4K Digital Exclusives (these are a problem).

[TheSweetieMan]

I know there is a digital sub-forum, but I would like to request the mods keep this thread in this section, as I think it not only would gain more traffic and discussion in here--but it also plays a bit of importance in the current state of physical media, but more specifically, 4K physical media. But it's their call.

Anyway, I just read that Lionsgate have decided to make The Hurt Locker' a digital exclusive 4K-Ultra HD release beginning on February 4th, 2020. You read about it here.

This is very disappointing for someone like myself, as I love that film. I love pretty much all war-based films (as long as they're good, duh)--but more importantly, this is now another quality film that is not going to see the light of physical UHD release, similar to that as the following films:

'The Silence of the Lambs' (its Vudu encode is solid, and it has a Dolby Vision pass and all--and the overall image quality is even better than the very good Criterion release) but it doesn't look like we will get this on disc any time soon.

'Little Women' from Sony

'Chinatown'

'Die Hard' 2 through 4

'Home Alone'

there's probably more that I just can't think of off the top of my head. But as much as we all love and keep fighting for physical media to stay alive--it's decisions like this, particularly with smaller, more independent films, that just can't seem to get over the hump and receive the proper treatment on the home format that they deserve.

[Patsfan123]

There have been 4K digital exclusives since before UBD.. There are hundreds.. This isn't new or only a 4K problem. There are many HD movies only available digitally as well.

[DJR662]

I hope this is just an error and it will be released on physical UHD as well.

[KubrickKurasawa]

Interesting thread is actually interesting.

What is this non physical format. Me no likie. I feel for the hurt locker fans.

I think its time we start accepting different non physical media. make peace with the pain. They know not what they do.

[Patsfan123]

Go to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...BbUtHtmh4/edit and peruse what is out digitally. You will see 100's of digital 4K exclusives listed.

You can even filter to Lionsgate and see the many digital exclusives already out. Heck there was 1 yesterday.

[KubrickKurasawa]

Originally Posted by Patsfan123

Go to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...BbUtHtmh4/edit and peruse what is out digitally. You will see 100's of digital 4K exclusives listed.

You can even filter to Lionsgate and see the many digital exclusives already out. Heck there was 1 yesterday.

There are just to many options these days. Its scary.

[dickdarlington]

Except this isn't Lionsgate first time releasing a title in 4K via digital methods only. Just referencing films that came out this year: both Long Shot and Midsommar received physical releases on DVD and Blu-ray, but was only made available in 4K on digital platforms such as iTunes and Vudu.

They're not the only ones guilty of that. Universal and Warner have released a lot of their new releases in 4K only through the various digital outlets and have not made them available physically. I bought Happy Death Day 2U and Blinded by the Light on iTunes/MoviesAnywhere once they went on sale as they're only available physically in 1080p, but are 4K digitally. Conjuring fans were also upset Warner released The Curse of La Llorona and Annabelle Comes Home on 4K digitally, but not physically.

With physical sales declining year after year, its not surprising this is a trend that has been gaining momentum. There's a lot less cost involved sending a film out digitally than having to put the materials together for a physical releases that might not move copies.

[HD Goofnut]

As others have said it's getting out of control. I was hoping when Movies Anywhere hit the scene a few years ago that all of the studios would put their digital library in one place. Well, Paramount and Lionsgate through a kink into that as we all know. To make matters worse UHD titles do not necessarily redeem in 4K on VUDU. There's just too many digital providers and everyone wants a piece of the pie.

[KubrickKurasawa]

Originally Posted by dickdarlington

Except this isn't Lionsgate first time releasing a title in 4K via digital methods only. Just referencing films that came out this year: both Long Shot and Midsommar received physical releases on DVD and Blu-ray, but was only made available in 4K on digital platforms such as iTunes and Vudu.

They're not the only ones guilty of that. Universal and Warner have released a lot of their new releases in 4K only through the various digital outlets and have not made them available physically. I bought Happy Death Day 2U and Blinded by the Light on iTunes/MoviesAnywhere once they went on sale as they're only available physically in 1080p, but are 4K digitally. Conjuring fans were also upset Warner released The Curse of La Llorona and Annabelle Comes Home on 4K digitally, but not physically.

With physical sales declining year after year, its not surprising this is a trend that has been gaining momentum. There's a lot less cost involved sending a film out digitally than having to put the materials together for a physical releases that might not move copies.

Stop! I'm crying!

[fighthefutureofhd]

But Little Women hasn't come out in theaters yet. How do we know it's not going to be on 4K UHD?

[TheSweetieMan]

Originally Posted by fighthefutureofhd

But Little Women hasn't come out in theaters yet. How do we know it's not going to be on 4K UHD?

1994 film, guy.

[fighthefutureofhd]

Oh. Didn't even know that was on 4K.

[DJR662]

I'm really starting to think maybe I should stop supporting digital (by "buying" movies that are digital 4K only) instead of supporting it...

[fighthefutureofhd]

UM, Yeah!!!! It's a sacrifice, but it's worth it. Trust me. Some of my favorite movies are on 4k right now, but they're not on a disc. As much as I hate to, I will not support anything less than physical media.

[TheSweetieMan]

Some more titles I just thought of:

'American Sniper'
'Edge of Tomorrow'

The Conjuring films and the Annabelle films.

[awp69]

Cotton Club Encore is another Lionsgate title that was released in 4K only on digital this week.

[zen007]

If the quality of digital is good, I have nothing to complain about. I support 4K transfers not the delivery channel. If the transfer is good on disc, I will get it. If it is good on digital, I will get it too.

[Zoland2020]

Gamer (2009) is another Lionsgate flick that got 4K digitally but no physical 4K release as of this writing.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by TheSweetieMan

Some more titles I just thought of:

'American Sniper'
'Edge of Tomorrow'

The Conjuring films and the Annabelle films.

Only the first Conjuring is in 4K, which, along with Annabelle, Underworld Evolution and Resident Evil, was the main reason for me at the time for getting an ATV4K. Now I have these:

-Poltergeist 2015
-Resident Evil
-Underworld Evolution
-Annabelle 1-3
-The Conjuring
-Hotel Transylvania 1+2
-Crawl
-Geostorm
-Live By Night
-Silence Of The Lambs
-Die Hard 2
-The Curse Of La Llorona
-Edge Of Tomorrow (good contender for "fake HDR"? )

Some of these look quite lovely, especially Die Hard 2 and Resident Evil... Wish these were on UHD. Underworld Evolution, Conjuring and Annabelle too.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by awp69

Cotton Club Encore is another Lionsgate title that was released in 4K only on digital this week.

really? that I did not know - thanks for the head's up