Can 4k Blu-ray effectively turn old into new?

[ADWyatt]

Over at the 4k News & Review site I read an interesting statement that studios are pinning much of their hope for the success of 4k on older celluloid film titles. Obviously, they plan on presenting these movies with a resolution that is convincingly superior to 1080i broadcast or 1080p Blu-ray. Apparently studios feel they can succeed, or they wouldn't be planning on spending money on 4k technology, but in what way do they think 4k will convince potential customers?

I don't think resolution by itself will do the trick. Although the difference between 1080p and UHD is certainly noticeable, and impressive, I think this alone isn't going to open wallets. I believe there are two other technological advantages that 4k brings to the table that will turn heads, and stores are going to fully emphasize them.

The first is High Dynamic Range. Greater detail in shadows and highlights will definitely make an image stand out. The second is a 10-bit color gamut, resulting in more realistic colors and less banding.

With the above in mind, I have no doubts that when 4k Blu-ray players become available stores like Best Buy are going to play them on their best displays. And they should make a convincing argument for 4k. And so I think studios have the ability to succeed in transferring older films to 4k Blu-ray in a way that will make an impressive impact on customers. But that begs the original question...

In using catalog films, can 4k Blu-ray convince potential customers that disc technology is worth investing in, to a degree that assures its success for at least a decade and promotes the release of a reasonable variety of movies? I must say that I'm on the fence with this one. What do you think? Will the real advantages of 4k Blu-ray technology be enough to assure its success, assuming studios take them into account, or will customers prefer inferior streaming?

Thanks for everyone's input.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by ADWyatt

Over at the 4k News & Review site I read an interesting statement that studios are pinning much of their hope for the success of 4k on older celluloid film titles. Obviously, they plan on presenting these movies with a resolution that is convincingly superior to 1080i broadcast or 1080p Blu-ray. Apparently studios feel they can succeed, or they wouldn't be planning on spending money on 4k technology, but in what way do they think 4k will convince potential customers?

I don't think resolution by itself will do the trick. Although the difference between 1080p and UHD is certainly noticeable, and impressive, I think this alone isn't going to open wallets. I believe there are two other technological advantages that 4k brings to the table that will turn heads, and stores are going to fully emphasize them.

The first is High Dynamic Range. Greater detail in shadows and highlights will definitely make an image stand out. The second is a 10-bit color gamut, resulting in more realistic colors and less banding.

With the above in mind, I have no doubts that when 4k Blu-ray players become available stores like Best Buy are going to play them on their best displays. And they should make a convincing argument for 4k. And so I think studios have the ability to succeed in transferring older films to 4k Blu-ray in a way that will make an impressive impact on customers. But that begs the original question...

In using catalog films, can 4k Blu-ray convince potential customers that disc technology is worth investing in, to a degree that assures its success for at least a decade and promotes the release of a reasonable variety of movies? I must say that I'm on the fence with this one. What do you think? Will the real advantages of 4k Blu-ray technology be enough to assure its success, assuming studios take them into account, or will customers prefer inferior streaming?

Thanks for everyone's input.

Seeing that the studios still have huge unreleased portions of their archives compared to the DVD's released 141,746/185 pending and BD's released 6,052/167 pending.

I think IMHO if we can convince studios to digitally convert released films/TV content as well digitally convert inventory sitting in their vaults everyone will win. For the matter of convenience you'll still have media, streaming, broadcast for the masses.

I just wish we dump traditional broadcasting and make it all IP based, so we can move pass the old technology using RF methods that still abounds.