Confirmed: Babylon 5 Blu-ray release

[gs4291]

Wow - I was one of those who thought there was little chance of it, but there's a credible report that a Babylon 5 Blu-ray release may be coming:

https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/m...ts/113020-1400:

Also, we’re starting to hear rumors that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is cooking up a Blu-ray release of the classic Babylon 5 TV series, which would presumably involve some kind of upsampling and remastering. But a number of European retailers have set a Babylon 5: Complete Collection for tentative Blu-ray release in March. We’ll keep our eyes on this and post as we learn more.

This is the same source which broke early news about the upcoming Lord of the Rings 4K release, and there's at least one Swedish website which has it available for pre-order for March 2021: https://www.discshop.se/tv-serier/bl...import/P171025


This is obviously coming while the show has recently had a "remastered" version released on a number of streaming platforms - it seems very likely the two are connected.

I'm by no means a technical expert but these remastered versions are still "DVD" quality* and not HD, so I'm not sure why this would be a Blu-ray release rather than a DVD - there may well be other technical or quality benefits - or maybe Blu-ray is just the physical format of choice for WB, regardless of the source material...

*although the CGI/composite footage is drastically improved over the current DVD release


jms has been asked for comment on Twitter but, as usually seems to be the case, no-one at Warner Bros. has spoken to him about any of this:

https://twitter.com/straczynski/stat...00138447577088

I know nothing more than you do about this. My guess is this is a release of the somewhat improved versions now in Itunes, but that's all it is, a guess, assuming of course that their information is correct to start with.

[Looney]

As I have stated elsewhere, this seems frightening given the issues we have heard about the "Re-Masters". Hope and hope for years and then it sounds like you are getting what you want, but it might be full of mistakes. I mean I am all for the release, as long as it is perfect. And I don't mean the picture has to be perfect HD quality. I mean the "Re-Master" issues have to be fixed.

[Ubik]

As far as I know, the issues are being tackled and some have already been corrected as uploads of the new remaster are completed across various platforms. It's still a massive improvement and a miracle it's happening.

[Looney]

As far as I know, the issues are being tackled and some have already been corrected as uploads of the new remaster are completed across various platforms. It's still a massive improvement and a miracle it's happening.

I SOOOOOOOOOOO hope you are correct. ???

[Lope de Aguirre]

As soon as possible I will pre-order the Blu-rays!

[Milkman]

I hope this happens!

[Ubik]

Once all the kinks are definitely worked out, I will be grabbing a remastered digital copy off whatever platform is cheapest. Would also give me an excuse for a re-watch.

[b5historyman]

If these are coming to blu ray, then I think they will simply be the original broadcast versions which are on itunes. While in 4:3 they would be a big improvement over the widescreen/cropped versions.

In spite of the numerous and frankly untenable due to the sheer cost involved HD widescreen versions we would all like, this is the next best thing.

[Alpha-1]

Could be great with both versions to choose
4:3 & 16:9 in my opinion the live action shots looks way better in widescreen

[Looney]

I don't know. The whole thing makes me nervous. LOL

[Kraig]

I don't know. The whole thing makes me nervous. LOL

[Looney]

Thank you so much for picking that up. Most of what I say, if not in emoji form , comes out in B5 quotes.

[B5-Stefan]

I want to say something either.

Why not think big?
And make the next -4K- BIG step: "Jump! Jump now!"

Ste fan


--
First of all Pooh said to himself:
'That buzzing-noise means something. You don't get a buzzing-noise like that, just buzzing and buzzing, without its meaning something.'
[Winnie-the-Pooh, Chapter 1]

[Milkman]

Anyone seen any updates on if this? I saw the HBOmax thing... but really hoping it comes to physical media.

[B5-Stefan]

Anyone seen any updates on if this? I saw the HBOmax thing... but really hoping it comes to physical media.

Sorry, milkman: "No milk today!"
(Aka: no new News about...)

https://youtu.be/AopIr7T-Zq4

--
"Anytime is the right time for Babylon 5."
[Straczynski tweet, Jan 13, 2021]