Watch STAR TREK: The Next Generation Blu-ray Trailer

Ok so it's really time now to start saving those pennies. Rumoured forever it feels like, Paramount and CBS have now officially announced a Blu-ray HD upgrade for Star Trek: The Next Generation. And as part of celebrating the 24th anniversary of it's pilot episode today, September 28th, StarTrek.com have debuted the official trailer for the remastered Blu's online today. Coming Soon has more;

Celebrating the 24th anniversary of its pilot debut today, September 28th, "The Next Generation" has represented a true challenge to bring to high definition. Unlike the original series, which was shot and edited on film, "The Next Generation" was shot on film and edited on video. While the film itself can be brought up to HD standards, the special effects involved have to be digitally recreated, much like the "remastered" versions of the original series that began syndication in 2006. To this end, CBS is returning to more than 25,000 reels of original film negatives and painstakingly recreating all 178 episodes of the series as closely to the original versions as possible. Denise and Michael Okuda (who, as fans know, have been closely involved with the franchise for nearly three decades) are serving as creative consultants.

As we reported recently, The Next Generation, which turns 25 next year, will see a sampler release of three individual Blu-ray episodes derived from the first season episodes Encounter At Far Point (Parts 1 & 2), Inner Light and Sins of the Father. We now have a date for the release - January 31st, 2012. Presumably the full season releases will follow one at a time throughout the year, maybe one a month, or a little longer. Let's hope Paramount/CBS can keep the prices down on these Star Trek releases for a change!