ST:DS9 Blu-Ray Release Could Happen

[Arkadin]

just read a tweet by Michael Okuda--who is very involved with ST bd releases--that was a response to this tweet--
"TNG just tempts me to go Blu-ray ... if it were DS9 I would already have bought a theater with digital projector"
Michael's response tweet was "We'd LOVE to do DS9 on Blu-ray, if sales of TNG are strong enough."
so there you go. The possibility of a DS9 blu-ray release seems to exist based on the success of TNG--which obviously isn't that surprising.
still--great news that they are already considering doing DS9.
michael okuda info--
http://www.startrek.com/database_article/michael-okuda

[Aristide Massaccesi]

DS9 is my favourite Star Trek series, seeing it on blu-ray would be incredible. One thing though: DS9 switched to CGI during season 5 so they would have to completely re-do the SFX for the last two and a half seasons.

[bearscubsfan87]

It would be great to see DS9 in all kinds of HD glory. I do hope it looks better than what we got for Trials and Tribulations in the TOS box set.

[Jompa]

I would certainly buy it and Voyager.

[Lope de Aguirre]

Originally Posted by bearscubsfan87

It would be great to see DS9 in all kinds of HD glory. I do hope it looks better than what we got for Trials and Tribulations in the TOS box set.

That was just a SD transfer.
If they re-scan the original elements like they are doing with TNG now DS9 will look astonishing on BD!

Can't wait, they should start work on it RIGHT NOW!!!

[Filmmaker]

I'd pay $20 more than SRP for this, the second best TREK series behind TOS!

[aimforsilence]

awesome! I'm sure TNG will do very well on Blu-ray! It's one of the best shows from the 80's/90's!

[Lincoln6Echo]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

I'd pay $20 more than SRP for this, the second best TREK series behind TOS!

eh? TOS is highly over-rated in my opinion. And I say that as I'm currently in S3 in my TOS BDs. Even with updated effects, the episodes, storylines, and even characters are not all that interesting. And yes, I grew up on the '78 syndicated run before TNG first aired in '87.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

I'd pay $20 more than SRP for this, the second best TREK series behind TOS!

Correction: Its THE BEST Trek series EVER!!!

[nametag]

Originally Posted by Aristide Massaccesi

DS9 is my favourite Star Trek series, seeing it on blu-ray would be incredible. One thing though: DS9 switched to CGI during season 5 so they would have to completely re-do the SFX for the last two and a half seasons.

But they'll have to completely re-do the effects for the rest as well, like they're doing with TNG, because they're stuck in SD - am I right? So it makes no difference.

I'd LOVE this to happen. As Ronald D. Moore himself said - DS9 was the 'ultimate achievement' for the Star Trek franchise...

[Lope de Aguirre]

Originally Posted by nametag

But they'll have to completely re-do the effects for the rest as well, like they're doing with TNG, because they're stuck in SD - am I right? So it makes no difference.

No, on TNG (and eventually the first DS9 seasons) they mostly recomposite 35mm footage.
The FINISHED SFX were only on video but they SHOT the leyers with 35mm film.

The CGI of the later DS9 seasons are ONLY in SD and there are noe high resolution sources....

[nametag]

Originally Posted by Lope de Aguirre

No, on TNG (and eventually the first DS9 seasons) they mostly recomposite 35mm footage.
The FINISHED SFX were only on video but they SHOT the leyers with 35mm film.

The CGI of the later DS9 seasons are ONLY in SD and there are noe high resolution sources....

But are these 'layers' of SFX-on-film actually being used? I thought they were re-creating the SFX for TNG using CGI - That's why lots of the model shots etc look different? Wouldn't it be relatively the same amount of work required for DS9 as a result?

[Lope de Aguirre]

Originally Posted by nametag

But are these 'layers' of SFX-on-film actually being used? I thought they were re-creating the SFX for TNG using CGI - That's why lots of the model shots etc look different? Wouldn't it be relatively the same amount of work required for DS9 as a result?

Yeah 90% (or even more) of the time they use the original physical model footage.
Although they are mostly re-creating the planets with CGI (which they would not have to but the CGI planets look BETTER than the original shots).

And hinestly: I do not know which technique is mor expensive or time consuming.
I guess doing new CGI would be more expensive but I do not know.
What I do know is that when physical model footage is existent, a) they should use it cause it's the original and b) I prefer the look of physical modesl over CGI

How expensive and time consuming new CGIs for DS9 will be does also depend on the fact if the old CGI models and animation files still exist.
When not they really what have to start from scratch. When the original files are still stores, they could easily do FullHD textures for the existing models and scenes and re-render them. That should be easy and relatively cheap.

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

Michael's response tweet was "We'd LOVE to do DS9 on Blu-ray, if sales of TNG are strong enough."
so there you go. The possibility of a DS9 blu-ray release seems to exist based on the success of TNG--which obviously isn't that surprising.

Not surprising perhaps, but in some ways, this feels like extortion. Don't get me wrong: I enjoyed TNG when it aired initially, but for me, the series has not held up well in syndication and thus, I have no interest in purchasing this on Blu-ray because I know I'll never watch this. The release of DS9 should not be contingent on TNG's sales because if it fares poorly, DS9 is unlikely to see light-of-day on Blu-ray.

[Lincoln6Echo]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

Not surprising perhaps, but in some ways, this feels like extortion. Don't get me wrong: I enjoyed TNG when it aired initially, but for me, the series has not held up well in syndication and thus, I have no interest in purchasing this on Blu-ray because I know I'll never watch this. The release of DS9 should not be contingent on TNG's sales because if it fares poorly, DS9 is unlikely to see light-of-day on Blu-ray.

I disagree. I think TNG holds up quite well, especially with this new remastering job. The only time when TNG (or any sci-fi, for that matter) fails to hold up, is if the futuristic sci-fi tech in the show/film gets surpassed by current real-life tech. If anything, that's a major problem with old Bond films.

If anything from TNG, DS9, and VOY, for that matter that may be getting out of date is the Communicator badge. While pretty sci-fi and miles ahead of the TOS flip-communicators, modern "push-to-talk" cell phones accomplish pretty much the same thing now.

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by Lincoln6Echo

I disagree. I think TNG holds up quite well, especially with this new remastering job. The only time when TNG (or any sci-fi, for that matter) fails to hold up, is if the futuristic sci-fi tech in the show/film gets surpassed by current real-life tech. If anything, that's a major problem with old Bond films.

To each their own. While I enjoyed the cast and storylines, the sets look and feel dated to me (it feels very much like a series filmed during the '90s); sadly, the suspension of disbelief element is no longer there for me.

[Lope de Aguirre]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

To each their own. While I enjoyed the cast and storylines, the sets look and feel dated to me (it feels very much like a series filmed during the '90s); sadly, the suspension of disbelief element is no longer there for me.

Did you see some episodes on Blu-Ray?

[MTRodaba2468]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

Not surprising perhaps, but in some ways, this feels like extortion. Don't get me wrong: I enjoyed TNG when it aired initially, but for me, the series has not held up well in syndication and thus, I have no interest in purchasing this on Blu-ray because I know I'll never watch this. The release of DS9 should not be contingent on TNG's sales because if it fares poorly, DS9 is unlikely to see light-of-day on Blu-ray.

Well, the fact is that The Next Generation was, outside of the original show, the most popular Trek show. The whole process of bringing the show to HD, which is certainly an expensive process, has been for the purpose of syndication; TNG is still a popular show in that regard, and networks are more than willing to pay good money for HD content they can air in syndication. The Blu-Ray releases are just a bonus.

DS9, unfortunately, doesn't have the popularity that TNG has, which makes it a less than appealing candidate for undergoing an expensive process to bring it to HD, when you're looking at the bottom line. Frankly, I'm surprised that they're considering it based on how the Blus for TNG sell, since I didn't think it was believed that they'd make much of their money back from the video release, but from syndication. The same goes for Voyager and Enterprise.

Ideally, all the Trek shows would undergo the process if needed to be put out in HD (and I've never been a huge Trek fan, for that matter; however, the franchise is a pretty damn important one that should be preserved). Unfortunately, it's not a guarantee it will happen. However, if good sales for these send a message, I'm all for it happening.

[Clark Kent]

I would not get my hopes up for DS9 showing up on Blu-ray.

[ChuckT43]

My prediction; ALL trek will eventually find its way to Blu. It's too big a franchise not to. It may take time for the costs involved to go down but one day it will happen. For years you could read posts of people saying STNG would never happen and here we are. Just my view.