Set your credit cards to, um, charge. Star Trek is coming to Blu-ray.
Paramount Home Entertainment is releasing the original series and films on Blu-ray just in time for the new film’s release in theaters reports The Hollywood Reporter. Season 1 of Star Trek: The Original Series will be available first on April 28, “with the option for viewers to toggle between the original broadcast versions and the recent remastered versions that include enhanced visual effects,” says THR. You’ll also get special features like looks behind-the-scenes and the original previews for each episode. Just to throw something a little extra your way, Diamond Select Toys will be offering a Sulu action figure along with the set.
On May 12, two separate Blue-ray film sets will be released - “Star Trek Original Motion Picture Collection” and “Star Trek Motion Picture Trilogy.” You may be thinking, what, when was there a trilogy? Well, the second, third and fourth films, The Wrath of Khan, The Search for Spock and The Voyage Home, are all one giant arc. Though, as a fan, I can’t imagine why you would want to own just those three. I know a lot of people didn’t enjoy one, five and six as much but come on. The complete set includes the bonus disc “Star Trek: The Captains’ Summit,” a discussion hosted by Whoopi Goldberg and featuring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes.
I really wonder how many people are going to lay down the cash just to complete their collection. I don’t have a Blu-ray player so at least I’m not tempted but man, do I feel bad for all the Trekkies out there. Don’t forget what Spock says, “You may find that having is not so pleasing a thing as wanting.”
You can also view and discuss this article at my blog, TheNerdyBird.com.
February 18th, 2009 at 5:52 am
Thank you for sharing this with us
I am very disappointed with this whole DVD issue right now
Here is a brief summary of my thoughts below
1-in the 1990s, you buy Star Trek on Video
2-in 2000, you buy Star Trek on DVD
3-in 2009 you buy Star Trek on Blue Ray
The word BUY as in spending all our money on the same product, its too much for me to bear, I am not going to invest my money in this anymore.
If anyone wants to read on further, thanks for reading
From 1997-2001 I bought a lot of videotapes, way too many, I am embarrassed to admit how much I spent on them
Then from 2002-2007, I bought alot of DVD’s
I have this cabinet, where the TV is, which is filled with DVDs and Videos all layed out in order
Then in Jan 2008 I finally got Cable TV,
So, between the Web and Cable, I have not bought one mainstream DVD since Christmas 2007. I just dont have time to watch, and I even have a picture in picture TV so I can watch Cable and a DVD at the same time.
Another issue for me is re-releases and Blue Ray.
I think these guys are constantly re-releasing DVDs that I bought with even more features to get more money of us. I own Elektra and Sin City on DVD, and shortly after I bought them they came out with a re-release that I wish I had bought instead
Plus, now we have this Blue Ray issue
Its too much
The only video I will purchase is some sort of special DVD such as the Fan Film, Confessions of a Teenage Supergirl,
Something that you would never find on Cable or mainstream TV
Who can afford to plunk down all this cash, even during good times
Anthony
February 18th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I feel your pain Anthony. I’m starting to agree with something my friend just said, that he’s just going to wait to buy the interactive version once we’ve got holodeck technology.
When buying regular DVD’s I tend to spend carefully. If a new release looks too bare bones I’ll wait assuming another, better version will be released.
Another thing is, changing from VHS to DVD was a no brainer, it was absolutely better technology. But DVD to Blu-ray, while the image is superior, doesn’t seem like there’s that great of an incentive to do so.
February 18th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I still buy DVDs. The quality difference between DVDs and Blu-ray isnt’ worth $15 per movie to me.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I spent a fortune on VHS now I dont watch any of them. I’ve rebought some on DVD but unless it’s a special film or show dont plan on getting it on blu ray (unless I Dont have it already)
I dont mind rereleases but they dont need to always add new content that makes the latest version the best one. Oh well. Heh I have a blu ray player and havent even watched a blu ray film yet (and I have 5) v.v Too busy with WoW.
Mind you I never really got Trek on VHS or DVD, and would like to own it myself but meh. My wallet is not infinite, especially these days
February 18th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
I’m actually going through the whole what do I do with my Disney Classics VHS right now.. I gave them to a friend who owns a VCR and a 3 year old, which seemed like the best thing to do.
February 18th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Blu-ray vs. DVD is a tricky situation, for sure. Since there’s a blu-ray player in the PS3, I’m tempted to buy blu-ray a lot more often. It does look gorgeous and it comes with all the special features you’d find in two-disc DVD editions (and more, oftentimes), so if you’re going to buy a special edition DVD you might as well bump up to blu-ray if you can swing it.
I don’t own many blu-ray movies—I’ve only bought two so far, but two others we got for X-mas. The blu-rays I bought, though, are movies I love: TDK and Iron Man. So that’s totally justified imo.
I won’t spend the extra money, though, unless I know it’ll be worth it. Ie., if I’ve seen the movie before and loved it, or if I want it for sheer geek purposes and know it’ll rock for said geekness (COUGH Black Freighter COUGH).
February 18th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Yeah, my nieces are now in possession of all my old Disney VHS.
I don’t blame you for TDK Steph. If I had a player I’d be tempted to buy Lost on blu-ray. I saw it playing in a store once and it was so gorgeous. I guess I could just get a Hawaii tourism ad on blu-ray….
February 19th, 2009 at 1:03 am
Speed Racer on BR, best movie ever made.
February 19th, 2009 at 5:44 am
Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts
Jill and Mandy have the right idea with the old VHS tapes.
Donate them to someone in the family or perhaps some charity that would both appreciate them and use them.
At this point my own plan is to not invest in a Blu-Ray player
And to not buy any more DVDs except for independent fan films
I feel lucky that the cabinent with all my DVDs is closed so I don’t have to see how much money I invested in DVDs and Videos that I no longer have time to watch.
This was a great item to write about
Thanks for sharing everyone!
Anthony
February 20th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I buy used DVD’s from Hollywood video or alike. I can’t ever get myself to spend more than $10 for a movie unless it is A)Comic book related B)Video Game Related or C)Harry Potter. Those I buy new. I have a PS3 but no desire to buy Blu-Ray because it’s not worth my money yet. In the end, the graphic quality doesn’t matter that much to me. DVD is high enough quality.
Any price point for the Star Trek sets? Wrath of Khan was always my favorite.
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:30 am
Exactly Meg. No, no prices for the new sets yet.
I was always partial to The Voyage Home. In fact, I love any ST dealing with time travel to the past.