I've noticed BBC2 are to show the original Star Trek series in a late night slot every Friday night with 2 episodes.
This is great news, I'm really pleased BBC2 are doing this, although I'm a bit gutted the episodes are being shown so late (as late as 1.00am on Friday 9th Feb)
Also, following Star Trek, BBC2 are also showing repeats of Malcom in the Middle. It seems the BBC are making good use of the schedule which used to be filled with The Learning Zone.
:-(
A former member
I wouldn't mind them putting Malcom in the Middle a bit early becasue BBC scotland keeps moving all over place!
It's a shame they can't get hold of the Re-mastered HD masters that CBS are showing. But then i hear that they won't let them out of the U.S until they're all shown, which won't be for a year at least
Yes but would they pay for them anyway, if the current masters are adequate?
ISTR some discussion about when they bought the original VT remasters 10(?)years ago, & some review board advised against transmitting them, but they still transmitted them anyway!
What condition were the BBC original film prints in? I know they had various cuts, but were they that bad technically in the 90's?
Yes but would they pay for them anyway, if the current masters are adequate?
The same question would have no doubt been asked when the Re-mastering was pitched. The original versions are actually very good quality, even the model shots are very well done for the time. They created it to make money out of old rope and to sell High-definition with familiar content. If they were put in a decent slot, there's no reason why BBC2 couldn't do the same. Simulcast it on BBC HD and give them proper trails like CBS did with "BOLDLY GO, AGAIN" and all that. Couple of million viewers no problem.
I think Sci-Fi are showing a 'normal' remastered version, i.e. the sound and picture quality have been cleaned up, but I believe that the HD ones are enhanced - new digital models of the Enterprise, etc, and new and improved special effects.
Not meaning to be picky, but surely HD means 16:9 as well? Or was it cropped on that video.
I do see the differences though.
It's being broadcast in [downconverted] SD only just now.
And, although the new space scenes have been created in 16:9, the intention is apparently for the HD versions to be pillarboxed rather than cropped (they're scanning 1960s 35mm film, which was recorded 4:3 - although it's got resolution enough for HD, the only way to get 16:9 would be to crop it).
If the took the 35mm and made it take the 16:9 frame without cropping, you'd see prop guys and stage hands on the sides.
You can download some of these episodes in HD on the Xbox 360, and there are HD DVDs coming out in 2008, of all the episodes in full length, without being cut down to TV Length and advert cuts.
The Sci-fi copies look good. But the new HD ones are brand new HD transfers from the original film, so it looks bloody spectacular, and what little scratches there were left are apparently digitally removed. Even effects shots like the transporter effect and other optical effects like text on screen where usually there are TONS of scratches and general dirt are brilliantly clean.
I'm not a fan of the CGI though, i think its really cartooney in most places. Plus there are a lot of things they've left untouched which really could have done with some digital work.
Must admit i love the re-recorded theme tune though.
