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Star Trek series coming to Netflix Watch Instantly in July and October
Just because Netflix has licensed new content we're not always sure when it will be available for Watch Instantly streaming, but TrekMovie.com reports it has the dates for Star Trek content covered by a recent deal with CBS. TrekMovie has confirmed it will have every episode of all five live action series -- US only, sorry Canada, enjoy that Iron Man 2 -- with the original Star Trek (in HD), Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise (in HD) available July 1st, followed by Star Trek: Deep Space 9 on October 1st. There's still no word on when Family Ties is arriving, but the two year deal (with an option for two more) should give viewers who haven't already shelled out for the boxed sets (we know you got the HD DVDs) a chance to get all the Trek they can bear.
The Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Blu-ray set officially announced, arrives June 28th (video)
Warner has finally released the details on its upcoming 15-disc (six on Blu-ray, plus nine DVDs) Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy: Extended Edition Blu-ray package, setting a release date of June 28th. If the extra few hours of footage isn't enough for you to preorder the $120 MSRP / $84 Amazon set, there's more than 26 hours of special features included although most of them are restricted to the DVDs. Each movie is spread across two Blu-ray discs and has a 6.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack, while Fellowship of the Ring has been treated to a remastering from the original 2K digital files. It's a little disappointing there aren't more HD extras mentioned but each Blu-ray is BD-Live enabled, we wouldn't be surprised to see some sort of teaser hit before The Hobbit arrives in theaters. Check out the full press release and trailer after the break.
Ico remastered preview: Not too little, definitely not too late
I'm going to say something now and I don't want you to get mad. Promise that you won't? Promise?! Okay, fine -- I've never played Ico. It just didn't happen. A mixture of procrastination and disc-read errors have conspired to keep me from the lauded PS2 classic. That changed late last week at a Sony press event, where the publisher showed off the forthcoming, double-game remaster Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection. %Gallery-102414%
Sly Cooper comparison pics show a smooth transition to HD & 3D generation gaming
In case you missed it at E3, all three of the Sly Cooper games from PlayStation 2 are being remastered in high definition (and in the case of the third game, 3D), and as you can see we've got a few comparison pictures from the Playstation Blog. Since original developer Sucker Punch has moved on to other thing like inFAMOUS, the conversion is being handled by Sanzaru Games (with some help from the original high res texture maps and art assets), and from the looks of things the transition to higher res and widescreen is going well. Head over to the blog for a better look or check out Joystiq for their hands on -- everyone else has to wait for the updated games to be released in November.
A look at ICO and Shadow of the Colossus in HD
With rumors suggesting that Team Ico's art house games, ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, will receive the God of War Collection Blu-ray treatment, Digital Foundry decided to have a look at what the results might be. Using PC emulation -- which reportedly got "very, very close" to looking like the final product with God of War -- the group captured video of the SD version and what the games may look like in HD. God of War's PS3-fication allegedly didn't replace any in-game art "aside from the on-screen text and button graphics." If ICO and Colossus are indeed given the same Blu-ray treatment, the latter is sure to benefit from the PS3's hardware. Shadow of the Colossus pushed the PS2's tech to the breaking point, with a frame rate that could turn the Colossi into Harryhausen monsters.
God of War Collection not hitting Europe this year
Hey, Europe. You're looking lovely today, has anyone told you that? Okay, quick like a band-aid: The PS3 God of War Collection won't make it to Europe this year. The collection includes the first two PS2 games in the series, updated with Trophies and 720p support.Sony Europe's form response to VG24/7: "We are currently looking into options to bring God of War I and II to SCEE consumers on PS3; however it will not be possible to release the games this calendar year. We will provide further information in due course."Here's a tip, though: The collection is unlikely to be region locked, so those in Europe who can't wait to experience Kratos' rage with all that extra "p" should probably check in with their favorite importers, or call up a Yank friend across the pond to sail a copy over.
The Wizard of Oz HD comes back to theaters September 23
Ahead of its remastered 70th Anniversary Blu-ray release, The Wizard of Oz is returning to the big screen in high definition. September 23 at 7 p.m. over 400 theaters will be showing the remastered version for the first time, plus the "To Oz! The Making of a Classic" featurette. If you go, take someone who thinks old films can't benefit from high definition.
Dragonball Z HD refresh sees details, trailer pop up ahead of April 5 launch
The 100 episode limited edition high definition reintroduction of DragonBall Z has a name: DragonBall Kai, and a fresh HD trailer, embedded and lovingly fansubbed after the jump. More details have come out about the series since it was revealed, with the backers still emphasizing "no cropping" of original scenes, renewed opening and closing music plus re-recorded background songs. Just 24 more days to go.
Akira Blu-ray remastering process detailed
Akira has hit in high definition before, but never like this. Blu-ray.com went in depth with the on the process of remastering the movie for its upcoming Blu-ray release and anime fans will want to check out. It seems like every classic movie release talks about taking Blu-ray to its limits, but it certainly appears this release is getting every opportunity to look and sound its best. For all the audio / video bitrate and color corrected by hand details punch the read link before the disc comes to shelves February 24.
Dragonball Z refreshed & renewed in HD for 20th Anniversary
Avoiding the obvious solution of gravity training, the original Dragonball Z TV series is getting remastered for HD, in honor of its 20th anniversary. According to this Shonen Jump scan, the reworked episodes will begin airing in Japan April 5, with footage extended (we're hoping that doesn't mean stretched, it doesn't seem like it) for 16x9 displays, with remastered sound effects and, where available, re-dubbed vocals by the original cast. The remastered edition will only consist of 100 episodes or so, but we're sure DBZ fans are already preparing to import this one on Blu-ray.[Via OKP]
Remastered RoboCop finally coming to Blu-ray
The revamped version of RoboCop won't be known as the first Blu-ray title to undergo some serious retooling due to widespread outcries over quality (or should we say, the lack thereof), but the film will finally be headed to BD in just under a month. Reportedly, the remastered, unrated edition will land on October 9th for around $39 MSRP, but will strangely not include any bonus features. Nevertheless, the content has apparently been "authored in MPEG2" and will be delivered on a 25GB disc with DTS HD and French / Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital audio tracks. Here's to hoping this version makes it past reviewers, eh?[Via HighDefDigest]
Dragon Ball Z dual release marks FUNimation's Blu-ray debut
FUNimation is kicking off its support of the Blu-ray format by releasing one of its biggest anime franchises, Dragon Ball Z this winter. Dragon Ball Z Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan and Broly: Second Coming are due on store shelves November 13th, fully remastered in 1080p directly from the original Japanese 35mm film, along with a new 5.1 surround sound mix and HD special features. No word on pricing yet, but FUNimation expects to follow up by releasing other popular catalog titles in high definition as well.
Star Trek: The Original Series S1 HD DVD boxed set hits November 20
CBS and Paramount have lived up to their promise of more details on the Star Trek:The Original Series Season 1 HD DVD/DVD combo boxed set at Comic-Con, announcing the 10 disc set will debut November 20th. As seen in the HD broadcasts, the visuals have been updated, along with remastered audio with a Dolby TrueHD soundtrack. HD DVD exclusive special features include picture-in-picture video commentaries, an interactive tour of Enterprise, a documentary on the remastering process, rare home videos and additional information on seven of the episodes. All that Star Trek goodness that comes packaged in a "futuristic, clear case" with an SRP of $217.99, and still no word of a Blu-ray release.[Thanks, Cameron]
Remastered Fifth Element Blu-ray disc finally shines
We can imagine quite a few Fifth Element faithful were ready and willing to hand over MSRP in order to take home one of the first Blu-ray copies of the quasi-cult classic, but the overwhelming response from those hoping for the best was nothing short of unpropitious. Thankfully for those still hanging on for some type of retribution, Sony announced that it would be exchanging the original copies out with fresh, remastered iterations just as soon as the cleaner, smoother, and more BD-worthy version went gold. Of course, it'd be awfully good to know whether to waste your time with such a process if the new flavor was just a minor upgrade, and we're quite relieved to hear from HighDefDigest that Sony nailed it this time around. From the overall image quality improvement to the unexpected addition of a Dolby TrueHD audio track, the differences were more than noticeable to the discerning eye, so if you managed to save yourself from snagging the subpar edition the first go 'round, it looks like the updated cut may actually be worth your while.
New details emerge on Star Trek: TOS HD DVD
We know, the wait is most definitely not enjoyable, but here's a few more details to hopefully tide you over until Star Trek: The Original Series is finally launched on HD DVD. Reportedly, the disc will feature "never-before-seen footage exclusive to the next-gen edition," including behind the scenes 8-millimeter footage taken during the original production of the show. Additionally, it's being hinted that the studio is planning to give Comic-Con attendees a "first peek" at the long-awaited release on July 26 at a special event, and while there's still no word on this title making its way to Blu-ray, we'd be fairly surprised if it didn't make the jump in due time.
Fifth Element Blu-ray exchange program details announced
Considering what a mythical reference title The Fifth Element was when released on DVD (and Superbit, and Laserdisc!), it was surprising to see it reviewed as just another softly-focused, dirty, and scratchy launch title for Blu-ray. Many reviewers and fans complained about the lackluster MPEG-2 encoding, and the general poor quality of the transfer. Sony has announced details and contact information about a plan to exchange the first -- now discontinued -- batch of Blu-ray Discs for the remastered edition, due to be released in July. The new version is a new 1080p transfer from a different master, and includes Dolby TrueHD as well as uncompressed PCM audio. It will also be encoded in MPEG-4 AVC, which will hopefully show off the improved compression of the newer codec. Quite an olive branch from Sony for those who have already picked it up, and a show of good steps toward making Blu-ray titles the best they can be. Now the question remains, how many of the other initial MPEG-2 Blu-ray titles will be remastered like this?
