4K Blu-ray content on the horizon?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Raphdude

Penton-Man,
Very interesting, all your info, which is why I think 3D will turn out to be a fad at the end of the day as it was in the 50's. I think 4K or upconverting to
4K will be my next blu-ray player or next gen tv purchase.

Well, I don’t want to derail this thread into the 3D realm, for if you want to do that, there are plenty of other threads on this forum to discuss the merits of 3D, like for instance, the thread on the *signature 3D movie of the year*, if you will, Hugo….https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...go#post5828815

But just to comment once on your observation, I can’t speak much to 3D in the ‘50s as that was before my time and all I can do is relate to you what pioneers (who were considered expert at the time and have multiple patents to prove it, of the caliber here…http://www.international3dsociety.co...iety/HOME.html)

have told me about that era. Apparently, back then, they had about 50 or so 3D motion pictures of both bad and good quality which were released. The *brightness issue* didn’t exist back then as for one thing, screens were smaller and theaters had two projectors…one for each eye. But they had their own particular problems for it was beyond most theater’s ability to get the two projectors to run as one. Anyway, personally, I care as much about 3D in the ‘50s as I care about hunting for dinosaur fossils. Flash forward to today as to what present audiences can see and expect…

Expect 3D acquisition as well as exhibition to become more refined over time with advances in technology as well as educating filmmakers as to the art and science of making ‘good 3D’. Many of the *hurdles* which may inhibit some people from jumping on the 3D bandwagon right now, will eventually be overcome.

For instance, more than one manufacturer is actively involved in R & D of laser projectors which should eliminate the *theatrical darkness* some people complain about. SMPTE, as we speak, is working on standards for higher frame rates for 3D, which will at least allow Peter J. and Jim C.’s experimental filmmaking to come to fruition at the theatrical level and we’ll see firsthand how/if higher frame rates relate to mass audience’s motion perception, flicker visibility and temporal fidelity for the benefit of making stereoscopic *more realistic* and lessening the tendency for some viewers to get eyestrain with prolonged 3D viewing, as some sensitive viewers still apparently, are bothered with. On a consumer level, autostereoscopic (glasses-free) 3D displays are coming.

Point is…everyone is actively working to making 3D better, and that’s not just applicable to filmmaking, but also broadcasting, and even on a nobler scale…teaching and medicine.

It all takes time....be it 3D or 4K. And consumers interested in these sorts of advanced imaging formats (i.e. Beyond HD) just have to decide for themselves when to jump on the bandwagon.