The Criterion Collection

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

For those without a 4K setup.

If Criterion announced they'd be releasing movies on 4K disc would this prompt you to purchase a 4K television?

I don't yet have a 4K television. However, I have purchased a few 4K+BD combo packs for newer releases of films that:

I did not already have on BD; and

That received strong reviews for the 4K presentation (interesting how many 4K discs are not considered that much of an upgrade); and

Were on sale for about what I might pay for a BD.

I hope those clamouring for Criterion UHD releases get what they want, but I think it's a very long shot - if only due to the regional licensing issue. Personally, I hope Criterion doesn't get sidetracked by UHD.

[Richard--W]

Originally Posted by KJones77

Mulvaney confirmed they have multiple Wong Kar-wai films that are all presently undergoing a restoration.

Which Wong Kar-wai films does Criterion hold the rights to?

[kwr212]

The Filmstruck streaming quality is pretty bad though. I compared it with A and B tests to their discs, and the streaming was about on the level of DVD most of the time. My internet speed is 250 mbps, so that's not the issue. Every other major streaming service delivers top quality (Netflix has 4K HDR, Amazon has 4K, Vudu etc have 4K HDR) and it looks great. 4K physical discs still beat the quality though, similar with 1080 streaming vs disc.

For people that are against it, have you seen a proper 4K HDR setup on a calibrated screen? It's a thing of beauty. True, not every Criterion release would benefit at the same level, but for their modern titles (like all of their Wes Anderson films), 4K HDR would offer a huge gain in video quality. Those would definitely sell too.

I'm hoping they start releasing some titles in 2019. Maybe spine #1000?

[exzachary]

Interesting fact: Shampoo might be one of the lowest rated Criterion films on IMDB. It's at 6.3

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by kwr212

The Filmstruck streaming quality is pretty bad though. I compared it with A and B tests to their discs, and the streaming was about on the level of DVD most of the time. My internet speed is 250 mbps, so that's not the issue. Every other major streaming service delivers top quality (Netflix has 4K HDR, Amazon has 4K, Vudu etc have 4K HDR) and it looks great. 4K physical discs still beat the quality though, similar with 1080 streaming vs disc.

Maybe today, but it won't in the near future.

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

Maybe today, but it won't in the near future.

I agree. 4K streaming is going to surpass UHD, and it will be a lot sooner than we think. And rather than having to upgrade a $500 plus player, all you'll need to do is buy a $30 Amazon FireStick. And rather than buy $40 titles ($20 when on sale), you'll pay $11 month for the Criterion streaming service.

Will that be perfect. No. They don't have everything on the streaming service at once. So unless you own the disc you might not be able to watch it. But that's where we are headed. We can thank Netflix for that.

One last note - Criterion streaming is not the best when it comes to PQ. At least not now. But I'm sure it will improve.

[Akibiyori]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

They stopped when they figured that DVD was superfluous and the vast majority were picking up for the BD-only.

Actually, they stopped doing dual format because DVD buyers complained about being forced to pay for the Blu-ray version, which cost more than the DVD-only editions ($10 more at full price.) So they continued DVD-only editions, making the DF pointless. If they always maintained similar pricing perhaps it wouldn’t have faced opposition but then I imagine people would still find a reason to complain (bulky packaging was a common complaint.)

I wouldn’t mind Criterion returning to the dual format edition for UHD but I wouldn’t take advantage of the UHD any time soon. Both of my TVs are holding up great so I’m not getting a 4K TV for the meantime.

[dwk]

Originally Posted by Richard--W

Which Wong Kar-wai films does Criterion hold the rights to?

These for sure:
Chungking Express
Fallen Angels
Happy Together
In the Mood for Love (a new 4k restoration played at a film festival last year.)

[regeyer]

I know it seems almost inconceivable to many of us, but the majority of Criterion customers are buying DVDs. With that in mind, why would Criterion even consider about UHD releases?

[caiman]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

For those without a 4K setup.

If Criterion announced they'd be releasing movies on 4K disc would this prompt you to purchase a 4K television?

I'm already planning to upgrade to 4K, but if Criterion announced this it'd stoke the fire under my ass a bit. And I'd definitely start buying their UHD releases even before I upgrade.

Every new format that comes out is initially met with opponents saying "nah, old format X is good enough." I'm not one of those people. Give me the best, I say.

[caiman]

Originally Posted by regeyer

I know it seems almost inconceivable to many of us, but the majority of Criterion customers are buying DVDs. With that in mind, why would Criterion even consider about UHD releases?

Wait, is this really true?

[KJones77]

Originally Posted by caiman

Wait, is this really true?

It makes a lot of sense. People into older films may very well be older and not up on all of this new technology.

Younger people getting into Criterion may not have a lot of spending cash but want to collect anyways. DVDs being cheaper makes the decision for them when it comes to DVD vs blu ray.

Most libraries, which heavily stock Criterion films, only buy DVD. Netflix's physical service also stocks up on Criterion DVDs.

There are just more markets into DVDs at this point, I would imagine

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by kwr212

For people that are against it, have you seen a proper 4K HDR setup on a calibrated screen? It's a thing of beauty. True, not every Criterion release would benefit at the same level, but for their modern titles (like all of their Wes Anderson films), 4K HDR would offer a huge gain in video quality.

I have not. But then again, I am from the VHS generation who thought DVD was an absolute godsend, let alone BD.

Also, I read so many comments on this site across all sorts of titles where the poster swears blind that the release under discussion is riddled with artifacts, crush, etc. - and I think it looks fantastic. I can tell heavy-handed use of DNR, but that's about it. To my eyes, most BD look amazing. Plus, I'm more interested in enjoying films than undertaking a forensic analysis of PQ.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by caiman

Wait, is this really true?

I talked to a dude who works at B&N during the last sale and he estimated that at least 75% of the people who make purchases during the Criterion sale buy DVDs. A lot of people don't even know what Blu Ray is.

[peschi]

I think its not an issue of for or against it, I mean, everyone wants the best quality possible. But coming from someone who was always a early adaptor (laserdisc/dvd) Im perfectly happy with BD quality, sure UHD will eventually push out regular HD (lol), but by that time I wonder if physical media is still a thing? So Im not in a hurry, if UHD is here to stay then perfect, I will buy my next screen over 5 years, beautiful quality, and futureproof!

[regeyer]

Originally Posted by caiman

Wait, is this really true?

I don't have a link to a site with statistics, but I have heard this before and I don't doubt it. Look at how many libraries buy Criterion DVDs. Often, they only buy the DVD. Or, they may buy 10 copies of the DVD for every one copy of the Blu-Ray.

Schools are another big customer, and many of them don't care about Blu-Ray. Not to mention the large number of residential customers who simply don't care about Blu-Ray, let alone UHD.

Given all this it's not a shock at all that Criterion sells more DVDs than Blu-Rays.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by caiman

Wait, is this really true?

No. This article from The Current is from 2013. I'm sure that 60% has increased since then.

https://www.criterion.com/current/po...hy-dual-format

Today, something like 60 percent of the discs we sell are Blu-rays, 40 percent DVDs.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

For those without a 4K setup.

If Criterion announced they'd be releasing movies on 4K disc would this prompt you to purchase a 4K television?

Narrowly interpreting the question my answer would be no. I'm planning to buy a 4k set soon anyway. But that's only because I want a new set and UHD is the only game in town. I'm in no real hurry to upgrade the rest of the display chain or move into buying UHD discs.

Would CC UHD releases change that? I honestly don't know. I suspect it would have a marginal impact but it would depend a lot on the releases, I guess.

[caiman]

Originally Posted by mja345

I talked to a dude who works at B&N during the last sale and he estimated that at least 75% of the people who make purchases during the Criterion sale buy DVDs. A lot of people don't even know what Blu Ray is.

I guess not every cinephile is also a videophile. I personally find the two inseperable.

[peschi]

Originally Posted by caiman

I guess not every cinephile is also a videophile. I personally find the two inseperable.

Im not saying its a huge group, but they do exist, I think a large group is film students, who dont have the money to invest heavily into a state of the art home cinema, but love movies. A few my friends fall in that group, and they have a cheap lcd tv, with a 10 year old dvd player. Recently they subscribed to Filmstruck, and frankly I dont see them buying an bluray (UHD or not) in the near future anymore.