Because scanning film is only the beginning. A full HD restoration would have to rebuild each episode’s edited picture and address effects and other material finalized for standard-definition television. A fan project author said in 2022 that their conversions reached “720p HD-equivalent quality,” but that claim is not evidence that Paramount has an official remaster ready—or that a fan upscale and a studio restoration are the same thing.
Why aren’t Deep Space Nine and Voyager in HD?
The key distinction is between the original camera film and the finished episode viewers saw. Film may hold more image detail than a standard-definition broadcast, but it does not by itself preserve the final edit, video-based effects, graphics, or compositing. To create a consistent HD edition, a studio would need to recover the episode’s sequence and reconstruct elements that were combined or finalized for the original broadcast.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
AMT Star Trek Deep Space Nine 1:3300 Scale Model Kit | $58.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Funko POP! TV: Star Trek Deep Space Nine - Quark | $11.21 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Star Trek Deep Space Nine Morn | $35.31 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Space Station Logo Vintage T-Shirt | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
A documented example comes from Star Trek: The Next Generation, not DS9 or Voyager. In a 2012 interview, CBS Digital producer Bruce Golin described the challenge: “there’s no road-map back to original negative because this show was mastered on videotape.” The team used the old video edit and timecode as references to locate and conform film to the broadcast version before further restoration work. That illustrates the kind of reconstruction involved, but it does not establish every technical detail of a potential DS9 or Voyager restoration. TrekCore’s interview with the TNG restoration team.
Can the original film be rescanned?
Rescanning surviving film can recover picture information, but it cannot automatically recreate the finished episode. The edit must be assembled, and shots whose effects or other elements were completed for video may need separate reconstruction. Archives and equipment can also complicate the work.
#1 Best Overall
- The most innovative modeling company in the industry. We engineer and produce a variety of kits from classic cars to giant space ships.
- Our die cast models are next level – when it comes to detail we are the best in the collectible business
- Racing is in our company DNA, our slot car brands and themes keep creativity racing around this retro hobby
- The newest hobby to our line up. Our detailed pieces bring your train layouts to life.
- South Bend, IN
In a 2021 interview about documentary footage work, Voyager documentary producer David Zappone said CBS Digital no longer had the large scanning machines used for earlier work, so his team needed to find another company and approach. He also described difficulties locating original CGI files and computers able to run older material. Those remarks concern his documentary project at that time; they do not establish what equipment or files Paramount has today. TrekCore’s interview with David Zappone.
Is the fan project the same as an official remaster?
No. The Deep Space Nine and Voyager Upscale Project author told ExtremeTech in 2022 that the project had achieved “720p HD-equivalent quality.” That is the author’s description of a fan-produced result, not an independent assessment of every shot and not a Paramount deliverable. The available account does not establish that the project rebuilt each episode from original film or recreated all effects.
Rank #2
- IDEAL COLLECTIBLE SIZE - At approximately 3.75 inches (9.5 cm) tall, this vinyl mini figurine complements other collectable merchandise and fits perfectly in your display case or on your desk.
- PREMIUM VINYL MATERIAL - Made from high-quality, durable vinyl, this collectible is built to last and withstand daily wear, ensuring long-lasting enjoyment for fans and collectors alike.
- PERFECT GIFT FOR STAR TREK DEEP SPACE NINE FANS - Ideal for holidays, birthdays, or special occasions and as a present this figurine is a must-have addition to any Star Trek Deep Space Nine merchandise collection
- EXPAND YOUR COLLECTION - Add this unique Quark vinyl display piece to your growing assortment of Funko Pop! figures, and seek out other rare and exclusive collectible items for a complete set
- LEADING POP CULTURE BRAND - Trust in the expertise of Funko, the premier creator of pop culture merchandise that includes vinyl figures, action toys, plush, apparel, board games, and more.
| Question | Fan upscale claim | Official HD restoration |
|---|---|---|
| What is established? | The project author claimed 720p HD-equivalent quality in 2022. | No Paramount approval, budget, or schedule for DS9 or Voyager is established by the cited sources. |
| What is the intended outcome? | A fan-produced conversion; the cited account does not establish shot-by-shot source completeness or fidelity. | A studio could seek to reconstruct the edited episode and effects consistently, but the sources do not confirm such a project for these series. |
| Who controls release? | Fan-produced material is not an official Paramount release. | An official release would be a studio product; no DS9 or Voyager HD product is announced in the cited sources. |
Detail, motion, color, effects, framing, and shot-to-shot consistency are all relevant when comparing a conversion with a restoration. Without a documented, direct comparison, it would be misleading to declare one superior. ExtremeTech’s account of the fan project.
What might an official restoration cost?
A 2017 secondary report attributed estimates of more than $12 million for the Next Generation remaster and about $20 million for each of DS9 and Voyager to filmmaker Robert Meyer Burnett. These are reported estimates, not confirmed studio budgets; no primary Paramount budget disclosure is established by the cited sources. The figures indicate why a restoration involving scanning, conforming, and effects work could be a substantial undertaking, but they do not prove what a current project would cost. Star Trek HD’s 2017 report.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
- Star Trek Deep Space Nine : MORN ULTRA RARE action figure 6200/6210 moc
Does Paramount’s other restoration work mean DS9 or Voyager is next?
No such conclusion follows. StarTrek.com reported that the 2022 4K restoration of Star Trek: The Motion Picture — The Director’s Edition used Paramount archival resources and recreated visual effects. That is evidence of a separate film restoration, not an announcement or commitment to remaster either television series. StarTrek.com’s report on the film restoration.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Star Trek merchandise design. Officially Licensed Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Apparel
- 18TKDN00001A-001
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
