'Battlestar' heads to Blu-ray; final-season release date

NBC Universal isn't wasting any time taking its recently concluded Sci Fi Channel hit Battlestar Galatica to the next level in home video.

The company plans to release the show's final season on DVD July 28, as well the entire series in a new compilation set -- plus the series will be made available in the high-def Blu-ray format for the first time. 

The final season, "4.5" -- essentially the last run of episodes from earlier this year -- includes 13 hours of extras such as three extended episodes that never aired on television, behind-the-scenes featurettes and audio commentaries by producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick.

All four seasons will be available in both formats, with 20 discs for the Blu-ray version and 25 for standard DVD.

Battlestar DVDs have been significant revenue generator for the company, with Sci Fi Channel splitting show's seasons into halves and releasing them separately on home video, plus putting the stand-alone movie Razor onto DVD right after its premiere. The two-hour pilot for Battlestar spinoff Caprica even comes out on DVD Tuesday -- well before its scheduled 2010 premiere on the network.

Buy: Final Battlestar Galactica season 4.5 on DVD or Blu-ray. The complete series on DVD or Blu-ray.

Though the miniseries that launched Battlestar was shot on 35 mm film, the rest of the series was on HD video. Some seasons were previously released on the Universal-backed HD DVD format.

Complete list of extras below.

EXCLUSIVE TO Blu-rayTM Hi-Def:

U-CONTROL:  Universal’s exclusive signature feature puts viewers one click away from going deeper into the making of the film without ever leaving the movie. 

THE ORACLE: An interactive guide including ships and  characters.

BATTLESTAR ACTUAL: A glossary of all the unique Battlestar Galactica terms. 

WHAT THE FRAK HAPPENED TO YOU? Explore the history and connections of your favorite characters through video clips and relevant facts.

BD-LIVE™: Access the  BD-Live™ Center through your Internet-connected player to get even more content, watch the latest trailers and more!
BATTLESTAR  GALACTICA  ULTIMATE BATTLE: Players can battle their friends as Colonials or Cylons using strategy and luck to achieve victory.

MY SCENES: Pick your favorite scenes from the film to create your own video montage. 

THE MUSICIANS BEHIND DAYBREAK: Composer Bear  McCreary interviews and explains how many unique musicians have contributed  the show and specifically the series finale, Daybreak.

BONUS FEATURES (BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF and DVD): 

EVOLUTION  OF A CUE: Composer Bear McCreary takes us step by step through his process of creating the music of Battlestar  Galactica.

What the Frak Is Going On With Battlestar Galactica?: A recap of Battlestar Galactica’s first three thrilling seasons – in only eight minutes!

…AND THEY HAVE A PLAN: What do they mean every episode when the opening sequence on the Cylons states “And They Have a Plan"? All  will be revealed in the upcoming movie The Plan. 

THE JOURNEY ENDS: THE ARRIVAL: Battlestar Galactica has traveled full circle. The journey has concluded never to be revisited. But how did we arrive at the  end?

A LOOK BACK

SO SAY WE ALL: Executive producer Ron Moore and the cast and crew reveal their personal insights on Battlestar Galactica.

MANIFESTO DESTINY: It all began with this manifesto. Why was it written and what was the response?

BATTLE-STYLE GALACTICA: Those behind the camera delve into their approach to visual style of Battlestar Galactica.

MARTYR TO A CAUSE: As the only actor to appear in both the original and reimagined series,  Richard Hatch offers his unique perspective on Battlestar Galactica.

THE SINS OF THE FORGIVEN: Insights on the curious religious aspects of Battlestar Galactica.

BATTLESTAR REVELATIONS: Firsthand accounts from those on the Battlestar for the past five  years.

AUDIO COMMENTARIES BY RONALD D. MOORE, DAVID EICK AND EDWARD JAMES  OLMOS

Ronald D. Moore’s Podcast Commentaries
David Eick’s Video Blogs

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