Fox first wave of 4K/UHD Blu-ray's - April 28, 2016.

[Cevolution]

Life of Pi: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/lif...-4k/dp/6173679

X-Men: Days of Future Past: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/x-m...-4k/dp/6173680

The Martian: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/mar...-4k/dp/6173681

Kingsman: The Secret Service: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/kin...-4k/dp/6173682

Maze Runner: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/maz...-4k/dp/6173683

Maze Runner: Scorch Trials: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/maz...-4k/dp/6173684

[Davidian]

Are any of these actually mastered in 4K or are they upscaled?

[LordCrumb]

^ Most have been reviewed on the main page. Here is a summary:

Days of Future Past: "However, like the majority of UHD releases in this first wave, X-Men: DOFP was finished on a 2K digital intermediate, which means that the 4K disc is an up-rezzed image—and it shows."

The Martian: "was photographed in 5K but finished on a 2K digital intermediate, which means it's been down-scaled from its source resolution in post production. What does that mean for its 4K release? It's been upscaled back to 4K, which is still a lower resolution than its native 5K source. What does that mean in the real world, where what's on the screen matters more than technical specs, letters, and numbers? It means The Martian looks fantastic as-is, even if it's 5K downgraded to 2K masquerading as 4K."

Kingsman: "According to the IMDb, Kingsman was captured at a source 2.8K resolution and then had a 2K DI prepared"

Maze Runner Scorch Trials: "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials was captured at 3.4K which was then utilized to prepare a 2K DI, from which I assume this 4K UHD was sourced."

[Coenskubrick]

Supposedly for the Martian they actually got the source files and placed them in for most of the shots so barring the CGI most of it should be at proper 4k.

[Mobe1969]

Originally Posted by LordCrumb

^ Most have been reviewed on the main page. Here is a summary:

Days of Future Past: "However, like the majority of UHD releases in this first wave, X-Men: DOFP was finished on a 2K digital intermediate, which means that the 4K disc is an up-rezzed image—and it shows."

The Martian: "was photographed in 5K but finished on a 2K digital intermediate, which means it's been down-scaled from its source resolution in post production. What does that mean for its 4K release? It's been upscaled back to 4K, which is still a lower resolution than its native 5K source. What does that mean in the real world, where what's on the screen matters more than technical specs, letters, and numbers? It means The Martian looks fantastic as-is, even if it's 5K downgraded to 2K masquerading as 4K."

Kingsman: "According to the IMDb, Kingsman was captured at a source 2.8K resolution and then had a 2K DI prepared"

Maze Runner Scorch Trials: "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials was captured at 3.4K which was then utilized to prepare a 2K DI, from which I assume this 4K UHD was sourced."

Great summary.

You know, I was initially excited for 4k, but it seems like the entire fxxking industry scrxxed the pooch. They were all mastering 2k or less. There is no 4k 3d - even theatrically, you just have 2k, so blu-ray is about as good as what most of current theatrical digital is. Maybe by the time the next wave of movies are released they might be mastering the films in 4k. And as far as 3d you are out of luck.Nobody thought of that.

[Cevolution]

[LordCrumb]

I'm just kind of more interested in the actual players first off.. it's just between Samsung and Panasonic at the moment isn't it?

I wonder how quickly we might see some lower-end models from like Toshiba or the cheaper Japanese knock-offs.. ?

[Coenskubrick]

Originally Posted by Butch Pooch

I heard a co-worker of mine say to somebody that everyone who wants to experience this format will need to purchase a new 4K TV from 2016 models onwards. Is this for real? Because last year I purchased a Ultra 4K LG TV and would be devestated if this were the case...

I believe some things like HDR aren't included in all but the most recent sets and some of the older older 4k sets don't have the up to date HDMI standard which it needs.

[Anamnesis]

Cover art for all, but X-Men:

[Anamnesis]

also - The Revenant will be out on the 25th of May...

[Optimus]

Originally Posted by Butch Pooch

I've only heard minor details about this whole new format - but are there or when will Australia be getting actual UHD Blu-ray players?

PS. I heard a co-worker of mine say to somebody that everyone who wants to experience this format will need to purchase a new 4K TV from 2016 models onwards. Is this for real? Because last year I purchased a Ultra 4K LG TV and would be devestated if this were the case...

I think 2015 models will work, but as the other poster mentioned things like HDR probably won't be supported.

[Cevolution]

They are up on Sanity's website now too:

http://www.sanity.com.au/Search?sanquery=UHD

[Optimus]

Originally Posted by Cevolution

They are up on Sanity's website now too:

http://www.sanity.com.au/Search?sanquery=UHD

I hope those prices go down...

[Rick Grimes]

I don't get why we are seeing UHD BD releases, when we haven't got players yet... Unless it is simply a future proofing exercise for those who plan to adopt the format.

I imported The Martian and Sicario (both UHD BD) from the US, to future proof myself (not planning to go 4K for a while yet).

The Martian's 1080p BD copy is Region Free, but the BD copy of Sicario is Region A locked.
Due to Lionsgate having a habit of locking their BDs, I don't think we will see any Lionsgate UHD BD's anytime soon (even though they are a big supporter of the format).

Why Lionsgate is locking BD's for those recent releases that were planned to be bundled with UHD BD titles, is beyond me, and IMHO, lacks logic.
Especially considering UHD BD's have no region coding.

I was going to import The Revenant UHD BD, but will wait the extra month for the Aussie release...

But, the question still remains, when will Samsung bring their UHD BD model to Australia? Any news?

[Cevolution]

Ezydvd have May 25th listed for the UHD Blu-ray/Blu-ray of Deadpool:

http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/dea...let/dp/6174137

Same for the standard Blu-ray version, which was previously listed as being released on July 6th.

Edit: The UHD Blu-ray is listed on Sanity's site as well with the same date:

http://www.sanity.com.au/products/23...-_Blu-ray__UHD

[hdgfs]

Some Sony 4K up for pre order at ezydvd for June 2nd

Amazing Spiderman 2

http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/ama...let/dp/6174086

Smurfs 2

http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/smu...let/dp/6174091

Salt

http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/sal...let/dp/6174092

Pineapple Express

http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/pin...let/dp/6174095

Chappie

http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/cha...let/dp/6174105

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by Cevolution

Life of Pi: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/lif...-4k/dp/6173679

X-Men: Days of Future Past: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/x-m...-4k/dp/6173680

The Martian: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/mar...-4k/dp/6173681

Kingsman: The Secret Service: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/kin...-4k/dp/6173682

Maze Runner: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/maz...-4k/dp/6173683

Maze Runner: Scorch Trials: http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/maz...-4k/dp/6173684

These are just over two weeks out, and they haven't appeared on JB's site yet.

[Gaffer]

Originally Posted by Cevolution

These are just over two weeks out, and they haven't appeared on JB's site yet.

Maybe JB isn't going to stock them. I'm not seeing the logic of the software distributors selling these in Australia without there being a single locally available 4K/UHD player for sale. Sure if Samsung had released a player in Australia like in the U.S then JB could have put out a big demo display with their biggest T.V and the player showing off one of the titles and maybe the average person who's got 4K T.V might show some interest. As it is only those who have bought a player from overseas or are looking to future proof their collection are likely to buy - and at premium prices to. Sure any new disc format will be slow to catch on but selling a new high end format but not having a player available to play them on seems crazy.

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by Gaffer

Maybe JB isn't going to stock them. I'm not seeing the logic of the software distributors selling these in Australia without there being a single locally available 4K/UHD player for sale. Sure if Samsung had released a player in Australia like in the U.S then JB could have put out a big demo display with their biggest T.V and the player showing off one of the titles and maybe the average person who's got 4K T.V might show some interest. As it is only those who have bought a player from overseas or are looking to future proof their collection are likely to buy - and at premium prices to. Sure any new disc format will be slow to catch on but selling a new high end format but not having a player available to play them on seems crazy.

I was thinking the same when I made my previous post, and was actually implying it without saying it. They weren't listed in JB's internal database early last week, which I thought was strange (particularly since Anamnesis works for an Australian retailer that doesn't have as broad of a range as JB, and the Fox UHD Blu-ray's are in their system), so unless this has changed over the last 8 days since I enquired, then it could quite possibly be the case, at least until the players show themselves. It certainly would make sense to hold off on stocking the titles until players are available.

[Gaffer]

Originally Posted by Cevolution

I was thinking the same when I made my previous post, and was actually implying it without saying it. They weren't listed in JB's internal database early last week, which I thought was strange (particularly since Anamnesis works for an Australian retailer that doesn't have as broad of a range as JB, and the Fox UHD Blu-ray's are in their system), so unless this has changed over the last 8 days since I enquired, then it could quite possibly be the case, at least until the players show themselves. It certainly would make sense to hold off on stocking the titles until players are available.

Can you imagine a conversation in JB with someone asking about the 4K titles:
Customer: "So what are these"
JB staff: "4K Blurays - they will look amazing on your 4K T.V"
Customer: "Oh cool I have a 4K T.V. So I can play them on my Blu-Ray player" JB: "Ummm...no"
Customer: "Ohhh...well what can I play them on?"
JB: "Umm...nothing we sell...yet"
Customer: "Okay...so when can I buy a player to play them on then"
JB: "Um we don't know yet"
Customer: "So why should I buy it?"
JB: "For when you do buy a player sometime in the future?!? Plus it comes with a Blu-Ray copy to watch in the meantime"
Customer: "Or I can just buy the Blu-Ray copy much cheaper and worry about 4K when I can actually watch them"