STUDIO 360

A Fan's Perspective on the Remastered Star Trek

At a time when Star Trek had been aired so many times that prints were scratched, hazy and dull, Paramount/CBS figured it was time to re-engineer the original series (TOS) by restoring the original master negatives, increasing the quality of the images and re-recording the background music. Then they decided to take a further step and replace the aging special effects shots with digital CGI animations.

This venture was spurred on by the appearance of High Definition DVDs in the consumer marketplace. Just a year ago (late 2007), there was all-out war between the two competing High-Def formats: HDDVD and Blu-Ray. There was no clear winner in sight. All that changed in Feb. 2008 when Warner Bros. finally decided to exclusively support the Blu-ray format.

The weapon that HDDVD had up its sleeve, though, was the release of the remastered series one of Star Trek: The Original Series. Toshiba, who were backing HDDVD, put a sizeable amount of money into the Star Trek project and the release of the remastered TOS series was heavily publicised.

TOS was all shot on film which is inherently a high-definition, high-contrast medium. Lighting techiniques like those used in movies at the time were also used. More recent series of Star Trek such as Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager were all shot on video, an inherently low-to-medium definition, non-high-contrast medium. Plus, Next Generation in particular, was shot using a flat lighting that was in vogue at the time. The upshot is that it's not very likely that any of these series will ever appear in high definition on Blu-Ray. It wouldn't surprise me if TOS does make an appearance on Blu-Ray at some point in the future.

Impressions of Star Trek Remastered

Well, first off, it looks gorgeous in High Def. The 4:3 aspect ratio has been retained and the images are exceptionally crisp and clean. Contrast has been boosted somewhat so images have more punch. The only downside I can see is the common criticism levelled at high definition: you can see too much detail. So on the HDDVD you can see the zippers on the cast's shirts.

The HDDVD release featured a Standard Definition version on one side (so it plays in a normal DVD player) and a High-Definition version on the other side. Both sides have a good set of extras with little material being repeated.

Now the rest of this review will look at the standard definition DVD releases of the remastered series.

A few months back, the first series of the Remastered Star Trek was made available in a standard DVD edition. Since then, TOS: Season Two has been released and the third series of TOS will become available in November. If you already own the previously released version of the series on DVD (without remastered special effects and music), is there a reason to buy yet another edition of TOS?

For me, having grown up watching the series, getting the HDDVD version was a must. I was more interested in image quality and the show looking as pristine as it did straight out of the camera in the 1960s. I was somewhat dubious about the new CGI replacing old ship and other FX shots and how intrusive they would be. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The FX do make the show even better, giving it a more immersive quality and drawing you further into each episode.

All the FX shots were created inhouse by CBS (who now own the rights to the TV series). While, for the most part, they've done an outstanding job, some ship FX look plasticy rather than like hammered metal. The company that did the {effects for Enterprise~I believe the company that created the effects for Enterprise} were originally slated to create the Star Trek effects but their expenses were too high and so CBS did the effects inhouse instead.

What makes the remastered series so great is that they aren't trying to alter or re-imagine the episodes (for better or worse). There's no "look at what we can do" attitude here. Instead what they've done is clean the show up and presented it exactly as it was originally meant to be, musical note for note, shot for shot. The musical score has been re-recorded completely, but aside from the fact that it's now crystal clear (and in 5.1 Dolby Digital) you'd never know it. FX shots of the Enterprise have been redone with CGI, but it's hard to tell any difference (except on rare occassions), and it now looks brilliant instead of worn out, washed out and incredibly grainy. The new CGI effects fit seamlessly amongst the original live-action footage. Remember those black matte lines, especially around ships orbiting planets? They're gone. And Fuzzy prints? They are also a thing of the past. The colors are brighter, the shadows are deeper and Star Trek has never looked as stunning.

As I mentioned previously, I was dubious about a version of Star Trek that replaced spacecraft models with CGI or tampered with the originally recorded musical score. But what they've done here is so faithful, that there's nothing that any Star Trek fan can do but stand up and applaud. All the work has been carried out by people who love the series; and it shows. It's just a shame it's not being put to better use. Paramount has decided not to broadcast this new version in high-def, even though they now have the capability to do it. Combine that with how difficult they're making it to see it on satellite and cable, and it's hard to find a reason for bothering with it on television.

Better to beam this pristine version of one of TV's most loved and classic shows onto DVD at warp speed. And if you bought into HDDVD and don't have the Remastered HDDVD, pick that one up instead. You won't be disappointed.

Pump It Up: Move It, Lose It (Ministry of Sound) Official Behind The Scenes

MYSTIC MOVES: BELLYDANCE TECHNIQUE & COMBINATIONS WITH AVA FLEMING - NEW DVD $15.43

MYSTIC MOVES: BELLYDANCE TECHNIQUE & COMBINATIONS WITH AVA FLEMING - NEW DVD $18.43

Army Mega Moves Army Mega Moves DVD ** NEW ** $19.68

Samba Party Workout: Brazilian Dance Moves (DVD, 2006) $5.00

D'S HIP HOP: LEARN HOW TO MOVE YOUR BODY LIKE A PRO - NEW DVD $23.96

All the Right Moves (DVD 2001 WS Canadian) Tom Cruise Lea Thompson $12.50

Game of Your Life Choose Your Moves Carefully - Family Movie Night $9.50

C2 Giving Moves A Second Look C2 Relapse Volume 2 Two DVD Movie Michael W Smith $18.95

Disney Baby Einstein: Baby's First Moves (DVD, 2009) $8.00

Detroit A City On The Move Film On DVD $5.98

Night Moves (DVD, 2005) $0.99

Mannequin /Mannequin 2: On the Move (2-Disc Set) Kim Cattrall - Romance Comedy $6.99

Nick Jr Yo Gabba Gabba!: Music Makes Me Move! (DVD, 2011) NEW $12.95

Baby Einstein - Baby's First Moves (DVD, 2006) $4.50

How She Move (DVD, 2008) NEW $12.95

FAME The Original Move $1.99

You Move You Die Ketzal Sterling, Julian Harrison, Patrick Clarke, Jonathan Alle $3.87

All the Right Moves (DVD, 2009, Sensormatic) BRAND NEW AND FACTORY SEALED !!! $5.00

You Move You Die, DVD, Ketzal Sterling, Julian Harrison, Patrick Clarke, Jonatha $5.78

WORDWORLD: GET UP AND MOVE! - NEW DVD $9.88

WORDWORLD: GET UP AND MOVE! - NEW DVD $6.88

Max Keebles Big Move $3.00

Aerosmith - You Gotta Move (DVD, 2004, Jewel Case; Includes Audio CD) $11.35

You Move You Die (DVD, 2008) $0.01

Don't Move (DVD, 2008, Canadian) $3.85

Aerosmith - You Gotta Move (DVD, 2004, Includes Audio CD) $2.99

Aerosmith - You Gotta Move (Jewel Case) by Aerosmith $7.01

DISCOVER SCIENCE: THE APPLE DOESN'T WANNA MOVE!? - LAW OF INERTIA - NEW DVD $19.44

DISCOVER SCIENCE: THE APPLE DOESN'T WANNA MOVE!? - LAW OF INERTIA - NEW DVD $16.44

WordWorld: Get Up and Move! (DVD, 2011) $8.99

Pure Nude Yoga - Zen Garden Goddess $1.99 ...

Up (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + BD Live) [Blu-ray] $23.49 Features include: •MPAA Rating: PG•Format: Blu-Ray•Runtime: 96 minutes...

Pure Nude Yoga- Worship the Sun - Digital Download $1.99 ...

The Secret World of Arrietty (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) $22.99 Mary Norton's novel "The Borrowers" gets an anime updating in this fun family tale co-written by Hayao Miyazaki. Arrietty is a normal teenage girl--who just happens to be four inches tall. As a Borrower, a race of beings who secretly live in peoples' houses, she and her family must remain unseen by human eyes. But they find their world turned upside down when Arrietty forms a friendship with a you...

Alvin And The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked $3.99 ...

Nebraska $1.99 ...

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie $4.14 Features include: •MPAA Rating: PG•Format: DVD•Runtime: 95 minutes...

Greatest Hits $7.95 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed....

Ultimate Hits: Rock And Roll Never Forgets $12.48 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed....

Veho VCC-003-MUVI-BLK MUVI Micro digital camcorder for Action Sports/Surveillance (Includes 2Gb Memory) $45.87 The Muvi unique micro design enables digital video recording in situations where it may not be possible to use standard camcorders. Coupled with the Extreme Sports Pack the Muvi will allow the user to capture high quality digital video and sound footage hands free. With its robust thumb sized alloy metal casing you needn't worry about your Veho Muvi. It features a 2 Megapixel lens and records in A...

Final Move DVD New $10.99 Final Move DVD New Format: DVD Runtime: 92 Year: 2006 Studio: VVS Films Director: Joey Travolta

Max Keeble's Big Move DVD New $10.99 Max Keeble's Big Move DVD New Format: DVD Runtime: 86 Year: 2001 Studio: DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS Director: Tim Hill

Move $20.99 Move

On The Move $12.99 On The Move

Curious Buddies: Let's Move $11.99 Baby Nick Jr. Curious Buddies - Let's Move DVD New Format: DVD Color: Color Rating: Not Rated Genre: Childrens Year: 2005 Release Date: 2005-04-12

Your Move $24.99 ">>>>Publisher’s Description>>>>>> >>We are all faced with decisions that we never anticipated having to make and we usually have to make them quickly.>>In this four session video group study, author and Pastor Andy Stanley discusses four questions that will help participants make sound decisions with God’s help.>>Follow Andy as he teaches how every decision and its outcomes become a permanent part of your story, what to do when you feel the need to pause before taking action, and how to make more of this life by making sound decisions.> >This DVD-ROM contains everything you need to create your group experience:> >Andy’s original message series on >Your Move> and four video sessions taught by Andy Stanley which are 15-20 minutes in length as well as a Participant’s Guide in PDF format which you may print for every member of your group.>>Runtime: 150 minutes>>>> >>Released: 08/2010>>>>"

Higglytown Heroes - On the Move (2004) / DVD $7.99 Synopsis: Take a journey to Higglytown, the wonderfully imaginative world where everyone is a hero. The fun-filled stories and songs will introduce your children to the everyday heroes who keep the world moving with taxis, tugboats, submarines, planes and buses. While out and about around Higglytown, best friends Eubie, Wayne, Twinkle, Kip and Fran visit the beach, the Ferris wheel and more. Along the way, whenever they bump into a problem, they call on "someone special," and their friends and neigbors help them get back on track. There are also important lessons about safety and how to be a good friend, all presented in an entertaining way that will show your children that they can be everyday heroes too! Format: DVD Color: Color Rating: Not Rated Genre: Childrens Runtime: 58 Minutes Year: 2004 ...

The Left-Handed Pickoff: A Guide to the Ultimate Move (DVD) $35.82 The Left-Handed Pickoff: A Guide to the Ultimate Move offers a detailed overview of the basic factors involved in this key defensive maneuver. Designed for athletes and coaches at all competitive levels, the DVD explains and demonstrates how southpaw pitchers can execute this move in an effective manner. Not only can perfecting this move improve the ability of left-handed pitchers to actually pick runners off, it will—at a minimum—help them keep runners close to the base. Among the topics covered: why the pickoff move of a left-handed pitcher is one of the biggest (yet most undercoached) advantages in baseball, how to spot poor pickoff moves, how to hold runners on without pickoffs, a sequential breakdown of the “ultimate move�, and developmental drills.

Kids Gotta Move! (Resource) $34.95 (Dictionary of Dance for Young Performers). Instructional book & DVD. Resource. Softcover with DVD. 40 pages. Published by Hal Leonard

Chicka Chicka 123 & Move DVD $14.95 An animated telling of the "Chicka Chicka 123" story plus 2 additional stories about counting. 30 min.

Fairy Tale Move Collection, 6 DVD Set $20.09 ">>>Movies included:>>> > >Snow White> >Red Riding Hood> >Beauty and The Beast> >Puss in Boots> >Sleeping Beauty> >Hansel and Gretal> > >>Product Details>>Not Rated>Format: Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC>Language: English>Release: 10/5/2010>"

Tough2Guard Offensive Improvement: Dribble Move Series (DVD) $39.99 With Luther Riley,Nike Basketball Training Specialist,Provine HS (MS) Head Boys Basketball Coach Coach Riley breaks down some of the game's most dangerous moves to put players in scoring situation. During the course of this presentation, Riley will present several drills to create scoring opportunities. Chair drills are used to work on the catch, rip and dribble drive. Teaching points include making hard, sharp cuts, developing good footwork and using a minimum number of dribbles. Additional moves include stutter pull, stutter cross, change of pace, pivot fade and side step. Dribbling between the legs, the pick and roll, behind the back, crossover dribble as well as the inside out move are also stressed on this DVD. These drills can be run individually or in small groups. Each of the drills presented can be a tool for player improvement if executed properly and with great effort and enthusiasm. 66 minutes. 2006.

Max Keeble's Big Move (2001 / DVD) $10.99 Synopsis: Walt Disney Pictures presents the hilarious MAX KEEBLE'S BIG MOVE -- the laugh-out-loud, action-packed comedy your entire family will love. When Max, a much bullied 12-year-old student, finds out he's moving to a new city in one week, he decides he has nothing to lose and develops some very clever schemes to right all the wrongs done to him and his friends. After a week of mayhem, including outrageous pranks, stunts, inventive gadgets, and help from his friends, Max finds out the worst news ever -- he's not moving after all! And now going from underdog to top dog means facing up to the consequences of his actions and developing a whole new set of plans! Format: DVD Color: Color Rating: PG Genre: Comedy Runtime: 86 minutes Year: 2001 Release Date: 10-5-2001

Mannequin / Mannequin 2: On The Move $8.99 Format: DVD Rating: Not Rated Genre: Comedy Runtime: 184 Year: 2008 Release Date: 2008-04-15

Helping Clients Move Beyond Diets and Into Health (DVD) $44.73 Many individuals have spent years dieting and the only reason they exercise is to lose weight. More often than not, if the weight loss doesn’t occur quickly enough, they quit exercising. As such, one of the most challenging jobs that personal trainers have is educating their clients about the importance of health versus pant size. Helping Clients Move Beyond Diets and Into Health is designed to help personal trainers understand the mindset of the serial dieter and provide them with strategies that can take their clients from having a “diet head� to a healthy head. Once individuals discover healthy living as a better option to chronic dieting, it can have a positive impact on client retention and referrals. Among the topics covered: weight loss is big business, weight loss and diet statistics, can our clients move beyond dieting, UCLA weight-loss study, motivation/commitment/planning, and case study. Produced in cooperation with IDEA Health & Fitness Association.

Converting on Third Down: A System to Move the Chains (DVD) $39.99 With Paul Chryst,University of Wisconsin Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks CoachWinning football games depends many times on 3rd down success. Coach Chryst unpacks the Wisconsin approach to moving the ball on third down in this lecture presentation. Chryst discusses Wisconsin's various third down packages that are classified by personnel groups, by pass pattern concepts (same plays, but different looks) and formation. Game preparation is a vital key to gain key third downs. Chryst discusses the importance of adjusting your packages according to the opponent's pressure, coverage, or your "change-up" concept. Key factors that affect the defensive plan are down and distance, personnel groupings, field position and the score and rhythm of the game. To show the philosophy in action, Chryst breaks down game footage to show how different third down packages were successful. Consistently converting on third down will keep your defense off the field and move the ball to the end zone. 43 minutes. 2008.

Movement Training for Tennis: Move Like an Athlete (DVD) $29.99 With John Officer, US Naval Academy Head Tennis CoachTennis as a sport has attracted players who have focused solely on that pursuit without developing all around athletic skills. The innate athletic ability of many of our players is questionable due to the specific focus on tennis. There are various athletic moves on a tennis court which can be taught. The current movement training involves a series of exercises designed to improve explosiveness, agility, balance, and endurance. The exercises are done separately from hitting a tennis ball. This tape will show all the athletic moves for each individual stroke on the tennis court. The key for athletic movement is to understand how to fuse the patterns with the strokes rather than simply isolating training. The goal is to move like a top flight athlete.46 minutes. 2004.

How She Move(DVD / Special Edition) $4.5 Synopsis: Raya Green is seventeen-years-old, incredibly bright and full of promise. She attends a prestigious private school outside her tough, crime-ridden neighborhood. When a family tragedy leaves her family unable to pay her tuition, Raya is forced to return to the old community she so desperately wants to escape. She soon finds herself drawn into the world of underground dance competitions and smells an opportunity to win some money, get out of the neighborhood, help her family and return to her old school. But as the dance tournament unfolds, Raya realizes that real success only comes to those brave enough to tackle it on their own terms. Format: DVD Color: Color Rating: PG-13 RatingReason: some drug content, suggestive material and language Genre: Drama Runtime: 94 minutes Year: 2008...

One False Move $6.95 Synopsis: An Arkansas police chief shows Los Angeles detectives how to stop three killers who are heading his way. Directed by Carl Franklin. Format: DVD Color: Color Rating: R Genre: Drama Runtime: 107 Year: 1991 Director: Carl Franklin

Move Over, Darling $14 Synopsis: A missing woman returns to her husband and his bride after five years on an island with another man. Format: DVD Color: Color Rating: Not Rated Genre: Romance Runtime: 103 Year: 1963 Director: Michael Gordon