Jay

I was really into origami as a kid. These are awesome.

Thanks for sharing, and best of luck getting your book published.

Theoretically, SQL Server is supposed to support over 32,000 simultaneous connections, but the hardware required for that is absurd.

I don't know if the hosting service has implemented a hard limit or what that limit might be.

TV's Frink said:

What is so special about September?  End of summer?

Yup. Traffic always wanes during the summer and picks up again in September.

Not sure why you guys are having trouble. Page load speed seems to be the same as always for me.

We're experiencing the usual increase in site traffic that happens every September. That's probably part of it. We have more activity and content than ever before, which is weighing on the db and web server.

I also have a feeling that my hosting service views the hardware on which ot.com is hosted as legacy stuff that isn't getting the attention and resources it once did. It's probably outdated and has too many sites running on it.

We should see speed gains when the new software is running on the new hosting service (fingers crossed).

No, I don't have an estimated launch date :)

I also use Chrome on Mac and I've never seen anything like that. Weird.

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/browser-exposes-HTML-when-posting-a-reply/topic/14496/

Old cached JavaScript is the likely culprit. Also, if the post editor fails to initiate properly, this happens by design so that HTML doesn't make its way into the database without being sanitized.

It's still in the design phase. For starters, there will be a proper advanced search with more filtering options (by post author, for example). Results won't be a massive dump of entire posts like it is now. It'll be far more usable--not hard given the current state of things.

I know how horrible the results are, trust me :)

I can't argue with you. I threw the search function together pretty hastily because the launch of the software happened ahead of schedule. (There was a mishap while testing the current software that made it impossible to go back to the original software, so the launch was performed much sooner than planned.) It's slow, there's no way to filter the results, and SQL Server's full text search algorithms simply don't compare to Google's.

none's suggestion is the best one at the moment. Search will be overhauled in the next upgrade.

Erikstormtrooper said:

So for those with an NTSC Oppo, is it true that it will play PAL discs?

It will, provided they're the right region or you've run the firmware hack to make the Oppo region free (or you've installed a mod).

The Oppo will play pretty much everything you throw at it, and it can convert it to a fixed resolution/frequency to match your display or output the original if you have a multisystem TV.

hairy_hen said:

If you can afford it, I definitely recommend getting an Oppo player, because the company's support for their products is fantastic and you'll get top of the line performance for a fraction of the price from any other high end manufacturer.  Otherwise, the PS3 is widely respected for its Bluray capabilities and will give better results than many standalone players out there.

This is great advice. If the idea of spending $500 on a Blu-ray player doesn't make you choke, the Oppo BDP-93 is the way to go. Oppo's latest firmware adds 24fps playback for film-based DVDs, which is really nice if you have a lot of DVDs and something that pretty much no player supports because it requires top-flight video processing (like only the Oppo can do). The PS3 would be next on my list.

I really like my Oppo, but I've gotten to the point where I'm sick of dealing with FBI warnings, copyright warnings, commentary disclaimers, and forced trailers (there are literally 5 or 6 trailers on the remastered Total Recall BD). I'm experimenting with ripping my BDs (losslessly) to MKV, storing them on a media server, and using a dedicated media player to access them.

The current database doesn't deal with double byte characters very well. The development version I have running locally has no problem with them, though.

The next "update" is a complete rebuild of the forum software and database. It's been a massive undertaking and I'm looking forward to opening it up to beta testing when it's ready.

Did you clear your cache? Make sure you select "the beginning of time" from the available options when you clear it.

Please clear your cache and let me know if it's still happening. I had to implement a JS fix yesterday to secure the forum against this issue, and anyone pulling a cached JS file will see HTML in their posts after they submit. Editing the post and resubmitting should fix it once your cache is cleared. I tested it in FF after clearing my cache and it's fine.

The response from CBS on the audio issue is pretty respectable. They're not even asking people to mail in UPCs, receipts, or the original discs. I put my request in yesterday.

pittrek said:

Did somebody find some easter eggs ? After ripping disc 6 I found a short Data make-up test which I don't remember seeing in the main menu

I'd read somewhere that there was an Easter egg on disc 6, so that's probably it.

How are you enjoying the set so far, audio issues aside?

Are you familiar with Chrome dev tools? If so, the next time the editor fails to load, check the main HTML element at the top of the element inspector and see if it has a class of "js". I need to determine if the problem is confined to the editor or if all JavaScript is failing when you see this problem. Thanks.

You mean you see the HTML in the finished post? Or you see it in the editor?

I just finished watching the first disc, which includes "Encounter at Farpoint", "The Naked Now", and "Code of Honor". My overall opinion is that this is the best thing that could've happened to TNG. I'm extremely pleased.

I'll get the negative stuff out of way so I can start gushing. If you haven't heard already, there are some reported audio problems that I can verify. On a few of the episodes, the center channel of the 7.1 soundtrack has been duplicated in the right channel, causing dialog to be anchored to the right. Even though it was fine on the sampler disc, "Encounter at Farpoint" has this problem and it's definitely noticeable and distracting. The lossy 2-channel mix doesn't have this issue, and while it is lossy, I compared it to the 2-channel soundtrack on the DVD and the Blu-ray's lossy 2-channel is noticeably superior. However, the 2-channel audio is out of sync by several seconds during the intro to "Encounter at Farpoint". It's fine once the second chapter starts though. I haven't watched all the extras yet, but there have also been reports that some of the extras have audio sync problems as well. According to Bill Hunt, CBS is looking into these issues. Kind of embarrassing on such a high profile release, but it's a massive project and mistakes do happen. Paramount is the distributor, and based on their handling of other defective Blu-ray releases, I'm sure we'll see a disc replacement program before too long.

That said, I did make use of the 7.1 tracks on "The Naked Now" and "Code of Honor" since they're among the unaffected episodes. I only have a 2-channel setup, so my receiver downmixes the 7.1 track to stereo and I can't comment on the quality and presence of the surround mix. I can say that the fidelity of the lossless track is quite a bit better than the lossy track with a clearly wider dynamic range. Dialog is strong and intelligible, sound effects make their presence known without being overbearing, and the music is much more dynamic than the DVD or the Blu-ray's lossy track.

As for the video...it's everything you've heard. The quality of the visuals is outstanding. Lots of detail and an amazing color palette. It's like seeing the series for the first time. Like many here, I had some concerns regarding the effects shots and just how far they'd take any potential changes. I think the best way to preface that discussion is to talk about "Energized", which is the brief documentary on disc one that describes the process CBS went through in figuring out how to bring TNG to HD. I initially thought most of the effects were going to be replaced with CG that was faithful to the original elements. I couldn't have been more wrong.

After a brief intro showing some SD/HD comparisons, "Energized" showcases some of the research and testing CBS performed to figure out how best to bring TNG to Blu-ray. At first, they considered upconverting the source tapes, some samples of which they provide in the documentary, but the quality was deemed unacceptable (and they were right). After a lot of deliberation, they realized the only way to do it properly was to go back to the beginning and rescan everything and reassemble it from scratch. I knew it was a significant effort, but the documentary makes it clear just how significant; the work required to catalog every shot and re-edit all that film without missing anything is staggering. And while they could have recreated all the effects using only CG like they did with TOS, CBS went back to the original film and digitally recomposited everything that they could--not just the sweeping shots of the Enterprise model that made use of multiple camera passes, but all the matte paintings of planets, cities, and more. From what I've seen so far, they've been judicious in "upgrading" the quality of the effects shots, replacing only what they had to and remaining faithful to the original effects. Okuda makes a comment at one point about how they left a lot of stuff alone despite a strong urge to "fix" it.

"Energized" makes it clear that this entire project is a labor of love performed by people who are true Trek fans themselves, and they took a very reserved approach to the new effects that pays great respect to the original effects. Audio issues aside, I've seen everything I need to see to know that I'm in for the remaining seasons.

Tobar said:

Edit: Just got back. Very disappointed in the presentation. The blacks were washed out and the picture detail was very poor. I'd say it was on par with the original broadcasts. I'm sure the actual blu-rays will look far superior. Just another strike against AMC in my book.

I read at AVS that the digital projectors used for these events aren't the digital cinema projectors used for feature presentations, but the junky low-resolution ones used for the marketing garbage shown before the previews.

I'm just about to open my box set and watch Encounter at Farpoint. I'll post my impressions.

Looks like they're seriously considering giving DS9 the same treatment if the fans push for it.

http://tng.trekcore.com/bluray/#comiccon1

I think once they see the sales numbers for TNG, it'll be a no-brainer for them. I guess Trek will continue to bleed my wallet dry for many years to come...not that I mind.

I'm keeping my DVDs in order to have the originals on hand if I'm ever feeling nostalgic (and also because they're worth next to nothing on the used market anyway), but I'm really impressed with the quality of the CG on the remasters. It's tastefully done and pretty faithful to the originals in terms of artistic intent. Colors and content match the originals nicely, and most of the screen caps I'm seeing could pass for CG in a feature film. They've even introduced some simulated grain so the effects shots match the live shots.

The purist in me wants the original CG recreated as well, but rather than re-render CG to match the originals and include them with the remastered film elements, which would be an odd juxtaposition, I'd prefer they create new SD masters from the original 480i broadcast tapes and offer them as downloads or bonus content for people who buy the Blu-rays. The existing DVDs are a travesty and a proper SD release would preserve the original broadcasts in their original quality.

I say this expecting comparisons to the OT "bonus content" theatrical cuts, but this situation is different because TNG was originally crafted and mastered with the intention of showing it on TV in 480i. A clean SD release would be in keeping with preservation needs in my opinion.

SilverWook said:

Warbler said:

the only real problem I had with the 2009 movie was the Spock/Uhura relationship.  It seems very out of character for a logical and unemotional Vulcan. 

Half Vulcan. And having a thing for human females runs in the family.

Uhura was flirting with Spock in "The Man Trap". That scene was cut from syndication prints for decades. If Nurse Chapel is in the next movie, and still has a thing for guys with pointed ears in this timeline, there could be trouble. ;)

Spock seemed kind of emotional, and even smiled in "The Cage". He has never been an unemotional character. He's just pretty good at concealing his emotions most of the time. That internal struggle with his human half is one thing that makes him more interesting.

A plot point that is sometimes overlooked in TMP is Spock's realization after his mind meld with V'Ger. "Logic is not enough." In this new timeline, he may have had that epiphany sooner.

Exactly. There's also "Amok Time", which has Spock acting like a psycho in heat, "killing" Kirk for the sake of a woman (relationship!), and then being completely elated when he finds out that Kirk is still alive--big beaming Vulcan smile and all.

Vulcans have never been without emotion. They just bury it, and sometimes it comes out.

corellian77 said:

I'm always amazed when a self-professed Star Trek fan says he/she liked the last movie.  It's so far removed from what I think made the original and Next Generation Trek good (i.e., characters with depth, thought-provoking storylines that explored the human condition, etc.) that I can't fathom how any fan could have enjoyed this version, which was nothing but action-driven drivel with two dimensional characters.

You're comparing 50 years' worth of plot lines and characterization to one 2-hour movie that had to:

• Attract and entertain a wide audience
• Make enough money to justify sequels
• Jumpstart a franchise that was on life support
• Please diehard fans

I'm watching through TOS (again), and I have some news...these aren't terribly deep characters. And it took them 3 seasons to get as far as they did. I'd argue that most of these characters didn't achieve appreciable depth until Wrath of Khan. TNG took 3 seasons to really hit its stride, and then spent 4 more seasons building out the characters.

Is the last Trek movie everything to all people? Absolutely not. But it was a solid introduction to refreshing new versions of our favorite characters and a good springboard into new stories. It was entertaining and it made money. We're going to get more Trek films now, and I'm sure they'll get better. In my estimation, it was a smashing success.

CP3S said:

Scotty was a comic relief character, and Pegg's Scotty definitely tried to play the comic relief role, but I feel the relation ends there. To me the character felt like Simon Pegg on screen doing an extended Scotty impression, while not even managing to be that much like Scotty.

Scotty had his moments as comic relief, but in TOS, he was frequently in the hot seat during life-and-death situations and was often left in command (and portrayed as very decisive and capable) while Kirk, Spock, and Bones went off to do whatever.

Also keep in mind that the latest film's Enterprise is a ship commanded and manned by recent grads. These are kids, not seasoned veterans. Some goofy antics and shenanigans should be expected.

TV's Frink said:

It's always interesting to see what grabs Jay enough to make him post.

I love me some Trek.

As a long time Star Trek fan, I think they made the right call. The writers would've been saddled with so much baggage spread across all the previous series and films that doing anything fun or new while staying true to the existing material would've been next to impossible. With a new timeline, they can take the spirit of the original characters and send them on inspired new adventures that are worthy of, but not bound to, the preceding material. I really enjoyed the last film myself and can't wait for the next one.

I'm also incredibly jealous of Simon Pegg for being an unabashed geek who's totally living the dream. Imagine growing up loving this stuff and then being cast in such an iconic role. Lucky bastard.

Agreed. Increased accessibility by mobile devices and more channels for receiving forum content are on the list.

That's not a valid link. It points to the old forum software. Haven't used that in years.