2021/02/03
As every SCI-FI fan knows, SGU got cancelled after only two seasons. The first was released on Blu-ray and the second season, well at that point it was announced for release on Blu-ray in the UK but not (yet) in North America. But when SGU got cancelled, so did the release of season 2 on Blu-ray. Fans of course were not happy, owning only half of a series on Blu-ray. Nowadays this happens more often than not but 10 years ago, physical media was still ahead of streaming, so one could imagine that the sales of the first season on Blu-ray weren’t stellar.
When Stargate Atlantis was released on Blu-ray in 2011 I again was hoping FOX/MGM would reconsider bringing season 2 of Stargate Universe to Blu-ray, but unfortunately this didn’t happen and to be honest, 10 years later, who was expecting a season 2 on Blu-ray anymore.
But then late 2020 suddenly VEI, a company who releases DVD and Blu-ray of old shows and movies, but, let’s say, on a budget, announced the release of Stargate SG-1 on Blu-ray! Like anybody expected that! I certainly did not. About the details of the set VEI wasn’t very forthcoming, was it True HD, what soundtrack etc. We know now it’s an upscale to HD, like shows as Andromeda and Farscape, perhaps same kind of PQ, perhaps a bit less, I don’t know. Still, I’ve read that, although it’s a far from perfect release, it’s the best we are going to get in quite some time. Ironically, I just finished my rewatch of Stargate SG-1 in December 2020 on DVD. So, at the moment I am not really eager to purchase it because of the fact that it will take a few years before I rewatch this again, plus the steep price for a not True HD set and also the difficulty buying this set when you live outside North America. You will be paying even more, via different sellers than you would do via Amazon of VEI if it were possible to order this way.
A few weeks later VEI also announced the release of Stargate Atlantis on Blu-ray! Even though this wasn’t very shocking because FOX/MGM released this already back in 2011 but it made a SGU release on Blu-ray suddenly very real! And indeed, it happened. I believe it was about new year’s when VEI also announced SGU on Blu-ray! Both seasons as a complete series in one box. So, no separate season releases. So, if you already own season 1, you will have to double dip to also get season 2 on Blu-ray. On Blu-ray.com you can read what buyers have to say about this release. Regarding the first season, the original release is slightly better but the release of VEI is very acceptable. Of course, SGU was broadcast in HD so it’s not that difficult to release an acceptable release on Blu-ray.
So yeah, unfortunately you cannot just purchase season 2, you will have to purchase both seasons. But that’s not a problem for me, I purchased the complete series and it’s now on it’s way to me. It will probably take one or two weeks to arrive.
What kind of a release is it? Well, each season contains 4 discs of 5 episodes each on it. The boxset is larger than a standard Blu-ray case, it’s more in the range of a DVD box or even a VHS tape. Inside the box the discs are in protective sleeves instead of disc holders. Here you see an unboxing of the SGU Blu-ray set. So, don’t expect a perfect release, it is a budget release but like Stargate SG-1’s release, this is probably the best release we will get in quite some time, if ever. Of course, for the ones who already have the first season on Blu, hold on to it, it is superior to the first season of the VEI set.
So, as I said, if you live outside North America, you cannot purchase it via Amazon. There is a seller from which you can purchase Stargate SG-1 and also Stargate Universe, Online website is called Blu-rays for everyone. There is also a possibility to purchase the complete boxset there, all shows in one box, SG-1, SGA and SGU, link below. SGA is not for sale seperately on this website.
Here are the direct links to both shows and the complete set:
Blu-rays for everyone/Stargate SG-1
Blu-rays for everyone/Stargate Universe
Here the links for North American buyers:
Final word: I have purchased SGU on Blu-rays for everyone, I will let you know in the comments if I find anymore details about this set if this could be interesting to you. Be happy that this has been released at all, I know we all want the best release possible, but in the times of streaming, physical media isn’t as profitable as it uses to be, so it would cost the companies such as VEI way too much money, and they also need to make a profit. And it’s also commendable that companies such as VEI, Mill creek entertainment, Kino Lorber but also German companies like Pandastorm and Koch Films, release these TV shows on DVD and Blu-ray, because the big companies like Disney for instance, who own the rights, have no interest in releasing this to physical media, so it’s good that the smaller companies can release this, although on a lower budget, but at least we can purchase it if we desire so.
Unboxing Pics taken from this YT Video.
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Today my blu-ray set arrived, finally! If you have questions please let me know via the comments section. Your email address will no longer be visible