UPDATE: 7/30/07: The first season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is now available in the iTunes store!
Right now, Star Trek is all over the place. And we mean that in a good way. With the announcement of a new movie in production, plus the recent 40th anniversary year, awareness of Trek is at an all-time high. Tying in with that awareness is an unprecedented amount of choice in how to access the episodes and films.
First, you have the DVDs. Once Star Trek: The Animated Series finally arrived last November, every single TV episode and each Trek movie are now available on DVD. So if you have them all, you can stop reading here and just go put on a DVD. For those who haven't invested in these and have no plans to, or if you just can't be bothered to find them on your shelves, you're still spoiled for choice and can watch a variety of Star Treks on a variety of channels (broadcast and satellite/cable, except where noted). Please check your local listings for air times and channels in the U.S.
- Star Trek is currently airing daily on TV Land. Also on G4 in uncut versions and in the unique Trek 2.0 format. The all-new Remastered versions are also in syndication around the country.
- Star Trek: The Next Generation is currently on G4, who began airing TNG 2.0 on January 15.
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is currently on Spike TV.
- Star Trek: Voyager is currently on Spike TV but can also be seen on a handful of stations that still air it in syndication.
- Star Trek: Enterprise can been seen Monday nights on SciFi Channel, and is also airing on HDNet.
The Down Low on Downloads
If downloading is your game, then the online world is your domain. The first company to offer Star Trek downloads was Movielink.com, where you can still download the movies to your computer (but not to your portable video player).
The past year has seen some new players in the download market, including internet titans Amazon.com and their "Unbox." Here you can download episodes of Star Trek (all) and Enterprise (Seasons 1-3 only). For the Star Trek movies, you also have the option of renting them for 24 hours (your time starts once you hit the play button) or downloading as you would an episode. The Amazon service features its own video playback software, so you will have to download that prior to watching. Another word of warning though: This service is not currently compatible with Macs.
Microsoft's Xbox 360 is now offering HD and standard-definition downloads for some of the Original Series Remastered, as well as the first three seasons of Star Trek: Enterprise, plus the movies "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" and "Star Trek Generations." You can either purchase or rent titles, but you must be an Xbox Live member at the Silver or Gold level. Prices vary and the costs are set in "Microsoft Points." For more information, visit the Xbox Live Marketplace.
Wal-Mart has also launched a Video Downloads site, offering a library of Paramount motion pictures including all ten Star Trek movies. Again, please note that downloaded movies play only on Windows computers and portable devices.
Which brings us to iTunes. As an industry leader with the ubiquitous iPod, it comes as no surprise that Apple makes sure users have zero compatibility issues; you can download movies and episodes to your PC or your Mac using the free iTunes software.
Currently, Apple's iTunes Store offers all 10 Star Trek movies. You can download them for $9.99 each from this listing.
You can also get first season episodes of the Star Trek Remastered series or, if you like things in their original format you can now download all of Season 1 of the Original Series. Star Trek: Enterprise Season 1 has also been added, as has Season 1 of Star Trek: Voyager. More seasons and more shows are also promised. Please check the grid below for links as to what is available now.
The grid below summarizes the various viewing options by series:
