Original Star Trek Goes Digital

'Star Trek' Goes Digital
Remastered original series adds CGI effects
August 31 2006

William Shatner as Capt. James T. Kirk
The original "Star Trek" series is going back into
syndication next month, but the show may not look
quite the same as fans remember it.

CBS Paramount Domestic Television, which
syndicates the series, is remastering the old episodes
to include computer-generated effects and re-recorded
music, in hopes of offering a vision of the future that
doesn't look quite so dated. All 79 episodes of the

kilroybass...

if it ain't broke...

David Johnston...

Of course it is "broke". This gimmick is apparently intended to
convince stations to pick it up for syndication again something they
otherwise won't do.

show will eventually get the digital treatment, with
several fan favorites undergoing the retouches first.

"'Star Trek' redefined science fiction and constantly
pushed the envelope with concepts that were ahead
of their time," says John Nogawski, president of CBS
Paramount Domestic TV. "By giving the series a
digital upgrade using the best technology available
today, it will continue to be a leader in cutting-edge
television programming as we introduce the series to
a new generation of viewers."

Lest visions of the "special edition" "Star Wars" films
that offended purists start dancing in your head, fear
not: The remastering won't be inserting any new
scenes into the episodes. Instead, CGI artists will be
updating the relatively low-tech special effects
available in the late 1960s with present-day technology.

Exterior shots of the Enterprise and other spaceships
will be replaced by CGI-created ships, with the new
Enterprise based on precise measurements of the
original model, which is now housed in the
Smithsonian. Battle scenes and shots of space from
the bridge of the Enterprise will be redone, and matte
paintings used in exteriors will be replace with
computer-generated backgrounds that give a better
illusion of depth.

The episodes will also feature a re-recorded score
and a remastered version of William Shatner's
opening narration.

"Star Trek" returns to syndication on Saturday, Sept.
16 on 200-plus stations across the country.

KennyGee...

Now I'm going to have to buy these all over again. I'm actually looking forward
to it..:)

Anim8rFSK...

You're looking forward to episodes with the top and bottom cut off,

David Johnston...

They didn't say anything about modifying it for widescreen.

music changed, 10 minutes cut out of them, and fx replaced by super
cheap low end CGI?

Anim8rFSK...

What you said.

But he's apparently NOT got the real versions, since he said in his
reply he's in Trek withdrawal. How sad if this is the only way people
will see the episodes.

One ray of hope: It's been postulated that they might only do the first
batch and if the reaction is bad enough, stop.

Nat and Al Enquirer...

Don't bask in that ray just yet. We have noted in several other ngs
(several which we believe you visit) that there are quite a few looking
forward to this. We are reserving judgment but have some trepidation.

We are under the impression that the original Original Series will continue
to be available on television and DVD. We will be alarmed if the day comes
that the HD versions are released without the original broadcast versions
remaining in print or included as "extras."

Anim8rFSK...

Day has come and gone. Note Kung Fu, season one. Top and bottom of the
image masked off when remastered for HD, and they used the syndication
prints so scenes are missing, and that's it. Kung Fu in it's original
form is probably gone forever.

If it is available in our area, we will watch, and then we will comment.

Best wishes,

David Johnston...

You know, I think I am.

KennyGee...

That's me.
I'm suffering from Trek withdrawal...:)
I'm watching a Voyager episode right now I've seen at least a dozen times...and
it's a two parter!

Anim8rFSK...

don't you have TVLand? They're showing unbutchered eps the 8th. And G4
shows butchered and unbutchered.

Steven L....

I don't know why you persist in saying that 10 minutes will be cut.
These remastered episodes will obviously be sold on DVD--complete.

Nat and Al Enquirer...

Sorry, Star Wars 4-6

They're not changing the music, just re-recording it in digital stereo
with a new orchestra. Of all your gripes, this one strikes me as the
most nonsensical. How can you defend TOS's limited-range monophonic
musical sound track in today's environment? In which more and more
homes have home entertainment centers with digital surround sound?

Anthony Cerrato...

Horrible precedent. The really sad thing is that we will
still all hafta watch it just to see what they did. I guess

xxnonexspamxnonexx...

No, I won't be watching. I don't care to know what they have ruined.

we shoulda anticipated this tho--how many remakes of
old/classic movies have we seen over the last decade? I am

xxnonexspamxnonexx...

No, just shows how talentless and sheer greed are motivating things. Can't we
just have the earthquake now and set CA adrift!

still waiting to some day waking to find some one has done a
remake of Casablanca, in full color, HD size format, Dolby
5.3 sound, and 3D! ...tonyC

xxnonexspamxnonexx...

I will PERSONALLY HUNT DOWN ANY PERSON who even thinks about it and dispense of
them from this planet! Movie makers of today could learn alot from real movies.
I love "classic" movies from the 30-40-50 and some into the 60's. I love those
grade b 3d monster movies, and the various Dracula meets... Or Abbott and
Costello, or Myrna Loy & William Powell in The Thin Man series, or the Andy
Hardy series. The dolts could quit making movies today go to those midwest salt
mine vaults dig out those prints restore to original release status, add what
ever extras like documentaries, news reels of premiers etc. that still exist and
start putting out DVD's with these on and I would gladly pay up.

New movies until they hit the $5.50 DVD bin at the megamart don't capture my
attention. I have a better chance of knowing Rosalind Russell in a movie versus
any one in a current movie.