Star Trek: TNG - Season 2 Dec 4

[Indiana Jones]

Originally Posted by Exist2Inspire

I've been hearing reports that HTV-Illumiate did a pretty bad job on the special effects. Any truth to them (it's all the rage at AVS).

Matte Lines
DNR on all shots with Special Effects
Some VFX shots are cut off

things like that.

Have been reading about it for a week now over on TrekBBS and the effects are certainly not up to the quality of Season 1 and while they have made some mistakes there are other shots that look fantastic, it's a very mixed bag but I still can't wait to own it.

Originally Posted by rdodolak

WTF. Looks like CBS/Paramount will be reissuing S2 as well with these blatant screws ups. What ever happened to quality control ... have they even heard of it before?

Over at AVS information is CBS digital is working on S3 and another house, which is not HTV, is working on S4. Sounds like every other season is being worked on in-house while the others are being out sourced.

Take a look at this incomplete POS which was posted on AVS.

[Show spoiler]

I very much doubt it, this isn't a simple case of fixing incorrectly mapped audio, they would have to recomposite/recreate all the fx which would take months and delay the project, perhaps once all 7 are done they might go back to it but I seriously doubt it.

Also while that shot is pretty bad there was at least one shot in Season 1 that suffered the same issue with the model cutting off before the screen edge but in that case it was at the bottom of the screen so not as noticeable.

[omegaman7]

So the example above could just be an isolated incident? Not many times? If that's the case, that won't bother me too much. I mean if 97% of the sets is gorgeous, that small percentage really shouldn't bother me too much.

[Indiana Jones]

Major errors like the one pictured are I think limited but it's the overal drop in quality that I think is causing the most complaints from the die hard fans, I have even seen some say they prefer the DVDs as the shadow and lightening on the Enterprise is better despite the fact that the remastered shots have far superior charity and detail.

Sure they could have done better but I think it will be far from the unwatchable travesty that some are making it out to be and unless my mind is playing tricks on me the vast majority of each episode is bog standard live action footage which from reports is as good if not better than Season 1.

[legolars]

Originally Posted by benbess

You lucky dog! Where from?! Give us a quick report on how it looks so far when you get the chance.....

I'm in The Netherlands and even though the releasedate is the 5th of december, most shops over here put it on the shelves as soon as they get their copies. I originally posted this on the TrekBBS forum:

Okay, time for first impressions. I just saw The Child and Where Silence has Lease as well as the special features on the first disc and the gag reel on disc 3. Here are my thoughts at this time.

• As previously reported the live action footage looks as good and at times better than the first season. This is without a doubt the best work HTV has ever delivered. Because of the different filmstock used and some different lighting choices, the overal look of the show is pretty dark. But it looks fabulous in HD. Ten Foward for example looks exquisite as does Worf's holodeck program. Colors are mostly muted but sometimes splash from the screen. Superb.
• The sound is vastly improved. The theme during the opening credits sounds far better than in the first season (I believe it was re-recorded back in the day for season 2). Dialogue sounds better and LFE is noticably stronger in these mixes.
• The extras are of course superb, but more importantly, this time around there are NO audio-sync issues. The gagreel is hilarious and the Reading Rainbow feature (which I had not seen before) is actually quite informative.
• The effects vary in quality but are not as bad as some of you might fear. The Child looks great from start to finish. Where Silence Has Lease features some problematic shots. The holodeck exit appearing in Worfs holodeck program looks dreadful, as do the probe launches. But these effects looked bad in the SD versions as well. HTV could've gone to a bit more trouble to improve upon these shots though.
• The season three trailer looks gobsmackingly good. I am not someone who tends to exaggerate, but I couldn't believe my eyes. What surprised me was the excellent and bold color reproduction. The colors are more vibrant even than in the first season. It looks like a completely different show. The visual effects as in season 1 look better than most movies, back then and arguably now. I absolutely can't wait for season 3.

I have only seen 2 episodes but I'm very pleased with this set. I of course was prepared for the quality drop in visual effects, but even taking that in consideration, the jump in quality from SD is huge.

[legolars]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

WTF. Looks like CBS/Paramount will be reissuing S2 as well with these blatant screws ups. What ever happened to quality control ... have they even heard of it before?

Over at AVS information is CBS digital is working on S3 and another house, which is not HTV, is working on S4. Sounds like every other season is being worked on in-house while the others are being out sourced.

Take a look at this incomplete POS which was posted on AVS.

[Show spoiler]

To be fair, this happened to CBS Digital during the first season as well. Look here:

[Show spoiler]

It was less noticable in that shot since it was cut off at the bottom of the screen. Also on season 1, there was that little thing with the missing phaser beam. Mistakes like that are of course regrettable but these guys at CBS D (and HTV) are working under enormous pressure to deliver these episodes on time. I can forgive one or two minor mistakes like that, although of course I'd rather they didn't happen.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by omegaman7

So the example above could just be an isolated incident? Not many times? If that's the case, that won't bother me too much. I mean if 97% of the sets is gorgeous, that small percentage really shouldn't bother me too much.

The lights on the windows are also misaligned with the actual windows. Apparently, this is an issue throughout the entire season. Also notice the two red lights seen at the top of the ship. One of those lights is floating in space.

[omegaman7]

Sorry, but with a show like TNG, pushing it out the door is unacceptable. Do it right the first time! Stop trying to make a buck quickly!

Small missed mistakes are of course understandable. If season 3 has anything more than a small hiccup, they're really gonna start upsetting people LOL!

I heard a few weeks ago, that they're were profiting nicely on the first season. So really, they should have the funding to tame it back a little, and do it right

[obriensg1]

I'm not a huge fan of the high price points, but I'd rather get these sets now then when I have less disposable income. heck, I've only watched about 3-5 episodes into Season 1. But having been unable to buy these seasons back in the day due to their high price point, I'm happy that my first purchases will be in HD.

[Exist2Inspire]

It's going to be an interesting choice to see if I end up picking this up, or waiting to see what response CBS-Digital will have with some of the outcry (granted, some of the Trek fans are very picky).

http://tng.trekcore.com/bluray/image...w/review20.jpg

Not a huge fan of all the DNR on the special effects shots, though most of the live-action scenes look phenomenal.

[Rocklandsboy]

Another TNG release, another trauma! The first season hasn't been fixed properly yet.

I'll wait until the dust settles on this.

What a disappointment.

[omegaman7]

I get the feeling people simply want the price to drop, so they'll find the smallest glitches and point them out. Other than some fuzzy sections in season 1, I saw zero other problems. But I only have a 2.0(5.1 capable) stereo setup. Which is better than most people use on their personal computers

Don't get me wrong. I acknowledge the bugs that have been found, and it is inexcusable. But I'm not gonna flip out because of it...

So far everything is minor. Purely opinion of course

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

Originally Posted by Rocklandsboy

Another TNG release, another trauma! The first season hasn't been fixed properly yet.

I'll wait until the dust settles on this.

What a disappointment.

They need a new project manager. All these issues could have been alleviated with better leadership.

I have cancelled my Amazon order. I will not be paying full price for the series. I am more than likely going to wait for a seven-season set on sale in a couple of years. I do not shell out cash on things that are incomplete or a work in progress. This is one of the reasons I have left video gaming behind. Anymore, you drop $60 on a game, only to find out 25% of it is on your disk in an unlockable pay form. The manufacturers trick you on spending anywhere from $80 to $120 on a game in the long run.

I will come back to the table when this series is complete.

Major bummer.

[Havenbull]

Originally Posted by obriensg1

I'm not a huge fan of the high price points, but I'd rather get these sets now then when I have less disposable income. heck, I've only watched about 3-5 episodes into Season 1. But having been unable to buy these seasons back in the day due to their high price point, I'm happy that my first purchases will be in HD.

ummm... who is a fan of high price points...?

"Ya know, I'd really like to get those new TNG blu-rays... but I feel that they're just not expensive enough. I'll buy when they're FULL price $129.99"

[Scooter1836]

Originally Posted by Havenbull

ummm... who is a fan of high price points...?

"Ya know, I'd really like to get those new TNG blu-rays... but I feel that they're just not expensive enough. I'll buy when they're FULL price $129.99"

I am waiting unih they go on E-Bay for $299.99 a season

[omegaman7]

I wonder if they started taking donations for Voyager and/or DS9, how much they could rake in? Hmmm...

[benbess]

I'm still looking forward to this! Tiny imperfections in a few fx shots is not something to get so upset about. Sounds like throwing out the beautiful baby just because there are a few specks of dirt in the bathwater.

Here's the bottom line according to Trekcore:

"So what’s the bottom line? All things considered, Season 2 of TNG on blu-ray is still another must-buy for all fans. Whilst the issues with the VFX does take the polish off the end-product in some ways, the lion’s share of the restoration looks simply glorious in HD and the bonus features speak for themselves in sheer epicness!"

Can't wait to get my set and dig in. Here's how I figure it price-wise. At amzn's $65 price it comes to about 3 bucks an episode. A 3-episode mini marathon, which provides more entertainment than quite a few movies I've seen, is less than 9 bucks. The bonus features look great too.

Compared to the murky mess these shows have looked like for 25 years, this is going to be great—at least imho. What other old show has had a comparable amount of money and TLC invested in it for the fans. Best I can tell only TOS has had anything close, but this is way more complicated and expensive.

Just my 2 cents.

[omegaman7]

Originally Posted by benbess

I'm still looking forward to this! Tiny imperfections in a few fx shots is not something to get so upset about. Sounds like throwing out the beautiful baby just because there are a few specks of dirt in the bathwater.

Here's the bottom line according to Trekcore:

"So what’s the bottom line? All things considered, Season 2 of TNG on blu-ray is still another must-buy for all fans. Whilst the issues with the VFX does take the polish off the end-product in some ways, the lion’s share of the restoration looks simply glorious in HD and the bonus features speak for themselves in sheer epicness!"

Can't wait to get my set and dig in. Here's how I figure it price-wise. At amzn's $65 price it comes to about 3 bucks an episode. A 3-episode mini marathon, which provides more entertainment than quite a few movies I've seen, is less than 9 bucks. The bonus features look great too.

Compared to the murky mess these shows have looked like for 25 years, this is going to be great—at least imho. What other old show has had a comparable amount of money and TLC invested in it for the fans. Best I can tell only TOS has had anything close, but this is way more complicated and expensive.

Just my 2 cents.

Two thumbs wayyyy up Agreed in every way.

Often I enjoy star trek over any new movie. Lots of movies put me to sleep any more. I'm not big on DS9, but I don't believe I'd pass out to it Now what I mean is, the star trek show/s episodes are soo good, I think they're worth ~3 dollars an episode. So my 2 cents as well I guarantee the episodes cost a great deal more than $3 to produce

Mathematics? It's still cheaper than going out to a movie...

[octagon]

Originally Posted by omegaman7

I wonder if they started taking donations for Voyager and/or DS9, how much they could rake in? Hmmm...

Rough ballpark? Nothing.

That's not to say there's no demand for the shows...there obviously is.

But it's hard enough getting money out of people in return for actual releases.

[Donl1282]

Originally Posted by Havenbull

ummm... who is a fan of high price points...?

"Ya know, I'd really like to get those new TNG blu-rays... but I feel that they're just not expensive enough. I'll buy when they're FULL price $129.99"

Who is a fan of high price points? The CEOs and other members of the 1% who overprice products and services to make a huge profit and make themselves even richer... Like Ferengies.

[omegaman7]

Originally Posted by octagon

Rough ballpark? Nothing.

That's not to say there's no demand for the shows...there obviously is.

But it's hard enough getting money out of people in return for actual releases.

I shouldn't have deleted part of my last message :S

I would probably be one of their largest donors