4K Movies Releases

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by bunceman

I watched a Muse concert off ultra flix and it was really impressive. I don't know the exact speed requirements for ultraflix but i had uninterrupted 2160p streaming. Up real close you could see some digital artifacts but it was really a treat to watch. The concert was a "Platinum 4k" stream which means it was shot and streaming in true 4k as far as I know.

Ultraflix has different quality levels of 4k programming silver, gold and platinum. Platinum = Native 4k
Gold = Older film transfers
Silver = Upconverted 1080p

bunceman, that brings back memories….if you watched the Muse concert from 2013 in Rome. What I mean is, back in-the-day when that was produced, I was informed by someone involved in that project, who later showed a 4K screening at bvexpo in Geoff’s neck of the woods - https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...se#post8832189

that, given the dual functionality of the Sony’s F55 4K cameras, which, for instance proves very helpful in the editorial process for The Blacklist as noted recently here that there was a dual workflow for that Muse concert, as noted - https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...se#post8312149

Meaning the HD files (from the 4K camera) were used as the source for the subsequent Blu-ray release and the 4K files were used for the 4K theatrical presentations. I would assume if Ultraflix is promoting that show as native 4K content, then the streaming version arose from the 4K files originally used for the theatrical presentations.

It might be interesting for those who have the Blu-ray of that Muse concert (which was shot in HD and finished in HD, according to my friend) to compare it to the streaming 4K version and see if ? NanoTech/Ultraflix gave the superior sourced content (4K content) the bitrate it deserved to outperform the HD Blu-ray version. Concerts can often demand higher bitrates (compared to movie content) in order to show the best PQ no matter which display device (LCD or OLED) you watch it on.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Wendell, you’re welcome anytime . The only one I fear a little is Geoff because sometimes, being the cat he is, he reminds me of this -

Cat Steals Fish From Fisherman - YouTube


meaning, I’ll be looking forward with anticipation to watching some Premier league or Champions League match and Geoff will marginalize the experience by not using spoilers. Geoff, not that I have high expectations, but I haven’t gotten thru more than the first half of Monaco v. Arsenal from yesterday, so don’t steal me fish! i.e. please use dem spoilers if you care to comment on any aspects of the highlights or lowlights.

Sorry Mr P, I forget you're not glued to Sky Sports News at 3pm (8am PDT) every Saturday! I haven't spoiled loads of matches though, have I? I hope you've finished the second half of Arse vs Monaco...

[Show spoiler]it's a shame they fell short but after that disaster of a first leg they always had a mountain to climb. Away goals were the culprit YET AGAIN.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Sorry Mr P, I forget you're not glued to Sky Sports News at 3pm (8am PDT) every Saturday! I haven't spoiled loads of matches though, have I? I hope you've finished the second half of Arse vs Monaco...

[Show spoiler]it's a shame they fell short but after that disaster of a first leg they always had a mountain to climb. Away goals were the culprit YET AGAIN.

Nope, just a couple. I'll survive.
As to Arsenal 2nd leg match hope to watch the 2nd half tonight and thanks for the spoiler.

Barca v. Man City, I don't know when I'll get to.

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by bunceman

I watched a Muse concert off ultra flix and it was really impressive. I don't know the exact speed requirements for ultraflix but i had uninterrupted 2160p streaming. Up real close you could see some digital artifacts but it was really a treat to watch. The concert was a "Platinum 4k" stream which means it was shot and streaming in true 4k as far as I know.

Ultraflix has different quality levels of 4k programming silver, gold and platinum. Platinum = Native 4k
Gold = Older film transfers
Silver = Upconverted 1080p

Neat thanks, they have a lot of the new mgm 4k masters I wonder how they hold up

[bunceman]

Originally Posted by spectre08

how were you streaming it? do you have a tv with the app built in?

I have a Vizio P series which has ultraflix app built in.

[bunceman]

Some of the "gold" rated 4k older movies they have up are Rocky, Rain Man, Fargo, Robocop but at 9.99 per rental. They have a nice selection of cheaper titles and lots of under 10 minute freebies. Lots of documentary stuff, concerts (Jethro Tull, Aerosmith, The Who).

The app runs a speed test when you log in to see if you have the bandwidth requirements for 4k streaming if not it gives you a similar message to vudus proceed with 4k, proceed with HD, etc. My speed test was 30mbps and haven't had any buffering or stops.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by bunceman

I have a Vizio P series which has ultraflix app built in.

We have the 4K 70” P series Viz down in the place we keep in San Diego. Fine value given the cost and I hope this honest assessment didn’t appear too harsh to any readers, for it wasn’t intended to be….just fair - https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...c#post10089063 . I have no regrets as to the purchase as it fit our personal needs…and still does.

I don’t own the Blu-ray disc of the concert – https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Muse-...Blu-ray/88995/ but maybe someday, in case no serious videophile does it first and we’re ever hit by a series on rainy days down in S.D. (which is rare), I’ll buy the dang thing and do a comparison picture analysis of both deliverables (streaming vs. Blu-ray).

On a cutting edge note of what’s been happening since that concert and what’s WAAAAY under the consumer radar, is that a concert during a rock festival in France last fall was mastered in HDR and was presented this winter for analysis by professionals (some of whom are involved in the standards process) to see how HDR would meet the challenge (vs SDR) of capturing and displaying intense lighting variation….



I heard it did well.

[spectre08]

I have an LG 55UB9500 which unfortunately doesn't have the Ultraflix app yet, but I'm watching their standalone box closely. Hopefully they come out with one sometime in the future for a more reasonable price.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I hope you've finished the second half of Arse vs Monaco...

Just finished work . Sitting down now to watch the 2nd half. If I fall asleep I'll blame PeterTHX for subconsciously sensitizing me with that pic on the last page of the 3 BYU fans falling asleep.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Just finished work . Sitting down now to watch the 2nd half. If I fall asleep I'll blame PeterTHX for subconsciously sensitizing me with that pic on the last page of the 3 BYU fans falling asleep.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

...it's a shame they fell short but after that disaster of a first leg they always had a mountain to climb. Away goals were the culprit YET AGAIN.

The boys played well , but alas, a bridge too far.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

[Show spoiler]

Got thru it fine and even held on to watch when the network switched over to Spain to cover the extra time plus penalty shootout between Atletico and Leverkusen.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

For those who’ve not yet had the opportunity to view HDR video sample content in a good public viewing environment like that of HPA tech retreat, last year’s SMPTE Tech Conference in Hollywood, or NAB 2014, etc., here are some HDR vs SDR pictorial illustrations which I’d posted on another thread, see the ‘assets’ pdf - https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...e#post10480414

And a follow-up to said CineAlta magazine article containing a few updates/additions https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...e#post10485983

Since I’m referencing (in bold ^) retreats and shows geared more toward those involved professionally in the imaging industry which I’ve attended....so as not to appear overly USA-centric , for those who have not witnessed firsthand well mastered and displayed HDR content, these excerpted comments were posted on a professional forum during the BSC Expo (http://bscexpo.com/ ) at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom which I’ve not had the pleasure of attending but were emailed to me.

Note: I’ve taken the liberty to bold phrases below which I feel pertinent to discussions we’ve had over the years here in this thread regarding the parameters of next gen video (UHD).

"Hi guys,

….I was impressed - and I'm rarely am ... not by any of the big names out there
coming out with new bigger sensored cameras or introducing new
anamorphic lenses, maybe a little by the Varicam 35... impressed by one device or let's say game changer in viewing experience: HDR Demonstration at the Sony booth.

I personally find that HDR is a wrong labelling here because first HDR
is associated, at least for me, with HDR photography which is in most
cases awful, surreal looking images (of course there are some very
artistic, skilful and aesthetic HDR photos out there as well) and second
because it's not really HDR, but just +/- 14 stops of dynamic range that
the cameras can record in RAW nowadays that are put onto display.

So to keep that short: I was amazed by the highlights that didn't just
roll of smoothly or were still visible, but they are just FULLY there in
all it's colourfulness - no blown out parts (besides some streetlights).
For me, this is a whole new experience of watching film because it still
looks very natural. The guys at Sony told me that this is all still in
very early stages and unfortunately the shots were mainly night time Las
Vegas (?) images, however if this eventually hits the market it will be
a day in paradise for us cinematographers I believe . I hope that
cinemas will jump on this train first, so that they are a step ahead of
home TVs to have this superior image, but if it hits the home/consumer
market before the cinemas have enough lead time I don't know what will
happen to the cinema market ... besides the huge screen and the often
called »cinema experience« it will be surpassed by a superior image by
home TVs ... let's see.

So, some specs: the screen that Sony has it's a 1000nits screen. Hearing
the panel of Dolby (unfortunately only the second half since I was so
stunned by the Sony demo that I kept rewatching it numerous times and
missed the first part) they are aiming for 10.000nits. And Dolby itself
showed a comparison between an ordinary/standard TV and their 4000nits
monitor. Was pretty impressive although some clouds were still blown out…."

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

...discussions we’ve had over the years here in this thread regarding the parameters of next gen video (UHD).

Hmm, after going back and re-reading the old hyperlink in that ^ post…below the interview by Hans (the first European in nearly four decades to have served as engineering V.P. of SMPTE), something I guess I should add for the sake of historical accuracy and to acknowledge some of the pioneering researchers in the field of HDR, is that….

Originally, in the more scientific literature as opposed to marketing interviews or sales pitches, SDR (standard dynamic range, or what we have now in our mastering and end user pipelines), was actually acronym labeled by engineers as LDR….standing for low dynamic range. For example, see:
https://www.cs.ubc.ca/~heidrich/Papers/APGV.09_2.pdf
http://www.banterle.com/francesco/pu...EGstar2009.pdf

The switch in terminology from ‘LDR’ to thee now more popular ‘SDR’ was probably made out of kindness to the sensibilities of legacy dynamic range viewers/users so as to not highlight its deficiency. Both acronyms signify the same thing, namely, hamstrung display dynamic range as compared to the inherent capability our human visual system, or, in terms of acquisition, even modern day digital camera RAW images.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

....so as not to appear overly USA-centric…."

One of the first ever SMPTE ST 2084 live created sequences occurred with the shoot at the track championships in Switzerland last August.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

the track championships in Switzerland last August.

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

....so as not to appear overly USA-centric

4K sequences acquired with a high-end Phantom camera - http://www.visionresearch.com/Produc...hantom-Flex4K/ ) which were HDR-graded on a SIM2….http://www.sim2-professional.com/en/HDR_tech ….SIM2 multimedia being headquartered in Italy .

[spectre08]

I'm watching Smurfs 2 in 4K on Netflix right now. and despite the fact that this is a pretty horrible movie, it does look absolutely astounding.

[Geoff D]

I'm desperate for some 4K stuff to watch, but not THAT desperate.

[bailey1987]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I'm desperate for some 4K stuff to watch, but not THAT desperate.

I agree.

[spectre08]

it's at least worth watching a bit of it, fastforwarding to a couple different points. By the look of it i'm pretty sure it was shot digitally, so it's a good representation of what more early 4K releases could look like.

Marco Polo also looks amazing, but I've already watched every episode.

I didn't think the older movies on Netflix were particularly impressive.


The new Netflix series Bloodlines is also available in 4K as of a couple days ago.