The Best Star Trek set? (1 Viewer)

[Tremain]

I bout the complete original Star Trek a few years back. Each series is in an awkward plastic case, which holds the paper sleeve for a hideous fold-out plastic book which encases the unlabeled plain discs. Each disc has an invasive and time-consuming access menu, and I think that CG and new music has been added. Not too pleased with it in general

I ask the experts; what are some recommended sets? Blu ray is becoming preferred, but DVD is always welcome. Good storage, well-labeled discs, with perhaps some nice special features? The get watched quite a bit at my house. Thanks.

 

[The Obsolete Man]

I bout the complete original Star Trek a few years back. Each series is in an awkward plastic case, which holds the paper sleeve for a hideous fold-out plastic book which encases the unlabeled plain discs. Each disc has an invasive and time-consuming access menu, and I think that CG and new music has been added. Not too pleased with it in general

I ask the experts; what are some recommended sets? Blu ray is becoming preferred, but DVD is always welcome. Good storage, well-labeled discs, with perhaps some nice special features? The get watched quite a bit at my house. Thanks.

Blu has better cases all the way around because they didn't get fancy and stupid with the Blu cases... just simple 6 or 7 disc cases with a slipcover. The complete series sets are all most likely the epicpak cases, which throw 20 or so discs in one case, so there's nothing fancy about that.

TNG on Blu is recommended over any DVD release, because it's been restored from the original negatives and looks lightyears better than any other release.

Oh, and the TOS Blu discs offer both new effects and original IIRC, so you don't have to worry about which version you have. As far as your DVDs, these are the original effects versions

while these were the remastered versions with new effects and rerecorded theme song.

Both cases had the flimsy inner paper case covering a book of trays, IIRC.

 

[Tremain]

Yes, this is the one...that square remaster. Awful. I like something like slimline cases (a very good trend, in my opinion). I'm casting about for a particular set...the alpha, if you will. If blu has the easy access, then that's my goal, thank you.

 

[The Obsolete Man]

Yes, this is the one...that square remaster. Awful. I like something like slimline cases (a very good trend, in my opinion). I'm casting about for a particular set...the alpha, if you will. If blu has the easy access, then that's my goal, thank you.

Well, Amazon has the single season Blu sets for under 20 bucks each at the moment, so it's a good time to buy... especially if you've paid the Trek Tax one too many times at $100-plus for a single season.

 

[bmasters9]

And don't forget that all-in-one of the remastered version from 2015 (all three of the remastered seasons in one huge keepcase).

 

[BobO'Link]

I own TOS in 3 versions. 2 DVD and 1 BR.

The original DVD season sets in the clamshell cases:

It splits and hinges open in the middle. Inside is a small booklet with a stack of discs in single trays that have a strip of packing tape serving as a hinge. They're in a paperboard o-ring (slips off). A royal pain to get discs out. Horrible menu system. Non-remastered anything. For the time they were quite good but it's been significantly improved.

This DVD set:

Going by photos on Amazon, it has a single EpikPak inside a paperboard slipcase. The discs are in hinged trays with 2 per side in an overlapping fashion. The disc index is on the reverse of the EpicPak case artwork and visible when the case is opened. I've not opened this one yet because I purchased the BR set first. I got it for $5, new, when Hastings was going out of business. It's an emergency backup or possible gifting copy. Assuming it has the same menu as the BR sets, it's better than the clamshell set but still nothing to write home about. It also has only the remastered special effects and multi-channel audio. If, like me, you prefer the original, unaltered, versions this set is to be avoided.

Finally, the BR sets:

This is the one I own. 3 standard multi-disc BR cases. S3 is smaller as it has 1 fewer disc than S1 & S3. One disc per page side with the episode guides on the back of the case artwork. S1 & S2 have 6 discs on hinged pages, one per side, with disc 7 on a hub on the case back and S3 has a disc on the case front and back with the other 4, also one per side, on hinged pages. The newer version is all 3 seasons in an EpicPak with 2 overlapping discs per page, just like the DVD release.

IMHO, the BR release is the one to get. It has a remastered picture and includes both versions of the program. The one with remastered visual, updated visual effects, and multi-channel audio and the remastered visuals with original visual effects and the original mono audio mix. The menus aren't much better than that original DVD set but do operate just a bit faster with fewer unwanted animations.

With the BR set you have the option of either video with either audio. That means you can watch the remastered effects version with mono audio or original effects with multi-channel audio. I'm a purist. While the remastered effects are quite nice at times there are issues with them and they're just not what I've watched since the original airings. The audio is also lacking as it tends to bury voices in the music or other effects. The new open is also "off" a bit and has Shatner's voice over rather low in the mix. One nice feature is the ability, using the "angle" button on your remote, to switch between the new special effects and the original making it easy to compare/examine the differences.

There's not a single set that has what I'd call a "good" menu system. All of them think you need special effects to get from item to item and take time to load but the BR set is, IMHO, the best one. Unless you have a larger TV, on the remastered sets you'll be getting out of your comfy chair to move closer to the screen to be able to read some of the text. It's in the lower 1/4 of the screen and rather small on some of the areas. Another case of form over function example of bad menu design.

I'd say go for the new BR release and get the EpicPak version as it's usually the least expensive. I like those EpicPaks over digipaks and other "special" packaging and they're space saving, although with TOS it's about the same. But, as with all ST series, check the amazon.co.uk prices before you make a purchase. Right now the prices are about the same but that can change. All the BR ST sets are region free (play on any BR player worldwide), usually in better packaging, and less expensive even with shipping included. This one is better purchased in individual seasons with the UK releases as their first box set put the discs in those paper sleeve/page abominations. I don't know how the newer one is packaged, but the individual seasons are roughly the same price as either box set and you know what you're getting.

If you purchase TNG absolutely get the BR edition. The BR set from them is region free and has 2 EpicPaks in a very nice, sturdy, thick box with a removable lid. It has the UK ratings markings on the discs and boxes but otherwise is identical to the US release. Current UK price is £50.00. After removal of VAT and adding shipping it's ~$60 depending on payment method (if your CC charges a forex or if you use Amazon's money converter).

That same advice goes for Enterprise. The UK release is also region free in a single EpicPak which is in a thick box with a removable lid, and usually far less expensive than the US release.

Right now, that one's ~$46 delivered to the US.

Both of those UK BR sets (TOS and Enterprise) have 1 disc per page side inside those EpicPak cases. No discs are held on the case front or back.

And those boxes hold the cases sideways. That is, when you're looking at the front of the box it's roughly the size of a standard DVD amaray case. Removing the lid has you looking at the spine of the case(s) just as you'd normally store them on your shelf. You can remove the lids, store them, and put the open case on your shelf with everything else. You can leave the lid on and store it with the lid out, adding about an eighth of an inch in height, or simply store the entire box and display only the EpicPaks.

 

[bmasters9]

With the BR set you have the option of either video with either audio. That means you can watch the remastered effects version with mono audio or original effects with multi-channel audio.

Why would the Blu-Ray all-in-one let you have it both ways (remastered as it is now, or original as it was on NBC then [albeit still somewhat remastered]), whereas the DVD all-in-one which I have only has it as it is now?

 

[The Obsolete Man]

Why would the Blu-Ray all-in-one let you have it both ways (remastered as it is now, or original as it was on NBC then [albeit still somewhat remastered]), whereas the DVD all-in-one which I have only has it as it is now?

Disk space?

Blu-Ray holds a lot more information than a standard DVD, and offers seamless branching. So both versions of the effects can be used with no issues.

Or, maybe they just decided to put all the bells and whistles on the Blu so people would be more likely to buy it over DVDs.

 

[bmasters9]

Disk space?

Blu-Ray holds a lot more information than a standard DVD, and offers seamless branching. So both versions of the effects can be used with no issues.

Or, maybe they just decided to put all the bells and whistles on the Blu so people would be more likely to buy it over DVDs.

Both scenarios are equally possible!

 

[Regulus]

For me it's the blu-ray set of the original series, which at the time I purchased it was CHEAPER than the DVD sets. My set allows me to watch it with the original special effects or the enhanced special effects. It has an intact episode of The Cage pilot episode as well.

 

[BobO'Link]

Why would the Blu-Ray all-in-one let you have it both ways (remastered as it is now, or original as it was on NBC then [albeit still somewhat remastered]), whereas the DVD all-in-one which I have only has it as it is now?

To sell the BR when people might otherwise just get the DVD? I have no idea, but it's why I chose the BR over the DVD set. I wanted to hedge my bets in case I didn't care for the remastered visuals. They're OK but I still prefer the originals so my choice was good for me. The visuals on the remastered original are all original. The remastering there did nothing more than provide a true remastered image so it looks like it did on the original film stock.

Disk space?

Blu-Ray holds a lot more information than a standard DVD, and offers seamless branching. So both versions of the effects can be used with no issues.

Or, maybe they just decided to put all the bells and whistles on the Blu so people would be more likely to buy it over DVDs.

But DVD also offers seamless branching. Even if that process increases the file sizes they'd only have to put the series on a few more discs which shouldn't be a deal breaker at all. Even if that caused a higher MSRP it's no issue with ST releases as fans will make the purchase anyway - I know I would have. I suspect it's your last supposition that's the true reason.

 

[BobO'Link]

For me it's the blu-ray set of the original series, which at the time I purchased it was CHEAPER than the DVD sets. My set allows me to watch it with the original special effects or the enhanced special effects. It has an intact episode of The Cage pilot episode as well.

That's me as well. I purchased the Canadian release and paid about $45 US, a bargain. It's a great set.

 

[Regulus]

That's me as well. I purchased the Canadian release and paid about $45 US, a bargain. It's a great set.

Was that for each season or was it for the entire series?

 

[BobO'Link]

Was that for each season or was it for the entire series?

The entire series about a year ago. The US prices are almost that low these days.

 

[Tremain]

Thanks, guys! It's the Bluray for me, it seems! The new music and effects drive me nuts ( a real, low George Lucas kind of thing, haha), and the menu is just too much for every single episode, which I re-watch quite regularly.

 

[Regulus]

I payed $ 189.99 for my set. Hello operator, this is an emergency! Could you connect me to DR. Kevorkian?

 

[Jason_V]

The Blu's...TOS, TNG, TAS and ENT. They're all a great value, excellent special features and user friendly packaging.

 

[TravisR]

I payed $ 189.99 for my set. Hello operator, this is an emergency! Could you connect me to DR. Kevorkian?

When that kind of thing happens to me, I just try to think of the times I've gotten good deals. I'm not sure it all balances out but it stops me from hopping out of a window.

 

[BobO'Link]

I payed $ 189.99 for my set. Hello operator, this is an emergency! Could you connect me to DR. Kevorkian?

When that kind of thing happens to me, I just try to think of the times I've gotten good deals. I'm not sure it all balances out but it stops me from hopping out of a window.

It should for William. IIRC, he picked up complete DVD sets of TOS, TNG, DS9 and Voyager for under $100 at a yard sale one time. He rubbed that one in for quite some time!

 

[jcroy]

When that kind of thing happens to me, I just try to think of the times I've gotten good deals. I'm not sure it all balances out but it stops me from hopping out of a window.

In the end, things may very well "balance out" if one isn't an extreme ocd hoarder type.

(Going slightly offtopic).

Over the past several years I ended up getting second copies of various tv season sets, such as in instances where a complete series set is less expensive than buying the remaining individual sets I don't have.

For example, recently I picked up the Bionic Woman complete series set for around $15 at a nearby costco.

Previously I already had the Bionic Woman season 1 set, and the first version of season 2 which had audio problems on disc4 (such as in the "Deadly Ringer" episode). At the time circa 2012-2013, I didn't get around to exchanging the old problematic disc4 for the corrected version in the Universal mail-in recall. After awhile, I didn't really care anymore since Bionic Woman isn't a show that has much rewatch value for me. (I didn't bother buying season 3 at the time).

Fast forward to a few days ago, I saw the Bionic Woman complete series set for around $15 which was around the same price as buying the individual season 3 from a local dump bin. At that price, I picked up the complete series as an impulse buy. I didn't want to go driving around the area checking local dump bins (nor amazon) for season 3, at that moment.