How many Blu-rays in your collection do you expect to see released on 4K UHD someday?

[The Great Owl]

Since the Blu-ray subforum here seems to keep getting smaller, while the 4K UHD subforum seems to be growing...

I tend to do a lot of business with boutique labels specializing in fairly obscure films that are just now being released in the standard Blu-ray format after having only been previously available on VHS or even not at all on home video.

I would like to think that most of the standard Blu-rays in my current collection are the “definitive” releases of certain films, although past experience has taught me that everything jumps formats eventually.

I “future-proof” several of my existing Blu-rays by buying the 4K combo releases as they become available, but there are quite a few that I simply don't see emerging in 4K UHD.

[TripleHBK]

I'm with you as far as my collection is concerned. I just don't see all that many of the films I enjoy (horror/exploitation) making the jump to 4k. In some cases it took a minor miracle just to get these films into HD and there are still a large number of them that I am waiting on.

As my horror collection is growing at a far faster rate than any of the other genres in the rest of my collection combined, I'd wager that somewhere around 60 - 65% of my collection will eventually one day make it's way to UHD (as in they will be available... not that I will be upgrading that portion). That number encompasses all the Disney/Family/Action/Modern films and likely only a small sampling of the really big horror offerings.

4k for me at this point is still just a novelty reserved for only new film releases. I'm hoping to remodel a room in my home in the next few years and install a projector set up and at that time I'm sure I'll be a bit more interested in more 4k but for now I'm generally pretty happy with my Blu Ray's and so unless I can find a deal on the 4k equivalent thus bringing the total price down a bit, I'm usually fine picking up the Blu Ray edition of things.

As you mentioned, many of these Blu Ray editions really are the definitive version and so while the slight uptick in picture quality may be nice for some film's, the draw to purchase them isn't all that strong for me if I have to sacrifice all the special features, alternate cuts, etc.

[Dk8819]

My collection at this point is 90% exploitation/horror/giallo/poliziotteschi so I don't see more than 50% going to 4k. I agree 4k seems like a novelty at this point. Many of the films I love will never get a bluray release because there is not enough demand for the title. I don't think 4k is a big enough jump in quality yet for me to truly invest in it.

[drush9999]

I haven't made the jump to 4K UHD yet. I want to, but there's so much stuff I want on Blu-ray still. At this point we're still only getting big selling titles and recent movies on 4K UHD, so when I do start getting 4K discs it will be a combination of all time faves and major upgrades in quality.

Interestingly there have been a number of 4K UHD sales in the UK recently at a price point I can jump on.

[horroru]

Great question Great Owl!

As dk8819 mentioned, a huge chunk of my collection is also made up of exploitation/horror/giallo that I can't see ever making it to 4K.
(Although I recently picked up The Blood Rose/La Rose écorchée from 1970 on 4K and man it looks beautiful, so there's hope for some titles!)

I was lucky enough to get a bonus at the time I needed a new tv, so I upgraded to 4K. Money is a consideration for most here I would guess, so I don't think anyone needs to stampede to get a 4K set - better to wait until you have the money to get a really nice set that handles HDR well than a cheap set that doesn't really showcase what the format can do.

That said, I think future proofing your collection is REALLY smart - I mentioned this to you a few months back GO but once you see 4K, you're definitely going to want to upgrade your favorite films.
For me it's not the resolution so much as it's the color and contrast improvements - especially the contrast. Die Hard, Predator, Alien - when watching on 4K it feels like I'm watching them for the first time, noticing details I've never seen before.
This is especially true with scenes that have bright lights - Annihilation is a perfect example of this - the finale makes a lot of use of bright lights - watching those scenes on standard blu ray vs 4K they look like different scenes, as the lights are blown out on the standard but defined on the 4K due to the HDR handling of the contrast. I'm not a tech expert but I do have 2 players and can flip from standard to 4k back and forth, and I do comparisons all the time.

Of course I'm still going to support blu ray as much as possible - I'm not going to skip any exploitation/horror/giallo on the "chance" they might see 4K some day - I want to:
1. Enjoy these movies now!
2. Support these awesome boutique labels that put these gems out that major studios can't be bothered with.
3. Many of the extras offered by these boutique labels are awesome (anything involving Kat Ellinger and Samm Deighan, love those ladies, as well as Kim Newman) and if they weren't carried over to a later 4K I'd keep the blu ray as well.

So hey after my ramblings above I'm guessing maybe about 35-40% of my collection may make it to 4K, unless the costs go down and the boutiques can afford it. LEe Chat Qui Fume released The Blood Rose and Kino released Hannibal, so there's hope on the horizon for physical media.

[Al_The_Strange]

Ooh boy, the whole 4K thing has been a pretty interesting and unpredictable ride. There are a good number of titles released (or announced) that I never would have expected, and there are others that are quite deserving but might never get a release. It becomes even more complicated considering that a few titles (some unexpected ones nonetheless) can be imported.

My first love, and the thing that constitutes most of my collection would be sci-fi. I probably have more 4K sci-fi movies than any other genre right now, and I expect more will be coming. UHDs for the big and popular franchises (more Terminator, more Aliens, hopefully Star Trek) are inevitable, especially as they keep generating new movies. Considering that old flops like Waterworld and 1998's Godzilla were put out, I'd say the doors are open for any number of other old favorites. Unfortunately, I have my doubts that genuine classics will hit UHD. 1953's War of the Worlds is already primed for a UHD, but it remains streaming-only and probably always will. I could see the original Planet of the Apes coming out, but anything older, I just don't see happening.

I have a feeling that all the superhero movies will make it to UHD sooner or later. Probably not junk like 1990's Captain America, but I will not be surprised if Blade drops and every other thing after it follows.

Action movies, fantasy movies, famous epics, and other blockbusters will likely be in the same boat as sci-fi--we've already seen some kick-ass titles released and I'm sure that more popular brands are inevitable. I'm pretty sure the James Bond UHDs are just around the corner.

Animations seem to be doing well, at least for the CGI ones. Not sure how many more cell-animated titles will get the UHD treatment (Disney will probably spearhead most of them). Anime I can see getting pumped out in Japan, but it could be years before NA releases happen (if ever).

Horror, comedy, musicals, dramas, and western releases seem rather scant right now, and I think it's a foregone conclusion that many cult and indie titles will not make the jump.

All this in consideration, I am guesstimating...

[Show spoiler]



...of my collection.

[infiniteCR]

15%

[Adam4Rizzel]

Honestly, I didn't expect to see as many that are available today. I expected physical media to be completely dead post-BR.

The good news is that we're going to be seeing more and more 4K no matter what. 4K is the future for streaming services. Even Netflix originals like Fuller House are shot in 4K to safeguard them for the future.

Movies and TV shows have carried more value by having an HD master available. Could you imagine turning on TBS or Netflix and sitting through an episode of Friends that was mastered on tape? 4K is going to provide just as much value in comparison to 1080p as 1080p did in comparison to SD. If Seinfeld, for example, was remastered with 4K scans from the OCN, then Sony and Castle Rock could sell the streaming rights to a Hulu or Netflix for a higher amount per episode.

In regards to 4K Blu-Ray, I feel we'll see less content available, yes, but I do see many companies releasing 4K BR ala Warner Archive's strategy. I see companies like Criterion, Kino, Olive, etc taking 4K masters and making small physical media runs for film collectors. (Since companies are already spending lots of money to restore from the negative in 4k, for archival purposes and for the purposes of streaming, why not manufacture a disc and make more revenue?)

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by Adam4Rizzel

Honestly, I didn't expect to see as many that are available today. I expected physical media to be completely dead post-BR.

This is my feeling as well. There are what, about 500 UHD titles currently on the market? That's a fairly high number of titles even though it doesn't seem like it as a whole. With the majority of those being newer theatrical films shot digitally, it certainly doesn't seem like the studios are very interested in re-releasing back catalog titles on 4K although a few notable ones are being prepped as we speak. Still, it's a trickle, not a flood. My UHD count stands at 142 titles and I only see that rising by less than 10 by year's end, mainly because I only plan on picking up (mostly) catalog titles.

[AgentOrange]

Maybe 10%?

If looking at pre-2005 catalog (when the HD format war started) Blu-ray is a subset of DVD, and UHD will be an even smaller subset of that.

That being said, blu-ray has actually gone much farther than I imagined as far as covering old catalog (even introducing films that missed DVD!). So maybe UHD can do better than 10%. But I think the vast majority of my collection is safe from having to replace again.

[glennstl]

I’m guessing maybe only 20% or so of my current Blu collection might be on 4K at some point.

When my current 1080p tv gives out, I’ll obviously upgrade to a 4K set. But not before then.

The films I tend to truly love and rewatch the most are those from the 1930s-1960s. And right now, releases from those decades are still only in the single digits. They just aren’t releasing classics that are 60-80 years old on 4K.

If they do, I will buy them on 4 K. For example, Alfred Hitchcock movies I would be all over.

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by glennstl

I’m guessing maybe only 20% or so of my current Blu collection might be on 4K at some point.

When my current 1080p tv gives out, I’ll obviously upgrade to a 4K set. But not before then.

The films I tend to truly love and rewatch the most are those from the 1930s-1960s. And right now, releases from those decades are still only in the single digits. They just aren’t releasing classics that are 60-80 years old on 4K.

If they do, I will buy them on 4 K. For example, Alfred Hitchcock movies I would be all over.

I think eventually, most if not all Kubrick Movies will see UHD (with a couple already there via Warner), I'd love to see that Kubrick set done again for UHD. I know I'd buy this if it were UHD.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Stanl...lu-ray/109625/

Hopefully at least the most popular Hitch movies get the UHD treatment. Problem is they are largely controlled by Universal, who hasn't released anything older than E.T (1982). They also botched several of the films in their complete collection. I do hold out hope they at least 4K remaster and UHD the films in their "essential" collection.

If we can't even get Kubrick and Hitchcock, arguably there isn't much hope for much catalog at all. These are historically some of the most re-released titles (probably up there with Man with No Name or something like that...which indeed is getting a UHD...albeit from Kino Lorber of all places).

[The Great Owl]

My concern right now is that I see new announcements for standard Blu-ray releases this year, like yesterday’s announcements for Bronco Billy (Warmer Archive) and Polyester (Criterion), and I wonder to myself if 4K UHD upgrades of these will be coming down the pipes soon thereafter. Probably not anytime soon, but who knows?

[mediocre]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My concern right now is that I see new announcements for standard Blu-ray releases this year, like yesterday’s announcements for Bronco Billy (Warmer Archive) and Polyester (Criterion), and I wonder to myself if 4K UHD upgrades of these will be coming down the pipes soon thereafter. Probably not anytime soon, but who knows?

I just don't think the market is there for studios to release anything other than their most popular titles on UHD. The titles you mentioned just are not going to sell enough outside of niche collectors for it to be worth the studio's time and money.

But then again, something like The Quick and the Dead wouldn't be a title I'd expect to get the UHD treatment until WAY down the road, but it's been put out. So who knows? Right now I'm fine basically buying boutique stuff on blu-ray from Criterion, Kino, Arrow, Shout, Warner Archive, etc. and the occasional 4K disc of some of my favorite "bigger" titles.

[Jexes23]

From a cursory glance I’m guessing less then 5%.

Being interested in mostly old titles I imagine I’ll always be waiting for many more Blus to get released at all over 4ks being rereleased.

[Dex Robinson]

Like many other posters here, I would be surprised if 5% of my BDs ever make it to 4K.

My collection is primarily small genre titles and old, deep catalogue stuff. I'm not holding my breath for a 4K release of ZAAT or POOR PRETTY EDDIE.

I'm sure, in the near future, I'll get a nifty 4K TV and players are affordable enough that I'll get a 4K disc player. However, I don't concern myself with matters related to my video collection. I'm not one of these guys who says, "Wait for the inevitable 4k release" because nothing i own is inevitably coming to come to 4K.

[TripleHBK]

There are likely more UHD's out there than folks realize. This site has 592 reviews alone. It can't possibly review everything that's available so I'd say it's likely safe to say that there are somewhere between 750 and 1000 4k UHD's on the market at a minimum.

[Cremildo]

I've started collecting UHDs - despite still not owning a 4K player or a 4K TV - because I decided it would be a wise move to future-proof my collection. Physical media alarmists are starting to get to me. If 4K UHD is the last stage before utter domination by streaming, then I'll have to jump on that bandwagon.

As for the thread topic, most of my home video collection is comprised of American classics and European or Asian arthouse/classic films, which aren't widely represented on the format yet. Not sure if they ever will. It's of no concern to me, though: I'm still satisfied with Blu-ray quality and I plan on buying UHDs only if they come with remastered BDs or for new releases that I don't already own on Blu-ray.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

I've started collecting UHDs - despite still not owning a 4K player or a 4K TV - because I decided it would be a wise move to future-proof my collection.

Same here. For newer movies, I’ve been buying the 4K+Blu-ray combos for a couple of years now, because they’re only five dollars more, and because I can watch the standard Blu-rays right now.

The prices are also pretty low for older movies that are being released in 4K combos, so I just replace them as finances allow.

I like my current living room setup now, but, when I do get a newer 4K television with HDR and a 4K player, I’ll have a couple of hundred 4K UHD discs already to watch at my leisure.

Since I’ve got an older 4K television without the newer HDMI hookups, I could probably use a 4K player with it now, but I would only get the resolution upgrade at best and not be able to benefit from the HDR capabilities.

[moviegeek1992]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Same here. For newer movies, I’ve been buying the 4K+Blu-ray combos for a couple of years now, because they’re only five dollars more, and because I can watch the standard Blu-rays right now.

The prices are also pretty low for older movies that are being released in 4K combos, so I just replace them as finances allow.

I like my current living room setup now, but, when I do get a newer 4K television with HDR and a 4K player, I’ll have a couple of hundred 4K UHD discs already to watch at my leisure.

Since I’ve got an older 4K television without the newer HDMI hookups, I could probably use a 4K player with it now, but I would only get the resolution upgrade at best and not be able to benefit from the HDR capabilities.

Isn't HDR just increased brightness? Or is that too simple a way of describing it? I've seen some videos online of people demonstrating HDR and the boosted colours just seem unnatural.