Which episodes looks best on Blu-Ray

[Procutus]

I know that there's been at least one thread on the TOS BDs, so if this particular issue has already been covered, I apologize in advance.

We're currently watching the TOS films on Blu-Ray from the library and they look terrific, which leads me to the question above. Which of the original eps seems to fare best from the high-definition treatment? I'm considering buying Season 1 at some point, but I'd like to get a bit of input from those who have had a chance to watch some of the series on Blu-Ray. What are the pluses, and what are some of the drawbacks (if any).

Thanks in advance.

 

[BillJ]

The Cage
Where No Man Has Gone Before
The Corbomite Maneuver
The Doomsday Machine
Amok Time

Every episode looks pristine... though the redone effects vary.

 

[Procutus]

^


Many thanks. I might first see if our library system acquires the BDs before splurging and buying a set, but it's good to know it's worth the viewing.

 

[Kelso]

I've not seen the show on bluray, but I would expect "The Doomsday Machine" and "Where No Man Has Gone Before" to look particularly nice.

 

[MANT!]

Why not add..
From the First Season
The Menagerie and Court Martial
From the Second Season
Journey to Babel and The Ultimate Computer
From the 3rd season..
The Enterprise Incident

 

[Doug Otte]

On any format, Where No Man Has Gone Before has always looked best. It's because it had the highest production values. The Cage might perhaps have looked exceptional as well, but the surviving elements from which they had to reconstruct it were of varying quality.

Doug

 

[amasnic]

Adding to my netflix queue!

 

[LOKAI of CHERON]

There's no doubt TOS on BD is a vastly superior experience to all previous home video editions across all episodes. With that in mind, some episodes display more "HD pop" than others - even from scene to scene. Overall, season three is the most consistent. I wouldn't hesitate recommending the box-sets with a ringing endorsement as a "blind buy" to anyone who adores TOS.

 

[Kamdan]

I've noticed that the original effects version of The Cage on Blu-ray has the opening shots of the Enterprise in black and white. What happened there? It was in color on the standard DVD. I'm considering to get the entire series on Laserdisc, because they are the way I remember them, especially the audio.

 

[BillJ]

There are multiple versions of The Cage. The first one to make it to air had been pieced together from elements of both the color and black & white print. At the time there wasn't thought to be a complete color print as the original had been cut up and used for the flashbacks in The Menagerie.

The full color version and the remastered version should also be on the same disc.

 

[Kamdan]

It was the full color version. The titles have the blue backgrounds, but the footage behind it, up until we zoom into the bridge, is in black and white.

 

[BillJ]

The colors are very muted, but I do pick up hints of red and yellow. Perhaps it's just do to the age of the film?

To be honest... I never really noticed this until you pointed it out.

 

[Kamdan]

Yeah, it's bugged the Hell outta me ever since I first saw it. I'm glad I didn't sell my DVD editions.

 

[BillJ]

Yeah, it's bugged the Hell outta me ever since I first saw it. I'm glad I didn't sell my DVD editions.

Five seconds of special effects from a never aired (well for 22 years) pilot won't make me give up my Blu-ray sets. I absolutely love the picture and sound quality.

 

[Ssosmcin]

On any format, Where No Man Has Gone Before has always looked best. It's because it had the highest production values. The Cage might perhaps have looked exceptional as well, but the surviving elements from which they had to reconstruct it were of varying quality.

I was watching it last night, it's one of the few episodes where the original effects stand up to Hi Def for the most part, because they were mostly freshly shot without all that layering and use. The Enterprise shots, the planet, the matte paintings look incredible.

The colors are very muted, but I do pick up hints of red and yellow. Perhaps it's just do to the age of the film?

Actually, I noticed it as well, it looked black and white to me as well and was wondering why. It's not as distracting as the cheesy CGI crewman stepping into the elevator with CGI wall panels for that shot only in the new effects version.

Five seconds of special effects from a never aired (well for 22 years) pilot won't make me give up my Blu-ray sets. I absolutely love the picture and sound quality.

Every time Trek comes out on video, something is changed. So I still have the run in every format. The wife tolerates it…

 

[LOKAI of CHERON]

Five seconds of special effects from a never aired (well for 22 years) pilot won't make me give up my Blu-ray sets. I absolutely love the picture and sound quality.

+1

Every time Trek comes out on video, something is changed. So I still have the run in every format. The wife tolerates it…

+1

 

[Procutus]

Every time Trek comes out on video, something is changed. So I still have the run in every format. The wife tolerates it…

Lucky you!

Thanks for all the comments; at this point, I'm sold that the quality is worth getting my hands on one season or another of the BDs. The only eps I have on DVD for comparison are the two-volume 'The Best of Star Trek' disks, with four eps each. Comparing the two should be fun.

 

[Destructor]

I think The Galileo Seven worked better, but because the FX were good, but because they aided in telling the story. I did watch The Doomsday Machine this weekend, and enjoyed the improved space battles.