I've got all 38 volumes
Waiting for the last 2 in Dec.
There are 4 TOS eps coming out on DVD soon, or maybe they're out now, I dunno. If they are, does anyone have them yet? They're digitally remastered and totally worked over so you know they've got to look and sound great! I don't know when the others are all coming out, but I'm gonna start saving up to get a DVD player.
Rodnberry:
Four eps of Trek are available on DVD now, episodes 2-5. There are two eps per disk (they're divided into volumes) and I must say that they are astounding, the sound and picture quality ARE amazing. The same goes for the movies... the ones I have anyway (6,8, and 9). The Trek eps will go up to Volume 40, with it being the last episode, and two versions of "The Cage" (black & white, and re-edited). I'm very excited about this and can't wait for more eps to come through as I haven't seen many of them in years.
By the way, anyone who has DVD and has ST:GENERATIONS: Does it have the Theatrical Trailer on it? The DVD cover doesn't list one, but ST:6's cover labeled a Trailer and forgot to label the Teaser Trailer it has. I was just wondering if they did something like that to ST:GENERATIONS. I never did get to see the tailers.
Rodnberry:
Four eps of Trek are available on DVD now, episodes 2-5. There are two eps per disk (they're divided into volumes) and I must say that they are astounding, the sound and picture quality ARE amazing. The same goes for the movies... the ones I have anyway (6,8, and 9). The Trek eps will go up to Volume 40, with it being the last episode, and two versions of "The Cage" (black & white, and re-edited). I'm very excited about this and can't wait for more eps to come through as I haven't seen many of them in years.
By the way, anyone who has DVD and has ST:GENERATIONS: Does it have the Theatrical Trailer on it? The DVD cover doesn't list one, but ST:6's cover labeled a Trailer and forgot to label the Teaser Trailer it has. I was just wondering if they did something like that to ST:GENERATIONS. I never did get to see the trailers.
Whoops! The second one is the more edited version (I spelled "trailers" right, anyway).
Thanks, BF. Now you've really whetted my appetite for a DVD player. What's the price for the TOS discs? Are the two versions of "The Cage" on the same disc? I guess they would be, which is fine.
Yes, the two versions are on the same disk, and include "Turnabout Intruder" which is the last Trek episode (I think). The TOS disks at our local Best Buy run at about $14.99... which is not bad at all, considering DVD's have two eps a disk and a video of one ep of Trek costs $14.99. You could check out DVD.com, click on "movies", and run a search for "Star Trek." It'll bring up a whole list of released and "not yet released" DVD's. The clarity is beautiful on these baby's; I'm eagerly awaiting Vol. 3 & 4 -- I'm so excited about rediscovering Trek all over again... as I haven't seen a good chunk of the old series since I was little...
And Rodnberry, you're quite welcome... I love sharing my experience of Trek with other fans!
Well, then, share all ya want!
I'd love to have the entire series, too. Do the discs have extra outtakes or cast interviews, or original '60's tv ads or trailers and any other goodies?
I think I'll buy the discs now, or soon, and save them for whenever I do get a player.
Thanks for the URL. I'll check it out.
The disk's have the original episode trailers that aired during the show's original broadcast. There are no outtakes or anything -- but I wouldn't be surprised if a special "outtakes" DVD came along.
I'm eagerly awaiting for "City on the Edge of Forever" which should be out in a couple of months -- it's a TRUE classic sci-fi epic in it's own right, and my all time favorite classic Trek episode.
I checked out dvd.com last night and placed the first 6 discs (so far) in my shopping cart. Of course, I had to create a new account first, and the prices for the first 2 discs are much less than I thought they'd be, only $12! Plus, you can pay now for any discs that'll come later when they're available, without paying extra p/h charges. How cool is that?
The sight also told a bit about what were on the discs, which, of course, I didn't find out till after asking you what was on them, but oh, well. I'm silly that way, sometimes.
Ok, here's another example of that sillyness. I just went back to check on my shopping cart and the first two discs are $14, and the others are $12.
Rodnberry, just by curiosity -- are websites where you can order products with a credit card worth trusting? I've been trying to convince my dad to let me order the DVD's from that website, but he won't budge. Did they say how long it would take to ship? And are the shipping and handling charges added into the original amount? Enjoy you're DVD's, by the way -- I really enjoyed the first two....
You can have the discs sent all at once or one at a time, but p&h is more if they're singly sent, so if you can, have them sent all at once. If you order, like me in this case, 6 items, and the first two are available, you can choose to have them sent with the others when they're available or you can have the ones already available sent now.
It explains that to you on the site, which, btw, is secured. Do you know how to tell that? Look just above the Start button in the lower left corner of your screen. There's a padlock there. If it's open, the site is unsecured. If it's locked then the site's secured. DVD.com is secured so if you use a credit card (or debit card, which is used like a credit card but with no interest fees and money is taken from your savings or checking accounts, so keep enough money there) then you should be ok. I've got a shopping cart set up, waiting for me to order the items, but I'll wait 2 weeks for my next paycheck.
You have to create an account there with your real name and address (street and any real email one, even hotmail or yahoo) and then you can pick items and place them in your shopping cart to order whenever you're ready, or at least I figure as much. I hope I can still order the discs in 2 weeks. I don't know how long it'll take before I get a player though, and wonder just how much I want to own the series. I mean, I've seen them several times already, so how many more times more do I want to see them, even on DVD? I may just rent them whenever they're available for rent.
And, yes, they do charge tax and handling. My total is over $88! I'm not sure just how much I really want to get them now or if at all, so that's why I want to maybe wait awhile till I get the discs. I'm still excited about seeing them, at least. It'll be a whole new experience, I'm sure, giving the viewer a chance to see them looking almost lifelike, pretty much as if you were on the set during filming of the eps. Is that how the first ones seem to you? I'm just guessing cuz I've not seen anything on DVD yet.
Rodnberry- not too sure on this one, but I don't think stuff on DVD is quite as good as you describe. From what I've seen (not too much), it's about as a good as a brand new VHS tape or a decent broadcast signal.
It'd be more like seeing the originals on the telly than in the studio.
Ed: The DVD image was FAR clearer when I hooked it up to our TV. When you play a VHS tape there are small, black scan lines if you look closely. A DVD player has TWICE the resolution of a VCR, and I can't even see ANY scan lines on the TV...
My mom (who doesn't notice much in the way of television) even noted that the image was sharper and the sound was much more superior. I think you'll be surprised -- I certainly was.
B.F.- like I said, I haven't seen too much, and it was on a 14" telly. But what I was trying to point out is that it probably wouldn't be like being on the set. When I say seeing the originals on telly, I meant at original broadcast. If you say it's better (isn't supposed to be digitally enhanced?),then I'll bow to your judgement.
Edje, firmly of the beleif that there's a few more years in VCR tapes yet. And don't even satrt me on digital telly.
Ed, I don't know just clear the images are yet, never having seen any DVD's, except when I was in a store yesterday, but it was on a tiny portable unit that was $1,000, and the image was pretty good for such a small image, but nothing like on a bigger screen. I guess I was just kinda wishful thinking there. I'd love to have a big HDTV to view DVDs on, but that'll never happen unless I win the lottery, which'll never happen, but I'm still a bit hopeful.
Just got my first Trek DVD, and I must say it was stunning!! I compared it to a store bought VHS tape and there is a GREAT difference. So much more detail, and the colors are breathtaking. I, like some others, thought "How good could it be?" but I was amazed. I recommend DVD highly.
Watching "Trek" on DVD is a real treat....
On "The Gallieo Seven" and "The Menagerie pt 1."
They did away with the "garbage matte" that
surrounded the shuttlecraft as it flew through
space!
It looks like it's REALLY FLYING NOW!!!!
The one problem I have with the DVDs I've gotten so far is, the 'space' shots don't seem to be enhanced at all. The rest of the show looks fabulous, great colors, fantastic detail, no scratches or marks on the film at all. But the space shots are loaded with them. You can even see hairs and such on the film. I'm wondering why these shots were not fixed as the rest of the show was.
I noticed that too, Kail. Although I must say the space shots in "Miri" look great. I wonder if the film was too far damaged to be irreperable? On the other hand in the teasers the Enterprise is crystal clear.
One thing I'm finding very funny while watching TOS on DVD, the picture is so clear and sharp that every time they use stunt doubles during fight scenes it becomes VERY obvious. I keep thinking to myself "Who are these guys?" (/:-)
One error in the trivia notes for the third DVD. It says "The Naked Time" is the first time the tricorder appears. It isn't. On the very same disc is "The Mantrap". McCoy uses a tricorder in Professor Crater's home/officer whatever it was.
Did anyone else besides me notice the disclaimer
on the back of Star Trek TOS Vol. 14 DVD?
It has the following episodes: "Errand of Mercy" and "The City on the Edge of Forever"
The disclaimer says: "Some music has been changed for this DVD"
Which music? When? And most important, Why?
I noticed that too, you might want to check out the "City on the Edge of Forever" topic in the episode guides. Some people were talking about Paramount not being able to secure the rights for the original song that was supposed to be there.
Also, in response to the scratchy effects shots in TOS, I believe that when they put the film together in its production, some hairs and dust got in between the layers of film. So when they go back and digitize these episodes we're seeing what's in between the film prints and not on the surface. I think I read that in an issue of STAR TREK: THE MAGAZINE or somewhere else, I can't really remember...
test
DVD PACKAGE NIT....
Vol. 14...."Errand of Mercy" & "City on the Edge of Forever"....Look carefully on the back of this package under the "City" episode...they show a pic of a deranged McCoy and in the other pic, they show Spock and McCoy talking with ZEPHRAM COCHRANE...from "Metamorphosis"..an episode from the 2nd season!
Does anyone out there know WHY Paramount is releasing TOS DVD once every TWO MONTHS now instead of every month like last year?
To B.F.
In the eighties, a copyright issue for the song "Goodnight Sweetheart" used in City On The Edge Of Forever caused it to be replaced in later home video releases of the episode.
At first it was released with the original music intact, then it became nessasary to change it. However, some VHS cassettes with the original music still were found even when the box said the music was changed.
Now, we have DVD and for some strange reason, even though the packaging says the music has been changed, "Good Night Sweetheat" is indeed on my DVD. This may be an oversight that could be corrected in future issues of the title.
On the present VHS video version, "Goodnight Sweetheart" and all the music cues drawing on it(including the climax music) have been changed with (in my opinion) very inferior substitutions.
So, grab the DVD, just in case they decide to reissue it with that music.
WHOOPS:
The last message was ment to explain the copyright snafu to John A. Lang, who had wondered about it, not B.F.
Is "Goodnight, Sweetheart" the "dated" music Phil complains about, or vice versa? I would think the syndicated version would be more likely to have the original music, with his uncut tape having the changed music.
Memory lane:
"Star Trek" used to be on RCA Videodiscs too before VHS caught on.
There was no order in which the episodes were released...sometimes an episode from the first season came out, sometimes one from the third. RCA Videodiscs followed BETA tapes. (I don't think 'Star Trek' made it to BETA) Did anyone else out there have those old, clunky RCA videodiscs?
I also vote that "Star Trek Bloopers" be put on DVD
John, the way they were put out sounds like the way that The Transformers are being put out now. I refuse to buy them if the pilot specials (ie the episodes "More than Meets the Eye" parts 1,2,and 3) are not on the first tape! They aren't even on tapes 1,2, or 3 yet! Sheesh. My sister tried to watch the first video the other day (borrowed from the public library) and couldn't figure out who was who and how they got to Earth. *Sigh*
Another packaging nit......
On vol. 18 of TOS DVD, the two episodes featured are:
"The Doomsday Machine" & "Wolf in the Fold"
On the front of the DVD cover is Uhura
The Nit?
UHURA AIN'T IN EITHER EPISODE!
YET ANOTHER DVD PACKAGING NIT!
Vol. 6.....
The episodes: "Miri" and "Conscience of the King"
The package has Scotty on the cover.
The nit?
Scotty ain't in either episode!
I was notified by someone that "The Tholian Web" episode on DVD has a "deleted scene"...McCoy answering the page after he frees Uhura.
Is this just MY disc or is this on the others too?
TREKKIES UNITE!!!!!!
Start a letter writing campaign to Paramount to stop Paramount from slicing up episodes of "Star Trek" on DVD. They already started with "Tholian Web", let's prevent any more from getting sliced.
Petition them to re-release Vol 32 DVD uncut & unedited!
Paramount Studios
5555 Melrose Ave.
Hollywood, Ca
90038
VOL. 35 observation...
"That Which Survives" & "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield"....
BOTH episodes have guest stars from the original "Batman" TV show!
First of all, just so you'll know, John, Star Trek was released on Beta. I remember seeing the tapes in that format.
Turns out there is an easter egg on the discs. On the main menu (where you have a choice of episodes), click up 'til you've highlight the Enterprise insignia. Click on it, and you'll be able to see the previews for four episodes.
"Star Trek" was originally released on video in both formats (Beta and VHS) in 1980; two episodes per tape. It was in the mid-to-late '80's that they reissued the episodes, one per tape.
In 1980, blank VHS tapes cost $15-$20 per tape, a far cry from current prices-on sale, a good quality T-120 now can go for 99 cents.
This may only be a rumor, but I've read that they are going to release TOS in a deluxe DVD set format. You mean, I wasted good money on the ones I have now?! (I am sooo glad I've been holding off on buying the movies. ST-TMP is the only Trek movie I own.)
I just bought the boxed set of the first six films; except for "TMP", the special features are minimal, with "Undiscovered Country" being the most barren. I only own one DVD of TOS, so far ("Deadly Years"/"Mirror/Mirror".) So, I am the opposite of you, Benn.
I have only the first 14. It's John A. Lang who really has it bad. I think he's already bought all of the discs that are out. (At least that's the impression I get from his posts.)
You hit it right on the head.
I've got all 38 volumes
Waiting for the last 2 in Dec.
I am proud to announce that I am the owner of all 40 volumes of TOS on DVD as of today.
Vol. 20 The Deadly Years. Nit... When you put on the hearing impaired subtitles...When Scotty calls McCoy in the Sick Bay with Kirk there, Scotty says Doctor McCoy, but the subtitle says Captain McCoy...
Obviously the captioner was reading the script for "The Immunity Syndrome" at the time!
My problem with the release of TOS episodes on DVD is that there are only TWO episodes per disc, and that the discs are sold individually. Most series on DVD are being released by season ("M*A*S*H", "Next Gen," the upcoming "Once and Again.") This is milking in the extreme. I am waiting for "Special Edition" DVD's of TOS. I learned my lesson with the movie boxed set, as "Wrath Of Khan" will be re-issued in a "Director's Cut" DVD on 8/6/02.
The fourty DVD disc set is no longer sold in stores.
Fortunately TOS will be available in stores in box sets at the end of 2004 or in 2005.
I think Spock said Cpt.Mccoy in Immunity Syndrome when Bones said Shut Up Were rescueing you !
The fourty DVD disc set is no longer sold in stores.
Yeah, but it's still being sold on line, at least at the StarTrek.com store. I'm finding nothing indicating box sets are to be sold in the near future. I've said before, though - TOS should have been sold in box sets from the get go.
According to the website tvshowsondvd.com, TOS will be sold in box sets after Vogager is available in box sets.
Ah, that makes sense. And by that time, Enterprise will be done, so they can start selling that. It's the Cirrrrrrrrcle of DVD's!
I wanted to buy the "Errand of Mercy"/"City on the Edge..." set tonight at a Best Buy in East Brunswick, N.J. There were no DVD episode sets of TOS for sale at all there. I found that quite odd.
Let the circle remain unbroken....
You can still buy it on-line at various sites.
Amazon.com for one.
The two episode per DVD wasn't a good way to sell Star Trek on DVD. The price per DVD was 14.99 to 19.99. That is overpriced.
It is understandable why stores discontinued the 40 disc set of Star Trek. They weren't selling well and they took up a lot of space.
The first box set (of the first season) is coming at the end of 2004.
I wonder if they'll fix the "scpipt supervisor" nit.
John, the dvd s for trek is still saying scpipt supervisor on them episodes
arggggggggggggggh
Also, Uhura is still Uhuru in Star Trek 6 the dvd , and on the USA network showing at the end titles....
double arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!
I was talking about the upcoming box sets.
The new release of the 1st season set of TOS will come out in Aug.
I've seen the box on TVonDVD.com & there's a nit.
The picture on the box shows McCoy, Spock & Kirk standing in front of the Galileo. If I'm not mistaken, the picture comes from "Metamorphosis"...an episode from SEASON 2!!!!!!
It makes me wonder: Will the "Scpipt Supervisor" snafu be corrected?
JUST CURIOUS:
What will be the difference between the upcoming new TOS 1st Season DVD Package release Vs. the original TOS DVD releases? (Aside from having the entire 1st season in one package)
OK... Here's the scoop from "TV Shows On DVD.Com"
Paramount Home Entertainment delivers the highly anticipated Star Trek - The Complete First Season on DVD this August 31, in an 8-disc collectible box set. The box will contain all 29 episodes - in airdate order - from Season One of the original Star Trek series, along with newly produced bonus features exclusive to this DVD release. The contents of the DVDs are as follows:
Disc 1: "The Man Trap," "Charlie X," "Where No Man Has Gone Before,"** "The Naked Time"
Disc 2: "The Enemy Within," "Mudd's Women," "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" "Miri"
Disc 3: "Dagger of the Mind," "The Corbomite Maneuver," "The Menagerie, Part I,"** The Menagerie, Part II"**
Disc 4: "The Conscience of the King,"** "Balance of Terror," "Shore Leave," "The Galileo Seven"
Disc 5: "The Squire of Gothos," "Arena," "Tomorrow is Yesterday," "Court Martial"
Disc 6: "The Return of the Archons," "Space Seed," "A Taste of Armageddon," "This Side of Paradise"
Disc 7: "The Devil in the Dark," "Errand of Mercy," "The Alternative Factor," "The City on the Edge of Forever"
Disc 8: "Operation: Annihilation" (<---NIT!!!!)
** These four episodes have text commentary by Michael Okuda and Denise Okuda
Disc 8 of the DVD also includes the following special features:
"The Birth of a Timeless Legacy": The definitive telling of how it all began: from the first pilot, "The Cage," to reshooting the pilot with William Shatner, to the many challenges leading up to its premiere on NBC in 1966. Included are interviews with cast and network executives and producers. Also featured are new interviews with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and Robert Justman.
"Life Beyond Trek: William Shatner": Featured on each volume, this featurette follows one principal cast member around on their most current film and TV projects, charity events, conventions, trips, or hobbies. In Season One, William Shatner gives viewers an exclusive invitation to his ranch to discuss his love of horses.
"To Boldly Go .": Includes discussion of "The Naked Time," "The City on the Edge of Forever," "The Devil in the Dark" and "The Squire of Gothos" by cast and production crew members.
"Reflections on Spock": Leonard Nimoy discusses his character in depth, and explains why he chose to write two different books on the subject: "I Am Not Spock" and "I Am Spock."
"Sci-Fi Visionaries": A look at Star Trek's famous writers, featuring interviews with Gene Coon, Harlan Ellison, George Clayton Thomas, Richard Matheson, D.C. Fontana, Gene Roddenberry, Bob Justman and John D.F. Black.
Original Preview Trailers
Photo Log
This DVD set should retail for around $100. It is presented in full-screen format and in Dolby Digital English 5.1 and English Dolby Surround. The DVDs are subtitled in English and closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired.
P.S. No word on whether or not the "Scpipt Supervisor Snafu" would be corrected! 
(If it gets thru again, I'll laugh!)
"I Am Not Spock"
"I Am Spock"
"I Am Also Scotty"
I yam what I yam.
What about The Cage? will this be a bonus feature on the 1st DVD or a dedicated issue with a How Star Trek Came About would be nice.
"The Cage" will be put on Season 3 after "Turnabout Intruder"
Isn't this coming out only a few weeks before the DVD release of the first three Star Wars movies?
Better start saving up for both now!
So, John, are you gonna buy them all over again? Me, I'm glad I waited.
Nope.
Amazon.com is listing the First Season set for sale on 8/31/04, priced at about $85. Here is the packaging. Anyone know what this is supposed to represent?
Your wallet 
I wish it was that big, John. Especially after the alimony I gotta pay my ex-wife.
In your post of 6/18/04, you did a great job of specifying the episodes and the special features. I'm surprised that "City On The Edge..." , generally hailed as the best Trek episode, won't have the commentary by the Okudas.
The August 29-Sept. 4 issue of TV Guide has a nice ad for the Season One set. But, of course, there's nitpicks. Kirk and Spock look like they did in the early first season. However, Uhura and Scotty have hairstyles in the ad from the third season. Well, at least they didn't put Chekov in there.
Ah, but if they did, then that could've been where Khan recognized him from in ST II! He recognized him from an early 21st century issue of Star Trek that Kirk threw in with the checkers set and other stuff when he exiled him to Ceti Alpha V!
I can't wait for August 31 to come, even though it's only 2 days away! I'm so stoked to get this set. Thankfully, I never got around to buying the 2-disc volumes, though I did get the Vol. 40, which has the original and redone versions of "The Cage" and "Turnaround Intruder", which I won't watch till I get the third season set. Speaking of which, S2 comes out in November and S3 in December, both priced $5 more than S1 on Amazon.
Let us know if they fixed the "Scpipt Supervisor Snafu".
Although Season One is being sold everywhere else as an eight disc set, BestBuy is selling the set with a ninth disc, in which the romantic relationships on Trek are discussed. Paramount Home Video also did this with the Indiana Jones set, adding a fifth DVD when other stores sold it as a four disc set.
Anyone get the Season One set yet? It rocks. The main menues (at least on the two discs I've perused) are images of an empty bridge, complete with sound effects. The episode titles are displayed on the screen, and the menu choices displayed on the Helm/Nav console. The view screen there is a bit too wide, and Sulu's scanner (which didn't appear until season two) is present. The clarity of the transfer is first rate, with detail I've never seen before. Unfortunately, as a result, the flaws are more prominent, too (i.e. grainy and dirty film, makeup improperly applied.) Overall, a great set. I can't wait for seasons two and three.
John, you should have waited.
Oh, yes - on the one episode I did peruse ("Galileo Seven,") the "Scpipt Supervisor Snafu" has not been corrected.
From a nit-picking viewpoint, the pop-up commentary by Michael and Denise Okuda is really neat. They point out some of the stuff Phil has commented on, and some other things too.
And yes, they're reproduced as they originally were, warts, scpipts, and all.
One thing I wonder about though -- what's with the ©1978 by Paramount that appears under the Desilu logo? When seeing the eps on TV, I assumed that's when Paramount put together the (pre-Sci Fi channel) syndication package (probably in concert with the release of the first film).
But it's still on these prints, too.
The commentary by the Okudas is neat. However, I wish they did it for more than just four episodes.
Alan, it seems incredible, but Desilu never copyrighted the first season. Nor did Paramount, until 1978. I don't know the exact reasoning, but it was bandied about at a convention that Paramount thought so little of Trek until the late '70's. In 1978, the first movie was a done deal, and the show was becoming the gold mine it is now. So, at that time, they hustled and copyrighted the first season. Incidentally, "The Cage" was copyrighted in 1964.
The picture used on the DVD packaging is from "A Taste of Armageddon." However, on the plug on StarTrek.com, the "Metamorphosis" photo remains.
Yeah, I wished they'd done commentary on more episodes, too. The commentaries must have been done very late -- one mentiones the SpaceShipOne launch in Mojave, CA on June 21. Considering the time to master and manufacture the sets, that's cutting it really close.
That IS freaky about the copyright on the first season.
There are four easter eggs on disc 8, along with the rest of the features. The hot spots are on the viewer and sensor dial at the left and right on the first special features menu, and on the deflector alert light and switch console at the top and bottom on the second menu.
It's interesting that the copyright is so late, considering it would have been syndicated by then.
I just got the S1 set the other day and so far have watched all of disc 1 and half of disc 2 and really like the pan around of the original bridge (well, after "The Cage" and "Where No Man Has Gone Before"), and the menu superimposed over the Nav and Helm stations.The only downside is that you can't skip past the FBI warnings and disclaimers or the pan around to get right to the 4 episode choices.
Anyway, it's great getting to see these episodes in their entire 50-minute runtimes without commercials! Some I've seen several times (and are thus those I recall best, which helps when you've got a selective memory), and others hardly at all, like "The Gamesters of Triskelion" and "All Our Yesterdays", both of which I think I've seen maybe only once or twice each. Some eps just seemed to be played a lot more often on TV back when I did most of my Trek watching in the 1970's and '80's. Yes, I'm dating myself there.
Oh, and something they obviously stole from Phil :-)
The episodes are on the discs in air-date order, not production order.
The production order number is just before the episode title on the screen.
Also, the booklet has a short description of the plot. (Like the people who would buy this set don't know the plots already.) The original NBC air date is on the disc, next to the episode title.
One thing, though - The DVD's are on eight small trays, hinged together by heavy duty transparent tape. I hope the tape doesn't deteriorate or crack too quickly, or I'll have to bring out the duct tape.
So far I see no difference between this release & the original releases aside from the fact that you get the entire first season in one package along with the interviews & commentaries. No regrets here.
Can't find a way to start a thread, so here goes.
Over in the Space: 1999 section, CR has posted ideas of how he would use CG to enhance episodes.
I have had this same notion for Trek Classic for several years. I hope nobody will mind if I post my ideas on the individual episodes. However, I have some series-wide ideas that impact on several episodes.
BEGINS
For purposes of these descriptions, "The Next Generation" is a continuous period starting with the year 2364 when Picard and Enterprise launch, and ending in 2377 when Janeway and Voyager make it home to Earth, thus including TNG, DS9 and Voyager.
While at it, I might comment that TNG stardates, if the first two digits indicate a single year, and 41xxx is the year 2364, then 01xxx would be the year 2324. Where does that leave Kirk's era? I suppose we could say that stardates cycle from 00001 to 99999 in a period of 100 years. They would be preceded by one or two more digits to indicate the cycle number, but in any one stardate "century", the cycle number is not normally quoted. Perhaps in Kirk's time, four digits was thought to be enough but was later seen as shortsighted. Or perhaps the computer automatically pre-pended the two or three digits to all entries.
This being the case, 2264 would be (xx4-)1xxx, the same year of "Where No Man Has Gone Before", (xx4-)2xxx would be 2265, (xx4-)3xxx would be 2266, (xx4-)4xxx would be 2267 (the year the Doomsday Machine threatened Rigel), (xx4-)5xxx would be 2268. I believe Star Trek: The Motion Picture had a stardate in the (xx4-)7xxx range, while The Wrath of Khan probably would have to be (xx5)8xxx, and The Undiscovered Country (xx6-)9xxx.
The xx value could be, say 05 for the period of the year 2223 to the year 2322, and 06 for the period of 2323 to 2422. In Picard's, Sisko's and Janeway's time, the stardate is shown, on long-term date readings, as 06-xxxxx.x, the hyphen being one digit further to the left. In Jonathon Archer's time, stardates have not been invented, let alone "retroactively applied".
Stardate 0000000.1 was the beginning of the year 1723 A.D., probably analogous to Vulcan's first explorations out of its solar system, or when the Vulcans met the definition of a Type I civilization. The Vulcans may be the oldest spacefaring race yet known in this area of the galaxy. For conversion from one calendar to another, historical events are stardated, but also usually given according to the calendar of where it happened or the civilization responsible for or key to the event. The cycles are numbered 000 to somewhere between 056 and 059, then they became two-digits, starting with 06 for the period of 2323 to 2422.
All episodes:
Add the "beeps" and "boops" heard in "Trials and Tribbleations", in such places as when the turbo lift handles are turned. The background communications voices should be more varied; the same loop is used over and over again — in many episodes, gravity is down to point eight, and "Bridge Engineering" gives the instruction for all decks to go to a certain emergency condition. (I would take Bridge Engineering to be the station Scotty usually sits at when he's on the bridge; in that case, the voice should be heard double, as both a filtered voice and as a faint background voice behind Kirk and Mitchell.)
De-genericize the planet appearances - all of them seem to be banded like Jupiter! Make them more individual - continents and oceans, clouds, etc. — the TNG touch!
Ship's time - bells: the movie "The Undiscovered Country" introduced the maritime-style bells to indicate half-hour intervals over a four-hour period. Since Kirk's Enterprise is still in a somewhat "military" era for Starfleet's flagship, ship's bells might be appropriate to dub in from time to time. It is possible they might be suspended during red alert.
All episodes with a planet shown: We always seem to see the day side of the planet and absolutely none of the night side. Surely there should be half dark in single-star systems, and either half-dark or less in multiple-star systems. (Half of a planet's full 360 degrees, of which the viewers see only 180, would be normal brightness; any additional lit areas would be dimmer.) Toss in a satellite once in a while, usually a tiny one, but maybe one of out six Class M planets should have a satellite similar to Earth's moon.
Most episodes: When the Enterprise is flying in deep space, outside a solar system, the only hull lighting should be from spotlights mounted specifically to light the hull, such as the registry and name. Similar to how the Enterprise was lit up at launch in The Motion Picture.
Episodes here and there: The "vent" backs on the warp nacelles should be replaced with the "ball" backs in all episodes other than in "Where No Man Has Gone Before".
All Klingon episodes: if Klingons are supposed to have always "looked that way", then take their captains and other command personnel and add ridges to their foreheads. Perhaps the majority of Klingons were conscripted humanoids back then, in a different era, similar to how some Earth civilizations used slaves in war. Perhaps also their commanders, full Klingon blood, had partially-altered appearances to disguise their true appearance. See my more extensive notes on "The Trouble With Tribbles". The same could apply to Commander Kor in "Errand of Mercy" and Captain Kang in "Day of the Dove", and definitely the Klingons in "A Private Little War" and "Elaan of Troyius". I don't think Kras in "Friday's Child", however, is out of line - a humanoid Klingon might be the right type for that kind of mission, and he didn't show much honour, either.
The second season is now out. The packaging and menus are very similar to the first season. The episode selection is still on the main viewer, but the episode details are over at the science station this time. In addition to the visible extras on the last disc, there are more "Red Shirt Diaries" linked to various controls on the console.
Just two pop-up commentaries, on "Amok Time" and "The Trouble with Tribbles".
John said above: So far I see no difference between this release & the original releases aside from the fact that you get the entire first season in one package along with the interviews & commentaries. No regrets here.
Two big differences for me. Space (three packages, each one roughly the size of a hardcover book, vs. 40 DVD cases) and money ($300 total for the three season sets vs. roughly $800 for the 40 two episode sets). No regrets here, either.
