The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981 | BBC)

[UncleBuckWild]

THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY

Release Date: October 1, 2018

For the first time in the history of the universe, the complete Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is available in high definition! The cult classic British series from the mind of Douglas Adams is back in this very special edition. Featuring all episodes in full HD and 5.1 audio plus over 5 ½ hours of new and existing bonus material.

Unbeknownst to its inhabitants, Earth is to be demolished to make way for an intergalactic highway. Arthur Dent (Simon Jones), an unassuming Englishman, is whisked off the planet to safety by his alien friend Ford Prefect (David Dixon), and launched on a dizzying journey through space and time (with only a towel, and a fish to help them) to discover the meaning of life itself.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Special Edition)



The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Retro VHS-style | Collector's Edition)

[thecooldud]

Oooooh.

[Si Parallel Universe]

Upscaled

Hmm. Does this mean my DVD that I can play on my BR player will perform the same ? I mean it's interesting and I'd probably buy a bells and whistles version but .. PQ is going to be a massive improvement ?

[thecooldud]

Depends if it's being done by those doing the Who Blus, as they say the difference is that THEY are in charge of how the footage is upscaled, rather than it being down to an individual player, ensuring that it will be the best possible PQ.

[malcy30]

The BFI event has been delayed until later in year so almost certainly this also applies to BD release date.

Obviously someone optimistic this would be ready in time and isn’t.

[Salamurai]

Upscaled, I'm guessing that's from it being originally shot mostly on videotape?

[Porco Azzurro]

I realise that the umbrella ‘BBC’ name covers many production companies’ work, and I may be interested in this (I have an old DVD release), but it really is incredibly frustrating to see upscales being released on Blu-ray when there’s a mountain of brand new stuff shot and broadcast in HD, only to get standard def DVD-only releases (at least in terms of physical media).

[reason108]

I will be getting this upon release. Can`t wait!

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by Porco Azzurro

I realise that the umbrella ‘BBC’ name covers many production companies’ work, and I may be interested in this (I have an old DVD release), but it really is incredibly frustrating to see upscales being released on Blu-ray when there’s a mountain of brand new stuff shot and broadcast in HD, only to get standard def DVD-only releases (at least in terms of physical media).

The reason we are seeing upscales of Doctor Who, Hitchhikers and Red Dwarf on BD is they know they will sell.

The heaviest BD buyers are still my demographic and I am sure most members here, middle aged men. What they buy in highest volumes are sci-fi plus these have the nostalgia factor as well.

I agree drama and costume drama which the BBC is famous for would benefit BD vs DVD but those buyers tend to be older and are happy with cheaper DVDs.

At least the BBC is supporting UHD for their new nature documentaries some of only a handful of TV shows on UHD.

[Wireduck1]

You beauty. Can't wait.

[Jezza]

Originally Posted by Porco Azzurro

I realise that the umbrella ‘BBC’ name covers many production companies’ work, and I may be interested in this (I have an old DVD release), but it really is incredibly frustrating to see upscales being released on Blu-ray when there’s a mountain of brand new stuff shot and broadcast in HD, only to get standard def DVD-only releases (at least in terms of physical media).

True, but after the failure of BBC Store it seems they're opening willing to stick with physical media, whether it be DVD or BD.

The fact that they're starting to do proper upscales of their older shows is in many ways a good thing, because a large portion of the original DVDs are flawed and could do with a new release.

Take Dad's Army for instance, the current DVD doesn't contain the re-colourised 'Room at the Bottom' or the animated 'A Stripe for Frazer'. The former has only ever been shown on TV a couple of times and the latter only ever appeared on BBC Store. A new BD set would be fantastic if it included those two.

Although they only seem to testing the waters with shows they know will sell well, I will happily support them all if it means we get better BD release of other shows.

[Sifox211]

Very excited about this, especially if they do a good job on it. Hardly a day goes by when I don't reference some titbit of humour and wisdom from this series!

[stevo4264]

So they are going to upscale another TV show from Tape for a BD release and that show is THGTTG. Yeah ok, I'm in, first day purchase for me

[Porco Azzurro]

Originally Posted by malcy30

The reason we are seeing upscales of Doctor Who, Hitchhikers and Red Dwarf on BD is they know they will sell.

The heaviest BD buyers are still my demographic and I am sure most members here, middle aged men. What they buy in highest volumes are sci-fi plus these have the nostalgia factor as well.

I agree drama and costume drama which the BBC is famous for would benefit BD vs DVD but those buyers tend to be older and are happy with cheaper DVDs.

At least the BBC is supporting UHD for their new nature documentaries some of only a handful of TV shows on UHD.

Originally Posted by Jezza

True, but after the failure of BBC Store it seems they're opening willing to stick with physical media, whether it be DVD or BD.

The fact that they're starting to do proper upscales of their older shows is in many ways a good thing, because a large portion of the original DVDs are flawed and could do with a new release.

Take Dad's Army for instance, the current DVD doesn't contain the re-colourised 'Room at the Bottom' or the animated 'A Stripe for Frazer'. The former has only ever been shown on TV a couple of times and the latter only ever appeared on BBC Store. A new BD set would be fantastic if it included those two.

Although they only seem to testing the waters with shows they know will sell well, I will happily support them all if it means we get better BD release of other shows.

Lots of good points in these posts.

I understand the arguments for it, and it's not that I’m against releases like this at all - the more the merrier - it’s just frustrating to me to see so much stuff not released on BD. I don’t think all of it is because it wouldn’t sell enough to justify, I think it’s probably more about maximising sales of digital downloads. Oh well.

[Jezza]

Originally Posted by Porco Azzurro

Lots of good points in these posts.

I understand the arguments for it, and it's not that I’m against releases like this at all - the more the merrier - it’s just frustrating to me to see so much stuff not released on BD. I don’t think all of it is because it wouldn’t sell enough to justify, I think it’s probably more about maximising sales of digital downloads. Oh well.

I think being what the BBC is, they produce a lot of one-off or short-lived shows with a limited life beyond their initial television broadcast, other than the obligatory DVD release. So a lot of them just don't see any life on BD.

There are quite a few shows I've watched that have received BD releases, but I have no desire to rewatch, so I can understand the dilemma here.

I know I playing devil's advocate a bit here, but I have noticed they've started to release more shows on BD in the past couple of years, so other proper HD ones may crop up in the future.

[CompleteCount]

Originally Posted by Salamurai

Upscaled, I'm guessing that's from it being originally shot mostly on videotape?

Yep, the classic combination of 2"quadruplex video and 16mm inserts for location, etc.

Although the bulk will be upscaled, the 16mm pieces will probably be remastered into pretty nice-looking HD, should the elements survive.

[Dragon Ranger]

I have the DVD but will be happy to upgrade to Blu if the picture is improved and there is some new bonus content.

[McCrutchy]

Awesome news. I hope one day, we could get something way out there, like an upscaled I, Claudius, for example.

Originally Posted by Porco Azzurro

I realise that the umbrella ‘BBC’ name covers many production companies’ work, and I may be interested in this (I have an old DVD release), but it really is incredibly frustrating to see upscales being released on Blu-ray when there’s a mountain of brand new stuff shot and broadcast in HD, only to get standard def DVD-only releases (at least in terms of physical media).

I completely agree. However, I'm just happy that we're getting any fiction program not Doctor Who (2005-) / Sherlock on Blu-ray. I buy virtually all BBC releases these days anyway, but at least these upscaled releases look to have been remastered and done properly at native 25 fps and lossless audio.

That said, I wish they would finish the Attenborough documentaries, as I think Life on Earth and Trials of Life are brilliant, and I was hoping that the others would be remastered and released, too. And while they're at it, since Civilisation is so good, I'd like to see The Ascent of Man remastered, too.

[darklightzg]

Blakes' 7 next please Mr. BBC man��

[Network23]

Awesome news, Cant wait to upgrade this classic Douglas Adams!