The Criterion Collection

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

Which is why people are raising the issue. They want to buy physical media and they want to buy it from Criterion but they make it difficult when they refuse to move with the times.

The other boutique labels that have transitioned to 4K are only doing it with select titles and most people are fine with that because they understand that it's not practical to do it with every release, which only makes it more glaring when Criterion aren't keeping up.

Raising the issue here is relevant because it's a critique related to the label, if people don't want to "hear the same BS over and over again" they can ignore that particular post just like I ignore the particular posts when people post their endless and irrelevant wishlists about what they plan to buy in the next B&N sale.

I do think that Criterion should adapt with the times, but they haven't and they must have a good reason. Is it because of data from other boutique labels, or something of a similar nature? I have no idea.

What I do know is that the complaining goes far beyond this particular thread. It's all over this site, and while I can understand the frustration, it's become a toxic sludge at this point. Plenty of users here understand, but they also understand that complaining about it daily is not doing anyone any favors. If it was just this thread, then so be it. However, it's basically spread like the plague over this site. I honestly wish Criterion would adopt the format just so I wouldn't have to hear about it anymore.

[jcs913]

The simple fact is that the new gaming systems have a 4K drive in them, which will increase the market significantly, just like it did for blu when the PS3 came out. Look up the numbers if you doubt, these are simple upcoming facts. My belief is that CC simply does not want to invest the additional funds to put together a 4K disc, when they are still selling dvds at a high rate. Why spend the money?? Maybe my hypothesis is off, but money talks in a very tight market like physical media. The whole problem I have with this is that if MUCH smaller indie labels can do it, why not?? The masters are out there and believe me, consumers are purchasing these region-free 4K superior releases. They would like the extras that CC puts out there, but the main disc becomes a coaster. The almighty dollar is really the only excuse that they can have, which is too bad if you want to keep physical media going.

[Bn43]

Originally Posted by jcs913

The simple fact is that the new gaming systems have a 4K drive in them, which will increase the market significantly, just like it did for blu when the PS3 came out. Look up the numbers if you doubt, these are simple upcoming facts.

I bet the PS5 and new Xbox will have very little impact on 4K movie sales. Streaming was much smaller in the seventh console generation. People still talked about movies on disc. I rarely see that now on gaming forums. I've seen no topics on the ones I visit talking about movie playback. Talk to almost anyone in person about a movie and they'll probably ask where they can stream it. Also, I feel like most people who care about watching movies in their best available quality wouldn't have waited until late 2020. 4K players are cheap.

[Bn43]

Actually, it looks like I made a topic on one of the forums I visit asking that question.

https://www.gamespot.com/forums/syst...-ps5-33484751/

Overwhelming response was no, that they won't start buying 4K movies. Some complained about having to upgrade movies over and over.

Throw out your Casette tapes because now DVDs are here

Throw out your DVDs because now Blu Rays are here

Throw out your blu rays because now 4K blu rays are here

Endless cycle

Most that were positive about 4K movies had already been collecting them.

Was hoping for more responses. All the gaming forums I visit lack activity now.

[Normans Rare Guitars]

One person's perspective on 4k submitted with respect to those who disagree:

I'm in my 50s now and I've been collecting music and movies since I was thirteen years old. I've owned media on every format from vinyl to cassette to CD, and from VHS/BETA to Laserdisc, DVD and Blu-Ray.

I've listened to music on SACD, BluRayCD, 320kMP3, and various lossless formats like FLAC. At this point, I've reached the limit of what my ears can discern. I personally can't hear the difference between a CD, 320kMP3 and FLAC. I believe some people can, but I can't. My ears don't need a higher quality of music media.

I watch TV and film on a 55" Plasma TV at a distance of ten feet. With the exception of the HDR color depth, my eyes can't see the difference between 4k and 1080p Blu-Ray. As with my ears, my eyes no longer need a higher quality of video media. I appreciate the increased color depth, but not enough to inspire me to upgrade any of my collection, which at this time is over 3000 films. If the Criterion collection started releasing in 4K, I'd be happy continue to collect, but I have no need for it.

The progress of fidelity upgrades over the course of my life has been welcomed by my ears and eyes, but I've reached the physical limit of what I can reasonably discern. I've been grateful for every upgrade until now, but at this point I don't need finer resolution than my eyes can see.

[Lionel Hutz]

I’m surprised Criterion still bothers with DVDs. I can’t believe people who collect physical media don’t have a Blu-Ray player. I guess Criterion still sell enough to justify making them. I’d be curious to see what percentage of their sales are Blu-ray vs. DVD.

There’s a bigger difference in picture quality from DVD to Blu-ray than there is from Blu-Ray to 4K.

[NeoNical]

Originally Posted by Lionel Hutz

I’m surprised Criterion still bothers with DVDs. I can’t believe people who collect physical media don’t have a Blu-Ray player. I guess Criterion still sell enough to justify making them. I’d be curious to see what percentage of their sales are Blu-ray vs. DVD.

There’s a bigger difference in picture quality from DVD to Blu-ray than there is from Blu-Ray to 4K.

DVD still sells. People don't really care about video quality. 4K business is already dying but DVD business is still doing great and even better than Blu-ray. I know it sounds strange but yes, DVDs do better in sales than Blu-rays, despite being lower quality.

[dwk]

They do a lot of business with libraries, and I assume to make sure the discs are usable for most patrons, libraries seem to tend to opt for DVDs.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

Raising the issue here is relevant because it's a critique related to the label, if people don't want to "hear the same BS over and over again" they can ignore that particular post just like I ignore the particular posts when people post their endless and irrelevant wishlists about what they plan to buy in the next B&N sale.

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

What I do know is that the complaining goes far beyond this particular thread. It's all over this site, and while I can understand the frustration, it's become a toxic sludge at this point. Plenty of users here understand, but they also understand that complaining about it daily is not doing anyone any favors. If it was just this thread, then so be it. However, it's basically spread like the plague over this site. I honestly wish Criterion would adopt the format just so I wouldn't have to hear about it anymore.

Both of these statements are accurate. Which means there really isn't a resolution.

Personally, I'm more bothered by people on the forum who don't use SPOILERS when quoting hugely long posts, often with images, only to reply with a single sentence. But there's no resolution to that either.

In other words, whether we complain about a perceived offense or complain about the complaining, we all need our outlets to vent and think someone is listening to us, especially in the world today. Unless it's blatant and obvious trolling, there is no right or wrong side to most of it. True that it can challenge the limits of our individual tolerance, but how often do such challenges prove beneficial once a larger perspective sets in?

[DandyDancing]

Originally Posted by Bn43

If Criterion never decided to upgrade from DVD, tons of people (including some fans here) would have complained about all the movies held hostage on the inferior format. Cult my butt. It's a normal enthusiast reaction to a company refusing to adapt to a changing market, and it won't stop, so deal with it.

I’m completely fine with DVDs. I still watch them all the time. Am I not an enthusiast?

[Bn43]

Originally Posted by DandyDancing

I’m completely fine with DVDs. I still watch them all the time. Am I not an enthusiast?

I watch a lot of DVDs too. But there are apparently 2100 Blu-rays in your collection, far more than the DVD portion, so I'm not convinced. You'd probably be complaining like everybody else if Criterion were DVD and streaming only.

[Mooch360]

I’ll still watch a DVD if I have no other readily available alternative, but I’d rather watch blu ray (or streaming in HD). I am looking forward to watching my 4K blurays (waiting for the PS5) but I don’t think I’ll mind going back to regular Blu-ray’s as much as DVD.

[Jason Rietman4k]

Woo boy. Mystery Train can definitely use a new 4K scan. Not terrible (The Last Emperor, The Ice Strom) but dated to be sure. Bigger than Life was released in 2010 but still looks great(!), Mystery Train is from 2010 and it shows.

Edit: Movies I've noticed that look dated Mystery Train, The Ice Storm, The Last Emperor, Something Wild.

[Jason Rietman4k]

The Last Emperor is one of the worst Blu-rays I've ever seen. I was shocked, it is borderline unwatchable.

[I*heart*Criterion]

Just a heads up for those of you who are not aware, Amazon is price matching the Target buy 2 get 1 free promotion, and Amazon has a few Criterions on the offer.

Depending on what you buy, the price is slightly better than the B&N 50% off sale.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/promotion/A2A2NKR8NB2YIQ

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Jason Rietman4k

The Last Emperor is one of the worst Blu-rays I've ever seen. I was shocked, it is borderline unwatchable.

It is?

[Ray Jackson]

PS...when is Buffalo ‘66 getting announced?

[omgitsgodzilla]

Can someone refresh my memory on something? A handful of Bong Joon-ho films have recently gone up on the Channel, and I know we've got Memories of Murder confirmed for a disc aside from Parasite. I could swear there was talk of discs for other Bong films being in the works, but I can't seem to find any mention of that now. Am I just misremembering?

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by omgitsgodzilla

Can someone refresh my memory on something? A handful of Bong Joon-ho films have recently gone up on the Channel, and I know we've got Memories of Murder confirmed for a disc aside from Parasite. I could swear there was talk of discs for other Bong films being in the works, but I can't seem to find any mention of that now. Am I just misremembering?

Yes, it is confirmed.

https://variety.com/2019/film/news/p...ix-1203408123/

[TAC]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

Yes, it is confirmed.

https://variety.com/2019/film/news/p...ix-1203408123/

Wish they would hurry up with Memories of Murder. Been holding off on the Korean disc via eBay but if it’s not announced for January I’m gonna pull the trigger.