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Star Trek The Original Series - Season One [7 Blu-ray discs]
(Gene Roddenberry - creator, 1966)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Television: NBC Video: Paramount Home Entertainment
Disc: Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: full 50:30 minutes, original broadcast - not syndicated, episodes - Total: 1475 minutes Disc 1 Size: 45,278,537,081 bytes Disc 2 Size: 45,475,684,810 bytes Disc 3 Size: 47,675,772,263 bytes Disc 4 Size: 44,620,059,477 bytes Disc 5 Size: 42,225,031,122 bytes Disc 6 Size: 45,086,887,292 bytes Disc 7 Size: 42,978,390,804 bytes
Episode Sizes: between 7.5 - 12 Gig each Average Total Bitrate: 24.29 Case: Thick Blu-ray case (see image below) Release date: April 28th, 2009
Video: Aspect ratio: 1.78:1 (pillarboxed 1.33:1) Resolution: 1080p Video codec: VC-1 Video
Audio:
DTS-HD Master Audio English 4268 kbps 7.1 / 48 kHz / 4268
kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles: English, English (SDH), French, Portuguese, Spanish, none
Package
Content:
Disc One:
Sample Bitrate:
Description:
Star
Trek
is a science fiction television series created by Gene
Roddenberry that aired from September 8, 1966 through
September 2, 1969. Though the title of the original program
was simply Star Trek, it has acquired the retronym
Star Trek: The Original Series (sometimes shortened to
ST:TOS or TOS), in order to distinguish the
series from the sequels which followed (all of which
comprise the Star Trek universe or franchise). Set in the
23rd century, Star Trek follows the adventures of the
starship Enterprise and its crew, led by Captain James T.
Kirk (William Shatner), his First Officer Mr. Spock (Leonard
Nimoy), and his Chief Medical Officer Leonard McCoy (DeForest
Kelley). William Shatner's voice-over introduction during
each episode's opening credits stated the starship's
purpose: "Space... the Final Frontier. These are the
voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission:
to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new
civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." Excerpt from Wikipedia located HERE
The Series: There is a definite reason for the longevity of the Star Trek franchise. I think it is based on Gene Roddenberry's positive outlook for our future. As we progress onwards it continues to seem more plausible than it did when he first conceived of it. 'Money' - our societal fulcrum is hardly ever discussed on Star Trek's original series - sure maybe 'credits' are mentioned briefly every 10 episodes. Other banes of my current existence - 'music industry' (never touched on), 'Professional athletes' (nada), our celebrity fixation (they don't have any)... Going boldly where no man had gone before, Gene Roddenberry's cult phenomenon Star Trek debuted in 1966 and reflected that decade's optimistic preoccupation with space travel. Set in the 23rd century, the series chronicled the intergalactic adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise on its five-year mission to explore the outer reaches of space. Encountering a now-iconic assembly of innovative alien life forms such as the Klingons, Romulans, Tribbles, and Khan Noonian Singh, the ship's jumpsuited crew was a then unheard-of font of multiculturism: Asian Hikaru Sulu (George Takei), African-American Nyota Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), and Scotsman Montgomery Scotty Scott (James Doohan). But it was the contrasting personalities of cooly logical Vulcan Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), emotionally intuitive medical officer Leonard Bones McCoy (DeForest Kelley), and womanizing ship captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner in definitive overacting mode) that lent the series much of its charm--and spawned a rabid cult following that continues to fuel costume sales and convention bookings to this very day. Presented here is every episode from the show's debut series.
"Gorn's are much greener than I was led to believe...."
Firstly, this is less of a review and more an indiscreet grouping of observations I've made about the set so far. Being a full 7, dual-layered, Blu-rays discs, it seems too much to cover totally in one review. I could have posted 100's more captures to indicate differences but this webpage is stacked as it stands.
NOTE: Regarding the 'enhanced effects'; these surface very rarely in each episode usually notable in the way space, planets, the Enterprise, photon torpedoes and sometimes the way the opening titles are depicted (it never effects people!). There are other examples but you can get a good idea by seeing our Season Two DVD review HERE. Also these effects are 'seamlessly branched' so that the Blu-ray image quality, beyond those few 'enhanced effects', is exactly the same.
Paramount are coming through again. They listen to the fans and now they have NOT limited their Star Trek Season One Blu-ray package with only the 'enhanced' effects (as the HD-DVD was). Purists didn't like the tinkering one bit - despite how minor it is - and the production offers, like the audio, two options described as - "Enhanced Effects" or "Original Effects" (see first sample below). Personally, as I stated with the HD-DVD version of Season One - I don't mind the new CGI bits and pieces that much, but giving the option is definitely the way to go - thanks Paramount. When 'enhanced' effects are shown my Momitsu flashes an 'Angle On' notification on the screen briefly to identify that the particular scene has the alternations (being a solid fan I'd certainly know regardless). It's not much anyhow and I don't know how other players will react.
The Blu-ray image absolutely blows away my older faded, artifact-ridden, DVDs from 2000 - as evidenced by the matched screen captures below. Colors are the biggest beneficiaries and skin tones have moved to the warmer end of the spectrum (as commonplace with high-definition rendering). There has probably been some color enhancement. Contrast is a full notch up as well. The resulting episodes, taking up between 7.5 - 12 Gig each, have quality that is stunning - even bigger and better than the HD - although I don't own it anymore to compare, but it does seem even smoother.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
'Original Effects' Blu-ray image TOP - 'Enhanced Effects' Blu-ray BOTTOM
DVD from 2000 TOP vs. Blu-ray BOTTOM
DVD from 2000 TOP vs. Blu-ray BOTTOM
DVD from 2000 TOP vs. Blu-ray BOTTOM
DVD from 2000 TOP vs. Blu-ray BOTTOM
More Blu-ray grabs
Audio: Advertised as "the best sound format possible", the 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio at 4268 kbps is an extremely strong mix with excellent range and depth. Example; the sound in the Miri episode (disc 2) has the hiding children's laughter quite abruptly surface behind you - then in the next instance - a few seconds later, is slowly enveloping the room- fading from one speaker to the next - it's quite impressive. Phasers, door closings and the quite rumble of the Enterprise engines all sound quite 'modern' and professional now. A two channel mono track is left for the purists and you can easily distinguish the differences in bass response and the higher end. Subtitles are available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. I'm surprised that the set is 'region free' - playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide. I verified this with my Momitsu - BDP -899.
Extras :'Star Fleet Access' with the cool picture-in-picture details (sometimes 2 separate small screens!) for 6 episodes - also found on the old HD-DVD set - as well as preview trailers for each episode. From the official description, but I haven't had the chance to visit in each disc, - "The set also includes an interactive tour of the starship Enterprise, rare on-set home movie footage, an inside perspective on what it took to transport Trek into the 21st century and much more" (see full list above.) Ohhh.... an 'exclusive' collectible Sulu figure from Diamond Select Toys is also being made available with purchase of the Blu-ray set via an enclosed coupon - fans pay only shipping and handling charges.
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze April 18th, 2009
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About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 7500 DVDs and have reviewed over 3000 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who
focused 'too much' on image and sound quality - I
find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction. So be
it, but film will always be my first love and I list my
favorites on the old YMdb site now accessible
HERE.
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