Are the Blu-Rays Worth It?

[tomswift2002]

Sony has the best quality and image processing hardware IMHO. Samsung was also top-tier but they are no longer making players, citing reduced sales via streaming.

Sorry, but I found Samsung’s quality really took a nosedive about 15 years ago. After 2 set top DVD-Recorders and a Blu-Ray Player only lasted about 1.5 years each (I even had one serviced under warranty and it still died a year after servicing) I left Samsung and went to Sony, and for the past 10 years I’ve been using a Sony PS3 for Blu-Ray and DVD playback and a Sony DVD-Recorder for TV recording. And I bought both between 2009 & 2011.

But with the TOS Blu-Rays there is one drawback: the Starfleet Access special Feature for “The Galileo Seven” was not ported to the Blu-Ray for some reason, and that remained as a HD-DVD exclusive! As far as I’m aware that bonus has never re-appeared anywhere else.

 

[Mytran]

Sony players do not have that flaw.

Do you mind if I ask which Sony Blu Ray players you've used yourself which don't demonstrate that flaw?
There's quite a lot of "BDP S6700" on Ebay at the moment and was thinking of going after one of them.
I checked the manual for the model and there's nothing concrete about the "angle" icon in them, just general indications under the "display" settings so I'd rather get it right first time.

 

[Methuselah Flint]

My Sony is DMP-BD75 and has no issues with branching, no icons etc. Region 2.

 

[johnnybear]

I've always said that companies went into DVD and later Blu-Ray without fully understanding the concept! If they knew what they were doing there wouldn't have been all these errors on discs and the players over the years and they wouldn't have had to reimburse consumers or send out any corrected versions from time to time! Damn that alien technology from Area 51!!!
JB

 

[Mytran]

My Sony is DMP-BD75 and has no issues with branching, no icons etc. Region 2.

That's quite an interesting "Sony" you've got there!
Unfortunately this model is too wide for the space I have available, but its food for thought, thanks

 

[Doug Otte]

Do you mind if I ask which Sony Blu Ray players you've used yourself which don't demonstrate that flaw?
There's quite a lot of "BDP S6700" on Ebay at the moment and was thinking of going after one of them.
I checked the manual for the model and there's nothing concrete about the "angle" icon in them, just general indications under the "display" settings so I'd rather get it right first time.

I've owned several models (maybe S390 and S790 - can't remember). I currently use an UBP-X800. But, I think all have the same basic features, including turning off notifications when the layer changes or a new title starts.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Are they worth the money? A little perspective might help:

In 1989, it would have cost about $944 to buy the whole series of TOS on VHS cassettes. Adjusted for inflation, that's about $2000 in today's money. Practically no special features. And you'd have to build shelves for this gigantic set that ate your bedroom.

You think that's bad? In the 90s, I was buying the TOS laserdiscs (2-episodes per disc), and while it seems like it would not take up much space, 42 discs--in addition to the ton of non-Trek films I had in the format--became a wall, looking like some disc jockey's studio from the 60s. In comparison, the Blu Rays not only have the quality, but for those with storage concerns, its not going to put you out of house and home like the VHS, Beta and laserdisc formats.

Today, for about $50, you get the whole series at 1080p HD resolution, in one little box, and the special features are very significant. Expressed in constant dollars, you'll be getting a 97.5 percent discount off the 1989 price. Seems worth it to me.

Yep.

 

[Mytran]

I've owned several models (maybe S390 and S790 - can't remember). I currently use an UBP-X800. But, I think all have the same basic features, including turning off notifications when the layer changes or a new title starts.

Thanks to you everyone who's offered advice on this subject
I've popped for a basic Sony model (BDP-S1700) and the description in the manual is the same as the others, so I guess I will find out soon!

 

[Methuselah Flint]

That's quite an interesting "Sony" you've got there!
Unfortunately this model is too wide for the space I have available, but its food for thought, thanks

Oops!!

 

[Phaser Two]

Yes

 

[Qonundrum]

Sorry, but I found Samsung’s quality really took a nosedive about 15 years ago. After 2 set top DVD-Recorders and a Blu-Ray Player only lasted about 1.5 years each (I even had one serviced under warranty and it still died a year after servicing) I left Samsung and went to Sony, and for the past 10 years I’ve been using a Sony PS3 for Blu-Ray and DVD playback and a Sony DVD-Recorder for TV recording. And I bought both between 2009 & 2011.

Yikes. Thank you for sharing that! (I felt image quality was top notch but did not know about the longevity problem.)

But with the TOS Blu-Rays there is one drawback: the Starfleet Access special Feature for “The Galileo Seven” was not ported to the Blu-Ray for some reason, and that remained as a HD-DVD exclusive! As far as I’m aware that bonus has never re-appeared anywhere else.

Possibly a rights issue if not a more general oversight, but sad nonetheless. There's rarely a bad thing as a special feature.

 

[The Lensman]

The original effects are also cleaned up and look better than ever.

Were they? They seemed the same to me, but then it's been....well, probably a decade or more since I've seen the original FX.

Yes. You don't want to be the only person without Trek when the streaming fad finally ends. The internet is going to be going through some major changes in the not to distant future and you need to secure your entertainment as best as you can and that is physical media. Also saying this makes me feel very old for some reason and a need to tell people to buy lifelock even though not even sure what that is. Otherwise listen to what I have said!

You're an old man yelling at clouds now. Next you'll be telling us about your onion belt or something.

Watching TOS on my TV is like going to the movie theater.

When I don't feel like going to the movies, I'll watch one with my VR helmet....the closest you can get to the movies at home.

 

[Doug Otte]

You're an old man yelling at clouds now. Next you'll be telling us about your onion belt or something.

 

[Mytran]

For the record, the Sony model BDP-S1700 does not display that annoying "angle" icon on the screen. Hooray!

Thanks to everyone for the advice

 

[johnnybear]

I'm glad you've found one that is okay, Mytran! We must have our discs play without interruption mustn't we!
JB

 

[MGagen]

I'm waiting for Sony model BDP-S1701...

 

[BillJ]

The lack of a 'Play All' feature on the TOS DVD's/Blu-ray's has always irritated me. Though they finally put the feature on the Roddenberry Vault set.

 

[johnnybear]

I only ever watch one episode at a time so that has never really bothered me to be honest, Billj!
JB

 

[Mytran]

Back in the day I would put a tape in and watch 3 or 4 episodes in a row.

Those days are gone

 

[johnnybear]

I used to do that with my Trek collection back in the eighties! But sometimes I would fall asleep before they ended! I did like to watch Friday's child, Assignment:Earth and Mirror, Mirror together which were all on the same tape from the BBCs 1980 transmission schedule!
JB