Star Trek TNG - Season One July 24 Review

[Willdta]

Originally Posted by mzupeman

What's going to be hilarious is when that guy shows up to his local BB, and doesn't end up getting the deal anyway. People at Best Buy are morons, and trusting someone with info over the phone is an incredible leap of faith. Half the time they don't even know how their own promotions work. Anything outside of the norm, and the associates have to have an emergency mini-meeting at the register with a manager in order to find out if it's OK to satisfy the customer.

I have mine ordered from Amazon for $59.99. Done deal!

even if the store declined using both promotions , could i not simply use the upgrade and save and the 10 off coupon on another planned purchase. so in essence i would get both. and since thats 15$ its basically like i got a free movie. Amazon has a bad history of sending single times in jiffy bags. say goodbye to your slipcover.

[bsweetness]

Originally Posted by Willdta

even if the store declined using both promotions , could i not simply use the upgrade and save and the 10 off coupon on another planned purchase. so in essence i would get both. and since thats 15$ its basically like i got a free movie. Amazon has a bad history of sending single times in jiffy bags. say goodbye to your slipcover.

Unless your Best Buy goes against the terms of both promotions, you won't get the $10 off coupon if you use an upgrade and save coupon. Using the upgrade and save coupon on something you ordered online will cancel out your online order and your $10 coupon. Here's what everyone is trying to say:

$10 coupon for a future purchase

This is an online-only promotion. To get this, you have to place a media (movies, music, games) order online that's over $50 for in-store pickup. If you order online, you have to pay online at the time of purchase, not at the time of pickup. This means when you pick the item up, you've already paid for the order, so there's no way to use an upgrade and save coupon. The only way to use an upgrade and save coupon is to cancel the online order, which will also cancel your $10 coupon. Once you receive the coupon, it can be used for online or in-store purchases, but to get it, you have to place an order online and pick it up in a store.

Upgrade and save $5 coupon

This is an in-store only coupon. In order to use this, you have purchase an item in-store. If you've purchased an item online for in-store pickup, you can't use this because it was an online order that you've already paid for. The only way to use this would be to cancel the online order and buy the item in the store, but this will cancel your $10 coupon.

Here's what I'm doing - I'm going to order online for in-store pickup so I get the $10 coupon. After my $10 coupon arrives, I'll go back to Best Buy with a DVD and get an upgrade and save coupon. I'll then combine the two for a total of $15 off.

As I mentioned before, unless your Best Buy is going to go against the terms of both promotions (which isn't likely, but anything can happen from time to time), you can't get both from a single order. If you're planning on a purchase at Best Buy in the near future, you'll be better off ordering online for in-store pickup, and then after you receive your $10 coupon, before the end of the month take a DVD in and combine the upgrade and save coupon with the $10 coupon. If you don't plan on making any purchases over $10 at Best Buy in the near future, purchase in-store and go with the upgrade and save.

[HDMe]

Originally Posted by Willdta

i called up to my local store to confirm. i can do both. they simply refund my card 5$.

The only time I ever asked such a thing at my local Best Buy... they would do it... but the register processes a return and then a re-purchase. The net result would be a $5 credit back to your card... but the return would nullify the store-pick-up offer and you probably wouldn't get the $10 code.

Now, maybe your store has someone that knows a special trick... but I honestly wouldn't risk it.

[Willdta]

Originally Posted by bsweetness

Unless your Best Buy goes against the terms of both promotions, you won't get the $10 off coupon if you use an upgrade and save coupon. Using the upgrade and save coupon on something you ordered online will cancel out your online order and your $10 coupon. Here's what everyone is trying to say:

$10 coupon for a future purchase

This is an online-only promotion. To get this, you have to place a media (movies, music, games) order online that's over $50 for in-store pickup. If you order online, you have to pay online at the time of purchase, not at the time of pickup. This means when you pick the item up, you've already paid for the order, so there's no way to use an upgrade and save coupon. The only way to use an upgrade and save coupon is to cancel the online order, which will also cancel your $10 coupon. Once you receive the coupon, it can be used for online or in-store purchases, but to get it, you have to place an order online and pick it up in a store.

Upgrade and save $5 coupon

This is an in-store only coupon. In order to use this, you have purchase an item in-store. If you've purchased an item online for in-store pickup, you can't use this because it was an online order that you've already paid for. The only way to use this would be to cancel the online order and buy the item in the store, but this will cancel your $10 coupon.

Here's what I'm doing - I'm going to order online for in-store pickup so I get the $10 coupon. After my $10 coupon arrives, I'll go back to Best Buy with a DVD and get an upgrade and save coupon. I'll then combine the two for a total of $15 off.

As I mentioned before, unless your Best Buy is going to go against the terms of both promotions (which isn't likely, but anything can happen from time to time), you can't get both from a single order. If you're planning on a purchase at Best Buy in the near future, you'll be better off ordering online for in-store pickup, and then after you receive your $10 coupon, before the end of the month take a DVD in and combine the upgrade and save coupon with the $10 coupon. If you don't plan on making any purchases over $10 at Best Buy in the near future, purchase in-store and go with the upgrade and save.

yes... i know all this. im saying is even if i cant apply both promotions to THIS PURCHASE i can certainly keep my online promotion and use it alongside a upgrade and save promotion a day or a week later and get a free movie. the 10$ off promotion is treated as a gift card and can be used with the upgrade and save promotion ON A FUTURE PURCHASE.i hope this settles everyone confusion

[Quicky]

I just can't wait to pick up my pre-order.

[Livelong420]

Originally Posted by Lincoln6Echo

Well, that's a bit like what TOS was like. The newly rendered CG spaceshots were clean as expected, but the old live-action had a more pronounced grain in them. Some more than others. I'm just hoping that the improvement in film cameras from the late '60s to the late '80s make a difference in clarity. It's too bad they didn't have Red HD cameras back then, huh? Wasn't Game of Thrones filmed with Red cameras?

GoT was shot on Arri Alexas. You don't think TOS had much clarity?

I wish they filmed with anamorphic lenses, but back then there wouldn't have been a reason to.

[chriswhv6]

Originally Posted by TheOneWithThePrize

The US disc has subtitles for the Scandinavian countries as well as German, Italian and Dutch. Ergo, it is at least playable on both Region A and Region B players so you will be fine with this.

Ahh good to know..seems like then they have done 1 version of the discs for world wide distribution.

Going to pre-order off Amazon then and hope it arrives by the end of the week

Thanks for the info too.

[Lincoln6Echo]

All this discussion over saving $5-10? Geez, folks...just be glad it's now $60 rather than $80.

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

Originally Posted by Lincoln6Echo

All this discussion over saving $5-10? Geez, folks...just be glad it's now $60 rather than $80.

True, but saving money is fun. Getting something at the lowest price possible is akin to scoring the big goal in the big game IMHO. I love it when I can combind coupons, gift cards, and sales to pick up something for peanuts.

Personally, I went with the in-store pickup (paid online). The $10 coupon for going this route ended up being a pleasant surprise, as I was unaware of it initially. I'm using DVDs to get the $5 off of other blu titles I want.

Win win.

[Lincoln6Echo]

Originally Posted by BouCoupDinkyDau

True, but saving money is fun. Getting something at the lowest price possible is akin to scoring the big goal in the big game IMHO. I love it when I can combind coupons, gift cards, and sales to pick up something for peanuts.

Personally, I went with the in-store pickup (paid online). The $10 coupon for going this route ended up being a pleasant surprise, as I was unaware of it initially. I'm using DVDs to get the $5 off of other blu titles I want.

Win win.

OK, fair enough, but can we now call you, "Crazy Coupon Lady"? Besides, how much gasoline did you burn going to the store?

[Frank169]

Originally Posted by Maxwell Everett

"Here's a screenshot comparison of the new image from "Conspiracy". Notice that in addition to the Enterprise element, the stars are also original, while the Earth and Moon are new CGI. Also, you'll notice that the original ILM VistaVision* Enterprise element as used here cannot fill the entire 1.78:1 frame -- in fact, it's only about 1.67:1, or 1812 pixels wide.

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/135305"

Excuse me, but are you trying to say that if we can't get full widescreen (1.78:1) we'll have to settle with 4:3 (1.33:1)? My point in this whole format debate had been from the start whether TNG in moderate 15:9 widescreen (1.66:1) would be possible and 10 days prior to the 4:3 release CBS / Paramount is actually showcasing widescreen TNG images in 15:9 at Comic Con?

Somebody please explain this erratic PR strategy of CBS / Paramount to me:

In January we get the Next Level BD with a 16:9 menu and a full widescreen shot of Enterprise-D in the HD teaser, yet the Okudas reveal in an interview a couple of days earlier that widescreen is not an option.

Now we'll get the first season on BD in 4:3 only, yet a couple of days earlier CBS / Paramount displays 15:9 VFX footage that is not just "analog" original ILM VistaVision stuff but has been CGI enhanced (e.g. Chrystaline Entity) and widescreen somehow is an option.

Inevitably and again it gives rise to widescreen expectations. Highly illogical PR strategy, IMHO.

[SwissHD]

Quick Question for owners of the Set:
Has the Disc Italian Audio?
Because in the Review here it is not listed but on a back Cover Scan it is there.

Could Somebody put a Disc in an test this?
Would be very nice.

[Thus Spake Zathras]

Excellent review, Martin. Your comments about watching it with your dad struck a chord too. Really looking forward to getting this set.

[ikms]

Originally Posted by Frank169

Inevitably and again it gives rise to widescreen expectations. Highly illogical PR strategy, IMHO.

Oh it will be widescreen alright, when the syndication broadcasts begin in a few years. They are certainly remastering with this goal in mind.

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

Originally Posted by Frank169

Somebody please explain this erratic PR strategy of CBS / Paramount to me:

In January we get the Next Level BD with a 16:9 menu and a full widescreen shot of Enterprise-D in the HD teaser, yet the Okudas reveal in an interview a couple of days earlier that widescreen is not an option.

Now we'll get the first season on BD in 4:3 only, yet a couple of days earlier CBS / Paramount displays 15:9 VFX footage that is not just "analog" original ILM VistaVision stuff but has been CGI enhanced (e.g. Chrystaline Entity) and widescreen somehow is an option.

Inevitably and again it gives rise to widescreen expectations. Highly illogical PR strategy, IMHO.

Certain FX shots that were initially filmed in widescreen are being remastered in wide screen. I am assuming they are doing this to future proof these shots for use as footage in possible future ST TV series—kinda how DS9 used some OS footage in Trials and Triblations—but the show is being presented in its original format for many reasons (that will be explained in the extras with the 1st season).

But yes, I agree that they should have withheld all widescreen images until after this first season was released. It's caused quite a stir here on BR.com with the huge AR debates, and I'm sure it did likewise on other forums as well.

[Lincoln6Echo]

Originally Posted by BouCoupDinkyDau

Certain FX shots that were initially filmed in widescreen are being remastered in wide screen. I am assuming they are doing this to future proof these shots for use as footage in possible future ST TV series—kinda how DS9 used some OS footage in Trials and Triblations—but the show is being presented in its original format for many reasons (that will be explained in the extras with the 1st season).

But yes, I agree that they should have withheld all widescreen images until after this first season was released. It's caused quite a stir here on BR.com with the huge AR debates, and I'm sure it did likewise on other forums as well.

To me, it's no real big deal. Just do a 1.2x Zoom and you get your 15:9 image. Sure, you lose a bit off the top and bottom, and hopefully most of the time, the framers wishes will still be there minus a little.

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

Originally Posted by Lincoln6Echo

To me, it's no real big deal. Just do a 1.2x Zoom and you get your 15:9 image. Sure, you lose a bit off the top and bottom, and hopefully most of the time, the framers wishes will still be there minus a little.

I'm just going to watch them as is. No zoom needed. I was pretty much a fence sitter on the whole AR issue. Widescreen would have been cool, but pillar boxing in OAR does not bother me in the slightest.

I have a feeling that the widescreen work being done is to future proof things (why do the same work twice?) as well as to prep the episodes for a hybrid widescreen format for syndication broadcasts. I think what we will see on TV is cropped live action shots combind with these widescreen FX shots to create the illusion of a TNG that was filmed for modern TVs.

It's very obvious that they remastered the "action safe" areas (as others have put it), and just cut things back down to OAR. We've all noticed the tiny bits of extra image that pops in from time to time on the sampler, even on the live action shots.

OAR on the blus will ensure that the instances of production artifacts on the outside boarders (like lights, cables, place markers, etc.) will not be seen, while they will have to reframe each shot and crop/zoom where necessary to get the widescreen look for the broadcasts—assuming that's what they are doing.

Now that I think about it, I'm glad the blus are going to be OAR. I'd hate to see off-centered shots all the time just because of reframing to avoid seeing things we were never intended to see.

Should be pretty cool, really. We'll be able to see TNG in all of its intended glory on blu, and then for a slightly different experience we can see it in widescreen on TV.

(I'd still like to see a collection of the remastered widescreen FX shots as an extra with the season sets)

[Maggot]

Seriously, people are squabbling over like 10-20 bucks. I was just looking at the comparisions on the "Screenshot Comparisions" site, and again the effort being put forth is so good that I think too many here really don't get it when it comes to the pricetag. You are getting a brand new show with this. The difference is completely staggering and jaw dropping. Having owned the season sets for years and watched them countless times, over and over, seing what the remastered Blu-ray has in store is nothing short of a miracle. I already own the "next level disc", which was a BIG eye-opener, but Tuesday is going to be sweet beyond words!

[Aragorn the Elfstone]

I'm getting really excited to receive this in the mail on Tuesday.

Having caught various episodes of the show over the years, I'm looking forward to watching it from the beginning.

[Maxwell Everett]

Originally Posted by Frank169

Excuse me, but are you trying to say that if we can't get full widescreen (1.78:1) we'll have to settle with 4:3 (1.33:1)? My point in this whole format debate had been from the start whether TNG in moderate 15:9 widescreen (1.66:1) would be possible and 10 days prior to the 4:3 release CBS / Paramount is actually showcasing widescreen TNG images in 15:9 at Comic Con?

I think they were just being open about how much extra image is available in different VFX shots. All you need to do is watch the ENERGIZED doc on disc 1... it explains all of this very well via the lead compositor, Eric Bruno. He actually shows you how certain shots were assembled and how much image each element has (it varies, of course, from shot to shot).

And they actually show you bits of the 16:9 test they did -- turns out it was "The Naked Now"... and the maximum 1.78:1 area they could safely extract was barely wider than TV Transmitted, so we're not really losing all that much. Since they don't do it in the doc, I layered the 1.78:1 image directly over the 1.33:1:



As you can see, it would have been similar to the 1.78:1 common top extraction pattern Seinfeld used:



In other words, you lose more than you gain.