Space: 1999 - Video/DVD/Blu-ray Releases

Video/DVD/Blu-ray Releases

The series was released on home video in the 1990s, with each cassette (or volume) featuring two episodes. In 2001, it was released on DVD in the UK by Carlton Media, both in single disc volumes (each volume contained four episodes) and also as two complete season boxed sets (titled as "Year One" and "Year Two") comprising six discs each. Each DVD also contained various extra features, including a variety of archive production material, memorabilia, and interviews with the cast and crew from the time the series was being made.

In 2005, Network DVD reissued Series One in the UK as a Special Edition seven-disc boxset. For this release, to coincide with the series' 30th Anniversary, each episode was digitally restored by creating new 35mm film elements (a new interpositive made from the original negative which is then used to make further copies). High Definition digital transfers were then made from the interpositives using a state-of-the-art Philips Spirit DataCine. Each frame was digitally cleaned up and colour-balanced, and the image was then processed with noise reduction (to reduce the film grain) before then being manually cleaned up to remove any remaining scratches and flaws. This vastly improved the picture quality in comparison to the previous DVD releases, however the restoration process has actually made some of the space scenes (that involve special effects and model work) less realistic due to increased brightness and contrast (a comparison can be viewed here ). This boxset also included a new set of extra features that were not on the Carlton DVD releases, including featurettes on "Concept & Creation" and "Special Effects & Design" (edited from an earlier "Fanderson" documentary made in 1996), as well as a two-part Clapperboard special on Gerry Anderson from 1975, and also a brand new 70-minute documentary entitled "These Episodes" in which Anderson, Christopher Penfold, Johnny Byrne, Zienia Merton and David Lane reflect on the making of key episodes from the first series. Also included in the set are two booklets: a 24-page Episode Guide for the first series, and a 32-page "Production Notes" booklet. The audio options are Dolby Digital 5.1 for all episodes, with original mono for most episodes, and also a "music only" option for most episodes. There are also audio commentaries by Gerry Anderson on the episodes "Breakaway" and "Dragon's Domain", and text commentaries available on the episodes "The Last Sunset" and "Space Brain".

Network DVD began a similar restoration process for Series Two in 2007, however this project was abandoned. A new restoration project undertaken by New Video and A&E was announced in 2011 with a second season Blu-ray release scheduled for late 2011. Although no release has materialized yet, despite rumors to the contrary, the project remains ongoing.

A&E Home Video has released the entire series on DVD in Region 1 in various incarnations. It was initially released in 8-volume sets between 2001-2002. On 24 September 2002, a 16-disc "Mega Set" boxset featuring all 48 episodes of the series was released. On 31 July 2007, A&E released Space: 1999 - Complete Series, 30th Anniversary Edition. This is essentially the same as the 2002 "mega set" release (and does not use the 2005 hi-def remasters), but does includes a special bonus disc full of extra features.

Network DVD released Series One on Blu-ray in the UK on 1 November 2010, and simultaneously re-released their Special Edition DVD box set of Series One with new artwork at the same time. Season One was released on Blu-ray in the U.S. on 2 November 2010 by A&E Home Entertainment.