Oblivion 4K UHD (2013)

[CSM101]

The Atmos track is really nice, but the bass feels a bit neutered compared to the bd.

[KMFDMvsEnya]

Originally Posted by CSM101

The Atmos track is really nice, but the bass feels a bit neutered compared to the bd.

It is not really neutered it is that the DTS-MA version has had additional dynamic range compression and limiting applied to make things louder than the ATMOS mix.

The ATMOS mix has greater clarity and dynamic range than the DTSMA track and the differences can be easily compared in the dialogue quality which sounds more canned in the DTSMA track.

I have experimented a little with the ATMOS mix by making the LFE channel a bit more pronounced by applying some DRC and limiting and it certainly makes the LFE more pronounced.

I have tried 6dbs and 3dbs of compression and the 3dbs version is best but I find it can be a bit too overwhelming for the mix at times so may get around to trying just 2dbs. With the 6dbs version it is just too much and overwhelms the rest of the mix.

[Ruined]

I got a chance to watch this last night on my 85-in Samsung qn90a

Usually I despise DNR and movies that look too clean but somehow for this movie I thought the clean look fit the theme of the movie really well. I actually think it would have been a lesser experience with film grain and that's something I rarely ever would say. I think the reason it works so well was because of the plot of the movie and the general atmosphere the ultra clean digitalish look really worked well in that type of environment. Same reason why platoon being ultra clean really doesn't fit that movie's theme well. I also felt no one looked particularly waxy in oblivion

I found the HDR to be excellent and I liked the movie a lot more than I thought I would.

[Vangeli]

It didn’t have grain before, though it was over sharpened. A presentation between the two; the lovely HDR grade but with more natural detail (not sharpened or blurred) would be lovely. Still, I prefer the HDR grade over the clinical refrigerator lighting grade of the Blu-ray even though it lacks the detail. The updated sound helps too.

[thebarnman]

Evidently I bought it at a good time when the price was right. $14.99 March 4th 2021; today it goes for $16.99 no big deal right? Well; I just read with the softening of the image it wasn't worth the list price when it was first released on UHD Blu-ray. It was suggested to wait for the price to drop. I finally watched it and I must say I'm pretty disgusted with the image quality mainly due to a 2K resolution upconverted to 4K. However, while seeing it again I forgot how much I really liked the movie and the Atmos was really used well in key action moments.

I do see that the live action was captured at 4K & 5K...so I would say a huge opportunity was missed upon the 4K home video release of this title as was many early digitally captured movies at around that same time when UHD Blu-ray was coming out. Someone stated there was a 4K version used for IMAX but on IMDB it's listed that a 70mm IMAX film version was used from a DMR blow-up but does not state what source was used to make it. I'd have to assume it was the 2K intermediate master format since around that time most cinemas were still only using 2K projectors and a blow-up to me sounds more like up-convert. If a 4K final edit of this movie really existed; I think by now we'd all be hearing of a new release from a true 4K source. I suggest to anyone not to hold their breath unless it's for a new box set crammed full with additional features, posters and a full sized copy of the original movie poster.

I bought this movie very early on during my switch over from buying regular Blu-ray to UHD Blu-ray and one of the things I did my best to stay away from was 2K sources converted to 4K releases. My best guess as to why I bought this title was I fell line hook and sinker with the Atmos and HDR aspect of it's release. Yes it's nice but many times it felt like I was watching standard 2K Blu-ray. This tells me I'm able to see the difference between 2K up-converts and true 4K resolution...that being a good thing.

Yes, story matters much but is the presentation just as important? As the history of constantly improving home video formats over the years tell us; that's a huge and resounding YES.

I think this title simply falls into the category of early digital cinema technology and practices. Today I know there are more titles being being captured and released that have a true 4K intermediate and we all benefit.

At least they did a good job with the HDR.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by thebarnman

Evidently I bought it at a good time when the price was right. $14.99 March 4th 2021; today it goes for $16.99 no big deal right? Well; I just read with the softening of the image it wasn't worth the list price when it was first released on UHD Blu-ray. It was suggested to wait for the price to drop. I finally watched it and I must say I'm pretty disgusted with the image quality mainly due to a 2K resolution upconverted to 4K. However, while seeing it again I forgot how much I really liked the movie and the Atmos was really used well in key action moments.

I do see that the live action was captured at 4K & 5K...so I would say a huge opportunity was missed upon the 4K home video release of this title as was many early digitally captured movies at around that same time when UHD Blu-ray was coming out. Someone stated there was a 4K version used for IMAX but on IMDB it's listed that a 70mm IMAX film version was used from a DMR blow-up but does not state what source was used to make it. I'd have to assume it was the 2K intermediate master format since around that time most cinemas were still only using 2K projectors and a blow-up to me sounds more like up-convert. If a 4K final edit of this movie really existed; I think by now we'd all be hearing of a new release from a true 4K source. I suggest to anyone not to hold their breath unless it's for a new box set crammed full with additional features, posters and a full sized copy of the original movie poster.

I bought this movie very early on during my switch over from buying regular Blu-ray to UHD Blu-ray and one of the things I did my best to stay away from was 2K sources converted to 4K releases. My best guess as to why I bought this title was I fell line hook and sinker with the Atmos and HDR aspect of it's release. Yes it's nice but many times it felt like I was watching standard 2K Blu-ray. This tells me I'm able to see the difference between 2K up-converts and true 4K resolution...that being a good thing.

Yes, story matters much but is the presentation just as important? As the history of constantly improving home video formats over the years tell us; that's a huge and resounding YES.

I think this title simply falls into the category of early digital cinema technology and practices. Today I know there are more titles being being captured and released that have a true 4K intermediate and we all benefit.

At least they did a good job with the HDR.

This doesn't look soft because it's not "true 4K resolution", it's soft because they filtered the hell out of it for the UHD. If you're using this as an example of your immense power to be able to spot 2K upscales then you'd better start again with something else.

[pbz06]

Originally Posted by thebarnman

Evidently I bought it at a good time when the price was right. $14.99 March 4th 2021; today it goes for $16.99 no big deal right? Well; I just read with the softening of the image it wasn't worth the list price when it was first released on UHD Blu-ray. It was suggested to wait for the price to drop. I finally watched it and I must say I'm pretty disgusted with the image quality mainly due to a 2K resolution upconverted to 4K. However, while seeing it again I forgot how much I really liked the movie and the Atmos was really used well in key action moments.

I do see that the live action was captured at 4K & 5K...so I would say a huge opportunity was missed upon the 4K home video release of this title as was many early digitally captured movies at around that same time when UHD Blu-ray was coming out. Someone stated there was a 4K version used for IMAX but on IMDB it's listed that a 70mm IMAX film version was used from a DMR blow-up but does not state what source was used to make it. I'd have to assume it was the 2K intermediate master format since around that time most cinemas were still only using 2K projectors and a blow-up to me sounds more like up-convert. If a 4K final edit of this movie really existed; I think by now we'd all be hearing of a new release from a true 4K source. I suggest to anyone not to hold their breath unless it's for a new box set crammed full with additional features, posters and a full sized copy of the original movie poster.

I bought this movie very early on during my switch over from buying regular Blu-ray to UHD Blu-ray and one of the things I did my best to stay away from was 2K sources converted to 4K releases. My best guess as to why I bought this title was I fell line hook and sinker with the Atmos and HDR aspect of it's release. Yes it's nice but many times it felt like I was watching standard 2K Blu-ray. This tells me I'm able to see the difference between 2K up-converts and true 4K resolution...that being a good thing.

Yes, story matters much but is the presentation just as important? As the history of constantly improving home video formats over the years tell us; that's a huge and resounding YES.

I think this title simply falls into the category of early digital cinema technology and practices. Today I know there are more titles being being captured and released that have a true 4K intermediate and we all benefit.

At least they did a good job with the HDR.

Geoff beat me to it, but yea my money is that you can't tell a difference between 2K upscale vs 4K at a typical viewing distance. What you're seeing is just a soft presentation of a movie.

[Bostonyte]

Originally Posted by thebarnman

I bought this movie very early on during my switch over from buying regular Blu-ray to UHD Blu-ray and one of the things I did my best to stay away from was 2K sources converted to 4K releases. My best guess as to why I bought this title was I fell line hook and sinker with the Atmos and HDR aspect of it's release. Yes it's nice but many times it felt like I was watching standard 2K Blu-ray. This tells me I'm able to see the difference between 2K up-converts and true 4K resolution...that being a good thing.

Going by your standards, I'd have to purge the following excellent 2K upconverts from my collection:

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
300
Arrival
The Avengers
The Babadook
Eastern Promises
The Equalizer
Hacksaw Ridge
Inglourious Basterds
John Wick Trilogy
Lone Survivor
Looper
Prometheus
A Quiet Place 1 & 2
Star Trek
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Whiplash
Zero Dark Thirty
Zombieland

[thebarnman]

Of course I don't have any of those movies because as I had mentioned; I do my best to stay away from 2K up-converts.

On a different note, My box collection of Underworld (which I haven't watched yet) I remember people ringing in how how good the film to 4K looked and the ones shot digitally early on (2K to 4K) looked really good but didn't have quite the same level of detail from the true 4K scan from the earlier film. Also if I remember incorrectly I think it's the last or lasts two (?) of that series that was transferred from a true 4K intermediate and lots in the forum talking about how the bump in detail is noticeable and nice to view (even if the film wasn't as good as the earlier one or ones.)

Even though I'm more than 10' from my screen, it is 83"...so maybe that helps? My eyesight is only good if I wear my glasses which I do every time I sit down to watch movies.

There's a few titles I'd love to have in my collection that's on your list but I just can't do it.

Originally Posted by Bostonyte

Going by your standards, I'd have to purge the following excellent 2K upconverts from my collection:

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
300
Arrival
The Avengers
The Babadook
Eastern Promises
The Equalizer
Hacksaw Ridge
Inglourious Basterds
John Wick Trilogy
Lone Survivor
Looper
Prometheus
A Quiet Place 1 & 2
Star Trek
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Whiplash
Zero Dark Thirty
Zombieland

[Bostonyte]

Originally Posted by thebarnman

Of course I don't have any of those movies because as I had mentioned; I do my best to stay away from 2K up-converts.

On a different note, My box collection of Underworld (which I haven't watched yet) I remember people ringing in how how good the film to 4K looked and the ones shot digitally early on (2K to 4K) looked really good but didn't have quite the same level of detail from the true 4K scan from the earlier film. Also if I remember incorrectly I think it's the last or lasts two (?) of that series that was transferred from a true 4K intermediate and lots in the forum talking about how the bump in detail is noticeable and nice to view (even if the film wasn't as good as the earlier one or ones.)

Even though I'm more than 10' from my screen, it is 83"...so maybe that helps? My eyesight is only good if I wear my glasses which I do every time I sit down to watch movies.

There's a few titles I'd love to have in my collection that's on your list but I just can't do it.

Grab a copy of 13 Hours or Lone Survivor for $12 and see if you have a change of heart.

[thebarnman]

Originally Posted by Bostonyte

Grab a copy of 13 Hours or Lone Survivor for $12 and see if you have a change of heart.

Possibly I'll try "Lone Survivor."

By the way, I did order one from your list but from a new limited edition box set of Star Trek (1979) in UHD Blu-ray.

[Ulisez]

Just wanted to give the heads up. Recently I picked up the UHD and noticed it had a digital code for it. I went to Movies Anywhere and redeemed it. I was surprised to see the stream version is in Dolby Vision. Was it always like this or was the previous stream just in HDR10?

I went ahead and compared the Vudu, and Movies Anywhere streams to the disc version. (Didn't test the AppleTV since I have buffering issues with that app).

Compared the starting sequence of the film all the way until after the opening title credits.

To my eyes, I noticed slightly more lively colors, and darker blacks on the Dolby Vision version, and in the Movies Anywhere version, slightly sharper with either video noise or film grain being visible. Then, compared to the Disc, I can see the slight softness that most complains about with this disc and slightly muted colors. Idk if this was a recent swap from Universal, or it was always like this.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by thebarnman

Possibly I'll try "Lone Survivor."

Prometheus is one of the best looking UHDs ever and was a 2k DI. I'm kind of baffled people still care, no offense intended.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Prometheus is one of the best looking UHDs ever and was a 2k DI. I'm kind of baffled people still care, no offense intended.

I definitely still care. Those early Fox UHDs from 2K sources have super rough fine edges, especially anything diagonal and any onscreen text. It's possibly made worse by sharpening/edge enhancement. The opening titles on Ridley Scott's Exodus look like an upscaled DVD, they're so pixely.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

I definitely still care. Those early Fox UHDs from 2K sources have super rough fine edges, especially anything diagonal and any onscreen text. It's possibly made worse by sharpening/edge enhancement. The opening titles on Ridley Scott's Exodus look like an upscaled DVD, they're so pixely.

Exodus is an isolated case, the DI for that is rough as fookin sandpaper and it’s present in all home media representations, even the trailers IIRC. The UHD may well exacerbate it but I kinda got used to it as it went along.

[JRcanReid]

Originally Posted by Bostonyte

Eastern Promises

Hmm. I never would have guessed that was an upscale.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Ulisez

I was surprised to see the stream version is in Dolby Vision. Was it always like this or was the previous stream just in HDR10?

It's been DV since it went 4K online.

[Bond84]

I spun this disc for the first time on my new LG G3 OLED and noticed that the intro credits, fade-to-black cuts, and end credits all had slightly lifted black levels like a Nolan film (but the letterbox bars were still pure black). I've watched this disc a million times on my older C6 OLED and this was never the case. I'm wondering if this is the "creator's intent" and my old tv was crushing blacks the whole time or is there something wrong with the new tv?

[punisher]

check your DV settings..also you have the newer WOLED panel as well as other improvements on the G3...lots of info on the AVS Forum about the G3...it's a great TV.

https://www.avsforum.com/threads/202...-talk.3264219/

[Bond84]

Originally Posted by punisher

check your DV settings..also you have the newer WOLED panel as well as other improvements on the G3...lots of info on the AVS Forum about the G3...it's a great TV.

https://www.avsforum.com/threads/202...-talk.3264219/

Thanks but this disc is HDR10 not DV. I'm also a poster on the AVS thread but I can't seem to find anyone with a similar issue.

The intro credits of the UHD of American Graffiti did the same thing BUT the UHD of The Fugitive did not. All 3 discs are HDR10 but Oblivion and American Graffiti are both 1000 nit discs while The Fugitive is 4000.

Lowering the Black Level to 48 fixes the issue but then I'm worried I'm messing up the tone mapping.