Cosmos by Carl Sagan [Archive]

innercircle

10-15-2007, 02:37 PM

Hello friends, I was looking for this DVD set for long time ago, I saw the series Cosmos here in Mexico on early 80's if I recall correctly, and was amazing to me, I did learn lots of facts there.

However a couple of weeks ago I went to B&N and I ordered it, this last weekend I picked it up.

First off, the graphics are some kind of dated, remember that this series were produced on late 70's, I wonder how good they would be made now with the actual technology.

Despiting that little insignificant fact, I have to say that was pleasant to see again to Carl talking about the Universe, with the great Vangelis on backdrop.

Great info still there, for those who thinks this set would be dated, let me tell you that probably could be on visuals, the info still be great, well with some little changes as Pluto is not longer a planet.

Anyone saw this set on TV?
Does anyone has the new DVD versions?
What are your thoughts?

Thanks! :wave:

Drew

10-15-2007, 03:00 PM

I watched the series on PBS back in the day. Haven't seen the DVD's.

If your into that kind of thing, try to find episodes of "Stephen Hawking's Universe". High brow stuff.

Claudio Dirani

10-15-2007, 03:08 PM

john_frogg

10-15-2007, 03:13 PM

My Dad taped the series when the "updated" version was shown on TV here in Spain, about fifteen years ago, and I forget how many times I've watched it. Since the image in vcr tapes started to deteriorate, I gave my Dad the dvd pack for Christmas last year. Unfortunately, I haven't watched any of the episodes on the dvds, so I can't comment on the image.

If you liked the series, you should also try to get ahold of the book that Carl Sagan wrote after the success of the television show (it's quite cheap at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Cosmos-Carl-Sagan/dp/0345331354)). It is like having the complete script of the whole series, with lots of interesting facts, written in a very entertaining and educational prose. It makes a great reading.

Hawkman

10-15-2007, 03:27 PM

I had the soundtrack lp back inthe 70's.

Claudio Dirani

10-15-2007, 03:32 PM

If you liked the series, you should also try to get ahold of the book that Carl Sagan wrote after the success of the television show (it's quite cheap at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Cosmos-Carl-Sagan/dp/0345331354)). It is like having the complete script of the whole series, with lots of interesting facts, written in a very entertaining and educational prose. It makes a great reading.

Yes, that's me book. Great stuff...I particulary enjoy the stuff on Voyager II and Egypt.:thumbsup:

axnyslie

10-15-2007, 03:44 PM

I've been using Metro (http://www.sagantech.biz) for years as my primary digital audio workstation software. It was created by his son Jeremy Sagan. I love the soundtrack to Cosmos I need to get it on vinyl now.

innercircle

10-15-2007, 04:40 PM

I used to love the show an never missed a single episode. Even own the eponymous book, which is also great.
Of course, many info is outdated because cosmology and space technology has progressed so much. Anyway, it's a document of the times.

The show was broadcasted on saturdays afternoons, and I never missed any single episode either, it was very fun indeed.

BTW the Sagan's voice was replaced in Portuguese? Here in Mexico it was, and I was accostumed to that but I have no problem in to hear it on English.

innercircle

10-15-2007, 04:41 PM

I watched the series on PBS back in the day. Haven't seen the DVD's.

If your into that kind of thing, try to find episodes of "Stephen Hawking's Universe". High brow stuff.

DVD's are upgraded on 5.1 the which is pretty good to me since I am able to hear surround, and I love the music on the set.

Davosco

10-15-2007, 09:58 PM

BILLONEEG

10-15-2007, 11:24 PM

Johnny Carson used to joke about Sagan regularly

Billions & billions of times! I'd like to get this DVD too. Very informative & entertaining.

Bahax

10-16-2007, 01:34 AM

Carl's Cosmic Calendar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2qezQzfgIY) episode was particularly great.

Nico

10-16-2007, 01:54 AM

I've got the DVD set some years ago (somehow missed the original broadcast) and it blew me away. Cosmos/Carl Sagan is/was really that good. Perhaps only the very first episode has some dated studio background in some scenes, but you get immediately immersed in a great voyage and don't pay attention to that anymore.

Much recommended!

Bahax

10-16-2007, 02:02 AM

Of course, many info is outdated because cosmology and space technology has progressed so much.
Very little had to be updated—the series is as vital and informative as it was the year it was originally shown.

ROLO46

10-16-2007, 02:23 AM

'Contact 'is a great Sagan book

The film was pretty good.

Carl died too early and tragically

JBStephens

10-16-2007, 02:57 AM

I watched that show when it originally aired, and got the VHS box set some time back. When it arrived I watched it nonstop until I had greedily consumed every episode. No one but Sagan could have done that show, and no one but PBS could have pulled it off so tastefully. How fortunate that it's been released so that generations to come can enjoy this particularly brilliant mind.

Gregory Earl

10-16-2007, 04:49 AM

This was probably the most informative science series ever to air on television. Seen by over 600 million viewers worldwide, I believe it was Carl Sagan's crowning achievement of his career. Just an amazing series that was able to reach the common layman and educate about who we are in the universe and the remarkable trip mankind has taken in it. Won tons of awards including Emmys and the Peabody. Johnny Carson used to joke about Sagan regularly and had him as a guest on the Tonight Show many times as a result. Not too many scientists have appeared on the Tonight Show.

Carl Sagan was an avid pot smoker. (http://www.druglibrary.org/think/~jnr/sagan.htm) The reason I mention this is in the readings of his thoughts and observations while under the influence. Fascinating. Made me appreciate the man even more if that were even possible. I thought he was a genius before this later fact. Now I know he was.

I wonder if Carl and Johnny ever.......you know....together?:cool:

innercircle

10-16-2007, 06:42 AM

Carl's Cosmic Calendar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2qezQzfgIY) episode was particularly great.

Sure it is, that episode along with many others on Cosmos were very illustrative, one that I remember with special interest is the dedicated to the black holes, that information is stuck in my head since then.

KatCassidy

10-22-2009, 06:55 AM

105 weeks later..... KA-BUMP!

The DVD version was broadcast, uncut*, on a local pay TV channel "Ovation" in January through March 2008 and I was absolutely hooked! This is the most awsome documentary on science, space and history that I have ever seen. *They pushed in commercial breaks but they didn't cut anything out, causing each episode to run around 10 minutes overtime

If you have even a fleeting interest in space, science or history, you must see this series. I've got the DVD's now and I highly recommend them.

The DVD edition is the original 1980 version of the series, not the edited one broadcast in 1990, but with the 1990 updates included at the end of each episode when they were featured.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmos:_A_Personal_Voyage

Dan C

10-22-2009, 07:22 AM

It's on HuLu:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/63317/cosmos-the-shores-of-the-cosmic-ocean

I remember being riveted by this show as a kid. Still intoxicating all these years later.

dan c

darkmatter

10-22-2009, 07:33 AM

Loved the series, and as an Amateur Astronomer this was a revelation to have our hobby publicised in such an excellent way by Carl.

His programme was on at prime time, early evening on the BBC, and the membership of our local Astronomy club doubled as a result. :righton:

Simon :)

Chip TRG

10-22-2009, 10:15 AM

And only a short time ago this absolutely beautiful piece of music was created from Carl's voice (once you get passed the WHOOP sound!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgiXGELjbc

dividebytube

10-22-2009, 10:19 AM

I absolutely loved this show back when it originally aired in '80. I was 9-10 at the time, got the companion book and read it voraciously. It really shaped part of what I became and has given me a life long interest in astronomy and history. Great series!

PhantomStranger

10-22-2009, 05:36 PM

A wonderful and informative series that still has much to offer to modern viewers. Is the dvd set worth picking up? I just do not know how many times I would get around to watching it.

Taurus

10-22-2009, 06:03 PM

Love Cosmos and I have watched it several times.

And only a short time ago this absolutely beautiful piece of music was created from Carl's voice (once you get passed the WHOOP sound!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgiXGELjbc
"A Glorious Dawn" has been in my Favorites for nearly a month now (I'm sure the whoop sound is based on his effort at imitating whale song), not just because its associated with Dr. Sagan but because it's just a very cool song. Speaking of months, this video has gotten nearly 1.2 million views in the first month of its release and there are more than 5,500 comments on its page, and they're still being written as of now. :eek: :righton: