Anyone refusing to go to 4K Blu-ray UHD?

[Ryandj]

I'm sure there are a dozen or so threads here but I honestly dont have time to look through pages of history to find one that speaks directly to my question.

My question- have any other blu collectors simply refused to jump to 4k UHD disc? if so, why?

My personal feeling is the following:

1- i love my collection and i love the continuity that basically all the titles i love are on one format (blu ray) aside from a few that never got released.
2- it would seem to me that by purchasing a 4k hd hdr tv (55 inch+) tv for my apartment (currently have a 46 inch 1080) that, for the most part, the difference wouldnt be too negligible in the first place. size and upscaling would potentially negate the need to spend hundreds of dollars on hardware and new disc.
3- streaming and digital just doesnt appeal to me. unless an all inclusive subscription service (ala iTunes music) comes along and opens the flood gates to almost unlimited content, theres no sense to me in having half my collection digital and the other physical.

keep in mind i had a fairly large dvd collection (300+ titles) and ultimately did make the plunge years ago to blu ray and double dipped all over the place so im a little bitter but nevertheless think my points are valid.

there are a few blus coming up (it, blade runner, etc.) that id like to get in blu ray but with the nolan 4ks just released and getting rave reviews im all screwed up and wondering if im just overthinking things or what.

appreciate your thoughts

[Brandon K]

The current trend is that new 4K masters of catalog titles are now being released as 4K discs (unlike, for example and comparison, Sony's part-double-dip, part-commendable-effort re-released "Mastered in 4K" Blu-rays of the Spider-Man trilogy and others) - and often these new 4K releases are combo packs with a regular Blu-ray included, but the Blu-ray will NOT use the brand new master - instead, they'll recycle the old disc!

So in other words, any catalog titles that already have a Blu-ray but could really use a nice new shiny one (old VC-1 discs, low bitrates, compressed audio, etc)... Blu-ray collectors are starting to be out of luck.

Meanwhile, 4K is still having all the early problems of a format. HDR format wars, too many 2K upscales that aren't true 4K content, and heaven help us, even DNR issues.

Collectors in this hobby will need to go 4K sooner or later, and hopefully 4K stabilizes and improves as a format.

It will be hard to refuse to go 4K. I'd guess for many that it's more a matter of when, not if.

[Crispy0009]

I’m very picky about display - so I haven’t made the jump until I find a TV that I am in love with.

[Michael24]

Zero interest in 4K. The difference in quality between DVD and Blu-ray, I could see it. The difference between Blu-ray and 4K? Not nearly as much. I've been building up a nice collection of movies on Blu-ray. I'm not doing it again for another format where the difference is barely even noticeable.

[90s_kid]

Originally Posted by Michael24

Zero interest in 4K. The difference in quality between DVD and Blu-ray, I could see it. The difference between Blu-ray and 4K? Not nearly as much. I've been building up a nice collection of movies on Blu-ray. I'm not doing it again for another format where the difference is barely even noticeable.

I think it's pretty noticeable for some titles, but an unnecessary upgrade, where as upgrading DVDs was more needed.

[Monterey Jack]

Since I'll likely never have a TV that would be big enough to see the difference, I'm not re-buying my collection for the FIFTH goddamn time (VHS, laserdisc, DVD, Blu).

[AGH]

Not me. My reason is simple: I’m happy with Blu. I’ve invested quite a bit in the format and the overall quality is still fantastic. I don’t see reason enough to upgrade. I don’t even buy into the whole 4K + Blu combos. Just give me Blu. To each their own.

[90s_kid]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

Since I'll likely never have a TV that would be big enough to see the difference, I'm not re-buying my collection for the FIFTH goddamn time (VHS, laserdisc, DVD, Blu).

4K makes things more sharp, so on a smaller TV, when you come closer to the TV, you will see the difference. But when you're sitting in your chair, you can't really differentiate the resolutions. What you can notice, though, is the HDR/Dolby Vision, and that's really what makes the big difference in UHDs. Films like Blade Runner bring a tear to my eye

[Batman90]

I refuse to but movie that’s not shot in negative 4K.

[cicada88]

I don’t have UHD yet, but I can’t wait to get on board in the next year or 2.

Once Criterion and Disney get on board, I will definitely start buying.

[90s_kid]

Originally Posted by Batman90

I refuse to but movie that’s not shot in negative 4K.

I don't think it matters much Ex Machina was shot in 4K and is a "true" 4K title, but the aesthetic of the film doesn't really showcase what UHD can do. Meanwhile The Shallows was up-converted from 2K and that's one of the best-looking titles IMO.

[90s_kid]

Originally Posted by cicada88

I don’t have UHD yet, but I can’t wait to get on board in the next year or 2.

Once Criterion and Disney get on board, I will definitely start buying.

Disney is already on board (Guardians 2, Spidey, Cars 3, Pirates, Last Jedi, Coco, and so on.)

I can't see Criterion ever releasing UHDs, but who knows.

[Ryandj]

i truly appreciate the feedback.

i feel like, for lack of better words, im being bullied into a technology with 4kBlu's and being mislead into thinking its vastly superior. im sure there are some differences where picture pops on occasions but i find it simply to be very annoying tech (kinda like 3dblu's years ago).

i also feel like this site adds to my frustration in this whole situation by its rating scale on products which i find confusing at times as well. for instance- if video quality on a blu ray review is 4/5 stars and video quality on 4kuhd is 4/5 stars how does that help anyone?

[90s_kid]

Originally Posted by Ryandj

i truly appreciate the feedback.

i feel like, for lack of better words, im being bullied into a technology with 4kBlu's and being mislead into thinking its vastly superior. im sure there are some differences where picture pops on occasions but i find it simply to be very annoying tech (kinda like 3dblu's years ago).

i also feel like this site adds to my frustration in this whole situation by its rating scale on products which i find confusing at times as well. for instance- if video quality on a blu ray review is 4/5 stars and video quality on 4kuhd is 4/5 stars how does that help anyone?

I don't think you should feel bullied. UHDs are more of a commodity right now, and they still release Blus for every title.

The rating system is like that because you can't put the two formats on the same scale -- what blu-ray can do and what UHD can do are different. Otherwise, every DVD would get a 1 or 2 if put on the same rating scale as blus.

[Ryandj]

Originally Posted by 90s_kid

I don't think you should feel bullied. UHDs are more of a commodity right now, and they still release Blus for every title.

The rating system is like that because you can't put the two formats on the same scale -- what blu-ray can do and what UHD can do are different. Otherwise, every DVD would get a 1 or 2 if put on the same rating scale as blus.

yea, that makes sense i understand that. just kind of wish i didnt have to read an essay on the "deep blacks" and the "bright whites" of a disc to figure out- ok this 4k isnt much better or this 4k is far and way better- if that makes sense

appreciate the comment

[90s_kid]

Originally Posted by Ryandj

yea, that makes sense i understand that. just kind of wish i didnt have to read an essay on the "deep blacks" and the "bright whites" of a disc to figure out- ok this 4k isnt much better or this 4k is far and way better- if that makes sense

appreciate the comment

I recommend avsforum for reviews, they go into much more detail.

[RustinCohle]

I was going to refuse it at first but now I’m up to fifty individual titles and one tv series. It’s worth it, IMO. It’s typically only an extra $5 for a new release and you get a blu-ray disc with it. Plus, if you sell your digital copies, that will make up the $5 difference right there.

[jess1581]

Never doing 4k. My reasoning is that sometimes you gotta know when enough is enough. It's good enough. I've seen 4k in action, and many would say it's astounding... Me? I think colorwise it's an eyesore, an overkill. Higher resolution doesn't always magically make a better movie. Do I need to see blades of grass or pores and imperfections on an actor's face any clearer than blu-ray already does? No. I don't need the bells and whistles to be ULTRA to enjoy a movie. Blu-ray impresses and presents all my movies filmically with color that looks natural and clarity that is clear.... maybe not 4k looking like I'm gawking out my window clear, but I'm old school and the cinema never looked like s window to my backyard. My tv will never be bigger than 60 inches. There's feng shui to think about here. 4k is for technophiles who clamor for the latest thing. Blu-ray is good enough.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by RustinCohle

I was going to refuse it at first but now I’m up to fifty individual titles and one tv series. It’s worth it, IMO. It’s typically only an extra $5 for a new release and you get a blu-ray disc with it. Plus, if you sell your digital copies, that will make up the $5 difference right there.

I don't even have a 4K set up yet (and it will probably be a while before I do), but I've been buying the 4K combo packs where applicable for any movies that I buy.

They come with the same Blu-Ray that I would be buying anyway, and the difference in price is not enough to make me want to opt for just the regular Blu-Ray release.


I will be more picky about upgrading movies that I already have on regular blu-ray to 4K than I have been about upgrading DVDs to Blu-Ray.

There are a few titles that I will definitely upgrade when/if they come out on 4K UHD. Any others outside of those will be few and far between, and in most instances will only happen if for instance the transfer used for the Blu-Ray that I have was subpar, and the 4K release is based on a much better transfer.... in other words, the same reason why I might otherwise consider double-dip on the same title on regular Blu-Ray anyway. If I'm going to buy it again, then I may as well get the better format.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

I’ll never have a 100+” screen in my home, so the difference in resolution isn’t worth an upgrade to all of my equipment at 75” or less... granted, I will eventually have to replace my current TV and 4K will likely be my only option at that time. I don’t think that I will ever pay extra for 4K content though as long as a standard Blu-ray is available for purchase.

If 4K content is the exact same price as standard Blu-ray AND I’ve been forced to buy a 4K TV AND the PS5 has 4K physical media playback AND my receiver has been forced to be replaced with a 4K capable unit... well, then, MAYBE I’d consider purchasing 4K content. That’s a whole hell of a lot of “ifs” though!