Merrick here...
We've been hearing rumors and innuendo about the possibility of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION in HD for some time, but now it's official.
Startrek.com states the following:
Star Trek: The Next Generation will be released in high-definition Blu-ray, starting in January with a sampler of several popular episodes, followed by a season-one set to be released later on in 2012, and subsequent seasons beaming down after that.
[EDIT]
CBS is, in fact, returning to the original film negatives, a mother lode of material encompassing 25,000-plus reels of footage, and editing the episodes together precisely as they were when they originally aired between 1987 and 1994. Visual effects will not be upconverted from videotape, but instead will be recompositioned. The freshly cut film will ultimately be transferred to high definition with 7.1 DTS Master Audio. And all of the work is being done in conjunction with respected, longtime Star Trek figures Denise and Michael Okuda, who are on board as consultants.
Beyond their extensive and invaluable contributions to STAR TREK: TNG and the TREKverse series which followed it (as well as a few of the films), the Okudas have authored the legendary STAR TREK ENCYCLOPEDIA and were producers on the brilliantly remastered STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES which was released on Blu-Ray a few years back.
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION premiered 24 years ago this week...adding a special flavor to this announcement. The seasonal sets will hit next year to commemorate the series' 25th anniversary. As hard as I try, I can't believe it's been so long...
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