Looks like DS9 will not get Blu Ray

[Firebird]

And seeing as how Blu-ray is nearly dead, when CBS does remaster DS9 and Voyager in 1080p, I wouldn't be surprise that they discontinue the production of bonus features, or only commission 1 bonus feature.

That's pretty noticeable already. When DVD started, bonus features were just that - to entice to viewer to upgrade from VHS, or decide to watch something again. In DVD's heyday, the special features were practically a selling point in themselves. I've got discs where I've never even watched the main feature.

Now studios seem to have realised that VAM is a waste of money for them - people don't watch behind the scenes documentaries on Netflix or iTunes, and they aren't available. It obviously isn't hurting download sales. Even blu-rays don't seem to have as many extras as DVD had five or ten years ago - the STID blu-ray was a good example.

Well, DVD inherited special features from the laserdisc format. For years before DVD even came on the scene, optical disc formats very often utilized special features as an added bonus. The Criterion Collection was the first home video distributor to do this, and it wasn't to "entice the viewer to upgrade," it was to provide a "film school in a box" for the consumer.

There's plenty of blurays that are packed with special features - Jaws was stocked to the gills, all of Ridley Scott's movies get gigantic packages of features, and Criterion still loads their releases whenever possible. It depends on how "big" the release is.

 

[BillJ]

I think I've become an HD snob where Star Trek is concerned. I use to watch TOS and TNG through the interference on stations as far away as Louisville, Ky.

Now? It's HD or it's get the fuck out. Can't remember the last time I dusted off my DS9, VOY or ENT DVD's.

Me too. I have even been considering getting the DVDs out of my cabinet by passing them down to my son. I'm not in a rush to do that because I've had them so long, but I don't really see me watching them again.

My daughter already has my TOS and TNG DVD's. I figure it is only a matter of time before I give her the rest. Those shows are available on various streaming services if I ever get the itch to watch them again.

 

[USS KG5]

Now? It's HD or it's get the fuck out. Can't remember the last time I dusted off my DS9, VOY or ENT DVD's.

I actually got ENT on Blu Ray, god it has dated badly even compared to TNG.

 

[The Laughing Vulcan]

Personally, I'd be glad to see the back of the BBC if it were to happen. It's been nothing more than a socialist propaganda machine for the Labour party for decades, which is exactly why the Conservatives want to slash its funding. The BBC has made a rod for its own back, and it had this coming.

Because it was the Conservative party in power who ripped the BBC a new one when the whole David Kelly Iraq WMD thing happened.

All political parties in power hate the BBC as the BBC are supposed to be impartial. They don't complain so much when they're in opposition, except Nigel Farage.

 

[dub]

for those of us in the UK and who have SyFy, a complete DS9 rerun starts in HD next Monday at 6pm.

Apparently, DS9 will be airing again in Italy soon as well:

http://tbivision.com/news/2015/07/sony-signs-italian-cbs-deal/464551/

 

[Kinggodzillak]

On a non political note, for those of us in the UK and who have SyFy, a complete DS9 rerun starts next Monday at 6pm.

Worth keeping in mind that SyFy heavily cut seasons 1-3 for violence, usually anything blade-related (their re-edited version of the teaser to The Collaborator is really something to see) and they've occasionally shown episodes in the wrong order (the finale smack in the middle of season seven) or accidentally shown episodes of a different program entirely.

 

[Admiral Bear]

On a non political note, for those of us in the UK and who have SyFy, a complete DS9 rerun starts next Monday at 6pm.

Worth keeping in mind that SyFy heavily cut seasons 1-3 for violence, usually anything blade-related (their re-edited version of the teaser to The Collaborator is really something to see) and they've occasionally shown episodes in the wrong order (the finale smack in the middle of season seven) or accidentally shown episodes of a different program entirely.

But they're still the only UK channel to have ever shown To the Death uncut, an episode you can't even buy uncut in the UK.

 

[Relayer1]

What about Sons and Daughters which was also cut ?

 

[Tomalak]

What about Sons and Daughters which was also cut ?

It's uncut on the DVD. To The Death isn't, because the BBFC really hates neck breaks!

 

[Phantom]

^See, I don't get that. On air, OK...you never know when really little kids might be watching, but on DVD/Blu Ray?

I don't know how it is in the US, but a lot of places will "card" you for any DVD/Blu not rated for kids/family viewing. Shouldn't that be enough protection?

 

[tomswift2002]

And seeing as how Blu-ray is nearly dead, when CBS does remaster DS9 and Voyager in 1080p, I wouldn't be surprise that they discontinue the production of bonus features, or only commission 1 bonus feature.

That's pretty noticeable already. When DVD started, bonus features were just that - to entice to viewer to upgrade from VHS, or decide to watch something again. In DVD's heyday, the special features were practically a selling point in themselves. I've got discs where I've never even watched the main feature.

Now studios seem to have realised that VAM is a waste of money for them - people don't watch behind the scenes documentaries on Netflix or iTunes, and they aren't available. It obviously isn't hurting download sales. Even blu-rays don't seem to have as many extras as DVD had five or ten years ago - the STID blu-ray was a good example.

Don't forget that Special Features have been around since the Laserdisc era, and it seems like today's market is very similar to the 70's, 80's and 90's market where you had the videophiles buying Laserdiscs for the higher quality picture and audio, while the average consumer stuck to VHS, and even smaller production companies, or productions with limited release stuck to VHS, even though it was inferior to Laserdisc, just like streaming/download HD, broadcast HD and DVD are inferior to Blu-Ray.


Today I downloaded the 480p SD version of TNG's Datalore, as I knew that wil that episode, and even it's sequel Silicon Avatar I would be able to tell whether it was the Remastered version or the 1988 version that CBS was offering on iTunes Canada (and this wasn't a case where I paid for the HD version and watched it through composite cables in SD; I downloaded specifically the SD version). The 480p version currently on iTunes Canada of Datalore is the 2012 Remastered version, and from what I saw of Silicon Avatar, that is also the 2013 Remaster. So it seems pretty clear that CBS has deleted the original SD versions from iTunes, and most likely all other internet places, and has replaced the episodes with the 2012-2014 Remasters.

Phantom, here in Canada I've been asked to show I.D. for buying DVD's of Alf and DuckTales, because the computer thought they were for 18 year-olds and up only!

 

[Tomalak]

^See, I don't get that. On air, OK...you never know when really little kids might be watching, but on DVD/Blu Ray?

I don't know how it is in the US, but a lot of places will "card" you for any DVD/Blu not rated for kids/family viewing. Shouldn't that be enough protection?

Well, they could have passed it uncut, but it would have had an 18 certificate. Obviously Paramount Home Entertainment UK (as was) decided to just cut the neck break to get a lower certificate.

 

[toughlittleship]

What about Sons and Daughters which was also cut ?

It's uncut on the DVD. To The Death isn't, because the BBFC really hates neck breaks!

Is Weyoun's death in "Strange Bedfellows" cut out as well?

 

[Johnny Rico]

Man,I don't know what y'all are talking about when it comes to the supposed demise of Blu-ray, because I'm a member of Blu-ray.com and I'm constantly surprised on how many old (1930s-1950s) movies are coming out on Blu-ray. If these era films come out in the format, how big of an audience demand do you think they have? So if DS9 and VOY don't get an HD-remastered BD treatment, it's your own damn fault for using these inferior streaming services. The problem still to this day after 9 years into the format that there aren't enough videophiles to care about PQ and AQ. My poor cousin is one such person. He could probably still watch VHS if he wanted to because he said all he really cares about is the story. And he's said so much before in that people just don't care about PQ. And there's the folks who still only watch TV with TV speakers. Therefore I'd argue that physical media may die from apathy rather than by streaming services.

Now then...about the BBC...I just don't get why you all prefer it to be run by government funds and so forth. Ummm, we call that government-paid propaganda here in the States. State-run media? Ever hear of Hitler? The Middle East? Communist state-run media? The BBC should be privatized and be funded by advertising. That's how capitalism works see...if the programming is good, it will be supported by corporate advertising based on ratings. Government-run media keeps on sucking tax payer money even if it totally sucks ass. Screw that. That's why here in the States Republicans want to defund NPR and PBS. In the age of satellite TV, if you can't stay on the air thru advertising dollars, then you go buh-bye. It's called C-O-M-P-E-T-I-T-I-O-N.

 

[USS KG5]

Man,I don't know what y'all are talking about when it comes to the supposed demise of Blu-ray, because I'm a member of Blu-ray.com and I'm constantly surprised on how many old (1930s-1950s) movies are coming out on Blu-ray. If these era films come out in the format, how big of an audience demand do you think they have?

An audience at this point primarily of film buffs or videophiles, who are typically willing to pay top dollar for a film on physical media for a film that they "should" own.

I don't think anyone is arguing Blu is immediately going anywhere as a niche product, but it has little future as a mainstream one. In the UK for example according to this month's empire DVD still outsells Blu 7 to 1.

Therefore I'd argue that physical media may die from apathy rather than by streaming services.

If you mean "ultimately most people care more about an extra five quid than high definition" or "people like the convenience and low cost of Netflix etc. over the tiny boost in quality for blu ray" - then yes.

You talk like people are obliged to like Blu, they aren't and by and large they don't. As you have said yourself its called competition.

Now then...about the BBC...I just don't get why you all prefer it to be run by government funds and so forth. Ummm, we call that government-paid propaganda here in the States. State-run media? Ever hear of Hitler? The Middle East? Communist state-run media? The BBC should be privatized and be funded by advertising. That's how capitalism works see...if the programming is good, it will be supported by corporate advertising based on ratings. Government-run media keeps on sucking tax payer money even if it totally sucks ass. Screw that. That's why here in the States Republicans want to defund NPR and PBS. In the age of satellite TV, if you can't stay on the air thru advertising dollars, then you go buh-bye. It's called C-O-M-P-E-T-I-T-I-O-N.

Yeah, you see the thing is, not everyone thinks that. Plus you already lost your argument before you even started so bonus internetz dude

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law

 

[MacLeod]

Man,I don't know what y'all are talking about when it comes to the supposed demise of Blu-ray, because I'm a member of Blu-ray.com and I'm constantly surprised on how many old (1930s-1950s) movies are coming out on Blu-ray. If these era films come out in the format, how big of an audience demand do you think they have? So if DS9 and VOY don't get an HD-remastered BD treatment, it's your own damn fault for using these inferior streaming services. The problem still to this day after 9 years into the format that there aren't enough videophiles to care about PQ and AQ. My poor cousin is one such person. He could probably still watch VHS if he wanted to because he said all he really cares about is the story. And he's said so much before in that people just don't care about PQ. And there's the folks who still only watch TV with TV speakers. Therefore I'd argue that physical media may die from apathy rather than by streaming services.

Now then...about the BBC...I just don't get why you all prefer it to be run by government funds and so forth. Ummm, we call that government-paid propaganda here in the States. State-run media? Ever hear of Hitler? The Middle East? Communist state-run media? The BBC should be privatized and be funded by advertising. That's how capitalism works see...if the programming is good, it will be supported by corporate advertising based on ratings. Government-run media keeps on sucking tax payer money even if it totally sucks ass. Screw that. That's why here in the States Republicans want to defund NPR and PBS. In the age of satellite TV, if you can't stay on the air thru advertising dollars, then you go buh-bye. It's called C-O-M-P-E-T-I-T-I-O-N.

Well the BBC isn't run by the Government or Government funds. It's funded by the citizens who pay the License fee.


And for around 40p per day you get

BBC1
BBC2
BBC3
BBC4
CBBC
CBeebies
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 5
Several Digital Radio Stations
A host of local radio stations
BBC Parliamnet
BBC News
BBC Website(s)
BBC Alba

Some €would say that's value for money, others would argue that the License fee should be scrapped.

And I suspect there aren't many people who don't use at least one of those services in the UK.

 

[The Laughing Vulcan]

Man,I don't know what y'all are talking about when it comes to the supposed demise of Blu-ray, because I'm a member of Blu-ray.com and I'm constantly surprised on how many old (1930s-1950s) movies are coming out on Blu-ray. If these era films come out in the format, how big of an audience demand do you think they have? So if DS9 and VOY don't get an HD-remastered BD treatment, it's your own damn fault for using these inferior streaming services. The problem still to this day after 9 years into the format that there aren't enough videophiles to care about PQ and AQ. My poor cousin is one such person. He could probably still watch VHS if he wanted to because he said all he really cares about is the story. And he's said so much before in that people just don't care about PQ. And there's the folks who still only watch TV with TV speakers. Therefore I'd argue that physical media may die from apathy rather than by streaming services.

Now then...about the BBC...I just don't get why you all prefer it to be run by government funds and so forth. Ummm, we call that government-paid propaganda here in the States. State-run media? Ever hear of Hitler? The Middle East? Communist state-run media? The BBC should be privatized and be funded by advertising. That's how capitalism works see...if the programming is good, it will be supported by corporate advertising based on ratings. Government-run media keeps on sucking tax payer money even if it totally sucks ass. Screw that. That's why here in the States Republicans want to defund NPR and PBS. In the age of satellite TV, if you can't stay on the air thru advertising dollars, then you go buh-bye. It's called C-O-M-P-E-T-I-T-I-O-N.

Are you a capitalist or aren't you? If market forces say that Blu-ray should die as a format, you should be the first one out there unloading a shotgun into its twitching corpse.

But if aspects of a thing are worthy of preservation and promotion despite 'popular' opinion, you should be praising the virtues of public service broadcsting.

 

[BillJ]

Man,I don't know what y'all are talking about when it comes to the supposed demise of Blu-ray, because I'm a member of Blu-ray.com and I'm constantly surprised on how many old (1930s-1950s) movies are coming out on Blu-ray. If these era films come out in the format, how big of an audience demand do you think they have? So if DS9 and VOY don't get an HD-remastered BD treatment, it's your own damn fault for using these inferior streaming services. The problem still to this day after 9 years into the format that there aren't enough videophiles to care about PQ and AQ. My poor cousin is one such person. He could probably still watch VHS if he wanted to because he said all he really cares about is the story. And he's said so much before in that people just don't care about PQ. And there's the folks who still only watch TV with TV speakers. Therefore I'd argue that physical media may die from apathy rather than by streaming services.

Now then...about the BBC...I just don't get why you all prefer it to be run by government funds and so forth. Ummm, we call that government-paid propaganda here in the States. State-run media? Ever hear of Hitler? The Middle East? Communist state-run media? The BBC should be privatized and be funded by advertising. That's how capitalism works see...if the programming is good, it will be supported by corporate advertising based on ratings. Government-run media keeps on sucking tax payer money even if it totally sucks ass. Screw that. That's why here in the States Republicans want to defund NPR and PBS. In the age of satellite TV, if you can't stay on the air thru advertising dollars, then you go buh-bye. It's called C-O-M-P-E-T-I-T-I-O-N.

Are you a capitalist or aren't you? If market forces say that Blu-ray should die as a format, you should be the first one out there unloading a shotgun into its twitching corpse.

But if aspects of a thing are worthy of preservation and promotion despite 'popular' opinion, you should be praising the virtues of public service broadcsting.

A BIG +1.

 

[Vyse]

Man,I don't know what y'all are talking about when it comes to the supposed demise of Blu-ray, because I'm a member of Blu-ray.com and I'm constantly surprised on how many old (1930s-1950s) movies are coming out on Blu-ray. If these era films come out in the format, how big of an audience demand do you think they have? So if DS9 and VOY don't get an HD-remastered BD treatment, it's your own damn fault for using these inferior streaming services. The problem still to this day after 9 years into the format that there aren't enough videophiles to care about PQ and AQ. My poor cousin is one such person. He could probably still watch VHS if he wanted to because he said all he really cares about is the story. And he's said so much before in that people just don't care about PQ. And there's the folks who still only watch TV with TV speakers. Therefore I'd argue that physical media may die from apathy rather than by streaming services.

Keep in mind that there is a lot less work to do when converting a 2 hour or so movie to HD. DS9 is a 7 season, 176 episode show. That is a ton more work to do than just one movie.

 

[Johnny Rico]

Well the BBC isn't run by the Government or Government funds. It's funded by the citizens who pay the License fee.

License Fee? Translation? Taxes. So every UK citizen is forced to pay this License Fee *ahem* tax to support a broadcast company whether they use it or not? That's not freedom...that's called force.