4K Blu-ray Confirmed, Coming in

[David M]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Wouldn’t this be a kicker for the first 4K Blu-ray title - Pixels (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2120120/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_1 )

I remember one of the earlier BD50 titles being LAYER CAKE, so who knows!

Plus some of Warner Home Video's last HD DVDs being THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE and PS I LOVE YOU... hmmm... we can read a lot into these titles, huh?

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Heh. We've seen the disdain with which Universal treats its catalogue (which you've experienced first-hand with The 'Burbs) so I wouldn't put anything past them...

That's a case in point, actually, that was less disdain and more down to the fact that it was old. The original HD transfer of The Burbs that my colleagues and I said "no thanks" to was probably done on their Rank Mk.III (!) (modified for HD output) some time in the late 1990s. (I think it would take real effort to get that sort of look from something later like a C-Reality). Universal were big fans of CRT telecine and got into the HD film to video game very early, which I think is the reason why much of their back catalog looks the way it does.

[Tok]

Originally Posted by Lyris

1. $$$
2. 66gb may be enough for most purposes.

You forget that 25gb BDs are fine for a lot of movies.

Maybe if the feature on the disc was under ninety minutes with no extras. Otherwise I never felt that BD25 was sufficient for typical feature length movies that weren't DNR'd to death.

I would be more on board with the new format if the discs were larger. I know the codec is supposed to be better but I would feel better if 100GB was the minimum with a larger capacity being closer to 200GB.

Remember it's not just more pixels, but also a larger color space. So I really don't think 50GB or 66GB is enough. This reminds me of when Warner Brother thought that HD DVD could be done on a DVD9 with new codecs.

This seems more like the BD forum doing what Toshiba and Warners did with DVD's attempt to move to high definition. They don't want to spend any significant money changing the manufacturing infrastructure. I think the BDA is fearful regarding the future of physical media. So they are going with one of the cheaper options to move to 4K.

It might actually help if 4K had competing formats. That's what made the BDA push for more than MPEG2 on 25GB disc.

[sarah_wentworth]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Holy shitbeans, the timing of that couldn't be better. New 4K format in late 2015, new SW film being released at the same. To go from "they don't exist any more" (© George Lucas) to holding a pristine 4K restoration in my own hands....I think I'd drop dead on the spot out of sheer delight.

this is getting good. REAL GOOD.

[philochs]

Personally, I cannot believe anyone would be bemoaning this incredible news! ... "an expanded color gamut along with high dynamic range (HDR), as well as HEVC/H.265 encoding" what that means is that this will feature HDR as part of the spec for 4k-blu-ray. HDR is a feature that Dolby has been working on, and new televisions built with HDR as a feature should also then be rolling out by Christmas 2015. HDR is not a gloss over feature. The futuristic H.265 encoding will actually be able to include this HDR info on the 4k Blu Ray disc, and will obviously have to be supported by the new HDR tv and HDR compliant blu ray players to enjoy the full benefit. Then you will be able to understand High Dynamic Range. Which boils down to far superior color reproduction, and way better contrast ratio. People who have personalty seen HDR demos from dolby were blow away. HDR alone is a massive improvement, that anyone will be able to notice on any size screen! It makes detail leap off the screen, it makes old led seem VERY washed out.

I don't think OLED tvs need HDR as a feature, as they already have improved color and contrat ratio capabilities, but if Dolby can somehow work with LG to improve contrast and color further, then all the better. Color and contrast improvements are going to be notable, even to noobs. LG is rolling out 4k OLED. Naturally the 4k OLED will be a perfect match for 4k-blu ray with Dolby HDR on the disc, you will know you are in for a next generation experience. Within 5 years the prices on 4k OLED, 4k projectors, 4k bluray, discs and players. HDMI 2.0 4k ready PC, with PowerDVD 17, I assume will come out in April 2016 with 4k support for PC. Within 5 years 8k tv will be out, with nothing to watch, but you will be able to upscale the 4k material to 8k. By then I predict 30%-45% of homes will have some kind of 4k set up. By then x.265 and handbrake will support 4k fully, functionally, I'd assume, and MKV is still going to be around, only now there will also be lots of films in 4k mkv, and soon Apple and Itunes will definitely be offering 4k films to own, can't wait!


Bottom line, This is a no brainer, folks. So many misconceptions out there! We NEED a 4k format. Even if YOU never upgrade, it will cause studios to create more, and better newer transfers. MOST blu-rays use old master copies minted in 1080p, designed for DVD originally. Since they CAN'T use those same old masters for a 4k blu-ray, they will have to master it to 4k, or 6k, or 8k. As we all should know, this will also lead to MUCH more remastered blu-rays getting re-released in improved 1080p formats. You can assume the new blu-ray players will be backwards compatible with old disks. People are really aggravating, with their negativity. Do they even love film? Then maybe they should quit complaining about massive improvements!

[Tok]

Originally Posted by philochs

Personally, I cannot believe anyone would be bemoaning this incredible news! ... "an expanded color gamut along with high dynamic range (HDR), as well as HEVC/H.265 encoding" what that means is that this will feature HDR as part of the spec for 4k-blu-ray. HDR is a feature that Dolby has been working on, and new televisions built with HDR as a feature should also then be rolling out by Christmas 2015. HDR is not a gloss over feature. The futuristic H.265 encoding will actually be able to include this HDR info on the 4k Blu Ray disc, and will obviously have to be supported by the new HDR tv and HDR compliant blu ray players to enjoy the full benefit. Then you will be able to understand High Dynamic Range. Which boils down to far superior color reproduction, and way better contrast ratio. People who have personalty seen HDR demos from dolby were blow away. HDR alone is a massive improvement, that anyone will be able to notice on any size screen! It makes detail leap off the sky, it makes old led seem VERY washed out.

Combining this with HEVC, and the increased resolution of 4k? This is a no brainer, folks. So many misconceptions out there! We NEED a 4k format. Even if YOU never upgrade, it will cause studios to create more, and better newer transfers. MOST blu-rays use old master copies minted in 1080p, designed for DVD originally. Since they CAN'T use those same old masters for a 4k blu-ray, they will have to master it to 4k, or 6k, or 8k. As we all should know, this will also lead to MUCH more remastered blu-rays getting re-released in improved 1080p formats. You can assume the new blu-ray players will be backwards compatible with old disks. People are really aggravating, with their negativity. Do they even love film? Then maybe they should quit complaining about massive improvements!

If history has taught us anything it is that the studios are not going to do things the right way. They are going to go the cheap route. Bad transfers will occur on 4K just like they did on DVD and BD. Universal is not going to suddenly turn off the DNR switch.

[philochs]

Yes, but the thing is, they are doing it the right way, just slowly. I own the 4k remasters of the Rambo trilogy, those are not released in US yet, just overseas. I also have 4k remasters of terminator, and robo-cop, Rocky, and taxi driver, and just picked up Rain Man. It is happening. The point is, sure some bad 4k jobs may get done, but the important thing is, they have a ton of classics in the vault that already have good 4k-8k transfers done. When I watch a bad blu-ray, I still notice a big improvement in sound and picture over a dvd. The Beatles Hard Day's Night for another instance will make a very quik port to 4k blu ray format. People who are not importing blu ray, or downloading MKV, but bought the old us versions of Rambo on Blu ray. no, this will cause a lot more 4k remasters! Sorry, there is no way around that fact. Why be so stubborn, and carry such a grudge about it? Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park. Heck, Mrs. Doubtfire. I'll be getting as much 4k blu-rays as I can collect! Double-dipping? No? Dipping for life. The benefits of not being married, my friends!

[Dvd Aficionado]

Let's consider 4K this way:

It'd be superb for those who are planning to purchase a 60" or bigger-sized tv or those watching films on 100" or bigger screen.

To the majority who only watch films on a less than 50" tv, watching 4K blu-rays will give little or no difference at all

[Brightstar]

can someone tell me if we will get Lord Of the Rings in 4k ? if so will it be split onto two disks ?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Dvd Aficionado

Let's consider 4K this way:

It'd be superb for those who are planning to purchase a 60" or bigger-sized tv or those watching films on 100" or bigger screen.

To the majority who only watch films on a less than 50" tv, watching 4K blu-rays will give little or no difference at all

They said that about DVD and Bluray. 42 inch is the new 32 inch these days. 60 inch won't be a big deal soon.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by philochs

Yes, but the thing is, they are doing it the right way, just slowly. I own the 4k remasters of the Rambo trilogy, those are not released in US yet, just overseas. I also have 4k remasters of terminator, and robo-cop, Rocky, and taxi driver, and just picked up Rain Man. It is happening. The point is, sure some bad 4k jobs may get done, but the important thing is, they have a ton of classics in the vault that already have good 4k-8k transfers done. When I watch a bad blu-ray, I still notice a big improvement in sound and picture over a dvd. The Beatles Hard Day's Night for another instance will make a very quik port to 4k blu ray format. People who are not importing blu ray, or downloading MKV, but bought the old us versions of Rambo on Blu ray. no, this will cause a lot more 4k remasters! Sorry, there is no way around that fact. Why be so stubborn, and carry such a grudge about it? Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park. Heck, Mrs. Doubtfire. I'll be getting as much 4k blu-rays as I can collect! Double-dipping? No? Dipping for life. The benefits of not being married, my friends!

Many benefits, including being able to watch a movie in peace! Of course, one can always invite a lady friend over for a 'dirty dancing session' if feeling inclined.

P.s I actually like Dirty Dancing, it's my fave chick flick.

[Brightstar]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Holy shitbeans, the timing of that couldn't be better. New 4K format in late 2015, new SW film being released at the same. To go from "they don't exist any more" (© George Lucas) to holding a pristine 4K restoration in my own hands....I think I'd drop dead on the spot out of sheer delight.

Disney will have to wait till every house hold has a 4k player and tv till they give us the UOT

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Lyris

That's a case in point, actually, that was less disdain and more down to the fact that it was old. The original HD transfer of The Burbs that my colleagues and I said "no thanks" to was probably done on their Rank Mk.III (!) (modified for HD output) some time in the late 1990s. (I think it would take real effort to get that sort of look from something later like a C-Reality). Universal were big fans of CRT telecine and got into the HD film to video game very early, which I think is the reason why much of their back catalog looks the way it does.

I say "disdain" because A) they clearly don't want to pony up the money to redo the titles in their catalogue which are saddled with such creaky old transfers, and B) they ended up adding even more processing to several Blu-ray masters which didn't look too bad on HD DVD to begin with.

They thought they could get away with crapping out their back catalogue onto Blu-ray by fiddling with them a bit more, so why will 4K be any different? It wouldn't surprise me if they started off with those genuine 4K '100th Anniversary' restorations and mixed in a few upconverts. But hopefully the outcry will be so vociferous (seeing as it'll only be the hardcore videophiles who need apply) that they'll be forced to change tack. Or I might be completely wrong and they're working on BTTF in 4K as I type. And pigs might fly...

(What did you transfer 'Burbs from, by the way? The negative or an IP? I presume your new transfer is still technically the property of Universal, they should take a look and see what can be done with a handful of talented individuals.)

[BozQ]

Originally Posted by Brightstar

can someone tell me if we will get Lord Of the Rings in 4k ? if so will it be split onto two disks ?

I doubt so. Most of the visual effects are done in 2K. The DI is also in 2K. I wouldn't hold my breath for 4K.

Similarly for The Hobbit too.

[Dylan34]

Glad to be getting 4k blu-ray. Hopefully we'll get some good 4k unmolested masters. No DNR this time or EE.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by BozQ

I doubt so. Most of the visual effects are done in 2K. The DI is also in 2K. I wouldn't hold my breath for 4K.

Similarly for The Hobbit too.

We're gonna be repeating this for a LOT of movies in the next few years.

[P@t_Mtl]

Great news but I won't be taking part into this party this time around. Had a big collection on Betamax, followed by VHS, Laserdisc, DVD and Blu-ray but things have now change in my life and taking part into a new format is pretty much a dead issue for me. I am looking into a sort of pre-retirement in the next few years and that include moving to a different country, with Sun and no winter. This as been in the plans now for sometime and I even stop buying BD in great numbers compared to how it was in previous years. Even with this I would still have the finances to keep going but frankly I have reach a point where I wish to do other things with my excess cash which does not include buying movies. Overall I have done my part in the last 30 years to help these poor Hollywood producers become rich now I am looking at doing other things, enjoying other things for the (let's hope) 25 to 30 years I might have left on this Earth. I am sure everyone will have fun with this new format however I just won't be part of the party

[Brightstar]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

We're gonna be repeating this for a LOT of movies in the next few years.

so films that are finished in 2k will never come out in 4k right?

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Brightstar

so films that are finished in 2k will never come out in 4k right?

That's up to the studios. Any films that are to be released for 4K BD would have to a 4K or higher master if they are to look at least possible. Sony has been doing 4K masters for years, but most of the other studios are still stuck at 2K because it's cheaper. Universal is in trouble for sure as most of their catalog consists of masters that are 10-20 years old.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Brightstar

so films that are finished in 2k will never come out in 4k right?

No, I said that we're gonna be repeating wot BozQ said for a while yet.

Doesn't mean you won't see any 4K rebuilds (probably with upscaled VFX) EVER, but, as with 3D conversions, it'll take time and money to do it properly and the market simply doesn't exist to support such things yet.

Still, as I said before, even a straight upscale from 2K (providing it's good quality to begin with, *cough* Universal *cough*) onto 4K Blu-ray could still take advantage of the improved specs of that format as far as bit depth and colour gamut are concerned.

[Brightstar]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

No, I said that we're gonna be repeating wot BozQ said for a while yet.

Doesn't mean you won't see any 4K rebuilds (probably with upscaled VFX) EVER, but, as with 3D conversions, it'll take time and money to do it properly and the market simply doesn't exist to support such things yet.

Still, as I said before, even a straight upscale from 2K (providing it's good quality to begin with, *cough* Universal *cough*) onto 4K Blu-ray could still take advantage of the improved specs of that format as far as bit depth and colour gamut are concerned.

Thanks for clearing that up i am happy with 1080p for now i can wait another 10 years for 4k to take off