Battlestar Galactica: The Original Series + Galactica 1980 - May 12, 2015

[Indiana Jones]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

Good points. However, I'm puzzled about the "cropped" widescreen aspect ratio: Does this mean that if you watch the widescreen version of BG on a widescreen TV, the picture will only take up a small portion in the middle of the screen, and you will lose some of the picture on the top & sides? I have seen "cropped" widescreen TV show/movies in the past & they look abysmal on a widescreen set.

However, "cropped" could instead mean that that they will take the full-screen version of BG and expand it so that it will fill up an entire widescreen set, but you will still lose some of the picture on the top & sides.

The reason I ask is because I've seen the original BG recently & in some cases I saw it in the expanded widescreen format - and, the widescreen versions I saw filled up the entire widescreen set.

Hopefully we'll get confirmation/clarification on this as the time gets closer for the release. I would hate to fork over good $ for the Re-mastered version and have the widescreen picture only take up a small portion of my large HD widescreen set...

The BSG Movie version was presented in 1:85.1 but it was cropped to reach that AR, compared to the original 4:3 pilot you loose a good deal from the top and bottom and if this is what Universal have done to the entire series I shudder to think what it will look like.

On the other hand if they went back to the original negatives and found that there was enough unseen footage on the left and right hand sides so it could expand to 16:9 without anything being lost then I would be interested to see it.

If you want just the OAR version of the show then the UK set is worth looking into.

[Tom Servo]

I went and got the German release because it was so uncertain, and even sounded unlikely, that it would come out here. I knew this would happen.

[jdryyz]

I hope they remember not to include DNR and Edge Enhancement.

[AmishParadise]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

Good points. However, I'm puzzled about the "cropped" widescreen aspect ratio: Does this mean that if you watch the widescreen version of BG on a widescreen TV, the picture will only take up a small portion in the middle of the screen, and you will lose some of the picture on the top & sides? I have seen "cropped" widescreen TV show/movies in the past & they look abysmal on a widescreen set.

However, "cropped" could instead mean that that they will take the full-screen version of BG and expand it so that it will fill up an entire widescreen set, but you will still lose some of the picture on the top & sides.

The reason I ask is because I've seen the original BG recently & in some cases I saw it in the expanded widescreen format - and, the widescreen versions I saw filled up the entire widescreen set.

Hopefully we'll get confirmation/clarification on this as the time gets closer for the release. I would hate to fork over good $ for the Re-mastered version and have the widescreen picture only take up a small portion of my large HD widescreen set...

No confirmation is needed. The re-mastered version will fill the width and height of your widescreen display just as any other 1.78:1 widescreen presentation would. The use of the wording "cropped" in this case is a reference to the fact that in order to achieve the widescreen aspect ratio the sides were opened up (...information outside the framing of the original aspect ratio, 1.33:1 also known as 4:3 or Full Frame), the top and bottom being cropped to whatever degree as a result (...that information now falling outside the new aspect ratio, 1.78:1). Just hit up The X-Files thread over in the Wish Lists section if you'd like to see examples of this firsthand per the earlier seasons of The X-Files which previously were never available in widescreen, but are now being broadcast in Germany and in parts of the US in both HD and in widescreen. And please lets not turn this thread into an aspect ratio debate. If you are a purist and "only" want to own BSG:TOS on Blu-ray in the OAR there's nothing stopping you from purchasing the UK set instead if you aren't willing to pay more for the US release that includes it. Personally as a hardcare BSG fan I can't wait to watch the series in widescreen for the first time, irrespective of what my preference ends up being for repeat viewings.

[Monroville]

I still wish they did a remastered version of GALACTICA the way they did for STAR TREK:

http://vimeo.com/112282165

Regardless, I wonder if this is what they are going to do with LOST IN SPACE (in regards to the whole "widescreen vs. full frame" bit).

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by jdryyz

I hope they remember not to include DNR and Edge Enhancement.

The UK/Aus set and I believe the Germen set also have them in their filmic glory. No digital tinkering from the quick look I've had, plenty of grain there but also lots of dirt and varying optical effects, so it's both good and bad but I'll take this any day over excessive use of digital tools. It'll be interesting to see how the US "Remastered" edition turns out, and will it be DNR blasted or not, and if so will the 4:3 be "unrestored" transfers like the releases elsewhere?

Either way, I'll be keeping my UK set. I'm very happy with it.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

The BSG Movie version was presented in 1:85.1 but it was cropped to reach that AR, compared to the original 4:3 pilot you loose a good deal from the top and bottom and if this is what Universal have done to the entire series I shudder to think what it will look like.

They spell "lose" with an extra "o" in the UK?




As for "losing" anything, I recently watched the DVD set zoomed to 1.78 on my TV, very little to nothing is lost (or is it loost?). The framing is quite comfortable and if you didn't know any better you'd think it was shot that way from the beginning.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by AmishParadise

No confirmation is needed. The re-mastered version will fill the width and height of your widescreen display just as any other 1.78:1 widescreen presentation would. The use of the wording "cropped" in this case is a reference to the fact that in order to achieve the widescreen aspect ratio the sides were opened up (...information outside the framing of the original aspect ratio, 1.33:1 also known as 4:3 or Full Frame), the top and bottom being cropped to whatever degree as a result (...that information now falling outside the new aspect ratio, 1.78:1). Just hit up The X-Files thread over in the Wish Lists section if you'd like to see examples of this firsthand per the earlier seasons of The X-Files which previously were never available in widescreen, but are now being broadcast in Germany and in parts of the US in both HD and in widescreen. And please lets not turn this thread into an aspect ratio debate. If you are a purist and "only" want to own BSG:TOS on Blu-ray in the OAR there's nothing stopping you from purchasing the UK set instead if you aren't willing to pay more for the US release that includes it. Personally as a hardcare BSG fan I can't wait to watch the series in widescreen for the first time, irrespective of what my preference ends up being for repeat viewings.

OK, this is extremely good to know. I'm a huge fan of the X-files in Widescreen (as seen on the thread you mention). My concern re: BG here was that the widescreen episodes would end up being little boxes in the middle of large HD set, but it doesn't sound like that will be the case - which is great news.

Also, IMHO the word "cropped" in relation to these BG episodes in widescreen is misleading - "cropped" sounds like the picture is truncated & won't take up the whole picture on a widescreen set - which, based on what I'm hearing, is not the case here.

In any case, Thanks for taking the time to post such a detailed response - I appreciate the info.

I have no intent or interest in turning this into an aspect ratio debate - I just wanted to get clarification on what these episodes will look like - especially since I find these Blu BG sets overpriced & I want to make sure I'm getting what I want since I'll be paying good $ for the set.

Re: getting the UK Blu BG set, this is a possibility - however, I'm in the U.S. and as far as I know, my Blu player will only play Region 1 Blu's.

[Maggot]

So it sounds like the UK set is "Region Free" and pretty much un-tampered with DNR wise.

But the dilemma is still not over for US fans. If you want either of the two packages that are being offered, you still don't know if Universal in the US is going to DNR them to death. I'll have to watch my Blu-ray copy of the movie again and see if I like widescreen. I remember thinking it wasn't bad at all in that aspect ratio.

[Time Wizard]

I've never watched anything of pre-RDM Battlestar Galactica so The Definitive Collection sounds awesome. I remember trying to watch the movie once but claimed it was a Star Wars ripoff and watched something else, I've always thought I should of given it a better chance. Young minds can be so stupid sometimes.

[DVDave]

Looks like I'll be returning my Region B set back to Amazon UK.

Widescreen for me. I spent 35 years watching these 4:3 inside of a box TV. Cropping in 1:78 is minimal at best and almost negligible. I want to watch these in HD and fill my entire screen, black bars be damned.

I just wish they had included updated FX like were shown in that demo pitch reel. That really would have made this something special for HD with the option to view the original recycled stock shots and OAR option as well.

[lordmorpheus72]

Big original Battlestar fan, had the Viper models kits as a kid. Great to see this on blu-ray! May can't come soon enough.

[Pondosinatra]

Definitive collection? I see it doesn't include this:

[davidthenikonuser]

The Definitive Collection pre-ordered! Can't wait!

[lordmorpheus72]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

Definitive collection? I see it doesn't include this:

[Show spoiler]

That's totally sweet....

[DVDave]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

Definitive collection? I see it doesn't include this:

That was just a hacked edited version of The Living Legend parts 1 and 2 and Fire in Space anyway.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Wow, what is that? A Laserdisc? Never seen that before.

[AmishParadise]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

OK, this is extremely good to know. I'm a huge fan of the X-files in Widescreen (as seen on the thread you mention). My concern re: BG here was that the widescreen episodes would end up being little boxes in the middle of large HD set, but it doesn't sound like that will be the case - which is great news.

Also, IMHO the word "cropped" in relation to these BG episodes in widescreen is misleading - "cropped" sounds like the picture is truncated & won't take up the whole picture on a widescreen set - which, based on what I'm hearing, is not the case here.

In any case, Thanks for taking the time to post such a detailed response - I appreciate the info.

I have no intent or interest in turning this into an aspect ratio debate - I just wanted to get clarification on what these episodes will look like - especially since I find these Blu BG sets overpriced & I want to make sure I'm getting what I want since I'll be paying good $ for the set.

Re: getting the UK Blu BG set, this is a possibility - however, I'm in the U.S. and as far as I know, my Blu player will only play Region 1 Blu's.

Yeah, I can see where the forum members usage of the wording "cropped" widescreen might be confusing to some. Not everyone is going to know what they mean. Hopefully I did a sufficient job spelling that out for those who didn't know. Also, my comments about not wanting this thread to turn into a OAR versus non-OAR debate was not aimed at you, but just a general statement for anyone reading my reply. Obviously people can rant on all they want about OAR versus non-OAR. I just don't see the point when the OAR is still being offered. As for the price, I personally have no problem with the price. I'm more than happy to pay a premium for this and anyone that feels the set is overpriced can always wait and purchase it once it can be had for less. No one is being forced to purchase this day one.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

The BSG Movie version was presented in 1:85.1 but it was cropped to reach that AR, compared to the original 4:3 pilot you loose a good deal from the top and bottom and if this is what Universal have done to the entire series I shudder to think what it will look like.

On the other hand if they went back to the original negatives and found that there was enough unseen footage on the left and right hand sides so it could expand to 16:9 without anything being lost then I would be interested to see it.

If you want just the OAR version of the show then the UK set is worth looking into.

I thought the framing of the movie version was very good. It wasn't cropped for the sake of it as the show was actually protected for a wider ratio akin to feature films (with extra headroom top and bottom on the 4:3, rather than opening out the sides as with Super 35 shows) and it doesn't just work in widescreen, it plays really well, surprisingly well IMO. And unlike those Super 35 series with the unmatted sides showing all kinds of errors and tons of dead space, cropping top and bottom doesn't show anything that's not supposed to be there but maintains the same width (more or less) so it looks a heck of a lot classier.

I wasn't gonna get this on Blu as I'm not the biggest fan of the show, although I did enjoy it as a kid. However, the news of 16:9 presentations has changed all that and now me wantee! And I'm very glad there's a choice of two versions, as the movie can be bought separately anway and seeing as I'm buying it for the 16:9 versions the 4:3 discs would be of no use to me.

[al cos.]

I'm getting the one with both versions but the widescreen framing should work out reasonably well in this particular case, they knew during the pilot about the potential of movie versions being created to recoup the crazy cost of the show , and ultimately 3 episodes did end up in Mission Galactica and 4 or 5 in the dorky G80 movie.