broke down and bought the Blu-ray at a brick-and-mortar store (stock photo):

I was all set to have a wonderful experience, but before putting a disc in, I naturally did a physical quality-check of the contents. It was fine, my Star Trek lust was awakened, although it's very hard to pull a disc off the hub and you worry about breaking it. Still, it's fine. Then I found S3 Disc 5 is missing and I got two copies of S3 Disc 6. Which ruins the whole situation. Huge let-down.

I won't be driving back to that store for another week (I go on Saturdays), and I haven't decided what to do exactly.

- I could return the box for a refund and stick with my DVDs.

- I could exchange it for another copy of the box, and ask to QC it before I leave the store. They had two copies this morning, and I picked the one that looked to be in better condition (slight difference).

So... what would you do? Be happy with a frankly wonderful DVD set, or go for the greater contents of the BD box? I do kind of want the option of original fx, and the unaired version of "Where No Man..." But it's not a slam-dunk. I have to decide.

 

[Balok's Decoy]

I currently own this edition of the remastered DVDs (eBay photo):

I'm not an expert, but the set above strikes me as the absolute high-end of DVD resolution and quality. It's gorgeous. I'm basing that on my Samsung TV: 32-inch diagonal, 720p HD (1366 x 768), contrast ratio 35,000:1. To my untrained eye, it seems like these DVDs deliver something very close to HDTV.

Today I finally broke down and bought the Blu-ray at a brick-and-mortar store (stock photo):

I was all set to have a wonderful experience, but before putting a disc in, I naturally did a physical quality-check of the contents. It was fine, my Star Trek lust was awakened, although it's very hard to pull a disc off the hub and you worry about breaking it. Still, it's fine. Then I found S3 Disc 5 is missing and I got two copies of S3 Disc 6. Which ruins the whole situation. Huge let-down.

I won't be driving back to that store for another week (I go on Saturdays), and I haven't decided what to do exactly.

- I could return the box for a refund and stick with my DVDs.

- I could exchange it for another copy of the box, and ask to QC it before I leave the store. They had two copies this morning, and I picked the one that looked to be in better condition (slight difference).

So... what would you do? Be happy with a frankly wonderful DVD set, or go for the greater contents of the BD box? I do kind of want the option of original fx, and the unaired version of "Where No Man..." But it's not a slam-dunk. I have to decide.

Sounds like you just got a defective copy. I'd return it and get a replacement.

I own the blu-ray TOS. Not that single set though -- I have each season in individual season Blu-ray collections. It's definitely worth having. Being able to watch the shows in original and remaster versions is a nice touch.

 

[Daddy Todd]

Another potential solution is to contact CBS, let them know about the problem, and request they send you the missing disc.

It's worth a shot...

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Another potential solution is to contact CBS, let them know about the problem, and request they send you the missing disc.

It's worth a shot...

I thought of that, but I'd be surprised if a) I even got through to them, and b) they didn't then just write me off as a scammer.

 

[Balok's Decoy]

I thought of that, but I'd be surprised if a) I even got through to them, and b) they didn't then just write me off as a scammer.

There should be a bar code number or something that you can use to identify that you bought one.

 

[Harvey]

A barcode can easily be found - better to have the original proof of purchase from the store. This is a manufacturing defect and CBS should be willing to resolve it for you.

 

[Orac]

Did you actually play S3 Disc 5? Might be the right disc with the wrong image printed on it.

 

[Mr Awe]

I'd definitely exchange the bluray set for a different set. The bluray set is awesome, far sharper than the DVDs. Although, if you don't compare them head-to-head, I can see how the DVDs might appear to be close to HD, but they're not really. Plus, you get the original SFx and the updated SFx on the blurays. No brainer in my book. Get a new BD set.

Mr Awe

 

[Mr Awe]

Did you actually play S3 Disc 5? Might be the right disc with the wrong image printed on it.

I actually did have that happen with a Doctor Who DVD set. I put in the duplicate discs and sure enough, they were 2 different discs. I had the full set. That can happen. Although, it's annoying because there are 2 discs that are labeled the same.

Mr Awe

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Did you actually play S3 Disc 5? Might be the right disc with the wrong image printed on it.

I'll check for that tonight. If one of them really is S3D5 and just labeled as S3D6, then I'll be stunned. And I'll have to go through all 20 discs to see if others are wrong. But in the unlikely event that I have the whole set and just one graphics error, I'll keep it.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

I verified that I have two copies of S3D6, the disc labels are right, which means it's not a complete set.

 

[johnnybear]

If nothing else let the store know straight away and tell them to keep the other set for you when you can come in and collect it!
JB

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Thanks Johnny, but I think I'll wing it. If they don't have another set on Saturday, I'll take a refund and let it wait. If they do, I'm going to ask to open the new one at the service desk (it's Walmart) and verify all discs before I buy it. If I have to I'll buy it sealed, open it in the car, and walk right back in with my receipt upon finding another problem.

 

[Ssosmcin]

Definitely exchange and keep the blu in your collection. It's awesome to switch back and forth and the sound levels are better mixed in the blu's for the TOS-R versions. Just listening to the opening credits alone, you can barely hear Shatner's narration on the DVDs, but it comes across loud and clear in the blu rays.

For me, the unaired WNMHGB would def be a slam dunk.

 

[BillJ]

If the TV is only 720p and 32", I'd probably stick with the DVD's. But, since you have the set and its opened, throw in a disc and see what you think of the quality.

Though with the Blu-ray's, you'll get better color quality and access to the original effects.

 

[Indysolo]

This happened to me a few years ago.

A quick call to Amazon resolved it 2 days later. I'm sure if you contact Walmart online you'll be able to deal with this just as quickly. It's not a big deal.

Neil

 

[ZapBrannigan]

But, since you have the set and its opened, throw in a disc and see what you think of the quality.

Oh, I've thrown in a disc, trust me. Tonight I watched "Dagger of the Mind" with original fx, which include a shot of the Enterprise seen once only, ever. Yesterday I watched "Return to Tomorrow." I haven't seen the original fx at all in many years now, and that's a bigger deal than the true-HD aspect.

I'm sure if you contact Walmart online you'll be able to deal with this just as quickly. It's not a big deal.

So you would go to their website rather than back to the brick and mortar store? I could email them before Saturday, no harm in that.

Definitely exchange and keep the blu in your collection. It's awesome to switch back and forth and the sound levels are better mixed in the blu's for the TOS-R versions. Just listening to the opening credits alone, you can barely hear Shatner's narration on the DVDs, but it comes across loud and clear in the blu rays.

For me, the unaired WNMHGB would def be a slam dunk.

Yeah, I've arrived at "needing" the Blu-ray box. For both Lost in Space and Star Trek, there was no other way this was going to end. It was destiny.

 

[Ssosmcin]

Oh, I've thrown in a disc, trust me. Tonight I watched "Dagger of the Mind" with original fx, which include a shot of the Enterprise seen once only, ever.

I remember when I first saw that shot back when I caught a rerun from a Connecticut station via a rotor on our roof antenna, since WPIX in NY cut that scene. It always looked odd. Once I got it on VHS, I was able to stare at it enough to make an educated guess that it was a shot made for WNMHGB but was left unused. It's the second pilot miniature, but man, it's a terrible effect, even for the time, but I always have to see it. The TOS-R redo version isn't as satisfying.

Yeah, I've arrived at "needing" the Blu-ray box. For both Lost in Space and Star Trek, there was no other way this was going to end. It was destiny.

The LIS box set is reDONKulously cheap right now. $44.99 on Amazon. Snatch it up if you don't have it yet, that's a damned steal.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

I remember when I first saw that shot back when I caught a rerun from a Connecticut station via a rotor on our roof antenna, since WPIX in NY cut that scene. It always looked odd. Once I got it on VHS, I was able to stare at it enough to make an educated guess that it was a shot made for WNMHGB but was left unused. It's the second pilot miniature, but man, it's a terrible effect, even for the time, but I always have to see it. The TOS-R redo version isn't as satisfying.

That was my exact reaction. I love that one-time flyby in "Dagger of the Mind." Its primitiveness is charming and historic now.

The LIS box set is reDONKulously cheap right now. $44.99 on Amazon. Snatch it up if you don't have it yet, that's a damned steal.

Agreed. Total bargain at that price. The old DVD run of Lost in Space cost more and was very low-res, while this discounted Blu-ray box is an exquisite HD rescue. The matter is settled.

 

[Methuselah Flint]

Where abouts is the flyby in the episode?