3D vs 4K / UHD for blu-rays - which is better?

[RudyC]

what format do you think offers the best most immersive movie experience?

3D or 4K?

I would argue it takes more effort to convert a movie to 3D than it is to just uncompress or upscale a movie to 4k ultraHD.

so which do you prefer?

[TM2-Megatron]

It really depends on the film... 3-D can excel when the filmmakers take the time to educate themselves on how to take advantage of the format (unfortunately, this doesn't happen as often as it should). Obviously, shooting native is preferable, but there have been a number of good conversions when the shots are composed with 3-D in mind. I stand by the notion that native 3-D will always be capable of providing a better experience with everything else being equal, though. No matter how good the conversion technicians are the fact remains that they're creating information that isn't there (never going to be perfect), whereas a 3-D camera is recording all that detail as it truly is in perfect fidelity.

4K can look amazing as well, but again only when it's done properly. Many of the movies sold on UHD Blu-Ray so far were upconverted from a 2K digital intermediate, and as such they'll never look as good as a native 4K film. I've only had a 4K TV for a week, and have yet to pick up the Oppo UHD player. But I have had downloaded some UHD HDR-enabled video clips and played them through my TV's USB port, and I have to say the quality is jaw dropping.

I hope never to have to choose between the two, personally. That's why I bought LG's OLED65E6P, as it can do both 3-D and UHD HDR (and Dolby Vision) incredibly well.

[T. Warren Scollan]

The vote is rigged! It's posted on a 3d thread!(LOL)

[Zivouhr]

3D all the way on blu ray 3D. When it's a strong 3D movie, it's an amazing sight to behold. But yes, the transfer of the 3D film does take more effort due to double the amount of film, one film file for each eye.

[RudyC]

Originally Posted by T. Warren Scollan

The vote is rigged! It's posted on a 3d thread!(LOL)

lol..yea.

I had to choose a forum. either 4k or 3D. Decided to put it in the forum that can actually appreciate 3D.

I'm happy with the results

[8traxrule]

Voted for 3D, same reason why I'd vote for standard-def color over UHD black and white.

[Filmmaker]

I can't really go with the poll as it's listed. If a movie was filmed in native 3D, that's what I buy, but if it's a typical conversion (i.e. not the quality "18-months and millions of dollars invested" variety, like TITANIC), then it's 4K for me.

[BigNickUK]

I don't understand the poll, 2d is 2d no matter what the quality, I am not sure how you can choose between 3d and 4k 2d.

[RudyC]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

I can't really go with the poll as it's listed. If a movie was filmed in native 3D, that's what I buy, but if it's a typical conversion (i.e. not the quality "18-months and millions of dollars invested" variety, like TITANIC), then it's 4K for me.

sounds like you are more in the 4k camp. id vote 4k if i was you.
or vote the "both" option.

[RudyC]

Originally Posted by BigNickUK

I don't understand the poll, 2d is 2d no matter what the quality, I am not sure how you can choose between 3d and 4k 2d.

some 2d movies have been converted to 3D
like the predator, top gun and titanic. would you rather watch those as the intened 2d or would you rather watch the 3D conversion?

[EVERRET]

Originally Posted by RudyC

some 2d movies have been converted to 3D
like the predator, top gun and titanic. would you rather watch those as the intened 2d or would you rather watch the 3D conversion?

Titanic was one of the best conversions ever done , it actually does look better in 3D than 2D.

Also the matte (black bars) was opened up IMAX style to get full screen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4hqx1Ui19A

[woodpost]

i've always picked the 3D option when both were available, but i have to admit there are a few titles i prefer in UHD. War for the Planet of the Apes is the first one i can think of. also lean UHD for Blade Runner 2049, and King Arthur - Legend of the Sword. these are all dark/gritty films, with fantastic cinematography that i think just comes across better in UHD.

which do you prefer in UHD?

[HDM_fan]

Close to none. I always opt for 3D, even though I have about a dozen or so on both formats. 'Blade Runner 2049' is one of those that looks great in UHD, but the 3D makes it more enjoyable. 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' (both parts) are the only titles where I kept the UHD and eBay'd the 3D versions as they're pretty poor 3D conversions.

Bottom line is that you just can't get more immersive than 3D, not even with the best 4K.

[Freakyguy666]

Originally Posted by woodpost

i've always picked the 3D option when both were available, but i have to admit there are a few titles i prefer in UHD. War for the Planet of the Apes is the first one i can think of. also lean UHD for Blade Runner 2049, and King Arthur - Legend of the Sword. these are all dark/gritty films, with fantastic cinematography that i think just comes across better in UHD.

which do you prefer in UHD?

Wtf? King Arthur is a 3D demo disc! So much depth AND Pop-Out! The UHD version just can’t compete. What equipment are you using?

I do agree with BR2049 as the cinematographer actually admitted to hating 3d and loving UHD, and it shows in how muted many scenes were Weak 3D with some sporadic Medium even though there was so much opportunity for medium to strong. Tomb Raider is another one like that.

But that’s about it from my perspective. 99% of the time I prefer the 3D to the UHD 2D

[br3ttD]

3-D will always be my go to option when available. A flat picture, regardless
of resolution, color, etc., just doesn't engage my brain the way 3-D can.
To each their own though.

[Kenbar]

Hmm...hmmm.....hmmmmmm...hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...er...hm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Sorry, can't think of any.

[dartfrog298]

I have not seen one UHD disc that I thought out shined the 3D version.

[pacman85]

Blade Runner 2049 is the first movie that had a 3D and 4K UHD versions both readily available that I purchased the 4k UHD version of. I would be curious to know if you guys think there are any others. Looking at the replies though because this is in the 3D section, I would be curious to see the replies this would get posted in the 4K UHD section of the forums with the same question. One thing I do appreciate about the Spare Change YouTube channel is they say whether they prefer the 3D or 4K version of each movie when they review it.

[Zivouhr]

I'm not a big fan of mild 3D films where the image is nearly 2D, as in Upside Down for example, as a perfect example of weak, barely there 3D for much of it (a low budget conversion). So a movie with very mild 3D would probably be something I'd watch in 2D on 4K UHD or 2K 1080p. I can think of a few more. But if the 3D is respectable and worthwhile (ranging mostly from medium to strong 3D), then there's no way I'd watch it in 2D if I had a choice.

[woodpost]

Originally Posted by pacman85

Looking at the replies though because this is in the 3D section, I would be curious to see the replies this would get posted in the 4K UHD section of the forums with the same question.

i thought of posting in there, but the percentage of UHD enthusiasts that have 3D TVs has to be very small. whereas pretty much everyone who has a 3D TV also has UHD. plus i think they tend to be picture quality purists, whereas this group is more about immersion/experience.