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Remastered Star Trek: the Next Generation Blu-ray a Huge Leap Forward

MojoKid writes "There's been no new Star Trek TV series since Enterprise limped off screens in 2005, but the huge success of the 2009 Star Trek movie and the gradual growth of Blu-ray has caught CBS' attention (CBS acquired ownership of the Star Trek franchise in 2006). The broadcast company is preparing to release Star Trek: The Next Generation on Blu-ray with substantial improvements (article contains comparison image shots). The DVD boxed sets that exist today were created from the taped broadcasts that were shown in the early 90s. Rather than repackaging that material, CBS has gone back to the original film stock and started from scratch. The difference is enormous. CBS has released a preview Blu-ray titled Star Trek: The Next Generation — The Next Level with three updated episodes; the show's pilot (Encounter at Farpoint), Sins of the Father and The Inner Light."

352 of 470 comments (clear)

  1. FUCK YES by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    might have to get a blu ray player for this

    1. Re:FUCK YES by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 5, Funny

      might have to get a blu ray player for this

      Going where no DVD has gone before?

    2. Re:FUCK YES by danomac · · Score: 1

      Sheldon certainly would be happy enough to buy a BD player to watch it.

    3. Re:FUCK YES by sconeu · · Score: 4, Funny

      Except that it has Wil Wheaton in it.

      --
      General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
    4. Re:FUCK YES by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 3, Funny

      Family Guy TNG episode:

      Wil Wheaton: [Still at the drive-thru] I want a hamburger, I want a cheeseburger, I want a hot dog-...
      Patrick Stewart: [Patrick slams his head against the window] You'll get nothing and like it!

    5. Re:FUCK YES by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 1

      might have to get a blu ray player for this

      This is Star Trek: The Next Generation, you'll need the red ray player.

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
    6. Re:FUCK YES by AZURERAZOR · · Score: 2

      Make that because it has Wil Wheaton in it!

    7. Re:FUCK YES by queequeg1 · · Score: 1

      Dude, if you get the red ray player, it's gonna die on you before the first episode is done.

    8. Re:FUCK YES by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      i have one of those and several HDDVD disks. It's far superior to the dumb BluRay.
      got them cheap too!

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    9. Re:FUCK YES by SwedishChef · · Score: 1

      I bought one for our motor home... $58 at Costco!!!

      --
      No one ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke!
    10. Re:FUCK YES by Dutch+Gun · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Make that because it has Wil Wheaton in it!

      Wil's character may have been annoying during the show, but he's a pretty cool guy. I can probably tolerate Wesley a bit better the second time around with that perspective.

      --
      Irony: Agile development has too much intertia to be abandoned now.
    11. Re:FUCK YES by Proudrooster · · Score: 1

      Sony might have done better if they would have launched the Blu Ray with this. TNG ended in 1994 and the Blu Ray launched in 2006 only about a decade too late. I agree it is finally time to get a Blu-Ray player and burner. Does anyone know if you have encode Blu-Ray content onto standard DVDs in Adobe Premiere and play make a short Blu-Ray on a DVD? The Blu-Ray media is obnoxiously expensive, but with a HD camera, it would be nice to pump out 1080 home movies.

    12. Re:FUCK YES by mmortal03 · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I might have to get a PS3 and HDTV for this...

    13. Re:FUCK YES by j2.718ff · · Score: 1

      Except that it has Wil Wheaton in it.

      Read his reviews - they're great! In some cases, better than the episode they're reviewing.
      http://www.aoltv.com/bloggers/wil-wheaton/

    14. Re:FUCK YES by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 1

      Here's an idea: try watching something new.

      Or read a book?

      After-all, that's why you don't own a TV and haven't the foggiest clue what 'CG' means, right?

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    15. Re:FUCK YES by cyachallenge · · Score: 2

      Are you kidding me? He was the Jar Jar Binks of Star Trek .

    16. Re:FUCK YES by CanEHdian · · Score: 3, Informative

      Except that it has Wil Wheaton in it.

      Be glad! The Enterprise "D" wouldn't have survived past the first half of season one, if it wasn't for Wesley!

      --
      When the copyright term is "forever minus a day", live every day like it's the last.
    17. Re:FUCK YES by datavirtue · · Score: 2

      I'm still waiting for Magnum PI in HD. How long am I going to have to wait!?

      --
      I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
    18. Re:FUCK YES by Dr_Barnowl · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It is a little buggy (Linux after all)

      Nice troll. I put it to you that Sony avoided anything with a copyleft license* like the plague when they wrote their BluRay player software, which accounts for it's bugginess since they had to implement so much from scratch. Linux is just the kernel - anything on top that plays media is Sony's product.

      * The kernel is GPL2 but GPL permits you to link code that ordinarily comes with your operating system without creating a derivative work.

    19. Re:FUCK YES by WillerZ · · Score: 1

      Don't know about Premiere but I do this all the time with FCP X/Compressor. I understand not all players will play them, but my PS3 does.

      --
      I guess today is a passable day to die.
    20. Re:FUCK YES by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I got the original Sony Blu-Ray player (BDP-S300) from a yard sale for $10. It had no remote, but I bought a cheap universal that does, and eventually I'll build a LIRC output and be able to program all the codes into my Sony learning remote, not just most of them. Coax out into my receiver and HDMI to the TV.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    21. Re:FUCK YES by MrNemesis · · Score: 1

      Any denizen of slashdot worth their salt should be able to turn their blu ray into a red ray just by reversing the polarity and re-routing the power for the laser array through the optical matrix.

      --
      Moderation Total: -1 Troll, +3 Goat
    22. Re:FUCK YES by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      Dude, that's like comparing him to Hitler... A Wesley episode was like stepping in dog shit at worst.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    23. Re:FUCK YES by bigrockpeltr · · Score: 1

      They only let him in at Star Trek conventions if he helps set up!
      where are my mod points today :(

      --
      $ unzip, strip, touch, finger, grep, mount, fsck, more, yes,fsck,fsck,fsck,umount, sleep
    24. Re:FUCK YES by hairyfeet · · Score: 1

      Anybody know how good the BD rippers are? What has kept me away is it seems like it was 'Works one week, doesn't the next" and since i do much of my video watching on my netbook when i'm stuck somewhere the last thing I'd want is to be stuck with something I have to carry around discs for or have an internet connection so some crappy DRM can phone home. The drives themselves are only $60 but its not worth it if I have to constantly hoop jump just for the privilege of giving them my money.

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
    25. Re:FUCK YES by leromarinvit · · Score: 1

      I think I'll just use the replicator^Wpirate bay.

      --
      Proud member of the Ferengi Socialist Party.
    26. Re:FUCK YES by mcgrew · · Score: 1

      I got a nice Sony Blueray player off amazon for $78. It has netflix, hulu, and all that crap and a USB port on the front.

      And comes with XCP and on its next upgrade they take away netflix and hulu, and then store your credit card number in an unencrypted, internet-facing database. What kind of fool would buy a Sony after all the underhanded shit they've pulled on their paying customers in the last ten years?

    27. Re:FUCK YES by jdavidb · · Score: 2

      Personally, I found Wesley inspiring at the time. I was a little younger than him, awkward around my peers, gifted enough to be disconcerting to both my peers and to adults, and was glad to see someone portrayed on TV I could identify with, someone who encouraged me that some day in the future there would be a time when I would be valued for my intellect and talents, and that until then while things might be awkward for me, I could be optimistic and work on advancing at my own pace in subjects that interested me. Seriously, Wesley was a hero to me at what could have been quite a depressing time in my life, and I hope CleverNickName logs in here today and sees this comment, because I've always appreciated him and would like him to know that his performance inspired me.

    28. Re:FUCK YES by arazor · · Score: 1

      With a lower bit rate it is possible to encode 720p and 1080p on DVD media. 25gb BD-R are about the same price as DVD+R DL so they aren't that expensive.

      If you still want to use DVD media lookup AVCHD & BD-9.

    29. Re:FUCK YES by jez9999 · · Score: 1

      No way. Some of us like the original effects. I don't want TNG to look like fucking Enterprise. I'm keeping my DVD collection, thank you very much.

    30. Re:FUCK YES by ncc74656 · · Score: 1

      Anybody know how good the BD rippers are?

      MakeMKV is pretty good, and a Linux version is kept up-to-date along with the WIndows and Mac OS X versions. It doesn't shrink video, just dumps it into a Matroska file as-is...if you want to shrink it, feed the output to HandBrake and reencode it however you like.

      --
      20 January 2017: the End of an Error.
    31. Re:FUCK YES by hairyfeet · · Score: 1

      Does handbrake support DivX, especially DivX 5? Both my mom's DVD and my dad's media tank seem to play DivX 5 the best and with the way mom scratches discs and dad loses them they have both learned tis better to hand them to me and just have me convert for them. That way i can keep the discs all safe and neatly organized in the closet and when mom scratches the burnt DVD (which she will) I can just whip out the backup DivX file and reburn it to a DVD.

      This is why all my customers have stuck with DVD no matter how big a set they have, once you have family you get really fucking tired of buying the same damned disc multiple times so a cheap DivX DVD player or media tank like the Nbox is a Godsend. As soon as the HDDs drop again I'll just buy mom an Nbox and 1Tb HDD and then I won't have to keep reburning the damned things but even then DivX 5 still for the moment seems to be the universal format, it plays anywhere on anything.

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
    32. Re:FUCK YES by AZURERAZOR · · Score: 1

      I was not a big Wesley fan on the show, but I love his blog... and it makes me smile when I see the little fella on reruns.

    33. Re:FUCK YES by Reece400 · · Score: 1

      I bought a rather expensive Samsung one which was super buggy, and after 6 months the drive couldn't read discs any more... I managed to get store credit for it which I used towards a sony bluray player and aside from MKV playback over wifi being choppy when the resolution is above 640x480 (and the really nice feature the Samsung had where you could type in the specific minute/second in the movie you wanted to go to rather than fastforwarding/rewinding), it really is better in every way in my opinion.

  2. Don't Buy It! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Riker shot first!

    1. Re:Don't Buy It! by snowgirl · · Score: 1

      Riker shot first!

      Lieutenant Riker, or Commander Riker?

      I know, same person at one point, but now it actually matters...

      --
      WARNING! This girl exceeds the MAXIMUM SAFE standards established by the FDA for BRATTINESS
    2. Re:Don't Buy It! by dissy · · Score: 1

      Riker shot first!

      Lieutenant Riker, or Commander Riker?
      I know, same person at one point, but now it actually matters...

      It was Commander Riker who shot first, but he blamed it on Lieutenant Riker who was taken away and put to death by electric chair (It was warp core powered. You can imagine the pain and mess that made!)

      So everyone thinks Commander Riker is innocent, but oh yes, he will strike again.

      Next time, it's Spot!!!

    3. Re:Don't Buy It! by modmans2ndcoming · · Score: 1

      You should have said "Thomas or Will?"

    4. Re:Don't Buy It! by snowgirl · · Score: 1

      You should have said "Thomas or Will?"

      I knew Command Riker was "Will", but I thought Lieutenant Riker was "Tim", which I guess is short for "Thomas"... but basically, I would have, but I was too lazy to check that I would be right... I know, barely a moment on Wikipedia even, but seriously, there's an incredibly amount of lazy up in here...

      --
      WARNING! This girl exceeds the MAXIMUM SAFE standards established by the FDA for BRATTINESS
    5. Re:Don't Buy It! by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 5, Funny

      Riker shot first!

      Oh, come on! It was self defense! Captain Picard clearly said "Fire at Will!"

      I'll concede, though, that Commander Data is way too literal.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    6. Re:Don't Buy It! by noh8rz2 · · Score: 1

      NOPE!!!!! Tim is short for Timothy. Tom is short for Thomas. **mind blown**

    7. Re:Don't Buy It! by snowgirl · · Score: 1

      NOPE!!!!! Tim is short for Timothy. Tom is short for Thomas. **mind blown**

      See? It's a good thing I didn't post it, otherwise I would have totally screwed it up.

      Of course, I just later posted it anyways, showing how dumb I was, but showing how smart I was to know how dumb I was, which was kind of dumb.

      --
      WARNING! This girl exceeds the MAXIMUM SAFE standards established by the FDA for BRATTINESS
    8. Re:Don't Buy It! by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · · Score: 1

      I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I figured Lucas was involved the moment I heard there were five lights.

      --
      If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
    9. Re:Don't Buy It! by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      Ever notice how as soon as he grew that beard women just threw themselves at him. He gives them this slightly surprised look and from then on they are helpless...

      His character was supposed to be really popular and easy to get along with, but at the same time loved to shout all the time and was a bit of a hard ass on everyone under him. Why do women (in space) always fall for the douchbag?

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  3. Close but no cigar for the moment... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    TNG meh, only a few episodes are salvageable for modern viewing.
    Now how about putting ST : DSN on blu-ray ? :-)

    1. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by Jeremy+Erwin · · Score: 4, Funny

      Voyager: These are the voyages of the Flying Toilet Seat.

    2. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by badboy_tw2002 · · Score: 5, Informative

      I recently went back to them on netflix. There's a ton of them when you look at all 7 seasons together, so you have to be selective. Just make sure:

      a) Riker has a beard
      b) Zipper is in the back
      c) Polaski, anyone named Crusher, and maybe Jordy isn't the major focus of the episode. (Its ok if its Crusher & Picard, Jordy & Data, etc).
      d) Watch anything with Lor
      e) Watch anything with Borgs
      f) Watch anything with time travel/time loops/etc
      g) Holodeck episodes are trouble. Is it the old west? Skip. 1800s you can probably keep. Riker playing in a jazz club? Fast forward just a bit.
      h) Q episodes generally can't miss.
      i) Picards are a must, but not if it involves him trying to awkwardly woo someone. Stay away: Kirk for the ladies, Picard for solving issues without a double fisted hammer blow to the back. (Exception: The episode Q takes him to his past, see rule h. There he does wooing and double fisted hammer blows, but you also get to see one of the most ridiculously obvious stunt double scenes ever)

      In general season 1-2 25% watchable, 3 50%, 4-7 90%.

    3. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by chebucto · · Score: 4, Funny

      Voyager: These are the voyages of the Flying Toilet Seat.

      Its swirling mission: to explore strange new soils, to seek out new clogs and new encrustations, to boldly flush what no one has flushed before!

      --
      The English word fart is one of the oldest words in the English vocabulary.
    4. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by ArcherB · · Score: 2

      I just want to see what's "updated" about Inner Light. That was by far the best ST episode.

      --
      There is no "I disagree" mod for a reason. Flamebait, Troll, and Overrated are not substitutes.
    5. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by sortius_nod · · Score: 1

      I concur, having watched all 7 seasons recently back to back (I get a bit of free time while working from home).

      I must say, though, that the GP is talking out of his or her arse with regard to B5. There's some great acting (true, some of the lesser actors couldn't act their way out of a paper bag), and the story is quite involved until season 5 when Sheridan becomes "president". Again, I watched the series back to back just last week while working.

      If you want to talk bad Sci-Fi, look no further than the 2009 Star Trek film & Enterprise. Both are just as bad at throwing Gene Roddenberry's utopian future out the window in favour of fear. DS9 does the same, but at least they stole decent stories (and character names) from B5: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Deep_Space_Nine#Deep_Space_Nine_and_Babylon_5

    6. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by LocalH · · Score: 4, Funny

      "Jordy"? "Lor"?

      Turn in your Trek card now, good sir. You are no Trekkie.

      --
      FC Closer
    7. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by EvanED · · Score: 1

      I have to agree that the show is kind of "meh" at this point but the first season was pretty good.

      What bizarro TNG are you watching? The one I know sucked during the first season, and got excellent for 4-6. :-)

    8. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by badboy_tw2002 · · Score: 4, Funny

      My strict adherence to canon only allows me to write character names as I hear them.

    9. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by MightyMartian · · Score: 1

      DS9 wasn't exactly the greatest iteration of ST, but Voyager was a steaming shit abortion that's only merit was that it wasn't Enterprise.

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    10. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by MightyMartian · · Score: 2

      I'm glad I'm not the only one that thought the reboot was just fucking awful. Not only were the special effects awful but I vote for Eric Bana to be the worst ST villain ever. Even the fat dude from Trouble With Tribbles beat Bana's villain hands down. And it was just shocking to see Nimoy, who looked more like animated corpse, gibbering on with some of the worst technobabble ever seen in a ST script.

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    11. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by RyuuzakiTetsuya · · Score: 4, Funny

      No Deep Space Nine on Blu Ray. Last thing they need Ipis for the resolution to be good enough to tell that ...

      IT'S A FAAAAAAKE

      --
      Non impediti ratione cogitationus.
    12. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by FrootLoops · · Score: 2

      My guide to the six Star Trek series is below. If you've ever wanted to watch a few episodes of a series and stop there, pick some from the relevant "best of show" list. They're all independent episodes that require essentially no back story, unless otherwise noted. The NxM numbers indicate season and episode.

      The Original Series (TOS): quality varied wildly. Season 2 was the best; season 3 was largely weird.
      * Best of show: 1x28 The City on the Edge of Forever; 2x05 Amok Time; 2x10 Mirror Mirror; 1x08 Balance of Terror.
      * Worst of show: 3x06 Spock's Brain.

      The Animated Series (TAS): terrible for adults; decent for kids (or maybe nostalgia if you saw it as a kid). One real season.
      * Best of show: 1x02 Yesteryear.
      * Worst of show: 1x05 More Tribbles, More Troubles.
      * Most surreal moment in all of Star Trek: Midway through 1x04 The Lorelei Signal, Scotty sings Welsh ballads while the Enterprise slowly orbits. The scene drags on for 37 seconds.

      The Next Generation (TNG): season 1 is terrible. 2 and 3 are hit-and-miss. 4-7 are quite good, with 6 and 7 being almost universally good.
      * Best of show: 5x25 The Inner Light; 2x16 Q Who?; 3x26 The Best of Both Worlds; 6x15 Tapestry; 3x15 Yesterday's Enterprise. The series finale, 7x25 All Good Things..., is also quite good and has no "spoilers".
      * Worst of show: 2x22 Shades of Grey (clip show); 2x12 The Royale; Wesley's part in 1x03 The Naked Now (also Wesley's most annoying part period).

      Deep Space 9 (DS9): season 1 is terrible with the notable exception of Duet. 2 is a marked improvement (for instance, Siddig learns to act). 3 and 4 are sometimes hit-and-miss. Seasons 5-7 are excellent if you like space opera.
      * Best of show: 1x19 Duet; 5x06 Trials and Tribble-ations (excellent if you've seen the TOS episode!); 4x03 The Visitor; 4x08 Little Green Men--these are each essentially independent episodes. 6x19 In The Pale Moonlight, 6x06 Sacrifice of Angels, and the series finale 7x25 What You Leave Behind are all excellent as well, but they're part of the Dominion War story arc and should really be watched starting from, say, 4x26 Broken Link.
      * Worst of show: 5x07 Let He Who Is Without Sin....

      Voyager (VOY): seasons 1 and 2 are terrible. Again it slowly amps up until 6 and 7 are pretty universally good. Lots of good 2-parters. Fun fact: Captain Janeway dies on camera

    13. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · · Score: 1

      But... But... Voyager was the only series that didn't have any alternate universe episodes!

      Oh, that's what you meant.

      --
      If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
    14. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by MrNemesis · · Score: 1
      --
      Moderation Total: -1 Troll, +3 Goat
    15. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      How much work would re-doing all the effects be these days? Maybe the original digital models and animation files are still around.

      Early DS9 stuff used CRT displays, then right in the middle Star Fleet upgraded to LCD :-) Later episodes did look pretty good, even by today's standards. The difference isn't nearly as huge as early B5 episodes and the later ones though.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    16. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      I tried to watch it but my retinas burned out in the first ten minutes. It was like some kind of Stazi interrogation with a desk lamp pointed at your face.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    17. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by RyuuzakiTetsuya · · Score: 1

      And we go to Senator Vreenak for a response...

      "Whoosh".

      Thanks, Senator.

      --
      Non impediti ratione cogitationus.
    18. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      That's one of the four episodes on the preview disc. It's less than $20 and it's out now.

    19. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by ObiWanKenblowme · · Score: 1

      Voyager was, by far, the worst. I can go back and watch Enterprise again. Even enjoy a good many of them. But Voyager is just...just awful.

      --
      Obvious exits are NORTH, SOUTH, and DENNIS.
    20. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by ObiWanKenblowme · · Score: 1

      You and I clearly have differing opinions on what constitutes "great acting" if you think there was any of it in Babylon 5.

      --
      Obvious exits are NORTH, SOUTH, and DENNIS.
    21. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by Rich0 · · Score: 1

      Hmm, I'll have to maybe watch the later seasons of DS9 and Voyager. I had abandoned both after the first season or two. At the time TNG was at its apex, and the new shows really seemed to be going nowhere great. My sense of DS9 at the time was that it was a soap-opera about life in the marketplace section of a space station, and I forget most of my Voyager impressions but I think I stuck with that one even less. Maybe I didn't have the same issues with Enterprise since I didn't have TNG to compare it to any longer.

      Looking back the earlier TNG episodes were pretty mixed. It's all relative I suppose...

    22. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by mrchaotica · · Score: 1

      Why should we listen to you? You can't even get half the characters' names right!

      --

      "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

    23. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by BigRaj510 · · Score: 1

      Well played.

    24. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by badboy_tw2002 · · Score: 1

      Look at it this way - you're either with me or with Q in the beard department. I "misspelled" a few names (which I already explained: http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2698135&cid=39193079), but I did not put humanity on trial.

      I don't think you have a choice.

    25. Re:Close but no cigar for the moment... by FrootLoops · · Score: 1

      If you see only one episode of DS9, I suggest watching the TOS Tribble episode followed immediately by DS9 Trials and Tribble-ations. You can add ENT Affliction and Divergence afterwards to explain Worf's comment in Trials. I love that four episode "arc".

  4. Great by vivek7006 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now we can all enjoy counsellor Deanna Troi's tits in HD!!

    1. Re:Great by modmans2ndcoming · · Score: 5, Funny

      maybe there was some Camel Toe going on there too and we just couldn't tell on the shitty resolution.

    2. Re:Great by Sperbels · · Score: 2

      Damn it. Now I'm going to have to buy them.

    3. Re:Great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I like her....very much indeed.
      Nothing wrong with the doctor. In fact, I think she is hotter than Deanna.

    4. Re:Great by colinrichardday · · Score: 1

      I believe most male heterosexual slashdotters will take that chance!

    5. Re:Great by martin-boundary · · Score: 2

      Oh, shut up, Wesley!

    6. Re:Great by AK+Marc · · Score: 1

      better than Polaski...

    7. Re:Great by gmuslera · · Score: 1

      Then wait till they do the blu-ray version of ST:Voyager, starting from the 5th season.

    8. Re:Great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      maybe there was some Camel Toe going on there too and we just couldn't tell on the shitty resolution.

      not if you got up close, like I did.

    9. Re:Great by trparky · · Score: 1

      Oh yeah, the Borg with the chest that could double as a life preserver in case of a water landing.

    10. Re:Great by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      If nerds haven't checked over every pixel of every frame of Troi using brightness and contrast adjustments, at minimum, then I'll eat your hat.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    11. Re:Great by arisvega · · Score: 1

      From TFA:

      Sadly, Paramount hasn't re-scored the pieces the remove some of the incredibly cheesy audio or asked Marina Sirtis to re-dub a few of her lines to sound a bit less like an overwrought heroine from Victorian erotica

      What do they mean by "sadly"?

      --
      The three laws of thermodynamics:(1) You can't win. (2) You can't break even. (3) You can't even quit.
    12. Re:Great by yabos · · Score: 1

      No thanks, she's hideous. Never got why people thought she was attractive. Same with Tasha Yar for that matter.
      Now Janeway, huba huba(kidding!)

  5. Yeah... So... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    3 'remastered' episodes of a 20 year old tv show... Big fucking deal.

    Look i liked star trek. It was entertaining. But the special effects and visuals were never the draw there..

    And hollywood wonders why they have trouble selling shit anymore... They haven't done anything new or orginal for two decades.

    1. Re:Yeah... So... by vivek7006 · · Score: 3, Informative

      3 'remastered' episodes of a 20 year old tv show... Big fucking deal.

      Look i liked star trek. It was entertaining. But the special effects and visuals were never the draw there..

      And hollywood wonders why they have trouble selling shit anymore... They haven't done anything new or orginal for two decades.

      In all fairness, they are remastering all the episodes. Those 3 episodes are just for providing a preview of what to expect

    2. Re:Yeah... So... by EvanED · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The three episodes are a teaser; they're remastering the whole series. Season 1 in full is supposed to be released later this year, I think.

      And while the visuals aren't the draw of the show, the DVD version really doesn't look very good a lot of places. I'm not even much of a video snob most of the time, and that was something I was a bit disappointed in years ago.

      Assuming that they maintain the quality of the demo footage, I'm definitely looking forward to the Blu-Rays. I may or may not get the series as a whole, but there's a very good chance I'll pick up at least a couple seasons. 3-6? 4-6? We'll see. I'll want to check out a couple discs before I buy them first though.

    3. Re:Yeah... So... by hey! · · Score: 1

      It is a bunch of funny dressed people in a room talking stupid shit, and they sound like the characters from Ivan Yefremov's Communist future sci-fi.

      In other words, what is there *not* to love?

      --
      Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
  6. Yawn by schnikies79 · · Score: 2

    They have milked that franchise for too long. Try something new, for once.

    --
    Gone!
    1. Re:Yawn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      This: They have milked that franchise for too long. Try something new, for once.

      Should have been in reply to this: Now we can all enjoy counsellor Deanna Troi's tits in HD!!

    2. Re:Yawn by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      They are, they are making prequels. back when the Vulcans had floppy ears and had a racial slur stereotype southern drawl.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    3. Re:Yawn by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      It needs someone good to come along and take it in a new direction. Not the new movie direction, somewhere genuinely different but in the same spirit. I'd cite Stargate Universe as a prime example, but I seem to be in a minority with that opinion.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    4. Re:Yawn by RivenAleem · · Score: 1

      Enterprise was the SGU new direction, making it more visceral, often-times just trying to survive out in the big bad universe. Voyager would have been good if it wasn't so badly acted and cliche'd.

      It really wouldn't be hard for them to simply start a new X-year voyage of discovery, with good writers and actors. If you can get your hands on a few of the original cast, Wil Wheaton is clearly still active and I'd hope he would like a chance to 'fix' the character of Wesley, to grow him up. Considering the path the character was on there's no reason why he couldn't be a good first officer.

      What they need to do is find the writers of Babylon 5 and tell them we wan't one of them there 5 year over-arcing plot lines involving time-travel, Q continuum and a healthy dose of borg and bingo, you got a new series.

      The worst thing they can do it another Voyager plot, where the objective is so obvious (get home) but be one so tenuous that you can draw it out as long as the TV station keeps paying. Front the production money for 5 seasons right from the start, so that if TV company cancels (because they seem to be ccancelling all sorts of good things recently) so that the remainder can be made straight to DVD, or for online purchase. If 10 Million fans each paid only 30 dollars for the DVD box set you have 300 million right there, before the TV stations buy it or your website sells advertising.

  7. Substantial improvements? by dbIII · · Score: 4, Funny

    Did they cut out the first two seasons? That's that easiest way to make a substantial improvement.

    1. Re:Substantial improvements? by SomePgmr · · Score: 2

      Harsh, but true.

    2. Re:Substantial improvements? by l0ungeb0y · · Score: 5, Funny

      What? And leave out the bit where Data gets to use his anatomical completeness on a homosexual-looking Chief of Security who wants to get back in touch with her feminine side while infected with the tequila-virus from space?

    3. Re:Substantial improvements? by EvanED · · Score: 1

      Now now, it's really only season 1 that's pretty irredeemable. Season 2 had a few good episodes. "Measure of a Man" and "Q Who" are both actually really good; I also like "The Emissary" and "Peak Performance".

    4. Re:Substantial improvements? by JoeMerchant · · Score: 1

      Did they cut out the first two seasons? That's that easiest way to make a substantial improvement.

      You know you have the hots for Wesley and are just afraid you can't control yourself.... /jest

    5. Re:Substantial improvements? by TrekkieGod · · Score: 4, Funny

      Now now, it's really only season 1 that's pretty irredeemable.

      Irredeemable? No. Season 1 has Datalore, and despite introducing the ridiculous "Data can't^W cannot use contractions" thing, it also has both Picard and Beverly telling Wesley to shut up.

      Redemption.

      --

      Warning: Opinions known to be heavily biased.

    6. Re:Substantial improvements? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I actually liked Dr Pulaski. Yes the character was a bit abrasive but more interesting than Dr Crusher. And she had on screen chemistry with holodeck Professor Moriarty.
      A big pity they took her out of the show, for me she was the female alter ego to Captain Picard. Dr Crusher was never a strong-willed character that could hold her own against Picard.

    7. Re:Substantial improvements? by chebucto · · Score: 1

      I was always a fan of Home Soil; to my eyes, it was a pretty solid sci-fi story.

      --
      The English word fart is one of the oldest words in the English vocabulary.
    8. Re:Substantial improvements? by TrekkieGod · · Score: 2

      I was always a fan of Home Soil; to my eyes, it was a pretty solid sci-fi story.

      Home Soil wasn't bad. It does have a classic sci-fi feel, especially when you work in a term such as "ugly bags of mostly water."

      To be honest, story-wise season one had two or three good episodes. Unfortunately what you end up remembering the most are things like "Code of Honor." Also, even in the good episodes, the characters feel wrong because the actors and the writers hadn't quite figured them out yet.

      --

      Warning: Opinions known to be heavily biased.

    9. Re:Substantial improvements? by hal2814 · · Score: 2

      A lot of season one stories were rewrites from the jettisoned Star Trek: Phase II. They had the characters figured out. However, the characters they wrote for weren't the ones used.

    10. Re:Substantial improvements? by TrekkieGod · · Score: 1

      A lot of season one stories were rewrites from the jettisoned Star Trek: Phase II. They had the characters figured out. However, the characters they wrote for weren't the ones used.

      Actually, most of the Phase II episodes that got rehashed were later season ones. Here's the list.

      You're right that they were definitely trying to channel TOS in the first season of TNG, though. It took them a while to realize they should be their own show.

      --

      Warning: Opinions known to be heavily biased.

    11. Re:Substantial improvements? by EvanED · · Score: 1

      So I said it's pretty irredeemable a bit in jest... I still own it on DVD despite full knowledge of the quality of the episodes.

      Datalore is an okayish episode... to be honest, I don't really like it. I think the main redeeming factor of it is that it introduces Lore for future episodes. :-)

      Home Soil though, I actually consider pretty good. I didn't recognize it by name when I was looking through the titles, or I actually probably would have mentioned it in my earlier post. Encounter at Farpoint is also easily worth watching for the introduction of the series but also to set up "All Good Things" (which I, at least, actually really like a lot) for the end, even though "Farpoint" was only middle-of-the-road on its own.

      There are also quite a few individual moments that I like (probably some as guilty pleasures). "The Battle" had the Picard maneuver and Data's response to it. "Arsenal of Freedom" had Geordi commanding the Enterprise for a bit (and I'm a sucker for saucer separation). "Skin of Evil" has one of my favorite quotes about death ever ("death is that state in which one exists only in the memory of others, which is why it is not an end"). I like the evacuation sequence in "11001001".

      But in the end, if you ask me, Season 1 was on the whole just flat-out bad. It's the only season that doesn't contain at least an episode or two of my top, say, 20 episodes, unless you count "Farpoint" for its place in the whole series. (Unless I missed one, this guide puts the highest-rated season 1 episode, "Conspiracy", at #59.) And there are several episodes which at least I think are really, really terrible. You mention "Code of Honor", but for better or worse, I absolutely despise "Where No One Has Gone Before" -- I consider that as the worst TNG episode. (Looking around the internet I may be alone in that judgement...)

      (Finally, I should add a disclaimer that while I consider myself to know TNG pretty well, I pretty much only know TNG, and the TOS movies. I've only seen a few other episodes. One day...)

    12. Re:Substantial improvements? by willaien · · Score: 1

      Didn't season 1 give us Q, though?

      Encounter at fairpoint was decent.

    13. Re:Substantial improvements? by EvanED · · Score: 1

      Oh man, I can't stand Farpoint. Not only did the thing have no plot, but they managed to extend the lack of plot into a 1.5 hour episode.

      It's like the first movie!

      But if you don't enjoy hearing Picard say, "Shut up, Wesley!" only to hear his own mother say it in another minute...well, turn in your Trekkie card.

      Yeah... that is pretty good. Didn't actually know what episode that was in though. It's been a while since I've seen most of the series.

      Hah...and they actually bring The Traveler back for two more episodes.

      And I actually like "Remember Me" quite a bit -- pretty much except for the Traveler. :-)

      That said, as far as the worst episode of TNG goes, "Shades of Gray", hands down. Get a bunch of the crappiest episodes in TNG, combine clips from them, and transform it into a brand new episode!

      To me, "Shades of Gray" is merely bad and dumb; I found "Where No One Has Gone Before" actively offensive. At least, that's my memory of both of them from, oh, say 8 years ago when I was getting into TNG. I don't think I've re-watched either.

      Don't bother with Voyager. Definitely force yourself through the first 3 seasons of DS9 so you can get to the good stuff.

      That's sort of the general impression I had. I watched a few episodes of DS9 but between being pressed for time and not being overly impressed (and having been borrowing the DVDs) I didn't get very far.

      As for TOS, I do want to give it a go some day. "City on the Edge of Forever", for instance, definitely makes me feel guilty for having not seen. And I can put up with a fair bit of cheesiness... it's not like TNG doesn't have that in spades. :-)

    14. Re:Substantial improvements? by mjwx · · Score: 1

      Now now, it's really only season 1 that's pretty irredeemable.

      Irredeemable? No. Season 1 has Datalore, and despite introducing the ridiculous "Data can't^W cannot use contractions" thing, it also has both Picard and Beverly telling Wesley to shut up.

      Redemption.

      Also, Conspiracy and Skin of Evil.

      Conspiracy has to be amongst the top 5 of TNG eps.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    15. Re:Substantial improvements? by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 1

      I remember seeing Home Soil when I was a kid. It gave me chills when they said the laser stopped firing as soon as he stopped screaming.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    16. Re:Substantial improvements? by dbIII · · Score: 1

      There was nothing wrong with Wesley. That character just made it very clear that some of the writers really sucked, didn't know what to do with him but didn't leave the character alone either. Perhaps I should say commitee of writers that sucked over-ruled at times to make things even worse by producers on drugs.

    17. Re:Substantial improvements? by Kymermosst · · Score: 1

      Hopefully they just cut Wesley Crusher out of the show. :-)

      Hi Wil!

      --
      "Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives" should be a convenience store, not a government agency.
    18. Re:Substantial improvements? by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      That's always going to be the way with buying TV science fiction TV series. Star Trek, not really that good but, there's not much else out there to buy instead, so you buy it anyhow as background to play when your actually interacting with the computer.

      Now you could point out the few better science fiction series better than Star Trek, catch is already own them, so meh, fill out the library anyhow. As for rebuying the same content, for a higher resolution not necessarily better content (poor facial expressions, excess makeup, sets, SFX, bad plastic surgery, who can forget troy turning into an amphibian, now don't tell the writers weren't taking the piss out of her trout pout).

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    19. Re:Substantial improvements? by EvanED · · Score: 1

      I don't care about higher-res much; I'm more interested in the fact that the color saturation in the DVDs isn't particularly good. (It's bad enough that I noticed it pretty much unprompted when I got them.)

    20. Re:Substantial improvements? by jheath314 · · Score: 1

      Shoot... this discussion had me thinking about the few season 1 episodes which I really liked, and "Where No One Has Gone Before" was actually my favorite. I'll give you a moment to stop laughing and wipe off your screen...

      I loved that episode because it captured a sense of wonder, the excitement of getting to explore the universe in an amazing ship. The crew of the Enterprise were explorers, pushing to the boundaries of the universe and of human experience. The episode hinted at the limitless possibilities just waiting to be discovered once humanity progresses far enough.

      It was that sense of wonder and possibility that makes me love seasons 1 and 2, in spite of the poor acting and hit-and-miss writing. The crew reflected the same excitement I felt as a small child thinking about how cool it would be to travel between the stars, to explore, to push the limits. The later seasons had better acting and better writing, but they lost some of that sparkle.

      --
      Procrastination Man strikes again!
    21. Re:Substantial improvements? by EvanED · · Score: 1

      You're not the only one to think so, actually; I saw a couple others who agree. And I don't entirely disagree with where you're coming from either.

      But I always felt that it didn't jibe well with what I thought of as TNG. (Another disclaimer: I saw most of the series on reruns on TV, and not particularly in order, so I saw later seasons before going back to the first.) At least when they solved the episode's problem with some transporter magic, you can at least imagine different fictional mechanisms that would have achieved that goal. What I didn't like about the traveler episodes is that what was basically happening was actually magic.

      And while there's nothing inherently wrong with that ("use the force!"), and even though TNG is pretty far towards the "soft" end of the sci-fi scale, it was still an episode that, to me, felt extremely out of place. And I think that's why I hated it so.

    22. Re:Substantial improvements? by identity0 · · Score: 1

      I had forgotten about Tasha Yar, and for a second I pictured Data getting it on with Worf "getting in touch with her feminine side"...

      Need mind bleach. Now. Anyone got some Romulan ale?

    23. Re:Substantial improvements? by TrekkieGod · · Score: 1

      I watched a few episodes of DS9 but between being pressed for time and not being overly impressed (and having been borrowing the DVDs) I didn't get very far.

      I know what you mean. When DS9 was airing, I tried watching it and quit a few episodes in when I got to this episode.

      Years later I had friends tell me how good DS9 was, and forced myself through it. Once Worf shows up in season 4 it becomes a good show (not because of Worf, although his character actually is better in DS9 than in TNG).

      --

      Warning: Opinions known to be heavily biased.

  8. Bit late? by Crookdotter · · Score: 1

    But good. I've got the BR and it is good. The effects truly were amazing for the time, and now really! Worried about the cost per ep for something I've seen a million times, but really, if you like TNG at all, this is the way to see them.

    Great joy and gratitude!

    1. Re:Bit late? by JoeMerchant · · Score: 1

      But good. I've got the BR and it is good. The effects truly were amazing for the time, and now really! Worried about the cost per ep for something I've seen a million times, but really, if you like TNG at all, this is the way to see them.

      Great joy and gratitude!

      My attention span has been shortening across the decades, I can almost enjoy a rerun as much listening to it on Netflix watch it now, occasionally glancing at the screen, as I can sitting infront of it like some lame vegetable that doesn't remember seeing this all before...

    2. Re:Bit late? by drinkypoo · · Score: 2

      The effects are truly ghastly now, and the best way to watch them is as cheaply as possible. I personally am set up to watch VHS, still, so that if I happen across something amusing at a yard sale I can watch it. I got a $130 Sony VCR for $30 as an open box at Fry's about a decade ago, and it's still providing me with low-cost entertainment.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  9. Hmm by Lillesvin · · Score: 1

    I'm currently watching the remastered version of TOS, and while it's pretty, it sort of detracts from the old-school feel that the original TOS had --- yes, "the original The Original Series". I don't mind them adjusting the colors a little, but adding and altering effects is too much in my book.

    --
    "Live free or don't."
    1. Re:Hmm by GreatDrok · · Score: 2

      The remastered TOS Blu ray has the new SFX but you can also switch to original effects and sound if you just want the best quality old school feel. I like the new FX because I think it improves the shots and you don't just keep getting the same stock footage but e fact tha the original version is there but in 1080p makes this the he's set to have. I hope they can do the same with the Next Gen release but I suspect because it was all edited on film they're limited to going back to the film and reediting and recompositing so you won't be able to have the original versions in HD, but SD would be good enough for purists.

      --
      "I have the attention span of a strobe lit goldfish, please get to the point quickly!"
    2. Re:Hmm by Crookdotter · · Score: 1

      Get the BR set, you can watch the remastered or original as aired. Nice to have the choice, but the set is pricey.

    3. Re:Hmm by C0R1D4N · · Score: 1

      I will happily accept new sfx to make it easier to introduce to newer "generations". If only they coulda redone the awful fight scenes too.

    4. Re:Hmm by pavon · · Score: 1

      AFAIK, the remastered TNG doesn't have any new special effects. Rather, the original filming and special effects were done on film and a ton of detail was lost in the conversion to 480i television. These new blueray disks just show what was already there in better detail, but the effects are still true to the era in which they were created, and consistent through-out the show so they don't look out of place.

    5. Re:Hmm by pavon · · Score: 1

      Crap, I should have RTFA first. Another article I read a couple months ago didn't have any new CG in it, but they apparently did add in new stuff.

    6. Re:Hmm by geekoid · · Score: 1

      I disagree. I think it made it look wonderful without detracting from the story. I love it.
      And I say this as someone who saw TOS when it came out.

      Not that it lends any credence to an argument, just pointing out that I'm not some kid who is looking at the series with eyes that are only use to fantastic filming and color.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    7. Re:Hmm by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 1

      I rather like the remastered episodes that I've seen on broadcast television. At a minimum, it reduces some of the uglier special effects shots. At best, it gives you some interesting views. I rather liked what they did with "The Doomsday Machine." That said, I was sorry that they didn't do more with "The Ultimate Computer" (though maybe the scenes got cut)...

    8. Re:Hmm by Lillesvin · · Score: 1

      Hehe, I was actually a bit disappointed about the Doomsday Machine. I liked the lo-tech papier mache one from the original.

      --
      "Live free or don't."
    9. Re:Hmm by Lillesvin · · Score: 2

      I like the awful fight scenes and over-dramatic acting. It simply wouldn't be TOS without them. But then again, I also prefer the original Planet of the Apes, love Bela Lugosi and think that the sci-fi genre was at its top from the early 50s to the late 60s (When Worlds Collide, Forbidden Planet, The Day The Earth Stood Still, War of the Worlds, Star Trek: TOS, etc.)

      --
      "Live free or don't."
    10. Re:Hmm by Lillesvin · · Score: 1

      Nice! I wasn't aware of that. Maybe it's time to invest in a BluRay player.

      --
      "Live free or don't."
  10. what a difference! by v1 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    From the article, open them in different tabs and switch between. Wow. I always wondered why the DVD image quality and colors sucked so badly, that explains it nicely.

    DVD

    BluRay

    The bluray shot makes the DVD image look like a photo after it's been ran through the wash.

    --
    I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
    1. Re:what a difference! by medv4380 · · Score: 1

      Improved image quality is one thing. I'd rather see it in wide screen, but that's probably not possible even if you go back to the original source footage.

    2. Re:what a difference! by MobyDisk · · Score: 1, Troll

      I love how HotHardware went out of their way to use Javascript to prevent you from opening them in pop-up windows. You have to click the image, then copy the URL, then open a tab, then paste the URL. Did they not think that comparing screen shots might be something the reader wants to do??? It would also be a bit easier without 3 flash ads on every single picture. Thank God for flashblock. That is not a site I will be visiting often.

    3. Re:what a difference! by Jeremy+Erwin · · Score: 1

      Put your TV in stretch mode. The actors will look like linebackers (and will have more realistic body images as a result), but at least your TV won't be wasting space on black bars.

    4. Re:what a difference! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      But the only thing blu-ray really gives you is the aspect ratio...

      ...and a higher resolution, significantly reduced compression artefacts, you can avoid the change in pitch associated with the PAL conversion process...

    5. Re:what a difference! by FSWKU · · Score: 2

      I love how HotHardware went out of their way to use Javascript to prevent you from opening them in pop-up windows. You have to click the image, then copy the URL, then open a tab, then paste the URL. Did they not think that comparing screen shots might be something the reader wants to do??? It would also be a bit easier without 3 flash ads on every single picture. Thank God for flashblock. That is not a site I will be visiting often.

      Open image 1, drag to tab bar, open image 2, drag to tab bar, done...

      --
      "So after all this, you make my case for me. To end this stalemate, you must die..."
    6. Re:what a difference! by ebinrock · · Score: 1

      I'm afraid not, unless you want to cut off some people's heads in the process. (Although, that wouldn't be so bad for Picard, as it would cut off his baldness!) No, seriously though, the series was filmed in traditional 4x3, before widescreen television came about.

    7. Re:what a difference! by mfnickster · · Score: 2

      Also, why did they post the "remastered" screen shot in such low resolution? Will this really be no better than 728 x 541?

      What's the point of showing the "HD" version without HD? Unless it's really just SD with a higher bitrate...

      --
      "Slow down, Cowboy! It has been 3 years, 7 months and 26 days since you last successfully posted a comment."
    8. Re:what a difference! by Randle_Revar · · Score: 1

      Worked for me. Maybe the NoScript?

    9. Re:what a difference! by 1u3hr · · Score: 2

      And then when you do get to the images, they're lousy 60 kB JPEGs. How are you supposed to judge image quality from that? You click on the button that looks like "next" to see the comparison image, you get taken to a fuckng ad site.

    10. Re:what a difference! by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      Well if they hadn't been such greedy shit heads the DVD version could have looked a whole lot better. Reason it looked so bad, quick dirty cheap transfer, the suckers will buy it anyhow. Congratulations for the high resolution one, nah, more like a big FU for the crappy DVD one.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    11. Re:what a difference! by alannon · · Score: 1

      Do you forget that DVD also has DRM? It's functionally equivalent to the one for Blue-Ray: it took a while to crack, and now is essentially completely toothless.

    12. Re:what a difference! by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      Looks like they cropped out the top and bottom of the picture then :-(

      In this day and age is it beyond the wit of man to allow the viewer to switch between widescreen and bordered modes? Crappy over-the-air digital TV can do it.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    13. Re:what a difference! by v1 · · Score: 1

      Well if they hadn't been such greedy shit heads the DVD version could have looked a whole lot better

      Well that's just good business there in the movie and video industry. If you sell them good quality to start with, they won't need to buy it again. Sell crap, then sell good quality, then sell director/special/ultimate edition releases. 1.1x the expense for 3x the return.

      --
      I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
    14. Re:what a difference! by omnichad · · Score: 1

      They did it for Seinfeld. It works for most shots, but a few feel too close-cropped. I've been watching the series in HD on late-night TV for a few months now.

  11. Question by McGruber · · Score: 2

    How well does Marina Sirtis hold up in the remastered version?

    1. Re:Question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Hopefully as perky as ever.

      (a humorous side note: the captcha for this post is "sinful")

    2. Re:Question by Brett+Buck · · Score: 1

      Better than real life!

    3. Re:Question by colinrichardday · · Score: 1

      Hold up what?

  12. torrents by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Why would you have to buy a dumb DRM-laden playback device with your hard-earned money when you could download a 720p torrent, probably BEFORE it is released, for free? ;)

    1. Re:torrents by dbet · · Score: 1, Informative

      First, Bluray is 1080p, not 720. Second, not all 1080p is the same. If you compress a 1080p movie into an H264 file, it will have visible compression artifacts that don't exist on the DVD.

      Yes, for a lot of things, the compressed file is fine (especially for viewing on a laptop or tablet). But for a large TV, it's still not as good as the real thing, UNLESS you get a full uncompressed rip of the BluRay, which would be upwards of 5 GB per episode.

    2. Re:torrents by Jeremy+Erwin · · Score: 1

      Because bluray is usually 1080p, not 720p?

    3. Re:torrents by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 5, Insightful

      One reason to have hard-earned money is to buy things that entertain you... which also means more entertaining things will appear.

      Money is a resource, not a score.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    4. Re:torrents by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      You're also forgetting the source material doesn't even look that great so no amount of messing with it will ever produce a bluray image even as good as most recent films and I doubt there would be much difference even at 720p..

      You're also also forgetting they're releasing them 4 episodes at a time and being greedy, Paramount will probably want well over $120 for a season.

      You're also also also forgetting file-sizes mean nothing. They could fill the black bars on the sides (yes, sides) with uncompressed nothing just to fill up the disc.

    5. Re:torrents by Baloroth · · Score: 1

      First, Bluray is 1080p, not 720. Second, not all 1080p is the same. If you compress a 1080p movie into an H264 file, it will have visible compression artifacts that don't exist on the DVD..

      Just FYI, at least some Blu-Ray movies already are H264 (I think that is the standard of choice), so of course you will lose further quality if you compress it more. On the other hand, I happen to have a 720P x264 rip of Game of Thrones that is only ~400MB for each 60 minute video and it looks pretty decent on a 24" monitor 2 feet from my face (not amazing, but much better than any ~350MB xvid files), so you can make them look good if you use the right settings and tweak the encoder a bit.

      --
      "None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license." --John Milton
    6. Re:torrents by geekoid · · Score: 1

      AS long as you believe that, you will never win~

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    7. Re:torrents by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 3, Funny

      If I did that, nobody'd be able to hear you speak!

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    8. Re:torrents by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      24" two feet from your face is hardly huge by geek standards. 400mb per HD episode is low quality. Buy a highend 60"+ TV, sit like 4 or 5 feet away, then tell me how your time on ThePirateBay is.

      Wake me when pirates stop trading low quality rencodes of rencodes of rencodes...

    9. Re:torrents by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Informative

      First Bluray is NOT 1080p. It's CAPABLE OF 1080p, but it can contain anything from 480i to 1080p. you are a fool if you think all Blurays are 1080p.

      Second all movies on BluRay are not "HD" movies from the 80's are a waste of money on bluray as all you get is more film grain! Woo! A lot of movies were shot on crap quality 35mm film to save money and ended up having a metric buttload of film grain. Want a good example of a waste of money on BluRay? Star Wars 4,5,6.

      Second dont try and tell me that a DVD will not have "visible artifacts" DVD's have long been so poorly mastered and have had the movies bitrate so reduced to fit worthless "added feature crap" on them they look like crap and are FULL of artifacts. The ONLY way to get a DVD that is fantastic is to buy "superbit" editions that do away with all the worthless extras crap and use the whole dual layer disc for just the movie at the maximum bitrate possible. I have a copy of XXX on superbit that looks IDENTICAL to the BLuRay version. (which means the bluray version is NOT 1080p worth of video)

      Lastly, very little is shot in 1080p. that has changed recently, but all United states braodcast cameras are either 1080i (1/2 the resolution of 1080p) or the more common 720p. and THAT is what is on most Bluray disks as the source materiel.

      There are exceptions. Pixar for example re-renders the film at 1080p for perfection on a Bluray. and any film transfers from IMAX also will work at 1080p IF they did the transfer with a 1080p camera. Anything shot digitally in the last few years on digital panaflex cameras, or digital Arriflex cameras can also look fantastic and real 1080p IF they re render the film at that resolution for DVD release.

      Lastly BLuRay's mostly ARE H264 on the disk if they are not MPEG2. I suggest http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc for more reading on the subject.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    10. Re:torrents by eggstasy · · Score: 1

      Erm. Not sure what kind of interwebs you have on your tubes, but 5 GB for a 45 minute series is about 1.9 MB/s
      Is this an unusual transfer speed for you? That's only 15 mbit. Sounds like something I could even just stream.
      My 100 mbit fiber link is 59.99 euros/month, as part of a package that includes free phone calls, 125 TV channels, and a 3G dongle, among other things.
      Heck, I could go all the way up to 400 mbit but that would cost 179.99.

    11. Re:torrents by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      TNG was shot on 35mm film which has higher resolution than a 4k TV 5380 x 3620. If they do the scan with a 4k scanner and use good software then we should have something good. TNG is not as old as star wars and the film should preserved better than the star wars film. I don't why people always decide to scan the originals sometimes the copies are in much better shape. If you ever seen the remastering of the original series then you know what i am talking about.

    12. Re:torrents by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Anything shot on good old fashioned "analog" film, and remastered can be brought up to HD, even 1080P (assuming the film was high enough quality which isn't a high bar).

      Like these STTNG remasters.

      The problem in this case is not getting high enough resolution, but in finding a way to fix all the problems they relied on not being visible in TV broadcasts.

      Cheap sets (woodgrain in the "metals" will be visible in 1080P, cardboard props that are supposed to be advanced handheld computers, etc.), makeup jobs (caking on the makeup to make aging stars look as sexy as possible), inside jokes (Mike Okuda probably get's at least 10 drunken death threats a week from the crew working on these remasters)

    13. Re:torrents by ArtemaOne · · Score: 1

      So 178 or so episodes, 5 GB each, a cheapo terabyte hard drive can handle the mildly compressed HD show. Sounds good!

    14. Re:torrents by plonk420 · · Score: 2

      most are h.264; second most common vc-1; least common is mpeg-2. bitrate (see: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1155731 ) usually doesn't matter too much if the source is good, as even the vc-1 encoded Domino still ranks at the top of the Blu-ray PQ thread. i can't wait for x264 to start hitting discs...

    15. Re:torrents by Teancum · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I don't why people always decide to scan the originals sometimes the copies are in much better shape. If you ever seen the remastering of the original series then you know what i am talking about.

      I would have to agree that you need to consider that some copies are likely in better shape than the originals, but in the case of TNG, I don't think that is the case due to the production system that was used when it was produced.

      Star Trek: TNG was originally filmed with 35mm film stock and then transferred to a conventional videotape editing system before broadcast. The original negatives were barely touched and mostly left in their original archived state, where Star Trek was already considered a very lucrative franchise and something worth preserving as well (so it wasn't treated like yesterday's trash heap either).

      The largest problem I would see is syncing the audio with the video and getting the correct scenes matching with the stuff that was put into the production version of each episode. That shouldn't be too difficult as such information was recorded when the films were originally edited, but it would take some effort to organize everything, and certainly take time to remaster each episode in this manner.

    16. Re:torrents by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      "Second all movies on BluRay are not "HD" movies from the 80's are a waste of money on bluray as all you get is more film grain! Woo! A lot of movies were shot on crap quality 35mm film to save money..."

      Oh boy...Another example of someone who doesn't understand film quality. When you say movies are not HD and are crappy quality, that is false, at least by implying that film is less quality than video. On the contrary, the picture on film is created by a photochemical process, so you can't really compare it to the pixels or so forth of video. But in terms of equivalency, film quality FAR outweighs even 1080p HD. It has been roughly compared to 4K resolution for 35mm, 8K resolution for 70mm films. Now, when films are shot with a lot of grain in them, the cinematographer chose a very "fast" film stock (i.e., very sensitive to light so you don't need as much light to expose it). One of the artifacts of that is heavy film grain. Plus it's a combination of that and how much or how little light the cinematographer used to shoot the scene that determines graininess. It's either sloppy cinematography, or an intended "gritty" look. But it does NOT mean the resolution of film itself, as a medium, is inferior. Quite the opposite. There has never yet been (although we're getting closer and closer) a visual medium that captures the contrast range, the color gamut, or detail quite like motion picture film. The way the film was shot, the way the lab processed it, how well it's preserved, and how well it's transferred to the master tape for DVD/Blu-Ray distribution all go into play as to how pristine the film will look or not - not the innate quality of film. Just wanted to clarify that.

      And to clarify also, everything but the lowest-budget independent films are shot on FILM, not video. Even the newer movies that may be shot in digital, are not typically shot in 1080p, but rather in 4K (e.g., with the RED camera, etc.), which is more appropriate for theatrical distribution. If the movie is made-for-video, it might be shot in 1080p, but again, we're talking about really low budget then.

    17. Re:torrents by BobNET · · Score: 1

      i can't wait for x264 to start hitting discs...

      There's a bunch that probably no one's ever heard of here.

    18. Re:torrents by SteveFoerster · · Score: 2

      While I think I share your outlook here, strictly speaking, by definition money is both a resource (medium of exchange) and a score (unit of account).

      --
      Space game using normal deck of cards: http://BattleCards.org
    19. Re:torrents by SteveFoerster · · Score: 2

      That might make it worth it.

      --
      Space game using normal deck of cards: http://BattleCards.org
    20. Re:torrents by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 1

      You're also forgetting the source material doesn't even look that great...

      Yes, it does.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    21. Re:torrents by datavirtue · · Score: 1

      Shut up and go to the library. They have all this stuff for free.

      --
      I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
    22. Re:torrents by fearofcarpet · · Score: 2, Interesting

      There has never yet been (although we're getting closer and closer) a visual medium that captures the contrast range, the color gamut, or detail quite like motion picture film.

      Yeeeeesss! Sometimes I think that people forget what real, quality film looks like. Watch a Kubrick film on VHS, DVD, and blu-ray--it's like watching a movie while the photogrey fades on your glasses. The difference in dynamic range alone is unmistakable. A big part of the "magic" of analog film is shouldering, which is when highlights blow out gradually in over-exposed regions. Anyone that has shot with 35 mm camera film and then gone digital has seen this phenomenon at work--particularly with BW photography. With digital, the highlights clip; the information is lost, and appears white (some amount of shouldering can be faked using "highlight recovery" algorithms, but the effect is incomparable to the effect on genuine film.) Analog tape transfers have finite bandwidth and clip even worse than digital, leaving you with light shadows and blown-out highlights. It is the visual equivalent of the perceived "warmth" of (quality) analog audio recordings; the dynamic range is centered at the mid-tones, at the expense of the tinny highs and deep lows.

      --
      Actually, I wrote my thesis on life experience.
    23. Re:torrents by L4t3r4lu5 · · Score: 1

      They could fill the black bars on the sides (yes, sides) with uncompressed nothing just to fill up the disc.

      Hahaha, I'd forgotten it's shot in 4:3.

      Furthermore, the scene in TFA where they're all sat and Data is stood... It looks worse. It's like I'm looking at a set, and I know it.

      --
      Finally had enough. Come see us over at https://soylentnews.org/
    24. Re:torrents by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      dude...
      you bought XXX twice? :(

    25. Re:torrents by Dr_Barnowl · · Score: 2, Informative

      The source material is the original film stock, not the broadcast tapes that the original DVD releases were based on, so it does have the capacity to look great - TFA has some comparison shots and the difference is very obvious.

    26. Re:torrents by probedb · · Score: 1

      They used 35mm film for the show. It looks fantastic, they rescanned the film, they didn't just transfer the video. Did you actually read the article? Have you seen the Blu-Ray? I would guess not. Ignorance is bliss isn't it.

    27. Re:torrents by rikkards · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You're also forgetting that if the source material is interesting enough after 5 minutes you don't notice the difference between a 400M avi file and a 1080p blu-ray. If you do then either you are intentionally looking for differences thus keeping you from being absorbed or whatever you are watching is not that interesting.

    28. Re:torrents by Lumpy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      "TNG was shot on 35mm film which has higher resolution than a 4k TV 5380 x 3620."

      That is a bad assumption. 35mm film that is 80-100 ISO and shot with a good camera and good lens? Yes, it has close to that resolution in theory. In reality it does not.

      It depends on the film quality stock, the generation of the copy, the ISO of the film used, some lower budget films and TV shows did NOT pay for the metric buttload of lighting, so they bought 400 or even 800 speed film to handle lower light conditions. The resolution or "grain" on those films are significantly worse.

      So you need to quantify your statement. What brand of film, quality and chemistry is the TNG film stock? as that is what it's resolution is not what someone guesses in theory is possible.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    29. Re:torrents by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      Brings up an interesting question: What have they done with the aspect ratio? Not cut the top and bottom off I hope.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    30. Re:torrents by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      Um yeah. Worked as a grip, I know a LOT about film quality. I've handled it and dealt with it in the cutting room. I even shot my own feature back in college on 35mm.

      I have several examples of 35mm film that is LESS than 1080p in resolution on my walls. Snagging cut scenes from the cutting room floor from things like "swamp thing" and others.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    31. Re:torrents by Methuseus · · Score: 1

      Try living in the "great" ol' US of A. I have 10 Mbps (peak) cable internet for $50 per month. I could get 40 Mbps for about $80 a month. If I got FioS (or however it's capitalized) it would cost me upwards of $100 a month for 100 Mbps. This is, yes, in a large urban area.

      --
      Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, though I'm not yet sure about the universe. - A Einstein
    32. Re:torrents by alexo · · Score: 1

      Try some private torrent trackers

      Such as?

    33. Re:torrents by webheaded · · Score: 1

      1. This is a preview release, not the way they plan to release the entire thing. They already did the Original series on Bluray and while it's expensive, it's not like that.
      2. It may not be as good looking as a new movie but it will be considerably better looking than you have ever seen the series and I think would be worth the quality.
      3. They're going back to film and actually taking their time on it and I think we should applaud them on that. They could have taken the shitty road out and used the horrible tape quality ones that the DVD releases had but they're actually doing it right.

      --
      "Those who would sacrifice essential liberties for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - BenF
    34. Re:torrents by webheaded · · Score: 1
      A great deal of his post is actually pretty ignorant. My favorite being that broadcast cameras shoot in 1080i. Lol. Film is film. What they do with it varies but the information is still there. That whole post the GP made SOUNDS fancy and like he knows what he's talking about (even got modded 4 Informative) but most of it seems completely wrong to me. Like he just pulled it out of his ass.

      Second all movies on BluRay are not "HD" movies from the 80's are a waste of money on bluray as all you get is more film grain!

      I have a copy of XXX on superbit that looks IDENTICAL to the BLuRay version. (which means the bluray version is NOT 1080p worth of video)

      Lastly, very little is shot in 1080p. that has changed recently, but all United states braodcast cameras are either 1080i (1/2 the resolution of 1080p) or the more common 720p. and THAT is what is on most Bluray disks as the source materiel.

      Lol.

      --
      "Those who would sacrifice essential liberties for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - BenF
    35. Re:torrents by Guspaz · · Score: 2

      I'm not sure what exact film stock was used for TNG, but having watched the episodes on the sampler disc, I can tell you that there is an enormous difference in quality from the DVDs. This is because the DVDs themselves looked pretty bad; if we were comparing the best DVD can reproduce to the TNG bluray releases, the difference might be huge, but in reality we're comparing 1980s 480i video tape to well scanned super 35 film. Did they use the best stock money could buy? No. But the improvement is still enormous.

      The biggest difference was The Inner Light. The bluray version had a fair amount of grain (they cranked up the brightness a ton), but the original (DVD) was incredibly dark, brown, and blurry. The other episodes, though, still see massive improvement. The close-ups on Worf's face in Sins of the Father was pretty impressive.

      It should be noted that they weren't able to find all the original film reels. There is one shot in Sins of the Father that had to use the original betacam masters where they had lost the film, and the difference is pretty big. Luckily, it's just one shot.

    36. Re:torrents by Guspaz · · Score: 1

      None of these problems were a big deal on the three episodes released on bluray so far. Yes, you can see set imperfections (the seams of carpeting around Worf's console on the bridge was the most obvious example), but they're not terribly distracting. The painted sets weren't obvious in any of the three episodes, but I recall seeing paint stipple on the sets on the DVDs, so this is probably no more of a problem than before.

      The makeup held up especially well; Worf's closeup in Sins of the Father is incredibly impressive considering you've got his facial prosthetic taking up most of the frame, and you can't see any obvious seams or imperfections.

    37. Re:torrents by JustSomeProgrammer · · Score: 1

      Or you've watched it enough times that you have all the quotes down and are looking for the new shiny. A new way to see a beloved classic.

    38. Re:torrents by jedidiah · · Score: 2

      In other words: Paramount has been reaming us for years for a highly inferior product. Now that they "finally got it right this time", they expect people to fork over more money yet again.

      Too many people are willing to tolerate their BS thus helping to support the absurd prices they try to charge for their stuff.

      --
      A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
    39. Re:torrents by jandrese · · Score: 1

      On the other hand, this is Star Trek, the Next Generation we're talking about, not some 80 cable sitcom. Chances are good that they had proper lighting and used at least somewhat decent film stock.

      --

      I read the internet for the articles.
    40. Re:torrents by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 1

      I seriously hope this is just a too-well-written satire.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    41. Re:torrents by Sheik+Yerbouti · · Score: 1

      Sorry they weren't filmed they were taped with analog tapes (probably betacam or betacam SP or something similar) using either a three tube camera or early CCD TV camera from the 90s. This is the equivalent of taking a analog recording and putting it on a CD and saying you remastered it. The source material was not filmed on 16 mm film stock or taped in 1080P high def it was taped with a 90s TV camera. So they source is not high def. The CCD cameras of the day were capable of around 400lines to maybe 800 lines of vertical resolution. So there will be an improvement but it is no where near 1080P. And I suspect this is trickery given how the show was taped it should fit in 480P on DVD just fine. So I don't know if they are interpolating this I.E. upconverting or what. But looking at the pics there is some other fiddling with color going on between the samples.

    42. Re:torrents by RobCull · · Score: 1

      You're also forgetting the source material doesn't even look that great so no amount of messing with it will ever produce a bluray image even as good as most recent films and I doubt there would be much difference even at 720p

      I've been following this remastering of TNG for months now. My friend had told me about it, and I was initially concerned about what "remastering" meant.

      I had just previously tried to watch the original Star Trek series on my shiny-new netflix account, and it was a painful experience. They "remastered" the audio, but only really the music and sound effects were "remastered," so you'd have the slightly-tinny 1960's era sound quality for all the voices, dialogue, etc. but then suddenly a klingon ship comes by and suddenly the only thing you can hear is WHOOOOOSHHHHHHH. Also, they "remastered" the video by replacing the original painted/prop cut-scenes from outside the ship, of other planets, etc. with 3-D models/animations, ranking in quality alongside the blockbuster dancing baby.

      Granted, I had my doubts and concerns about TNG being remastered.

      However, upon doing some research, they are doing what is, by definition, "remastering." They are returning to the master copies and re-recording them onto new, updated (bluray/dvd) media formats. Fortunately, TNG was filmed in 35mm film, therefore they can easily get 1080p quality out of it. They are not converting the old VHS distributions into bluray, that's retarded.

      They are remastering the original series in 1080p from the original 35mm film negatives. The audio will be available in up to 7.1 DTS Master. It will likely be left in 4:3 ratio, so on your widescreen TV you'll either have black bars on the sides, or stretch it out to widescreen. You can likely tell your TV to do either, unless the black bars are made part of the video (I sure hope not).

    43. Re:torrents by cthulhu11 · · Score: 1

      That's just the thing: redigitizing ST:TNG isn't going to make Picard any less of a sleestak, or make Denise Crosby any less of an ugly dyke.

    44. Re:torrents by awyeah · · Score: 1

      It should also be noted that they clearly state that they're missing this shot - it says it right in the main menu where you select the episode. They aren't trying to pull a fast one here.

      --
      Why, no, I haven't meta-moderated lately. Thanks for asking!
  13. Re:Zoom by ClioCJS · · Score: 2

    Huh? The zoom levels on the HTML that displayed the JPGs on the webpage have nothing to do with it - the bluray will be at 1080p the entire time. Always "zoomed", in your strange vernacular.

    --
    -Clio
    Karma: Bad (mostly from not giving a fuck)
    Blog: http://clintjcl.wordpress.com
  14. Wide Screen by markdavis · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I was really hoping they would attempt to create a wide-screen version of the series by over-scaning the original film, cropping the top and bottom a tad, and stretching a tad to end up with 16:9.

    Of course, I don't know exactly what aspect the original film was, and it is likely there will be things that should not be seen to the right/left in the overscan region. And the special effects might be exactly 4:3, in which case it would be very expensive to "fix".

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overscan

    1. Re:Wide Screen by mattack2 · · Score: 1

      Oh, so they're NOT cropping it? I thought one of the big (valid) complaints about this was that they were making a 16:9 version of something that wasn't 16:9 -- and they couldn't, since the original special effects were in 4:3..

      I could understand adding more in (optionally) than what was there, but I don't want any of the picture taken away.

      I don't remember examples, but there have been some old TV shows released in the past few years "in 16:9" that were simply cropped. That's just as bad as when movies were only available in pan & scan.

    2. Re:Wide Screen by markdavis · · Score: 1

      Reply to self:

      Ah, here is a perfect illustration of what they could have done:

      http://subtuum.com/index.php?/topic/1958-star-trek-tng-remastered/

      His assumptions are like mine- that a wider aspect was originally used on the film. 15x9 according to "Apotheoun". If that entire amount were usable, only a tiny crop takes you to wonderful 16:9!

      Alas, after looking at more articles, it appears it will all be 4:3 :( Not sure why the main article link shows the effects in 16:9 or wider (THAT would be REALLY annoying if it shifts from 4:3 to something wider for effects, then back to 4:3 for live action).

    3. Re:Wide Screen by MobyDisk · · Score: 4, Insightful

      cropping the top and bottom a tad, and stretching a tad to end up with 16:9.

      I sure hope you are kidding. This is the kind of BS that studios do because someone complains that it doesn't fill their entire TV. As though all recorded video must be modified to fit whatever particular TV the person bought. It was recorded for 4:3! I don't need to see Picard's head cropped-off and his butt widened just because someone doesn't understand the concept of an aspect ratio. I would love to see someone do that to their family photos. "Dad, why is Mom's head cut out of the picture? And why is everyone fat?"

    4. Re:Wide Screen by EvanED · · Score: 1

      Amazon at least says the Blu-Rays are 1.33:1, and my impression from reading about their attitude is that's what they'll be.

      Fortunately. :-) (Said as another who much prefers letterboxed widescreen, even on 4:3.)

    5. Re:Wide Screen by markdavis · · Score: 1

      See my other posting....(I replied to myself) If they use overscan, the amount of cropping would be truly tiny. Nobody would ever notice. And it would beautifully fill a modern 16:9 screen.

      If no overscan were available, however, like you said, it would be HORRIBLE.

    6. Re:Wide Screen by DreadPiratePizz · · Score: 2

      Probably because often there's shit in the overscan like gear or lights. What you are saying is actually done now though. Girl with the dragon tattoo for example, was shot in 5K with a 4K center cut at 2.35:1. For the blu-ray, they simply remove the matte and scale actually giving you more picture area.

    7. Re:Wide Screen by markdavis · · Score: 1

      No, I am not kidding. But you are replying out of context. This would only be acceptable if they were to gain area from the left and right overscan (the area not normally seen on a 4:3 TV).

      I did not/was not proposing a mutilation of 4:3 source to force it to fit onto 16:9. I am talking about REMASTERING it from the wider film, and if not quite wide enough, tweak it slightly in ways no human could ever detect. :)

      Look at the example someone else did, that I linking in my other post: http://subtuum.com/index.php?/topic/1958-star-trek-tng-remastered/

    8. Re:Wide Screen by mattack2 · · Score: 1

      How much is "truly tiny"? Seriously, I don't want things cut off. Going in the other direction, I usually record things on the SD channels rather than the HD channels, due to disk space reasons.. But I can't even use the TV's zoom to fix the letterboxed-within-4:3 most of the time, because a bit of the sides or top is cut off. (The Tivo is in Panel mode the vast majority of the time.)

      So you'll probably call it crazy, but I'd rather see the FULL image than cut off part of the image. Seeing *extra* compared to the original (overscanning), is probably fine.

    9. Re:Wide Screen by optimus2861 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      If you want to see a prime example of a TV show's aspect ratio being changed for the DVD release and the outcome being horribly wrong, check out the second season of Angel. In the very first episode, there's a climactic fight at the end in the hotel lobby between Angel and some demon. In the original 4:3 aspect ratio, no problem. In the 16:9, there is a very bored set hand off to the right of the fight in plain sight. It was clearly a lazy, shitty conversion (IIRC even Angel's own showrunners were appalled) but it stands as an object lesson of what not to do.

      Even dramatic moments won't feel right when converting aspect ratios. A tight shot on an actor's face that looks right in 4:3, suddenly reveals another character standing behind him in 16:9. Two characters conversing in 4:3 fill the screen; in 16:9 there's dead space to either side of them (this one was also quite prevalent in that Angel set).

      Bottom line: stick to the originally intended aspect ratio.

    10. Re:Wide Screen by AK+Marc · · Score: 1

      Someone else posted a link to a claim (with photos) that it wasn't recorded in 4:3. It was recorded in 15:9. 15:9 to 16:9 is much smaller than 4:3 to 16:9.

    11. Re:Wide Screen by nura78 · · Score: 1

      There's also an episode of B5 where you can see someone step into the 16:9 frame, but because it was outside of the 4:3 shot, they left it in. Incidentally, B5 should get a remastered makeover. The scenes that have live action and CGI look like crap.

    12. Re:Wide Screen by Hamsterdan · · Score: 2

      It's really sad when the VHS version of B5 looks better than the DVDs, *because* they went 16:9 (and cropped & zoomed the SFX)

      --
      I've got better things to do tonight than die.
    13. Re:Wide Screen by hackertourist · · Score: 1

      Stretching??? Go wash your mouth out with soap.

      Stretching makes everything look horrible. Actors look like they've put on 20 kg, objects are distorted. When I see a TV that's set to the incorrect aspect ratio, I want to punch the owner.

    14. Re:Wide Screen by Hatta · · Score: 1

      Just because it was shot in widescreen doesn't mean it was directed to look good in widescreen.

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
    15. Re:Wide Screen by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      Actually B5 was filmed in widescreen and converted to 4:3 for broadcast. Problem is that because they knew it was going to be shown in 4:3 they framed everything in the middle of the screen, so all the actors tend to bunch up with big gaps at the side.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    16. Re:Wide Screen by MobyDisk · · Score: 1

      Okay, I apologize then. I think it was the word "stretching" that made me jump to the conclusion. But yes, they might be able to get a little more area by including parts of the film they didn't use in the broadcast. If that really worked then no objections.

    17. Re:Wide Screen by Ed+Avis · · Score: 1

      I was really hoping they would attempt to create a wide-screen version of the series by over-scaning the original film, cropping the top and bottom a tad, and stretching a tad to end up with 16:9.

      Surely a decent player or TV will have an option to do that for you?

      --
      -- Ed Avis ed@membled.com
    18. Re:Wide Screen by Rich0 · · Score: 1

      My wife recently ordered a stack of photos from walmart and was offered the "true digital image" option or whatever they call it. Basically it is a narrower 4x6 variant that has the aspect of most popular digital cameras, so that you don't get the top/bottom crop that you get if you directly print many digital prints on 4x6.

      The issue was that she had actually 4x6 cropped half of her photos, and not cropped the other half. Walmart printed half on 4x6, and the other half on the narrower size. This caused considerable stress as she didn't understand why they got two different treatments and I couldn't satisfactorily explain the situation to her.

      Then factor in that I think my DSLR actually does take 2:3 ratio shots which print fine at 4x6 without cropping and now you get different behavior based on what camera was used.

      Conclusion: most humans lack the part of the brain required to understand aspect ratios. It probably is right next to the part that confers understanding of trigonometry and calculus...

    19. Re:Wide Screen by Rich0 · · Score: 1

      Yup - composition has to be thought out end-to-end. This is the same issue with most 3D versions of films these days - they aren't composed for 3D. I've only seen 2-3 3D films that were decent - most are far superior in 2D due to composition. Honestly, only Avatar really impressed me (from a visual/composition standpoint - let's set aside the story for now). It was clear that how the film would come out in 3D was thought into every aspect of the process.

    20. Re:Wide Screen by jandrese · · Score: 1

      It could be worse, it could be like Babylon 5 where they just added black bars to the top and bottom of the image to go widescreen, cutting off the top of people's heads and spaceships with reckless abandon.

      --

      I read the internet for the articles.
    21. Re:Wide Screen by markdavis · · Score: 1

      No TV or player can remaster the video from the original film, trying to capture more width.

      What you are describing is a 25% stretch operation, which looks horrible.

    22. Re:Wide Screen by Crookdotter · · Score: 1

      Worse than that, a good DVD quality release was possible, but Warner mislaid the HDD's with the CGI on it, so the CGI could not be re-rendered at a new resolution, only remade (too expensive to get done), so the FX looks awful while the actors looks crisp in composited shots. Shame, B5 lost to HD hell forever.

    23. Re:Wide Screen by Ed+Avis · · Score: 1

      I thought what they had done was to scan from the original film at full width and high resolution. It's then your choice if you want to crop off the top and bottom to give a widescreen view, or for example crop the left and right sides to give a special portrait view. I haven't used Blu-ray but you're implying it's not quite as super high resolution as one would like, so there isn't enough headroom to stretch by 25% without losing quality. There is a world of difference between high quality and low quality scaling algorithms, however; a 1.25 scaling might not look as bad as you imagine. I guess that twenty years from now everyone will have to buy ST:TNG all over again remastered into 8000x6000 IMAX quality. Then, finally, your home player will be able to mess with the aspect ratio and still have comfortably enough pixels to not lose noticeable image quality.

      --
      -- Ed Avis ed@membled.com
    24. Re:Wide Screen by Hamsterdan · · Score: 1

      But they could have released in in 4:3. Watch the previews on the DVD sets, and it looks much nicer in 4:3.

      And it would be *way* less distracting than having everything go weird whenever there's a composited shot.

      --
      I've got better things to do tonight than die.
  15. Wrong three episodes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    They should have done episodes that would really show off the process. I would have picked Best of Both Worlds, Yesterday's Enterprise and either The Pegasus or All Good Things... because they are the best examples of what the series has to offer and would benefit from the effects uplift.

  16. Yefremov ... by perpenso · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... Yefremov actually did have some talent for writing

    I think his work was much better in the original Klingon. :-)

  17. Re:Zoom by Fluffeh · · Score: 4, Informative

    I bought BSG (the recent version) on DVD but later found a BR pack containing everything on sale - so I decided to snag that. While I rarely buy something on BR that I already own, I must say the improvement in certain scenes was quite noticable. The "inside" scenes weren't really improved, but the difference in space was rather surprising. When I first watched them on DVD, I thought they were great, but when I saw them on the BR, I saw just how much difference it made. The stars in the background actually twinkled, and the overall darkness in space was much more apparent.

    While I won't be rushing out to get everything on BR just because it looks this good in BSG, it was certainly a nice eye-opener - even with such a new series.

    --
    Moved to http://soylentnews.org/. You are invited to join us too!
  18. If the present it like the did the remastered TOS by Shivetya · · Score: 1

    Then I will be fine. In the remastered TOS you could switch between versions. I will be the first to admit I loved the new graphics in the remastered version of TOS because they took nothing from the story while many times enhancing it.

    The real scary part for me is realizing how old TNG is.

    --
    * Winners compare their achievements to their goals, losers compare theirs to that of others.
  19. Streamable? by MobyDisk · · Score: 1

    I remember DVD and Blu-ray. I wonder when this will be available on Netflix? That's where I watch ST:TNG now. Hopefully they will start streaming the HD versions instead.

    1. Re:Streamable? by fiannaFailMan · · Score: 1

      It's not remastered but the whole series is available right now on Netflix actually. So is DS9 (a personal favourite of mine), VOY and TOS.

      There's a bit of Enterprise in there too but who gives a toss?

      --
      Drill baby drill - on Mars
  20. Rather something else by fermion · · Score: 3, Interesting
    As I grow older, I find TNG to formulaic and not so watchable. I more likely to watch DS9 or Voyager. They tend to rely less on magic, though voyager did have an almost fatal number of time travel episodes. Don't get me wrong. TNG probably has more very excellent episodes(maybe 10) but that did not compensate for the overwhelming amount of filler, not to mention disastrous cast changes.

    I remember watching the first episode of TNG. The studio shooting was as dreadful as TOS, but when the music came up, and the Patrick Stewart voiceover came up, there was a great confort that along with the bad there was going to be a lot of good. Of course, one the quest for rating took hold and the overwhelming militaristic mission took over, it was pretty much over. TNG and the Borg. DSP and the dominion. Enterprise and the confusing and arbitrary Xindi. Peaceful explorations simply does not sell laundry detergent.

    --
    "She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
    1. Re:Rather something else by Suddenly_Dead · · Score: 4, Insightful

      As I grow older, I find TNG to formulaic and not so watchable. I more likely to watch DS9 or Voyager. They tend to rely less on magic

      Voyager is all magic, I have no idea what you're talking about. I can't count the number of episodes that were solved by the damn deflector dish, or some other arbitrary solutions, nor the amount of screen time devoted to technobabbling. The problems encountered were almost all caused by magic, the situations were crazy and nonsensical, the solutions were insane, and it was all riddled with inconsistencies with itself and other treks. When it wasn't magical technology, it was magical humanity (characters who made no sense whatsoever).

      Macro viruses! The Omega Directive! Cooperative Borg! Insane Janeway! Tuvix! Uggggh.

      I remember watching the first episode of TNG. The studio shooting was as dreadful as TOS, but when the music came up, and the Patrick Stewart voiceover came up, there was a great confort that along with the bad there was going to be a lot of good. Of course, one the quest for rating took hold and the overwhelming militaristic mission took over, it was pretty much over. TNG and the Borg. DSP and the dominion. Enterprise and the confusing and arbitrary Xindi. Peaceful explorations simply does not sell laundry detergent.

      The later Borg plot in TNG that it sounds like you're talking about (Picard assimilated, etc.) was two episodes long, and there were only a handful of others. The Mission didn't become militaristic, unlike in Enterprise. TNG was kind of magical and more TOS-like for the first season or two. After that it was quite soapy and character-centric.

    2. Re:Rather something else by Jarnin · · Score: 4, Insightful

      TNG made the Borg. The movie First Contact and Voyager turned them into pussies. Maurice Hurley originally wrote the Borg to be like a force of nature; like a hurricane that swept through an area leaving nothing but destruction in their wake. Your only option for survival was to get the hell out of the way and hide until the storm passed.
      Then the writers decided to bring them back, but they decided to anthropomorphise them. So they took Picard, who at the time wasn't sure if he was going to continue playing the part of Picard, and borgify him, leaving the viewers hanging. Would Picard be saved or would he leave the show and become a recurring bad guy?
      Then we got Hugh. That's when the Borg began their downward spiral into pussydome. The moment Hugh said "Geordi is my friend" I knew it was all over.

      Then we got Lore with the Borg renegades, who all had cool names similar to Locutus. Apparently a single Borg discovering individuality was enough to completely cripple an entire cube's population. No security on that network I guess.

      Then we got First Contact, where they basically rebooted the Borg into a technological space vampire bug species. Pretty much everything we learned about them from the episode Q, Who? was ditched so they could play a bigger role. We got the Queen, which was completely opposite to the idea of a collective consciousness! She is the big bad, the drones are just vampiric zombies to be blasted apart by holographic tommy guns.
      From there we went to Voyager, which completely ignored the Borg until their ratings started to sag, then they decided to ditch one cast member and replace her with a borg drone with big tits and a nice ass. From there on out, the Borg became a running joke. Voyager disproved that resistance was futile. They disproved that the Borg were even a serious threat. By the end of Voyager the Borg had been relegated to "major annoyance".

      But this wasn't the end. Oh no! They had to bring the Borg back for Enterprise! Cause, you know, Enterprise took place in an alternate universe created when the Borg went back in time in First Contact and changed the past. So they had some Borg survive their sphere exploding in orbit and making it down to the arctic where they would be found by some scientists in the 2150's. Now, this could have been done really well, but they still had all the props and costumes left over from Voyager, as well as the same lame-brained producers and writers, so we just got more of the same, ultimately ending in a signal being broadcast alerting the borg to the existence of Earth, thus allowing them to find their way there in the future, around the 2360's...

      I have a love-hate relationship with Star Trek. And it's mostly Berman/Braga's fault. Had they had some producers with a minute amount of balls, the Borg could have been awesome. Instead they turned them into B-grade movie bad guys for the ratings, and it is still going on today. In the MMORPG Star Trek Online, you can take out entire cube ships by yourself without much hassle. They've even gone so far as to link V'Ger with the Borg... cause everything in Star Trek has to be related to everything else.

      So much potential, wasted by crappy writers and producers...

    3. Re:Rather something else by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I recently watched TNG and DS9 again. I had never seen all of TNG and DS9 before. I had good memories of both of these shows. The result was me falling in love with TNG and disliking DS9.

      The episodic style of TNG made for some great episode that got me thinking. It wasn't a show just to sit watch and be done with it. Obviously, not all episodes were good, Ferengi episodes were always horrible. But many episodes had interesting ideas and I liked the whole exploring something new each episodes. They didn't have to sell me on some big story arc, I was perfectly content exploring new ideas each episodes, kind of like reading short stories.

      When I came to watch DS9, I was bored out of my freaking mind most of the time. Oh, more drama between characters, more religious drama... Oh god no, not a Ferengi episode. While I had good memories of what I had seen in the past, seeing the whole show again was not really fun. The addition of Worf did add something more interesting with the show, but we had to go through the awkward Worf phase where he doesn't seem to fit in, for drama's sake.

      So, I'd like to see more "episodic" content on TV like TNG. Stuff that you can watch each week and explore new ideas about technology, the future, some social issue and what not. All those series with "deep story arc" that we get lately are just disappointing. They are all about the drama between characters, the sex, and the big story arc in the background.

    4. Re:Rather something else by nura78 · · Score: 1

      Voyager is all magic, I have no idea what you're talking about. I can't count the number of episodes that were solved by the damn deflector dish, or some other arbitrary solutions, nor the amount of screen time devoted to technobabbling. The problems encountered were almost all caused by magic, the situations were crazy and nonsensical, the solutions were insane, and it was all riddled with inconsistencies with itself and other treks. When it wasn't magical technology, it was magical humanity (characters who made no sense whatsoever).

      Macro viruses! The Omega Directive! Cooperative Borg! Insane Janeway! Tuvix! Uggggh.

      Don't forget the anti-protons.... That shit fixes everything!

    5. Re:Rather something else by CodeBuster · · Score: 1

      TNG and the Borg. DSP and the dominion. Enterprise and the confusing and arbitrary Xindi. Peaceful explorations simply does not sell laundry detergent.

      The history of Earth's explorations has always been one of violence and conquest. The insistence of Rodenberry that humans had magically "evolved" beyond wars, petty disagreements and cultural misunderstandings always struck me as being unrealistic. The Dominion War episodes of DS9 are among the best that the franchise has to offer IMHO. I always enjoyed the more acerbic and mercurial characters and while Q was entertaining at times, Elim Garik of DS9 was definitely my favorite. As for science fiction in general I have always preferred the gritty and realistic: Aliens, Battlestar Galactica (the re-imagined series not the campy 70s version) and the Terminator to the idealistic and optimistic futures that are too often presented in the various Star Trek series (mirror universe episodes being a stand out exception).

    6. Re:Rather something else by CodeBuster · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I didn't like the way the Voyager ended either. It would have been far more realistic if they had done it like the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica with the ship getting more and more run down, supplies running short, characters being killed off a few at a time and finally the entire ship being destroyed and the remnants scattered and mostly not making it out alive. At least that would have been realistic and if done right, it could have been interesting and entertaining too.

    7. Re:Rather something else by CodeBuster · · Score: 1

      Enterprise took place in an alternate universe created when the Borg went back in time in First Contact and changed the past.

      It wasn't an alternate universe. If you'll recall, the Borg in First Contact were unsuccessful in changing the past or more precisely the changes were minor, versus what would have happened anyway had the Borg not interfered, and didn't ultimately prevent the first warp flight. It can probably also be assumed that any further attempts by the Borg to alter key events in human history would be stopped by the 31st century humans who continuously monitor the timeline and work to prevent serious continuity breaking changes. So, unless the 31st century Borg manage to defeat the 31st century humans (seems unlikely), further attempts by any pre-31st century Borg to alter the past in any significant way are pretty much doomed to failure. Indeed, that may be why the 24th century and later Borg don't continuously attempt to alter the past because they know that since humans exist in the 31st century, any further attempts to assimilate the entire species will be automatic fails. In other words, the survival of humanity in the Star Trek universe, at least until the 31st century, is inevitable.

    8. Re:Rather something else by The+Wild+Norseman · · Score: 1

      Don't forget the anti-protons.... That shit fixes everything!

      So, it's kinda like duct tape of the 24th century?

      --
      "A government is a body of people usually -- notably -- ungoverned." -Shepherd Book
    9. Re:Rather something else by Jarnin · · Score: 1

      You're failing to recognize that the act of traveling back in time is what alters the timeline. Don't worry though, the writers of Trek failed to recognize that too.

    10. Re:Rather something else by master_p · · Score: 1

      As I grow older, TNG makes a lot more sense, especially when Rodenberry was in charge, where most episodes were some sort of philosophical debate in them.

      DS9 is a soap opera about relationships. There are two or three episodes each season that advance the story, the rest are filler crap about who loves who, who is a friend with who and who betrayed who.

    11. Re:Rather something else by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      In the Trek universe, which is more fantasy than science fiction, you can return to your own timeline just by trying, and find that it's there waiting for you. The fact that they also have alternate universes which can be traveled to when there is a plot complication proves nothing.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    12. Re:Rather something else by vlm · · Score: 1

      When I came to watch DS9, I was bored out of my freaking mind most of the time. Oh, more drama between characters, more religious drama... Oh god no, not a Ferengi episode. While I had good memories of what I had seen in the past, seeing the whole show again was not really fun. The addition of Worf did add something more interesting with the show, but we had to go through the awkward Worf phase where he doesn't seem to fit in, for drama's sake.

      Watch Mr Garrick closely. The most interesting character in all of trekdom. The only alien culture where they gave up on trying to balance and just did something downright weird (Think of how annoying it is that vulcan scientists were also witch doctors on the side)

      --
      "Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
    13. Re:Rather something else by Rich0 · · Score: 1

      Were those 31st-century humans sleeping at the wheel during First Contact, or did they simply anticipate that there was never really a threat?

    14. Re:Rather something else by NJRoadfan · · Score: 1

      Voyager also suffered from a record amount of holodeck malfunctions.

    15. Re:Rather something else by NJRoadfan · · Score: 1

      Garek? How about Gul Dukat, hands down the best Trek villain ever. The Cardassians were one of the few aliens that Trek writers did any decent character development on. Heck, I think they did more character development for Garek and Dukat (both guest stars) then they did for all of the primary cast! (Sisko excluded)

  21. ...and Slashdot wonders... by Hobart · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ...will this article be enough to make CleverNickName log back on after 2.5 years? :-)

    --
    o/~ Join us now and share the software ...
  22. Re:Fuck Blu Ray by bondsbw · · Score: 1

    There was no such "DVD > Blu Ray". This was remastered from original film stock, not just upscaled to HD resolution. A great deal more effort was put into this conversion than the DVD conversion.

    --
    All my liberal friends think I'm a conservative, all my conservative friends think I'm a liberal.
  23. New effects by horigath · · Score: 1

    The new CGI effect example in the article is terrible. The article notes that the animated ship looks noticeably different from the model in the rest of the episode, but it also looks like junk on its own merits.

  24. Cant get enough ST by na1led · · Score: 1

    Now I'd like to see the Original series in HD!

    --
    -- By all means let's be open-minded, but not so open-minded that our brains drop out.
    1. Re:Cant get enough ST by geekoid · · Score: 1

      The I recommend you buy the remaster Blu Ray Original series.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  25. Re:They better not have... by dmacleod808 · · Score: 1

    How exactly would they "fuck with the storyline" they can only re-edit what they have, I don't see how they can mess with the actual episode content.

    --
    There Can Be Only One...
  26. Re:CGI by perpenso · · Score: 2

    Paramount is going to spend substantial money on this project. Not only do they have to find all of the pieces of film in the valuts, but the latter four years the special effects were done strictly on low rez CGI. They're going to have to recreate those effects, much like they did on the original series BluRays.

    Maybe not. Even in the 90s the CGI resolution probably exceeded 1080p. The low res may have been introduced in the conversion to TV. Or are you really referring to low triangle counts and primitive shading compared to today's norms?

  27. Or a Blu-Ray drive by MrEricSir · · Score: 5, Informative

    Just remember that if you have a Blu-Ray drive, you need to make sure your entire setup is HDCP compliant or it will downsample as a form of punishment. This is especially troublesome for your typical Slashdot reader who has a home-brewed unusual setup.

    But the easiest solution I've found is to rip out the copy protection altogether. There's a (commercial) program for Windows called AnyDVD HD that automatically strips out copy protection from DVDs and Blu-Ray discs on the fly, within a few seconds of inserting the disc into your drive. The program isn't cheap, but this way you don't have to worry about copy protection getting in the way of playing the fucking disc you paid for.

    --
    There's no -1 for "I don't get it."
    1. Re:Or a Blu-Ray drive by chromas · · Score: 5, Funny

      The program isn't cheap

      At least, until somebody strips out the copy protection...

    2. Re:Or a Blu-Ray drive by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Yea, TBH I don't even find it morally acceptable to pay for software thats soul purpose is to void copy protection.

    3. Re:Or a Blu-Ray drive by UnknownSoldier · · Score: 3, Informative

      I prefer MakeMKV as its free (as in beer but not in speech)

      http://www.makemkv.com/download/

      When Avatar came out within a couple of days they had an upgraded version that would you tip your copy.

    4. Re:Or a Blu-Ray drive by Z34107 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Why? I'd be more inclined to pay something that restores my rights than something that takes them away.

      --
      DATABASE WOW WOW
    5. Re:Or a Blu-Ray drive by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      Solution for that is AnyDVD. Strip that bullshit HDCP before it infects everything else.
      Otherwise always buy a HD Fury for any home entertainment systems and use that to Strip the worthless HDCP.

      anyone that has a real home theater has an HDfury in it. dont risk a HDCP infection.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    6. Re:Or a Blu-Ray drive by BobNET · · Score: 1

      AnyDVD HD ... isn't cheap

      It can't be that expensive, it's one of the few pieces of software I actually paid for.

    7. Re:Or a Blu-Ray drive by jm007 · · Score: 1

      link please

    8. Re:Or a Blu-Ray drive by rikkards · · Score: 1

      Personally I use MakeMkv and then ffmpeg to compress. Nice thing is both are available on Windows and Linux

    9. Re:Or a Blu-Ray drive by jedidiah · · Score: 1

      It's more of a "support' thing with that program. The studios are finding new ways of perverting the DVD and BD formats. You can't just pirate the ripper once and call it quits.

      --
      A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
    10. Re:Or a Blu-Ray drive by jedidiah · · Score: 2

      ...or you could buy yourself a nice farm in Amish country.

      There is no video distribution format that is without DRM. Even VHS had it's own variant. You're either stripping the DRM, dealing with an inferior experience, or doing without entirely.

      Even cable is going to subject you to a DRM framework that requires legitimate decoders to "bend over and say ahh" for Hollywood.

      --
      A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
    11. Re:Or a Blu-Ray drive by jedidiah · · Score: 2

      I sounds all good until you get the demand letter from Paramount.

      --
      A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
    12. Re:Or a Blu-Ray drive by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      There is no video distribution format that is without DRM. Even VHS had it's own variant.

      The 'D' in DRM stands for 'digital.'

  28. acting by aahpandasrun · · Score: 1

    Will the Blu-Ray improve the awful acting in the 1st half of season 1?

    1. Re:acting by SlithyMagister · · Score: 1

      Will the Blu-Ray improve the awful acting in the 1st half of season 1?

      Are they coming out with a new series of dolls -- oh, sorry, "action figures" -- to further mine the pockets of the lame?

  29. Re:They better not have... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    The remastered Picard's flute song by turning it into the theme of Enterprise.

  30. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 2

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  31. Enterprise by geekoid · · Score: 1
    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  32. Re:Fuck Blu Ray by Darinbob · · Score: 2

    So why not DVD versions for those of us boycotting blu-ray for life?

  33. Re:Fuck Blu Ray by geekoid · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Cheap ass finds weak ass excuse to make him self feel good about Infringing on people copyright, news a 11.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  34. Re:Zoom by peragrin · · Score: 1

    um I hate to tell you this but stars don't twinkle in space. That is atmospheric distortions from looking through hundreds of miles of nitrogen and oxygen, and various particulate matter moving around.

    Stars as sen from a space ship don't blink unless they are going boom. er BIG Boom.

    --
    i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
  35. Re:Zoom by jfengel · · Score: 1

    Except that stars don't actually twinkle when seen from space. I'm sure it looked great to its earth-bound audience, and may even have been worth the trouble to look more intuitive, but it's actually wronger than leaving it alone.

  36. Actually DVD can do pretty good colour by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 1

    Not quite as good as Blu-ray because it doesn't have the same chroma resolution, but it has the same ratio of chroma to luma resolution: 4 to 1 called 4:2:0 professionally.

    The problem is the source. NTSC broadcast material sucks at colour fidelity. Always one of its big problems. A joke engineers kicked around was NTSC means Never The Same Colour. The DVDs were created form archives of those broadcasts, probably on Betacam video.

    The Blu-ray has the advantage of getting the original film scanned in digitally and all the benefits that confers, as well as digital colour correction.

    However one could take the new Blu-ray release, down convert it to DVD, and it would still look better than the original DVD release. It isn't so much a limit of the format as the source. The only real limit is the rez. DVD is 720x480 using non-square pixels. Blu-ray can be as much as 1920x1080 using square pixels.

  37. Because it was shot 4:3 by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 1

    Native 35mm Academy format is 1.37:1, right around the 1.33:1 of 4:3 screens. Since that was their target they shot it full frame, and just didn't use the tiny bit extra.

    All the widescreen stuff you see is done one of three ways:

    1) Anamorphic. A non-circular lens is used on the cameras, and the same thing attached to the projector. The image is actually squashed and then stretched. Very common to do, the telltale sign being ovoid lights in shots with lights in the background out of focus.

    2) Matting. Part of the frame is simply discarded and not used. It can be done as a hard matte either with plates on the cameras or in editing, or a soft matte with plates on the projector. Not as common, but gets used. Fight Club is a hard matted movie.

    3) Digital. The movie is shot on a digital source, with a camera that natively shoots widescreen.

    I am happy with what they are doing. They aren't fucking with the picture, just giving a higher quality version for us all to see.

    1. Re:Because it was shot 4:3 by Jeremy+Erwin · · Score: 1

      Stanley Kubrick shot 2001 using Super Panavision 70-- no mattes, spherical lenses.

  38. Better picture quality is the least of problems by rudy_wayne · · Score: 1

    ST:NG -- Best story lines of all the Start Trek series -- shittiest acting ever.

    Will this new blueray feature better acting? Let me know when that happens.

  39. Re:Zoom by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Stars viewed in the vicinity of a warp-capable ship do twinkle, due to distortions in the subspace continuum caused by the calibration of the dilithium matrix to the underlying kreega wave field.

  40. You are just more cynical by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The difference isn't the magic, it is the style. TNG like TOS is a Rodenberry creation and is a Utopia. He had a bright vision of the future and Star Trek is that committed to film. Things aren't perfect, but they are better, humans are better, life is better.

    DS9 and Voyager are Dystopias. They are future imperfect, things turning bad. War, strife, death, etc. They aren't hardcore dystopias (Blade Runner, The Matrix, and Equilibrium would be some hardcore dystopia explamles) but still.

    Now the dystopias are probably a bit more realistic visions of the future. I've always bought in to the Firefly theory of "technology changes, people don't" but that is neither here nor there. That is the big difference, and is probably the reason for you liking the new ones more. When Rodenberry died, the ST universe went in a different direction.

    1. Re:You are just more cynical by bananaquackmoo · · Score: 1

      I'm hearing what you are saying, but I am not entirely sold. I do think the parent had a point. My two favorites were TNG and Voyager. DS9 was too militaristic with too little exploration. (On a sidenote TOS was alright, but I think I'm just too young to get it's appeal entirely).

    2. Re:You are just more cynical by FrootLoops · · Score: 1

      The addition of Latinum (money) starting in DS9 illustrates your point wonderfully. Kirk specifically said money didn't exist (in the Federation) in the 4th movie, but two series later that little optimistic conceit was replaced by a gambling hall. Don't get me wrong--I love DS9. If they do make another series, though, they should think hard about returning to the optimistic future that started it all and, I think, got most fans hooked in the first place.

    3. Re:You are just more cynical by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 1

      It did and it is also part of the reason it endures and inspires. Dystopia movies are fun, and I won a bunch, but nobody gets inspired by them because none of us want that.

      Star Trek though, it has inspired people. I don't mean in small ways either (though I'm sure that too) but things like the cellphone. One of the chief architects of cellular technology at Motorola said when he saw the communicator on Star Trek he didn't see some far off science fiction, he saw a challenge, something to actually strive for. It was a universe we could imagine ourselves living in and like the idea of it.

  41. Re:Fuck Blu Ray by future+assassin · · Score: 1

    I sure as hell feel good and I feel even better buying DVD for $2 at pawnshops. If they can't give me access to a non DRM download I won't support them. Just in case you were thinking of asking, yes if I could copy a car for free I would...

    I have no problem with paying. For example I found this band/album to be the best EM album I have heard in ages so I sent them $5 just like several artists and OSS projects that made their "great" works available at fair prices.

    --
    by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
  42. Fine I would imagine by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 1

    Please remember this is not the first HD Star Trek. There have been a number of TNG movies which were HD by virtue of being shown on 35mm film.

  43. The hugely successful 2009 movie... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 1

    worked as an action/adventure movie with a thin veneer of spaceships, but it wasn't Star Trek.

    You'd think the screenwriters had heard of the series(es), but never actually seen any episodes.

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
    1. Re:The hugely successful 2009 movie... by SteveFoerster · · Score: 1

      In my house, it is known simply as "The Spoof".

      --
      Space game using normal deck of cards: http://BattleCards.org
  44. They had to by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 4, Informative

    Most of the effects were done in post which means in this case "not on film". They shot and edited it on film, but then effects had to be added in. Since the theater wasn't the target it would be expensive to do them all to a new film transfer, then take that back to Beta. Instead they just did the effects straight to video.

    So even if they aren't going to change the effects at all, they still have to get redone or there wouldn't be any.

    Also there needs to be some digital effects done anyhow just to deal with problems masked by the original format. Even on DVD, you can tell, for example, that the trubolift doors are painted wood, not metal. Couldn't see it on broadcast because the resolution is so shitty, but it is visible on the original tapes and thus on DVD. On Blu-ray, it'd be downright obvious. So that is the kind of thing to clean up before the release.

  45. Original stock by Dan+East · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I watched a good bit of TNG on Netflix recently (I skipped over the worst episodes, 20% or so). I did some research into the rather poor picture quality, and I'm kind of surprised to hear of this BR version. From what I read, the "problem" with TNG was that although everything was originally shot on 35mm film, all of the editing and some of the special effects were done on video tape. Editing on video tape saved a lot of money and time during the production process. Thus the quality of the finished version of the show was merely broadcast / VHS quality of the day, and nothing better. Now maybe people were just making stuff up and that information is incorrect, but I was under the impression the picture quality was fuzzy and poor because, well, that's how it was produced originally.

    So the BR version must involve more than just digitizing the original film stock - they must have re-edited all the various camera shots together again, matching the original edits, because it never existed as a complete version in film in the first place.

    Here's a source for that info, although this is not where I had heard of the video editing before:
    http://geekchocolate.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=174:star-trek-the-next-generation-the-next-level-

    It's good to see that CBS put the time and money into doing this properly.

    --
    Better known as 318230.
    1. Re:Original stock by EnsilZah · · Score: 1

      Well, I don't think re-editing would be that much of a problem, all you'd need is to match cut to cut, could probably have a bunch of interns pumping out a couple of episodes a day, each.

    2. Re:Original stock by CodeBuster · · Score: 1

      It's good to see that CBS put the time and money into doing this properly.

      If any television franchise is solid gold in re-runs or boxed re-issues, it's Star Trek. The CBS executives know the value of what they've got in Star Trek and are willing to invest what's necessary to maximize it's future marketability.

    3. Re:Original stock by Osgeld · · Score: 1

      except it was on fox and produced by paramount

    4. Re:Original stock by Osgeld · · Score: 1

      AFIK yes it was "done on tape" but using computer systems, so it really should not be that hard to take the timestamps and re-run them against the original film

    5. Re:Original stock by CodeBuster · · Score: 1

      According to the other posters it was sold to CBS? I was aware that Paramount held the rights and produced the series for many years. They even started their own television network, UPN, just so that they would have somewhere to show them when and how they wanted. Did CBS not buy or acquire the rights?

  46. Re:Fuck Blu Ray by DuranDuran · · Score: 1

    No, what future assassin is saying is that the move from tape to DVD was a genuine leap forward and there is a marked difference in quality. This difference in quality is worth paying for.

    The difference between DVD and Blu Ray, however, was so much slimmer that it feels much more like a grab for money rather than an improvement in the quality of the art.

    --
    "You can justify anything by putting it in quotes, adding a famous name and making it a sig" - Albert Einstein
  47. Re:CGI by forkazoo · · Score: 5, Informative

    Maybe not. Even in the 90s the CGI resolution probably exceeded 1080p. The low res may have been introduced in the conversion to TV. Or are you really referring to low triangle counts and primitive shading compared to today's norms?

    I'm sorry, but this is not correct. Absolutely nobody in that period was working on TV CG at greater than 1080p. The exact resolution would depend on what exactly they were using, and AFAIK, I don't know anybody who worked on TNG to ask about workflow details. But, I do work with somebody who worked on early Flame and a lot of people who were Lightwave artists during the B5/SeaQuest days. It was all done in SD at the time.

    Remember, TNG started in the 80's and ended in 1994. During the TNG era, PC's ran DOS. Irix based Flame workstations cost most of a million dollars and had less power than an old iPhone. Amigas were the kings of TV effects. Nobody had the memory or storage to keep rendered HD frames around for no reason. There was no way to broadcast that resolution, no medium to sell it on. Nobody had displays that would show 1080p. At that point, Lightwave had a serial port tape deck control feature so that you could render frame-by-frame directly to video tape under the assumption that you didn't even have the storage space for your few seconds of 640x480 SD. Even the film guys, with much bigger budgets than TV, were a long way from having the available storage to do things like a full Digital Intermediate. (It didn't happen until O Brother Where Art Thou.) As late as 2000, a lot of film projects were doing VFX at less than 1080p resolution, even without trying to do a full DI.

    Certainly, in additional to all that the geometry was less detailed than it would be today, and shading and compositing was simpler. It was still amazing for the time, and I'd love to see a "cleanup only" version of TNG which didn't try to add new CG effects. At this point, it really just has to be appreciated as a product of the time in which it was made, rather than trying to recapture the sense of awe you remember from watching it all those years ago by (mis)using modern CGI.

  48. No. by MrEricSir · · Score: 5, Informative

    Despite what Hollywood and their senators want you to think, ripping off copy protection from something you legally bought is not the same as piracy.

    --
    There's no -1 for "I don't get it."
    1. Re:No. by Kjella · · Score: 2

      ripping off copy protection from something you legally bought is not the same as piracy

      No, but you'll be a criminal anyway

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    2. Re:No. by jedidiah · · Score: 1

      Are you 3? Your post sounds like the simpleminded drivel that a 3 year old would come up with.

      If it can be copied, it will be copied. There has never been any time when people didn't copy stuff.

      Yet despite of all the whining, "harmed" industries continue to thrive for decades.

      --
      A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
  49. Re:My idea for a show. by martin-boundary · · Score: 1

    Also, add a website tie-in "Where In The Universe Is Jar Jar Binks" where viewers can phone in when they spot the popular character during the episode, discretely reflected in mirrors and drinking glasses.

  50. Re:If the present it like the did the remastered T by El_Oscuro · · Score: 1

    In "The Doomsday Machine", one of my favorite episodes as a kid, the prop they used for the destroyed USS Constellation was a Revell model of the Enterprise, which they took a lighter to melt the plastic. Yes, the same one I bought for $3 as a kid!

    --
    "Be grateful for what you have. You may never know when you may lose it."
  51. Re:Zoom by Fluffeh · · Score: 1

    To you and peragrin who basically commented the same thing:

    stars don't actually twinkle when seen from space

    I am quite aware that they don't. I was using it as an example of better picture quality. On the DVD, each star (and other details like windows on the ships, particles from explosions etc) was basically a bright hazey spot that covered a few pixels on the TV. On the BR, these details are in fact a pinpoint of light while the surrounding pixels are black - which actually makes the whole sky look black and shows much more contrast which is pleasing to the eye.

    I am not replying to end up with "naanaanaaa!" but rather to say that I used that as an example of the improved picture quality. I do find it hard to resist a jape though, so I will say that you do know that spaceship fighters, capital ships and cylons don't exist right? :P I kid, I kid.

    --
    Moved to http://soylentnews.org/. You are invited to join us too!
  52. Re:Fuck Blu Ray by Jeremy+Erwin · · Score: 1

    That assumes that the DVD was transferred competently in the first place. For instance, did you know that the Atreides uniforms (in David Lynch's Dune) are actually green, and not black?

  53. Re:They better not have... by diamondmagic · · Score: 1

    The writer of the episode, Morgan Gendel, gave his first speech specifically on it at Phoenix Comicon 2011, last year. It was absolutely fantastic hearing about some of his other ideas, how the idea was formed, changed, the little details that they put in, and he played about half the scenes through giving his commentary on top. For instance, they didn't know from the start Picard was going to be the affected character, and when they did, they didn't know how it would impact continuity and future episodes. Wicked awesome. I know there's a recording of it online somewhere...

  54. Character vs. actor by steveha · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Except that it has Wil Wheaton in it.

    By every account I have ever heard, Wil Wheaton is a good guy who deserves your respect. Wesley Crusher, on the other hand, was a Marty Stu character[1] who alienated many fans, and if you want to hate Wesley, go right ahead.

    Just keep the two separate. Wil Wheaton didn't write the stories, didn't write his dialog, and in general should be held blameless. I know if I had the chance to be part of a Star Trek series, working with Gene Roddenberry, I would do it even if my character wasn't popular.

    There were some episodes with Wesley that many fans accept. I never saw "The First Duty" but I heard good things about it, for example.

    And finally... Wil Wheaton has been known to post on Slashdot, and might be reading this thread. Did you write those words with the idea that Wil Wheaton might read them? Remember, he's a real person.

    [1] A while ago I went to a lecture in Seattle, featuring a writer who had written scripts for Star Trek TNG. They announced that first they would show an episode he had written, and then he would talk about it. My heart sank when I saw that the episode was one I had seen before, and it was a Wesley episode and it was annoying. When the writer began to talk, I began to feel more sympathy toward him. He told us that the basic idea of this episode came direct from Gene Roddenberry, and it was just his job to flesh it out. He also told us that Gene Roddenberry's middle name was "Wesley" and he made it clear that Roddenberry was the one pushing for Wesley to be this super guy who is constantly saving the ship. So I'm not just claiming this "Marty Stu" thing, I have evidence.

    steveha

    --
    lf(1): it's like ls(1) but sorts filenames by extension, tersely
    1. Re:Character vs. actor by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 4, Informative

      Did you write those words with the idea that Wil Wheaton might read them?

      There was nothing mean about that. The fiction character Sheldon in the OP had a problem with Wil, and the post you are responding to references that.

      From Wikipedia: "He also used to idolize fictional prodigy Wesley Crusher from Star Trek: The Next Generation for qualities of the character Wesley Crusher he found similar to himself, but Wil Wheaton's surprise cancellation of an appearance at a Jackson, Mississippi Star Trek convention in 1995 soured him to both the character and actor."

      If *anyone* would get a chuckle out of the reference, it is Wil Wheaton.

      People know he is a nice guy, that is why I nominated him for "Tyrannical Overlord" in this Slashdot poll.

    2. Re:Character vs. actor by steveha · · Score: 2, Informative

      Oh, so there is a pop culture reference here I didn't get. Your explanation still doesn't tell me who this "Sheldon" is, but a Google search for "Sheldon Wil Wheaton" suggests that you are talking about a character from The Big Bang Theory.

      Sorry, I haven't seen that show so I missed the reference. I've heard that show is good.

      P.S. When I put references in, I try to remember to hot-link them. I wouldn't have misunderstood had the GP done something like this:

      Except that it has Wil Wheaton in it.

      Wow, reading that link, it seems that the fictional Wil Wheaton as shown in the show is actually a terrible person. Kind of like how the fictional Bruce Campbell as shown in My Name Is Bruce is a terrible person.

      steveha

      --
      lf(1): it's like ls(1) but sorts filenames by extension, tersely
    3. Re:Character vs. actor by morcego · · Score: 1

      Way to miss the joke.
      Wil Wheaton is Sheldon's archenemy on The Big Bang Theory.
      I'm pretty sure Wil would be the first one laughing at this one.

      --
      morcego
    4. Re:Character vs. actor by MightyMartian · · Score: 1

      Yet another reason that there should have been a permanent restraining order keeping Roddenberry no closer than twenty feet from a memo pad.

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    5. Re:Character vs. actor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      It is a joke related to the Sheldon (from Big Bang Theory) reference. The character Sheldon has a running conflict will Wil Wheaton in Big Bang Theory, or Evil Wil Wheaton as he is known.

    6. Re:Character vs. actor by FrootLoops · · Score: 5, Informative

      There were some episodes with Wesley that many fans accept. I never saw "The First Duty" but I heard good things about it, for example.

      Maybe that was because in that episode Wesley is part of a cover-up to hide his involvement in the death of a cadet. Now I wonder, were the bad Wesley-heavy episodes bad just because Wesley was being an annoying know-it-all whiz kid? Let's see!

      * The Naked Now [S1E03]: terrible. Characters thrown in ridiculous situations before they were developed enough for us to care (eg. Data and Tasha getting it on). Wesley saves the ship via magic ("It would take weeks of laying out new circuits!" -- "Why not just see it in your head?").
      * Where No One Has Gone Before [1x06]: at best decent, at worst terrible. Wesley again saves the ship via magic (The Traveler compares him to Mozart in "time energy and propulsion").
      * Justice [1x08]: at best decent. Slow; Picard tramples on the Prime Directive. Wesley's not terribly annoying, though maybe that's because he's under a death sentence the entire episode.
      * When the Bough Breaks [1x17]: reasonably good. Wesley's super-human abilities aren't brought up, though his "perfect little man" qualities are annoying.
      * Coming of Age [1x19]: reasonably good. Wesley actually loses in a test of technical and other skill. The second plot is Picard-heavy, so that brings the whole episode up a notch.
      * The Dauphin [2x10]: at best decent. Wesley is awkward in his teenage romance; it's odd to make an episode revolve around such a poor plot device.
      * Peak Performance [2x21]: good. Wesley is paired with La Forge to do super human feats of engineering, which makes him less annoying than if he were doing it all alone.
      * Evolution [3x01]: good. Wesley screws up an experiment and creates a new artificial intelligence.
      * Remember Me [4x05]: good. Wesley again screws up an experiment, this time almost killing Crusher. He has to work magic with the traveler to save her.
      * Final Mission [4x09]: good. Picard-heavy; Wesley's just sort of there most of the time.
      * The Game [5x06]: decent. Wesley saves the ship (yet again), but only with Data's help.
      * Journey's End [7x20]: decent. The plot was heavy-handed and Wesley was again described as Mozart. He was also an annoying snot for the first half of the episode, though Wheaton pulls that off extremely well.

      Wesley was at his worst in The Naked Now and generally when he was being superhumanly brilliant. All three of the episodes based around his mistakes were good (I'm not counting Justice here, since he hardly made a real mistake). He was also pretty good when paired with La Forge. And as usual, Picard has the ability to bring up the quality of an entire episode just by having a plot line. Episode quality generally increases with season number.

    7. Re:Character vs. actor by TheRaven64 · · Score: 1

      * Evolution [memory-alpha.org] [3x01]: good. Wesley screws up an experiment and creates a new artificial intelligence.

      Except that creating a real artificial intelligence is something that the Federation's top scientists have failed to do. Data was created by a genius working alone and they want to take him apart to find out how he works - even he fails to duplicate his own creation. Yet, somehow, Wesley accidentally creates a true AI. This makes about as much sense as a school child today accidentally creating a working cold fusion generator for a science fair project and destroying a city block when the reaction goes out of control.

      --
      I am TheRaven on Soylent News
    8. Re:Character vs. actor by operagost · · Score: 1

      There were some episodes with Wesley that many fans accept.

      Like the one with Ashley Judd, because it has Ashley Judd.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    9. Re:Character vs. actor by jedidiah · · Score: 1

      Except this isn't a "school child". This is a prodigy that's being heavily recruited by Cal Tech.

      --
      A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
    10. Re:Character vs. actor by silentbrad · · Score: 1

      Even if you don't like the show, like a couple people I work with, the Wil Wheaton episodes are well worth a watch.

    11. Re:Character vs. actor by TheRaven64 · · Score: 1

      ... who has, on his own, by mistake, achieved something that a large team at Cal Tech has been trying to do for the last 100 years or so.

      --
      I am TheRaven on Soylent News
    12. Re:Character vs. actor by Golddess · · Score: 1

      it seems that the fictional Wil Wheaton as shown in the show is actually a terrible person

      I wouldn't say terrible.. more like his character is a bit of an ass. Same with his character on Eureka, and though I've not seen it yet, I've heard his character on The Guild is also an ass. I figured that's just how he's been typecast.

      --
      "I'm not sure I like the fugnutish tone you used in your post!" -RogL (608926)-
    13. Re:Character vs. actor by jedidiah · · Score: 1

      I have personally seen large groups of over-educated people skunked by some guy with little education but more real world experience and a little imagination.

      You're probably alive only due to one particular mistake in a lab.

      --
      A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
    14. Re:Character vs. actor by DinDaddy · · Score: 1

      Way to miss the joke.
      Wil Wheaton is Sheldon's archenemy on The Big Bang Theory.

      Was. Brent Spiner usurped him.

    15. Re:Character vs. actor by FrootLoops · · Score: 1

      Well, AI's get created all the time on the show: Professor Moriarty (and later his woman); the Enterprise-D becomes sentient once; Vger in TMP; the M5 in TOS; .... I agree that Wesley creating one accidentally is implausible, but I think the more implausible proposition is the difficulty of creating a true AI--it seems to happen all the time on accident, so how could it possibly be so difficult? One can get around the contradiction by saying that creating a *positronic* AI was the hard part for Dr. Soong. Maybe it was really hard to miniaturize everything enough to fit in a human-size frame for Data (and Lore, and their mom).

    16. Re:Character vs. actor by ObiWanKenblowme · · Score: 1

      Spoiler alert: he doesn't actually create the AI. He creates self-replicating machines, which quickly evolve into a collective intelligence. Slightly different.

      --
      Obvious exits are NORTH, SOUTH, and DENNIS.
  55. A long time coming by Cherubim1 · · Score: 1

    This is a huge undertaking by CBS/Paramount and I hope they do justice to the series by not tampering too much with the special effects (which have to be redone in HD). From what i've seen of some of the episodes in HD the content looks impressive but does have its flaws. Part of one episode (Sins of the father) looks upscaled from DVD whilst the rest looks like a direct lift off the 35mm source.

  56. Wil Wheaton answers questions on slashdot by Boawk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Really, anyone on slashdot disrespecting Wil Wheaton hasn't got a fucking clue. In the past Wil had a presence (still has a presence?) on Slashdot. Read and learn.

    1. Re:Wil Wheaton answers questions on slashdot by sconeu · · Score: 3, Informative

      Dude, Chill.

      The post I wrote that about (GGP) was talking about Sheldon (from the Big Bang Theory). Wil Wheaton is his arch-enemy.

      --
      General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
    2. Re:Wil Wheaton answers questions on slashdot by Boawk · · Score: 1

      Chillin...

  57. Re:Zoom by WalkingBear · · Score: 1

    Sounds like the twinkle you saw was more likely from compression artifacting than intentional effects by the FX crew.

    Single pixel, high contrast points will flicker like mad when compressed. Hell, they flicker even straight out of the renderer at times.

  58. Re:CGI by WalkingBear · · Score: 1

    Unless there was some monetary benefit to rendering at resolutions higher than your target media, no FX team is going to spend the additional cycles on merely resolution when they could be spending that time, assuming they had it, on more complex effects.

    Now if they'd kept / archived the original scene and asset data, they'd be 80% of the way to re-rendering the shots as needed at 1080p.

    For instance, some of the beauty pass shots on the Enterprise would render at damned near real time on modern hardware and a modern render engine.

  59. Re:CGI by WalkingBear · · Score: 1

    Damn, wish I had some mod points. Upvote!

    ps. does the name Grant Boucher mean anything to you?

  60. To each his own, then by SteveFoerster · · Score: 1

    I different people are different. I'm about halfway through a DS9 rewatch, and I haven't seen it at all since it originally aired. I loved it then and this time around it's as great as I remember. (And it's creepy how closely on target we are for the future predicted by the two-part episode "Past Tense", set in 2024.)

    --
    Space game using normal deck of cards: http://BattleCards.org
  61. Lucas Syndrome by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Will Picard shoot first?

  62. This would be bad by maroberts · · Score: 1

    "Sadly, Paramount hasn't ... asked Marina Sirtis to re-dub a few of her lines to sound a bit less like an overwrought heroine from Victorian erotica"

    Hmmm, I'll be back to my keyboard once I've checked out this space age Victorian erotica you speak of...

    --

    Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
    Karma: Chameleon

  63. This is a GOOD thing by apharmdq · · Score: 2

    I just recently watched a few episodes of the remaster of the original series, and I'm quite amazed at how good it is. The details are crisp, the color balance is very appealing, and, most importantly, the graphical tweaks remain true to the original show. This is what George Lucas SHOULD have done when remastering Star Wars. I also got a chance to compare it with some episodes from The Next Generation, and surprisingly, the remaster of the show from the 60s looked better than the non-remaster of the show from the 90s.
    So I'm very eager to see how The Next Generation turns out. People could scoff and say that this is just a money-grab, and I guess it kind of is, but it's definitely worth it to the viewer. If you don't believe me, watch an episode of TOS Remastered alongside a non-remastered version. (And then put a non-remastered TNG next to that.)
    I've always disliked blu-ray, but this may be the thing that coerces me into buying a player at last.

  64. Re:Zoom by jfengel · · Score: 1

    Nooooooooooooo!

  65. A huge leap forward by Alomex · · Score: 1

    I've heard theyâ(TM)re including an additional 21 seconds of previously unseen footage. It will be almost like watching a whole new series!

  66. Regarding your sig by DragonHawk · · Score: 1

    lf(1): it's like ls(1) but sorts filenames by extension, tersely.

    FYI: The -X switch to GNU ls(1) already does this.

    --

    dragonhawk@iname.microsoft.com
    I do not like Microsoft. Remove them from my email address.
    1. Re:Regarding your sig by steveha · · Score: 1

      FYI: The -X switch to GNU ls(1) already does this.

      FYI: No, it doesn't. You didn't even look at the lf(1) project page so you don't understand what it does. The key word you missed was "tersely".

      Given the limited number of characters in a Slashdot sig, I was sort of relying on people to click the link; there isn't space to really describe it.

      But here's the screenshot:

      http://sourceforge.net/projects/lf1/screenshots/132735

      By looking down the left side of the screen you can see which extensions are in use. By not printing the extensions more than once, lf(1) saves screen real estate and can show more files at once.

      Nobody really cares about it except me, but it does not do the same thing as GNU ls(1) -X.

      steveha

      --
      lf(1): it's like ls(1) but sorts filenames by extension, tersely
    2. Re:Regarding your sig by DragonHawk · · Score: 1

      FYI: No, it doesn't. You didn't even look at the lf(1) project page so you don't understand what it does.

      Actually, I *did* look at the project page. Which states, in its entirety, "lf is a command-line tool to list files in a terse format, sorted by file extensions. Sorts by the user's locale, or by ASCII, and has many options to control its behavior." It makes no mention of printing the extensions separately, nor of stripping them from the file names.

      You're sort-of right in that I didn't look at the screen shot. I assumed the prose description on the web page would describe all the salient features. I see now that assumption was a bad one.

      Suggestion for prose description:
      lf is a command-line tool to list files. It is similar in concept to ls(1), but groups by file extension. Each line begins with an extension, followed by the base file names without extension. Sorts by the user's locale, or by ASCII, and has many options to control its behavior.

      The key word you missed was "tersely".

      I did read "tersely", but I didn't see how the traditional ls(1) format could be any more terse: It already prints only the file names and nothing else. It didn't occur to me that you're breaking up the file names.

      Given the limited number of characters in a Slashdot sig, I was sort of relying on people to click the link...

      Suggestion:

      lf(1): Like ls(1) but groups by extension, printed separately.

      --

      dragonhawk@iname.microsoft.com
      I do not like Microsoft. Remove them from my email address.
    3. Re:Regarding your sig by steveha · · Score: 1

      Actually, I *did* look at the project page. Which states, in its entirety, "lf is a command-line tool to list files in a terse format, sorted by file extensions. Sorts by the user's locale, or by ASCII, and has many options to control its behavior." It makes no mention of printing the extensions separately, nor of stripping them from the file names.

      Hmm, thank you for this feedback.

      I have been unmotivated to update lf(1) because nobody is paying any attention to it. If you looked at the page and my explanation didn't make it clear, then that's my fault and I need to improve that. Maybe more people would care if I explained the benefits better.

      I assumed the prose description on the web page would describe all the salient features. I see now that assumption was a bad one.

      Ouch, sorry.

      It didn't occur to me that you're breaking up the file names.

      I got the idea from an old public domain program for MS-DOS, which was called LF.COM. I wish I could credit the person behind this program but I have no idea who that person was; the program didn't include any name, not even a nickname like "TheMadCoder" or whatever. And this was pre-Web, so there was no question of it mentioning a home page or anything like that.

      Anyway, you might not think that leaving off the extension would make a big difference, but it can really pack more file names onto the screen, and I still find it very readable. And I like how you can tell at a glace what sort of files you are seeing: if they are mostly .cpp and .hpp files, you are looking at C++ source; if they are mostly .html files, you are looking at web page stuff; and so on.

      Thank you for the feedback.

      steveha

      --
      lf(1): it's like ls(1) but sorts filenames by extension, tersely
  67. 1080p, 1080i, resolutions and frame rates by erice · · Score: 1

    Lastly, very little is shot in 1080p. that has changed recently, but all United states braodcast cameras are either 1080i (1/2 the resolution of 1080p)

    1080i is not half the resolution of 1080p. It is the same resolution with half the frame rate. I.e., 30Hz rather than 60Hz. This isn't very important for most film transfers since movies are classically shot at 24Hz. Since TNG was a US television production, it should have been shot at 30Hz but I'll admit: I haven't looked it up.

    1. Re:1080p, 1080i, resolutions and frame rates by catmistake · · Score: 1

      Lastly, very little is shot in 1080p. that has changed recently, but all United states braodcast cameras are either 1080i (1/2 the resolution of 1080p)

      1080i is not half the resolution of 1080p. It is the same resolution with half the frame rate. I.e., 30Hz rather than 60Hz. This isn't very important for most film transfers since movies are classically shot at 24Hz. Since TNG was a US television production, it should have been shot at 30Hz but I'll admit: I haven't looked it up.

      The i stands for interlaced scan. A frame of 1080i video consists of two fields which resolve to 1920×540 pixels each, and whose horizontal lines are intertwined (that is, interlaced).

  68. Colour? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I don't know this word. Is this some obscure language? Can you give me an English equivalent?

  69. Umm .... Four Episodes by MrMickS · · Score: 1

    Encounter at Farpoint was two episodes, at least outside the US.

    --
    You may think me a tired, old, cynic. I'd have to disagree about the tired bit.
  70. Re:They better not have... by zoloto · · Score: 1

    Well Lucas screwed with Star Wars and made Greedo shoot before Han almost a decade ago. You tell me what they can do these days?

  71. Hill Street Blues by lordbah · · Score: 1

    Of course I watched ST:TNG when it ran, and if I come across a rerun and there's nothing else on I may still watch it. But I don't think I'd buy Blu-Ray. Maybe put it on the xmas list since I'm always struggling to find stuff cheap enough for family to buy for me that I haven't already gone and bought myself. But what I really want fervently is Hill Street Blues. Fox released seasons 1 and 2 on DVD and then just stopped. Bastards!

  72. Re:Fuck Blu Ray by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

    ARRRRRRRRRGH why is it not the long version?

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  73. Re:Deanna Troi's tits by who_stole_my_kidneys · · Score: 1

    ENHANCE...(click clack click clack)...Enhance...(click clack click clack)...enhance...(click click clack)...

  74. List of improvements by operagost · · Score: 1

    1. Easier to tell Michael Westmore's humanoids apart with greater detail in head ridges
    2. Enterprise-D now runs on heavily subsidized solar power instead of warp reactors from Big Antimatter
    3. Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother reruns on the main viewer during night watch
    4. There are THREE lights

    --

    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
  75. PicArt by heson · · Score: 1

    Does it include the best episode ever? - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7jbP1_H9sA
    or will it have to be recreated in HD?

  76. Still too expensive.... by TemporalBeing · · Score: 1

    I typically buy the entire series for what I like - e.g. I've bought all of Star Gate, Pretender, and 5 or 6 other TV series. However, the Star Trek series is just way too expensive. Star Gate was at most $40/season and even then I typically only paid $20-25. The cheapest Star Trek I've seen (even on BD) is still $60/season, and typically far higher than that.

    Though if the DVDs were really that poor of quality, it makes on wonder just how sad/abused/etc the Star Trekkies are to pay that much for such poor quality, especially if they did so little to convert it. Glad to see they're doing the right thing for the BD editions, but they really should lower the price considerably.

    Until then...I'll just enjoy any Star Trek on NetFlix/Hulu/etc, or skip it entirely.

    --
    Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away. - Elvis Presley (source: imdb.com)
  77. Re:Fuck Blu Ray by Jeremy+Erwin · · Score: 1

    Because Lynch wanted it this way.

    Why do you like the long version, anyway?

  78. there were supposed to be five lights by tim_darklighter · · Score: 1

    I hope they finally fix that pesky problem where only four lights were actually shown. Apparently the CG at the time was too expensive to include the fifth light, so they played it off as Picard trying to pretend he wasn't insane.

  79. Re:Fuck Blu Ray by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

    What I really want is one disc with both versions... which is not even difficult.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  80. Oh, let's pay for it - again :) by dragisha · · Score: 1

    This is how cycle moves forward. 95%+ people interested in this new version already paid for rights to use this intelectual property, many more times than once. VHS, VCD, DVD, ...
    No problem, we can pay again, and again... As long as they improve resolution, add new beneath-the-scenes, how-we-did-it and similar sugar.
    Why don't they change anything? Because IT WORKS!

    --
    http://opencm3.net, http://www.nongnu.org/gm2/
  81. Facts by RobCull · · Score: 2

    Given that TFA provided sucks, I took the liberty of looking for another one. Here's the straight dope:

    - CBS is starting from scratch using the original film negatives, and editing the episodes together precisely as they were when they originally aired between 1987 and 1994.
    - Visual effects will not be upconverted from videotape, but instead will be recompositioned from the film elements available.
    - The freshly cut film will be transferred to high definition with 7.1 DTS Master Audio.
    - Work is being done in conjunction with Denise and Michael Okuda, who are on board as consultants.
    - Aspect ratio for Blu-ray release is the original aspect ratio as it aired on televsion – 1.33:1 (4:3)

    Source

    Additionally, see TNG Remastered Process & FAQ

  82. Re:CGI by mfnickster · · Score: 1

    I think you're thinking of DS9, which switched to CGI later in its run. TNG didn't use CGI much, if any.

    If you count 2D animation, TNG used a lot of CGI. Their compositing and animation was mostly done with DFX Paint FX and a Quantel Harry.

    They didn't use so much 3D stuff, but a couple notable examples were the Crystalline Entity and Tin Man. I'm also pretty sure the flight squad trainers in The First Duty were CG.

    More interesting stuff here:
    http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/CGI http://reocities.com/Hollywood/Set/1116/sfxartcl.html

    --
    "Slow down, Cowboy! It has been 3 years, 7 months and 26 days since you last successfully posted a comment."