Star Trek: The Original Series, Season 1 Blu-ray

Star Trek: The Original Series, Season 1

 (TV) (1966)

Adventure | Sci-Fi



Space. The Final Frontier. The U.S.S. Enterprise embarks on a five year mission to explore the galaxy. The Enterprise is under the command of Captain James T. Kirk. The First Officer is Mr. Spock, from the planet Vulcan. The Chief Medical Officer is Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy. With a determined crew, the Enterprise encounters Klingons, Romulans, time paradoxes, tribbles and genetic supermen lead by Khan Noonian Singh. Their mission is to explore strange new worlds, to seek new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.

For more details about Star Trek: The Original Series, Season 1 on Blu-ray, see the Star Trek: The Original Series, Season 1 Blu-ray Review

Star Trek: The Original Series, Season 1 Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


"Star Trek" beams onto Blu-ray with a most impressive 1080p, 1.33:1-framed transfer. This aspect ratio retains the show's original 4:3 television presentation, resulting here in vertical black bars on either side of the image when replayed on a 1.78:1-sized television set. The first thing that many viewers may note is the presence of grain in most every shot, occasionally spiking in intensity but practically always visible at normal viewing distances. The film elements have been cleaned up nicely, though, with only a few speckles to be seen here and there. Colors are marvelous and strong in each episode; the red, blue, and gold crew shirt uniforms are strong and distinctly reproduced, each shade bold and true to the original intent. Likewise, the various doodads found scattered about the ship -- particularly the bridge -- and the many locations visited throughout the season, from a replica of 1960s Earth to the many barren planet surfaces populated by Styrofoam rocks and matte paintings, all offer standout color reproduction. Detail, too, is remarkably high; viewers will see plenty of sweat glistening on character faces, the stitching and fabric on the clothing and Starfleet patches, and the small details that make up communicators, tricorders, and phasers. Many planet surfaces look appropriately phony and crude, but nevertheless effective considering both the age and feel of the show, under the scrutiny of 1080p high definition. Likewise, the Enterprise's bridge looks better than ever, with even the bad paint jobs on the ship's conn standing out as plainly visible. Flesh tones and black levels are both suitably good. A few shots take on a slightly soft and fuzzy appearance, but the vast majority of each episode should positively thrill longtime fans and newcomers alike. Save for the outdated sets and costumes, "Star Trek" looks almost brand new on Blu-ray, this video presentation a revelation to be sure.

Star Trek: The Original Series, Season 1 Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


"Star Trek" warps onto Blu-ray with a wholly satisfying selection of audio presentations, including a DTS-HD MA 7.1 lossless option. Music and sound effects are heard subtly but distinctly across the front and occasionally in the rears, though much of the track is focused straight up the middle. During the show's famed opening title sequence, however, sound swoops nicely but not aggressively across the soundstage. The effect is much more pronounced when viewed during the remastered version of any given episode; the path of the Enterprise is practically felt as it moves throughout the listening area, featuring much more volume and presence than that accompanying the original title sequence. On board the Enterprise, the hums of the various gizmos and gadgets, from Spock's bridge science station to the beeps, hums, and thuds of the transporter room, are heard clearly and distinctly, even under dialogue and music. Alarm claxons reverberate throughout the soundstage on occasion, signaling imminent danger to the ship and her crew while also making for some of the more interesting sonic material the show has to offer. Bass is never noticeably powerful, but rather sufficient, particularly as heard accompanying a few explosions during "Where No Man Has Gone Before." "Star Trek's" classic score as presented here sounds sharp and crisp, with excellent fidelity across the board. Most of the track remains focused in the front channels, the quartet of rear speakers coming into play occasionally for atmospherics and only a few discrete effects. Dialogue, the heart and soul of the show, is always heard distinctly and clearly. "Star Trek" may not make for a surround sound extravaganza, but it's never sounded better than it does on this Blu-ray release.

Star Trek: The Original Series, Season 1 Blu-ray, News and Updates

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