Which distributor is the best when it comes to 4K? - Blu-ray Forum

jFug · 12-13-2019, 01:12 PM

I know this may devolve into a "quality v. quantity" argument but, nonetheless, which distributor(s) do you think are the best when it comes to 4K Blu Ray releases?

Personally, I'm going with both Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. Both of these distributors have put A LOT out on the format and I can't really complain about the quality of the discs they are putting out.

I may be a little biased because I am a huge DC fan, but both Warner and Lionsgate have pretty large 4K libraries and it seems a new release is announced pretty frequently by both these distributors.

Doctorossi · 12-13-2019, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jFug

Personally, I'm going with both Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. Both of these distributors have put A LOT out on the format and I can't really complain about the quality of the discs they are putting out.

I can. Not a lot, mind you, but I can.

I'm gonna vote Sony.

jFug · 12-13-2019, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

I can. Not a lot, mind you, but I can.

I'm gonna vote Sony.

Which discs? I'm curious.

Doctorossi · 12-13-2019, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jFug

Which discs? I'm curious.

Well, Warner kind of flubbed the Blade Runner disc (which is important to me, as it's my favorite movie) and they have a number of others with less-than-great compression and/or missing original audio tracks. And everything they do (at least in the catalog realm) gets their customary filter pass which, while not too egregious, is also unnecessary and doesn't really help anything except the other uses (streaming, broadcast) they have for the masters. Also, I don't like their house practice of opening 1.85:1 movies up to 1.78:1 on disc. I'll cop to that being a nitpick, but if I'm going to hold someone up as an example, it's not going to be a studio that makes little aesthetic choices I disagree with like this one.

On the Lionsgate side, all the unfortunates they made from their ridiculous process of scanning film-outs of digitally-sourced movies spring to mind. Hopefully, we've seen the last of these... ?

Both of those studios are putting out great stuff most of the time, but their records certainly aren't blemish-free.

PepeSilvia · 12-13-2019, 01:39 PM

Video/audio quality can vary wildly by title, so I'd have to say Paramount for me has had the best packaging and no eco cases for those that care about that. Plus they give you two digital copy redemptions (though they haven't joined MA, I'm sure they will eventually).

HD Goofnut · 12-13-2019, 02:05 PM

If we're talking PQ and AQ then Sony hands down.

HD Goofnut · 12-13-2019, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

Well, Warner kind of flubbed the Blade Runner disc (which is important to me, as it's my favorite movie) and they have a number of others with less-than-great compression and/or missing original audio tracks. And everything they do (at least in the catalog realm) gets their customary filter pass which, while not too egregious, is also unnecessary and doesn't really help anything except the other uses (streaming, broadcast) they have for the masters. Also, I don't like their house practice of opening 1.85:1 movies up to 1.78:1 on disc. I'll cop to that being a nitpick, but if I'm going to hold someone up as an example, it's not going to be a studio that makes little aesthetic choices I disagree with like this one.

On the Lionsgate side, all the unfortunates they made from their ridiculous process of scanning film-outs of digitally-sourced movies spring to mind. Hopefully, we've seen the last of these... ?

Both of those studios are putting out great stuff most of the time, but their records certainly aren't blemish-free.

Yep, I have never cared for Warner and Paramount using 1.78:1 instead of 1.85:1 on catalog titles.

Lionsgate needs to go back and redo 3:10 to Yuma and Oblivion at least.

brainofj72 · 12-13-2019, 02:25 PM

Sony. All day every day.

TheSweetieMan · 12-13-2019, 02:30 PM

Sony for quality.

Lionsgate for quantity.

I wish LG were more consistent, but they've hardly put out too many clunkers. They at least got the essentials like Halloween and American Psycho right--and their modern releases are as good as any other studio on the format (yes, even Sony. John Wick 2 and 3 rival anything they put out). Not to mention they blitz you with BD-100s and Dolby Vision galore.

Would I prefer every release of theirs prioritize the best, most optimal video and audio transfers possible? Of course.

But I still appreciate their willingness to single-handedly drive this format with what they put out.

I have no problem championing Sony with their video and audio presentations on a disc-by-disc manner. But not even they are putting in the type of efforts that Lionsgate are in terms of pumping out obscure release after obscure release.

Dubstar · 12-13-2019, 02:35 PM

Sony - for the mere fact that their Dolby Atmos remixes put Disney's Atmouse one's to shame.

Paramount and Lionsgate for actually including Dolby Vision

trekky76 · 12-13-2019, 02:37 PM

I don't get this love for Sony. Is it purely because they do so much older stuff shot on film?
At least the other studios actually release their new movies too. Paramount and Universal does support both new and old content. It looks great and they often do Dolby Vision.
I used to like Lionsgate but it's too many disappointing releases by now.

Doctorossi · 12-13-2019, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trekky76

Is it purely because they do so much older stuff shot on film?

And because they do it so well.

fighthefutureofhd · 12-13-2019, 02:54 PM

F--k Champ Robison.

But in all seriousness, I would have to say it's a close tie between Sony and Fox. I think Sony has done an amazing job with their transfers and has a lot of great releases. More so than Fox. However, Fox has put out amazing transfers of movies that are in my top 5 of all time (the original X-Men). And I watch those movies more than almost any of my Sony films. Which makes it hard for me to decide. Hence the close tie. However, push comes to shove, I would say Sony for the win. Though I'm not entirely sold on some of their "so bright you need Coppertone" HDR grades.

HD Goofnut · 12-13-2019, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trekky76

I don't get this love for Sony. Is it purely because they do so much older stuff shot on film?
At least the other studios actually release their new movies too. Paramount and Universal does support both new and old content. It looks great and they often do Dolby Vision.
I used to like Lionsgate but it's too many disappointing releases by now.

spolcyc · 12-13-2019, 03:46 PM

Warner Brothers, Lionsgate and Universal seem to be the best imo. Disney is good, but they mess with the Dolby Atmos track, so that takes them down a notch. Haven't seen enough of 20th Century Fox films to comment, but the ones I have seen are fantastic.

jFug · 12-13-2019, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spolcyc

Warner Brothers, Lionsgate and Universal seem to be the best imo. Disney is good, but they mess with the Dolby Atmos track, so that takes them down a notch. Haven't seen enough of 20th Century Fox films to comment, but the ones I have seen are fantastic.

The fact that there hasn't been much 20th Century Fox stuff released makes me hate Disney even more than I already do.

Brian81 · 12-13-2019, 04:50 PM

Warner and Universal for me, due to quantity and quality. Lionsgate puts out a lot of titles (which I am happy for) but most aren't "classics".

Dubstar · 12-13-2019, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drawn

Sony is alright when it comes to sound, but I would give it to Warner Bros when it comes to that department. The Dolby ATMOS tracks on Blade Runner 2049, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and The Matrix pretty much slaughter every other studio's mixes with everything from bass to dialogue clarity, surround sound and overhead effects. I love it

When it comes to video quality though, Sony takes the cake.

4K would be godly if Sony and Warner Bros had a baby, I'll tell you that.

The Matrix Atmos remix is insane - I haven't heard object based mixing used to such spectacular effect, Bravo Warners! bravo!!

What impresses me the most in terms of Sony's Atmos remixes is that particularly 'music' just enraptures, surrounds you to beautiful effect - the engineers realize that it's not only the overhead speakers that are important in object based mixing - sound on the horizontal level is equally important and emulates anywhere within and around the listening space. Oh and good lord, the dynamic range on "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" reminds me how laserdisc sound sounded like - from a whisper to a scream indeed: BANG, POW, BOOM !!

meremortal · 12-13-2019, 04:54 PM

Seems to be Sony. They also get bonus points for occasionally including the original theatrical mix for older catalog titles, which may not be available on any blu release. On a side note, they were arguably one of the worst when blu first rolled out - so a nice turn around.

cathexis · 12-13-2019, 05:31 PM

It is mind-boggling to me that "Chushingura," which is often referred to as, "The Japanese National Epic," is STILL only available in DVD (!!??). I don't speak Nihongo, but I have tried to search as best as able and it blows my mind that you can't even get it in in Blu Ray, let alone 4K. And this from a very tech-savvy people with supposedly a lot of national pride. WTF!

As a lover of World Cinema I ought to be voting for Criterion, but NO, they don't really do 4K, really. I'm about 1 year into 4K equipment, including sound bar, player, and TV. Yet the dearth of what I like most on 4K continues to astound me. Anyway, pardon the rant. People who value movies based on comic books and Disney cartoons ("Hey! They aren't cartoons, they're animated!" - Uh. huh.) have every right to be in heaven. WB did 2001 & BR 2049, Sony did Leon the Professional & Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - so I'll vote for WB & Sony, I guess. Beggars can't be choosers though.

12-13-2019, 01:12 PM	#1
jFug Senior Member Member since:Oct 2019 Location:Erie, PA 4K collection:215 Blu-ray collection:268 Trading Score:10	Which distributor is the best when it comes to 4K? I know this may devolve into a "quality v. quantity" argument but, nonetheless, which distributor(s) do you think are the best when it comes to 4K Blu Ray releases? Personally, I'm going with both Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. Both of these distributors have put A LOT out on the format and I can't really complain about the quality of the discs they are putting out. I may be a little biased because I am a huge DC fan, but both Warner and Lionsgate have pretty large 4K libraries and it seems a new release is announced pretty frequently by both these distributors.

12-13-2019, 01:39 PM	#5
PepeSilvia Active Member Member since:Mar 2017	Video/audio quality can vary wildly by title, so I'd have to say Paramount for me has had the best packaging and no eco cases for those that care about that. Plus they give you two digital copy redemptions (though they haven't joined MA, I'm sure they will eventually).

12-13-2019, 02:05 PM	#6
HD Goofnut Blu-ray King Top contributor Member since:May 2010 Location:Far, Far Away Home Theater Gallery:114 4K collection:743 Blu-ray collection:2372 DVD collection:128 MA collection:751 Digital collection:1093 Prime collection:598 Blu-ray reviews:133 Trading Score:39	If we're talking PQ and AQ then Sony hands down.

12-13-2019, 02:25 PM	#8
brainofj72 Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Dec 2009 Location:USA 4K collection:1030 Blu-ray collection:3605 DVD collection:817 Digital collection:150 iTunes collection:140 Trading Score:152	Sony. All day every day.

12-13-2019, 02:30 PM	#9
TheSweetieMan Banned Member since:Nov 2009 4K collection:515 Blu-ray collection:515	Sony for quality. Lionsgate for quantity. I wish LG were more consistent, but they've hardly put out too many clunkers. They at least got the essentials like Halloween and American Psycho right--and their modern releases are as good as any other studio on the format (yes, even Sony. John Wick 2 and 3 rival anything they put out). Not to mention they blitz you with BD-100s and Dolby Vision galore. Would I prefer every release of theirs prioritize the best, most optimal video and audio transfers possible? Of course. But I still appreciate their willingness to single-handedly drive this format with what they put out. I have no problem championing Sony with their video and audio presentations on a disc-by-disc manner. But not even they are putting in the type of efforts that Lionsgate are in terms of pumping out obscure release after obscure release.

12-13-2019, 02:35 PM	#10
Dubstar Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:down at Fraggle Rock Home Theater Gallery:1 4K collection:201 Blu-ray collection:1953 DVD collection:304 MA collection:4 Digital collection:33 Trading Score:29	Sony - for the mere fact that their Dolby Atmos remixes put Disney's Atmouse one's to shame. Paramount and Lionsgate for actually including Dolby Vision

12-13-2019, 02:37 PM	#11
trekky76 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Sep 2014 Location:Stockholm 4K collection:917 Blu-ray collection:1324 DVD collection:4 Digital collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:16 Trading Score:41	I don't get this love for Sony. Is it purely because they do so much older stuff shot on film? At least the other studios actually release their new movies too. Paramount and Universal does support both new and old content. It looks great and they often do Dolby Vision. I used to like Lionsgate but it's too many disappointing releases by now.

12-13-2019, 02:54 PM	#13
fighthefutureofhd Blu-ray Baron Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Dry County	F--k Champ Robison. But in all seriousness, I would have to say it's a close tie between Sony and Fox. I think Sony has done an amazing job with their transfers and has a lot of great releases. More so than Fox. However, Fox has put out amazing transfers of movies that are in my top 5 of all time (the original X-Men). And I watch those movies more than almost any of my Sony films. Which makes it hard for me to decide. Hence the close tie. However, push comes to shove, I would say Sony for the win. Though I'm not entirely sold on some of their "so bright you need Coppertone" HDR grades.

12-13-2019, 03:46 PM	#15
spolcyc Special Member Member since:Apr 2008 4K collection:344 Blu-ray collection:745 DVD collection:54 iTunes collection:516 Blu-ray reviews:20	Warner Brothers, Lionsgate and Universal seem to be the best imo. Disney is good, but they mess with the Dolby Atmos track, so that takes them down a notch. Haven't seen enough of 20th Century Fox films to comment, but the ones I have seen are fantastic.

12-13-2019, 04:50 PM	#17
Brian81 Blu-ray Champion Member since:Mar 2011 Trading Score:4	Warner and Universal for me, due to quantity and quality. Lionsgate puts out a lot of titles (which I am happy for) but most aren't "classics".

12-13-2019, 04:54 PM	#19
meremortal Blu-ray Champion Member since:Jan 2012 Location:Bedford Falls Trading Score:258	Seems to be Sony. They also get bonus points for occasionally including the original theatrical mix for older catalog titles, which may not be available on any blu release. On a side note, they were arguably one of the worst when blu first rolled out - so a nice turn around.

12-13-2019, 05:31 PM	#20
cathexis Member Member since:Jan 2019	It is mind-boggling to me that "Chushingura," which is often referred to as, "The Japanese National Epic," is STILL only available in DVD (!!??). I don't speak Nihongo, but I have tried to search as best as able and it blows my mind that you can't even get it in in Blu Ray, let alone 4K. And this from a very tech-savvy people with supposedly a lot of national pride. WTF! As a lover of World Cinema I ought to be voting for Criterion, but NO, they don't really do 4K, really. I'm about 1 year into 4K equipment, including sound bar, player, and TV. Yet the dearth of what I like most on 4K continues to astound me. Anyway, pardon the rant. People who value movies based on comic books and Disney cartoons ("Hey! They aren't cartoons, they're animated!" - Uh. huh.) have every right to be in heaven. WB did 2001 & BR 2049, Sony did Leon the Professional & Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - so I'll vote for WB & Sony, I guess. Beggars can't be choosers though.

Best 4K Blu-ray Deals