Star Trek movies on HD DVD.

[guardian]

I agree with you.

It was broadcast in HD some months ago and actually looks pretty darn good.

Well they can, or could have, but they are NOT.

They are restoring all the movies as they do with ALL major hidef releases.

Because you saw a HD version of a movie on TV & itlooks okay doesn't mean they're just going to dump in onto Blu-ray. The hardware is very expensive, the discs are very expensive and the early adopters want to see prints as near to perfect, as possible.
It'll be 2009, unless we're very lucky, and they'll have their clean-up.

I hate to to break it to you but your wrong.

not ALL movies released in HD/Blu Ray are restored before hand. It takes an incredible expense to do that and not every movie gets that treatment.

If you really knew what you were talking about you would have realized that.

You are so misinformed it's really sad.

True, not all movies are restored for Blu-ray. I'm sure perhaps 'the Jerk' or maybe 'Fletch' were not restored.
But almost all major franchise pictures are being restored for hidef.

But beyond that, it HAS ALREADY been reported on multilple Trek & hidef websites, that the trek movies are already undergoing the process.

you really should get your facts straight before you shoot off your mouth about things you're not up on.

you're not your.

 

[Grant]

How about some facts about the original post.

Trek movies on Hidef formats?

Paramount intially backed both Blu-ray & HD DVD, then switched to HD DVD only.
Now that, HD DVD has died, they are switching back to Blu-ray.
They, so far, have not even announced a single new title in Blu-ray
& since the announcements comes months befroe the releases--they likely won't be releasing anything on Blu-ray until July or August.
Their first priority will be the recent theatrical releases that have missed release in either hidef format.

As for Trek movies,
Yes, they ARE restoring, cleaning and making all new high def transfers. Reported everywhere including here.
They are also coming up with all new extras (in addtion to the old features) for the Blu-ray releases.
So we are looking at late this year or sometime next year.
Also they will likely release them in order--either backwards from Nemesis (or TUC) towards the beginning or Up from TMP to the end.
So TFF (or any other installment) wouldn't be released out of order even if it were in perfect shape.
Marketing-wise they'll likely release the TOS movies in the run-up to Trek 11s theatrical release OR at the time of Trek 11s release on Blu-ray.

Lastly, as was pointed out, the machines are still expensive, the discs are very expensive and the early adopters are very picky. They and the critics pounce on & pound any releases that are in bad shape--especially high profile things like the trek series.
It's almost impossible that Paramount would have dumped them onto Blu-ray without a clean-up anyway & this is now moot as the we know the clean ups are underway. Also the TMP FX will need an upgrade for high def release (I can't concieve they'd not release the preferred Director's Cut on Blu-ray because the FX are not up to snuff--they'll almost certainly upgrade them.)
As for TFF, they also might get twitchy and feel they need to upgrade the FX for this one since it was the only movie with major gripes about the FX at the time of release.

Peace brothers.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

As for TFF, they also might get twitchy and feel they need to upgrade the FX for this one since it was the only movie with major gripes about the FX at the time of release.

AFAIK, Shatner asked for more funding so he could have the effects done *as he originally wanted* when the special edition DVD was released. Paramount refused. So if they did it then, they will probably do it again.

 

[Borjis]

You are so misinformed it's really sad.

True, not all movies are restored for Blu-ray. I'm sure perhaps 'the Jerk' or maybe 'Fletch' were not restored.
But almost all major franchise pictures are being restored for hidef.

But beyond that, it HAS ALREADY been reported on multilple Trek & hidef websites, that the trek movies are already undergoing the process.

you really should get your facts straight before you shoot off your mouth about things you're not up on.

you're not your.

Misinformed?

What the hell are you talking about?

Its a fact that not all movies get full restoration. If a studio can get away with it they won't.

I never said anything about ALLmovies not being restored, thats your assumption.

The trek movies are being restored???

Thanks Captain Obvious I already knew that.

Get my facts straight?

They are not crooked. I'm not disputing that HD movies get restoration.
I'm saying some do some don't. Nothing non-factual about it.

I work in the post production industry for a living and have already authored HD-DVD titles and I'm already upgraded to blu-ray.

Its precisely posts like yours that keep professionals like me from posting in forums.

 

[guardian]

^^There you go again!!!

Of course, not ALL movies put on Blu-ray get a full cleaning.
Anybody who follows Blu-ray knows that.

The ones that don't are: new or newer movies still n good shape, older catalog movies that they figure nobody cares about or the occasional big name movie they are just in a hurry to release to get product on shelves.
The Trek TOS movies are not in those categories.

You claim to be a professional and yet you posted that you saw TFF on HDTV and it did could be released 'as is'
So you stared at it closely enough that you know it has no scratches, no dirt, no tears, no warping & has perfect color correction. wow, impressive.
Too bad Paramount is wasting their time and money to clean it up if your viewing was accurate.

High profile movies that have been released on hi-def with inferior or even 'average' prints have been pounded by the public & critics and fortunately it doesn't happen often.

Your pathetic claims about your job, credentials, skills & knowledge are just sad on an anoymous forum like this.

And other reasons they didn't get the okay for new FX on TFF before, besides they are cheap, might be:
The DE, CE releases had already begun and the would have had to skip TFF or delay the whole release schedule or
they just didn't trush Shatner to know what he was doing. So maybe we'll get lucky.

 

[guardian]

You can release TFF as is.

I agree with you.

It was broadcast in HD some months ago and actually looks pretty darn good.

So, on April 8, you went back & quoted a post from MARCH 5--before they announced that the restorations had begun----and reiterated that it could be released 'as is' even though you knew of the fact that the restorations had begun & were ongoing?? Which of course also means the releases are months away.

Oh please. That's just sad.

His earlier post was made without the knowledge of the current restorations in the hope perhaps of an early hi-def release. But we now know, that they are being restored and we won't get an early release and you quoted it anyway?? That makes no sense at all.

Please now tell me again what an expert you are and how I am ruining it for pros like you that deign to come to these sites & hang with us poor ininformed people. Dazzle me with your expertise.

 

[Grant]

Ironically, this thread was started the day that they announced the clean-up & restoration was happening.

Clearly, the colapse of HD DVD and the push back of the Trek 11 release date made it impossible that they would be coming anytime soon--no matter how any of them look on a given HDTV airing.

I am thrilled they're doing a clean-up of the TOS movies. I was furious at the warped piece of film used during the Genesis Tape scene in TWOK!!
The film actually jumps just like it does when turning by the sprockets in a theater!!!

I've bought them all many times and Blu-ray will be my last purchase of these. We didn't need another knee-jerk quick release and then a 'special edition' a year or so later. hell these are going to cost me $150+ so they damn well better look near perfect for their age.
I"m glad some exec didn't say, 'I saw such & such Trek movie last night on ShowtimeHD & it loks good enough to me--just release it already'

The eyes of Trekdom & Blu-raydom will be watching.

 

[Borjis]

Well, Gaurdian if you'd seen it like I have you'd know TFF looks really good and "COULD" be released as is.

Despite your attack on me and my credentials I speak the truth.
I don't care what you believe, its of no consequence to me.

Paramount already had made the announcement they were restoring them.

I'm not arguing with you. There is/was no point to it.

I make 1 off hand remark in response to anothers joke about releasing TFF as is and you and Grant decide to Jump on my ass about it.

I'm not disagreeing with either of you and I believe it was both of you mis interpreting my post that led to where we are.

So I say peace to each of you and lets all hope Paramount does the movies the justice they all deserve.

 

[Grant]

Yes peace.
We all hope they do an excellent restoration.
Didn't mean to jump up your ass. I really thought you meant they should release it 'as is.' I'm tired of Paramount doing the cheap thing--I want them to do the right thing this time.

 

[Borjis]

Yes peace.
We all hope they do an excellent restoration.
Didn't mean to jump up your ass. I really thought you meant they should release it 'as is.' I'm tired of Paramount doing the cheap thing--I want them to do the right thing this time.

no worries Grant and thank you for the kind response. I apologize for jumping on you about it on my first response. I felt attacked and in need of defense.

I was kidding with that poster that was clearly joking about releasing it as is (inferring its a crap movie that didn't deserve a good transfer) but I did mean it when I said it looks pretty good considering. And like I said, the announcement had already been made that paramount was doing a thorough restoration. I heard about that through Bill Hunt a week before.

The cable airing looks just as good as the "Trading Places" HD-DVD as far as grain structure and cleanliness, but it does have the odd scratch and film rot white specs now and again. Very surprising as I thought it would look a lot worse.

 

[guardian]

Yes peace.
We all hope they do an excellent restoration.
Didn't mean to jump up your ass. I really thought you meant they should release it 'as is.' I'm tired of Paramount doing the cheap thing--I want them to do the right thing this time.

no worries Grant and thank you for the kind response. I apologize for jumping on you about it on my first response. I felt attacked and in need of defense.

I was kidding with that poster that was clearly joking about releasing it as is (inferring its a crap movie that didn't deserve a good transfer) but I did mean it when I said it looks pretty good considering. And like I said, the announcement had already been made that paramount was doing a thorough restoration. I heard about that through Bill Hunt a week before.

The cable airing looks just as good as the "Trading Places" HD-DVD as far as grain structure and cleanliness, but it does have the odd scratch and film rot white specs now and again. Very surprising as I thought it would look a lot worse.

Peace, yes let's have peace!

It's funny but we have now found common ground.

I too, felt the original 'as-is' poster (from March 5) was saying it didn't deserve a clean-up because it was bad. I got annoyed because any Trek movie despite the quality deserves a decent transfer. Then as we went on he claimed he actually liked the movie, which I felt contradicted his intial post. So that got me annoyed right off when you (Borjis) quoted him.

Glad to hear the print you saw is in good shape as that might mean they have some decent prints to work with.

I also, fear Paramount might get lazy or cheap and do 90% restoration--instead of the full deal.
In the recent HD DVD TOS season 1 release, some episodes were cleaned up nearly perfect and others looked as if they got only one pass at a clean-up and for whatever reason they didn't get rid of all the dirt & white specks. I don't know if that was a time problem or money.

But I hope they know we want afull restoration for the movies.

Let's hope future threads like this one will be talking about coming hi-def Trek releases and all the extras.

 

[ScottDS]

A poster on the Home Theater Forum posted some screencaps (which have obviously been compressed) from the Trek films' HD airings, if not in this country then overseas. I think they look pretty good considering they'll look even better on Blu-Ray.

 

[toonloon]

Here is some cheeful speculation about what we COULD get for a TMP Blu-ray.

There is no reason why all the old extras could come over from the previous version. They could re-code them in HD or, as happens a lot on BDs, the extras stay standard def but the film itself is HD.

We know that there are some new extras being prepared, namely a feature on the Star Trek fans who were extras in the movie, but Darren Doctherman et al recorded a commentary for the film which was a download only. That would be a cheap addition for Paramount.

I don't know if you are all familiar with Close Encounters... on BD, but it is a fantastic disc. The film looks superb! Absolutely amazing, but it doesn't look like it has been digitallly cleaned up. You can still see the film grain which is supposed to be there but the image still has great depth and vibrancy. The other fantastic feature is that you have all 3 versions of CE3K on the BD with seemless branching.

It would be fantastic if Paramount/CBS released the original version, the extended home video version and the directors edition, all available with seemless branching.

The only problem is, I have a nasty feeling that Paramount/CBS just don't really care that much about their home video product and that their confidence that there are a lot of us Trek fans who will buy a broken toaster if it has a starfleet insignia on the side will see them give us a couple of new extras and the DVD films, recoded to 1080p. No extra remastering (other than perhaps lossless audio), no extra cleaning or effects, etc...

 

[ScottDS]

I think the best case scenario is as follows:

-The films get cleaned up with special attention being paid to TMP
-The FX in TMP: DE get uprezzed to 1080p
-All of the extras get ported over, as poorly-produced (Star Trek II and III) or insufficient and hollow (TMP) as they might be

The worst case scenario:

-The films don't get cleaned up; Paramount simply recycles the existing transfers complete with dust, dirt, and scratches
-The extras get dropped, (see some of Fox's Blu-Ray DVDs) however to the best of my knowledge 90% or more of Paramount's HD-DVDs and Blu-Rays had most or all of their extras intact
-The FX in TMP: DE don't get uprezzed and we get the Theatrical Version instead

And of course, the dream come true scenario :

-Paramount brings in an independent producer to create a Blade Runner-esque feature-length documentary on the making of TMP (I'm thinking of Charlie Lauzirika or Free Enterprise's Robert Meyer Burnett who's a DVD producer in his own right)
-We get all the trailers and surviving deleted scenes for all the films
-We get a few new commentaries (actors, David Carson for Generations, Frakes for Insurrection)
-We get a few new featurettes (tributes to Jack Sowards, Harold Michelson, Michael Piller, interviews with additional creative personnel, etc.)

 

[Doug Otte]

I'm sure the films all could use some restoration, but there's a bigger reason why a movie you've seen on HDTV is probably not good enough for BD:

HDTV content is at 720p or 1080i. BD is at 1080p (I think some early ones were authored at 1080i, but the backlash was vicious). Unless a transfer was made recently at a high enough resolution, it has to be redone at a higher resolution so that the 1080p BD will look its best.

Doug

 

[ialfan]

I am definitely hoping for a ton of deleted scenes or at least all that exist plus all the current dvd extras and a few new ones. Release Frakes Insurrection commentary for one thing.

 

[Good Will Riker]

I am definitely hoping for a ton of deleted scenes or at least all that exist plus all the current dvd extras and a few new ones. Release Frakes Insurrection commentary for one thing.

I agree.

It's a shame that Jonathan Frakes's First Contact commentary was eviscerated by critics, because I for one quite enjoyed it.

 

[USS Mariner]

I think the best case scenario is as follows:

-The films get cleaned up with special attention being paid to TMP
-The FX in TMP: DE get uprezzed to 1080p
-All of the extras get ported over, as poorly-produced (Star Trek II and III) or insufficient and hollow (TMP) as they might be

The worst case scenario:

-The films don't get cleaned up; Paramount simply recycles the existing transfers complete with dust, dirt, and scratches
-The extras get dropped, (see some of Fox's Blu-Ray DVDs) however to the best of my knowledge 90% or more of Paramount's HD-DVDs and Blu-Rays had most or all of their extras intact
-The FX in TMP: DE don't get uprezzed and we get the Theatrical Version instead

And of course, the dream come true scenario :

-Paramount brings in an independent producer to create a Blade Runner-esque feature-length documentary on the making of TMP (I'm thinking of Charlie Lauzirika or Free Enterprise's Robert Meyer Burnett who's a DVD producer in his own right)
-We get all the trailers and surviving deleted scenes for all the films
-We get a few new commentaries (actors, David Carson for Generations, Frakes for Insurrection)
-We get a few new featurettes (tributes to Jack Sowards, Harold Michelson, Michael Piller, interviews with additional creative personnel, etc.)

Let's add some more (dream scenarios):

-The HD Set will contain an option to switch between all versions of the film. Also, an option will exist to change the DE sound mix with the original.

-They'll interview Andy Probert. If nothing else, he deserves it.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I'm sure the films all could use some restoration, but there's a bigger reason why a movie you've seen on HDTV is probably not good enough for BD:

HDTV content is at 720p or 1080i. BD is at 1080p (I think some early ones were authored at 1080i, but the backlash was vicious). Unless a transfer was made recently at a high enough resolution, it has to be redone at a higher resolution so that the 1080p BD will look its best.

Doug

If your HDTV does a decent job of deinterlacing (and/or you sit less than a dozen or so feet from it), you'll never know the difference between 1080i and 1080p.

 

[USS Mariner]

I'm sure the films all could use some restoration, but there's a bigger reason why a movie you've seen on HDTV is probably not good enough for BD:

HDTV content is at 720p or 1080i. BD is at 1080p (I think some early ones were authored at 1080i, but the backlash was vicious). Unless a transfer was made recently at a high enough resolution, it has to be redone at a higher resolution so that the 1080p BD will look its best.

Doug

If your HDTV does a decent job of deinterlacing (and/or you sit less than a dozen or so feet from it), you'll never know the difference between 1080i and 1080p.

It would be nice to know what you are buying though, and I'm sure the difference will become more pronounced if you are using a projector or have a huge screen, or if you have sensitive eyes.