Finally...Star Tours Update?

[wdwmagic]

Originally posted by ArsonWinter
In Star Tours as it is now (and Body Wars, now that I think about it), the ride uses actual film for the viewscreen. Any updates to these rides would use digital video, I assume.

I dont think Star Tours really has a problem with the quality of the display, its more like a problem with a display just being stuck at the front of a cabin on hydraulic arms. It was great when it first came out, but has been superceeded by MS.

Mission Space still uses analogue video, however its a very advanced display system, with modified focal length, giving that illusion of looking out in the distance.

So if Star Tours did get a new visual, I'm not sure if it would be digital or not.

 

[General Grizz]

Originally posted by wdwmagic
I cant see how it can rival MS. MS has that unique element of physical effects being felt, as well as such detailed capsule interiors, and an incredible personal viewport out to space. Star Tours cant get anywhere near that experience, unless they do a full MS style conversion, of which there is no chance of that happening.

A better idea may have been to close Star Tours, and used the MS ride system with the Star Wars storyline for the new Star Tours.

That would be neat, but I know a lot of people who check out Body Wars and Star Tours because it's not as intense as M:S (a thrill that won't turn your stomach, so to speak).

*shrug*

 

[wdwmagic]

Originally posted by General Grizz
That would be neat, but I know a lot of people who check out Body Wars and Star Tours because it's not as intense as M:S (a thrill that won't turn your stomach, so to speak).

*shrug*

LOL i donno about that! I know people, including myself! who find Star Tours and Body Wars to be far more stomach churning than MS. At least for the stomach churning of MS, you get to experience something that you cant do anywhere else on Earth (without a lot of money that is ) LOL So I think its well worth it

 

[PaisleyMF]

Now i have been thinking, The Rovers at Dinosaurs can be "converted" to almost any vehicle concived. So, why not a newer ride based on them, Have the use of some Disney Magic like the water courtains of Fantasmic, Some 3D, Some Audioanimatronics. Some Fire< Let me think and i'll post ASAP.

 

[SirGoofy]

If they do update Star Tours they shouldn't put the prequals in. They are 10 times worse than the originals. Putting MS technology in would be awsome, but don't put in the prequals. They also shouldn't change the que, because I believe it is the best in WDW.

 

[ArsonWinter]

Originally posted by wdwmagic
I dont think Star Tours really has a problem with the quality of the display, its more like a problem with a display just being stuck at the front of a cabin on hydraulic arms. It was great when it first came out, but has been superceeded by MS.

Mission Space still uses analogue video, however its a very advanced display system, with modified focal length, giving that illusion of looking out in the distance.

So if Star Tours did get a new visual, I'm not sure if it would be digital or not.

I would assume that Star Tours, if it ever gets an update, will "go digital." In fact, I'm suprised that Mission: Space is still analog. Speaking of that, does PhillharMagic use a digital projection?

 

[Chape19714]

If star tours were to get new programming, which we established as not going to happen, why wouldn't disney test and program the vechiles either after hours or in the currently open seasonally body wars? the 2 types of simulators are EXACTLY the same. And i like the body wars/star tour simulator type rides, i am very upset body wars is not oopen much AND that star tours is going down for about 2 weeks. I think those type of simulators are the greatest thrills, and is more accessable than the mission:space simulators AND can hold more people, so if i bring 6 friends we CAN all ride together, but we can't on Mission:Space. Anyhow, I think it's just a normal rehab, new paint, carpet, etc.

 

[OnWithTheShow]

Mission Space is digital, It uses LCD screens with modified optics to create its effect. A film projector was ruled out due to the stress put on equipment by the ride system. The source for Philharmagic is 100% digital however the attraction uses 4 70mm projectors. Rumor has it the Philharmagic clone in Hong Kong will go digital.

 

[ArsonWinter]

Originally posted by OnWithTheShow
Mission Space is digital, It uses LCD screens with modified optics to create its effect. A film projector was ruled out due to the stress put on equipment by the ride system. The source for Philharmagic is 100% digital however the attraction uses 4 70mm projectors. Rumor has it the Philharmagic clone in Hong Kong will go digital.

Thanks, man.

 

[MartyMouse]

Originally posted by ArsonWinter
Not that this is going to come to pass, but why would Imagineering shut down Disneyland's Star Tours? After all, DL's Tomorrowland needs all the help it can get. DLP's in all that financial trouble (and I'd assume they'd want to keep as many rides open as possible, too...). Tokyo's Disneyland isn't owned by Disney, and after all, I beleive that Star Tours is rated highly in that park.

I think you missed my point – The point I was making was that if Disney wanted to test a new film or re-program the ride they could be doing it and you wouldn’t even know it until they premiered it.

 

[MartyMouse]

Also the ride mechanic for Star Tours is great and wouldn’t need to be pulled out to revitalize the attraction. Let’s face it Snow White, Peter Pan, Small World and most of the rides at the Magic Kingdom are based on designs from the 50s, but do they need to be replaced with 21st century rides????
All Star Tours needs is a new projection system, a new movie, maybe a fresh coat of paint and some maintenance and it could easily recapture it’s old glory.

 

[ArsonWinter]

I don't beleive that for a second... this is the 21st century we're in. This is the modern era where, if this were really coming to pass, someone, maybe even several people, inside either LucasFilm, ILM, WDI, or the Disney theme parks would have come forward with info by now. And I'm sure if it was happening that far away, Disney would have a huge press event, and make sure EVERYONE knew what they were up to.

 

[wdwmagic]

Originally posted by OnWithTheShow
Mission Space is digital,

The audio is digital, but the video is analog (even though it may be output on LCD, its still an analog system).

The article here
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?postid=615680#post615680 has some good info on the systems involved.

Quote from Steve Pryor, senior A/V engineer at WDI, was responsible for all the audio and video hardware for the facility and aboard the ride capsules:

"The audio system is state-of-the-art digital (as far as the amplifiers notes Pryor), while the video system is analog. “We wanted to go to digital, but were just on the cusp time-wise in terms of the technology,

Pryor explains. “We had to meet the design schedule and wanted the latest technology, but digital just wasn't ready at the time.” The video does include WDI's optical system that changes the focal length so you can't tell how far away the display really is. “The intent was to create an infinity effect as if you were looking through the capsule window into space and Mars. The images give the depth of infinite space,” says Pryor."

 

[DarkMeasures]

Originally posted by wdwmagic
I cant see how it can rival MS. MS has that unique element of physical effects being felt, as well as such detailed capsule interiors, and an incredible personal viewport out to space. Star Tours cant get anywhere near that experience, unless they do a full MS style conversion, of which there is no chance of that happening.

A better idea may have been to close Star Tours, and used the MS ride system with the Star Wars storyline for the new Star Tours.

Yeah! Website owner says same thing I have been saying since I knew what Mission Space was.

 

[Dayma]

With Mission Space over at Epcot I find the Star Tours/Body Wars 'era' of simulator to just not cut it anymore. While a new film would be nice, I cant see the justification to do it as I believe the ride-system is the biggest problem.

Replace the screen with HD tech and it would be fine. I still love this ride and I see the only problem is that the screen is a little old looking....

 

[Dayma]

I dont think Star Tours really has a problem with the quality of the display, its more like a problem with a display just being stuck at the front of a cabin on hydraulic arms. It was great when it first came out, but has been superceeded by MS.

I just dont think that MS is "hands down" better than Star Tours. Jut because there are both space rides does not mean you can compare them. They are two different types of rides IMO. I like that there are different types of rides. I hate that Disney finds different ways to do coasters BUT this is not that way. The rides are two different systems with two different effects...

I also think that they would sooner pull the ride out of MGM rather than go through anything with Lucas again or vice versa....

Its funny cause I can ride on this without problems but I cant ride coasters

 

[ArsonWinter]

Originally posted by blackride
I just dont think that MS is "hands down" better than Star Tours. Jut because there are both space rides does not mean you can compare them. They are two different types of rides IMO.

Now see, I agree with that. It's like comparing Apples to Oranges, or Space Mountians to Big Thunder Mountians. Both rides are diffrent, and are meant to be diffrent. Besides, for people like me who (if we're lucky) get to spend one or two weeks a year visiting Disney, you can't compare them. If they were next to each other in the same park, then yes, but when I go to Disney, I do every ride I can at each of the parks. In other words, Mission: Space has raised the bar on simulator rides, but I'll still go on the same-old Star Tours the next time I'm there, simply because it's there.

 

[marni1971]

If and when Star Tours gets a rehab, couuldn`t they program and perfect the hydraulic program on the WDI simulator at Glendale and just port it across, and swap all the A/V? Easily done in a fortnight! Same with the Rex AA`s; there are what - 16? - ST sims worldwide. I would think WDI have a way of programming all identical AA`s with one update instead of from scratch each time.

 

[wcox377492]

Marni,

That's exactly what I was thinking. Even if they need to test it durnig programming on a "real" ride some, that could easily be done at night, and return to "old" progrmam durnig the day. If not as someone else suggested keeping the current "old" film and adding a new one(s) so that there's a randomness to what you see.