The Martian 4K UHD (2015)

[SPIDERone]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It sounds as if you're championing a format which you only have a casual familiarity with (my mistake if you've got loads of 3D titles), as most modern 3D releases from the majors come on separate 3D and 2D discs nowadays

I've actually got a big collection of 3D (194 titles), but wasn't familiar with the downgrade when played in 2D. I know most titles do have separate discs, but figured that was more to (1) not scare off people with 2D-only sets who might not want to buy a "3D" movie even if the disc plays in 2D and (2) to use that extra space for special features.
I figured if companies were doing the 2D/3D combo discs they must be fine, but that seems to not be the case.

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Basically, sticking all three separate discs in one package (UHD + 2D + 3D) for new releases would cost silly money and would kill the UHD format quicker than a bullet, it's just too much baggage IMO. Including the regular 2D Blu is all about providing a playback-agnostic (but still high quality) HD legacy version, not to pander to a specialised subsection of what is already a marginalised format.

And you could be totally right here.. it will cost more to include 3 discs opposed to 2 discs, but I think that's what the format needs when its starting out. Not for every title, but for those available in 3D.

I think the problem is that it forces people to choose between 2 formats: 3D or 4K.
With Blu-Ray it was easy.. Have a 3D TV? Buy the 3D disc and get the 2D free. Have a regular HDTV? Buy the Blu-Ray. Have a SDTV? Buy the DVD.

When you start to compare 2 different niche formats (1080p 3D and 4K 2D) and try to sell them as 2 different SKUs it can divide that market and cut into sales from the format you're TRYING to sell them on and get them to invest in (4K).

The Martian was a huge movie. The 3D release has been a widely-anticipated release for a while now. To launch a 4K release of it a month afterwards and only include a 2D 1080p copy will likely cost them some possible sales to people like me who would gladly pay extra to "future proof" their discs.
I don't have a 4K TV yet, I don't have an UltraHD Blu-Ray player yet.. but if I could have thrown down a few extra bucks over the 3D release to get that and start building a collection, it would push me to getting those.
As it is, I have little interest in the 2D 1080p release when there's a better option out there for me (3D).

Maybe I'm totally wrong though. I was an early adopter of both HDDVD and Blu-Ray.. bought up the new releases on day-1.. and it was an obvious choice. If a new movie was on HDDVD or Blu-Ray (alongside DVD) I'd buy the HD version.

For a new release a few months from now being sold as a $25-30 3D release and a $30-40 4K release.. it doesn't really give me much of an incentive to go out and rush to a 4K Player and discs, whereas including a 3D disc definitely would

(Just my personal thoughts on the subject!)

[mogwai_macabre]

In this day and age, I don't see any reason why they can't sell a definitive edition of a title. Especially high grossing titles like The Martian.

They are already throwing in Blu-ray and digital copies. What does it really cost them to toss in a 3D disc? Hell, if they are really that worried about it, just make a 3D Blu-ray + UHD option available for another $5. I mean...they are already gonna have a DVD, Blu-ray/DVD, 3D Blu-ray, and UHD releases. Really, what is one more?

Milking an already niche market isn't going to help anyone.

[Outlaw1986]

Well, I'll just give this movie a rent, and if I like it, it will be my first uhd disc since I'm probably just going to start buying uhd combo packs for new movies even if I don't get a player right away.

[Sgt. Angle]

Originally Posted by aireegory

I would have considered it if it included the 3D.

Same here. I'm torn on which version to purchase! I continue to purchase and enjoy 3D discs in my setup, but then again want to start a UHD collection as well. Not including the 3D disc with the UHD release is baffling to me.

[Pyro.Kitty]

Originally Posted by mogwai_macabre

In this day and age, I don't see any reason why they can't sell a definitive edition of a title. Especially high grossing titles like The Martian.

They are already throwing in Blu-ray and digital copies. What does it really cost them to toss in a 3D disc? Hell, if they are really that worried about it, just make a 3D Blu-ray + UHD option available for another $5. I mean...they are already gonna have a DVD, Blu-ray/DVD, 3D Blu-ray, and UHD releases. Really, what is one more?

Milking an already niche market isn't going to help anyone.

^ Thank you. Couldn't have said it better.

[Pyro.Kitty]

Can we please start a petition or something... It's really now or never, imo.

[Leonidas King]

So exactly why should the UHD version getting released in March and not this Tuesday? I was so ready to get it this Tuesday.

[Jay Mammoth]

Originally Posted by Leonidas_King

So exactly why should the UHD version getting released in March and not this Tuesday? I was so ready to get it this Tuesday.

Probably has to do with customer confusion. Most people would probably try playing the UHD disc in their bluray players and getting error messages. They want to wait until players are in stores.

[wesslan]

Still no word on new audiospecs for these first UHD titles?

Those missing atmos on blu-ray from fox is rumoured to get them on UHD only while sony and warner seem to add atmos right now.

[#Darren]

Why is there no 3D on this?

[#Darren]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

3D and UHD are not the same viewing market...and including 3D would have driven up the already higher cost of the UHD disc. It makes sense they didn't include it as people don't want to have to pay $50 for it. Including a standard 2D BD is smart as it allows for future proofing...people can buy it knowing they can watch UHD disc down the road if they won't be watching it anytime soon (like me).

Why aren't they the same viewing market? Excuse my ignorance..

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by #Darren

Why aren't they the same viewing market? Excuse my ignorance..

3D is its own little thing, with haters and lover and a lot of room between. UHD is more a standard upgrade to the standard movie experience. I am definitely interested in better video and color, but I have zero interest in 3D. It's that simple.

The BDs included in these UHD releases are for people to either A) watch while they wait for a 4k player or TV, or B) to watch on their secondary system. Neither of those things scream 3D. 3D would actually be detrimental to the purpose.

[SPIDERone]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

3D is its own little thing, with haters and lover and a lot of room between. UHD is more a standard upgrade to the standard movie experience. I am definitely interested in better video and color, but I have zero interest in 3D. It's that simple.

The BDs included in these UHD releases are for people to either A) watch while they wait for a 4k player or TV, or B) to watch on their secondary system. Neither of those things scream 3D. 3D would actually be detrimental to the purpose.

I definitely agree that feelings on 3D are very mixed -- and I don't think including a free 3D disc will sell UltraHD owners on the 3D format. I think the benefit is in the opposite (getting 3D owners, who are already used to paying a premium and already into adopting "new" technology, into the 4K option by just paying a little more than they normally would be)

Both formats are a pretty niche market at this point.. Theres probably a good overlap of those adopting UltraHD having also been early to adopt 3D and Blu-Ray. Having those people decide between 2 niche formats hurts both of them and bundling them together would add extra value to both sides. How much more would it actually cost them?

The problem isn't just having to decide "Do I want to spend $25 on a 3D disc or $30 on a 4K disc?". I already have a 3DTV.. they're trying to sell me on a $400+ player and a 2D format when a 3D version (in 1080p exists) -- having these separate makes the decision to go 3D easy for me since I won't need a $400 player (and can watch it in 3D right now).
Selling these 4K discs to owners of 3D would make it an easy sell and get those people to be more open to the UltraHD Format.

Right now, of the ~20 UltraHD Discs I've seen listed, most of them are ones I've recently purchased.. I don't want to drop another $30-40 per disc for released that I just paid $20 for last month on Blu-Ray.
On the other hand, if I had the option to pay an extra few bucks right now for a combo pack which will future-proof my collection.. I'm all for it. The problem is when the option is 2D for $20, 3D for $25 and 2D+4K for $30.. it's forcing me to choose between 3D and 4K. Had it been 3D+4K for $30 (or $35) I'd happy pick those up so I'm ready when I get a 4K player.

The potential audience for UltraHD discs are people with a 4KTV (which are still relatively new), but they're trying to sell those people a player that costs $400+.. the easier they can make that decision, the better it will be. I'm much more likely to upgrade if I already have a handful of compatible discs.. I'm less likely to want to upgrade if I know new discs will have me deciding between two formats depending if I want 4K or 3D.

(And again, this wouldn't be every disc. I'm not suggesting every single 4K title needs a 3D discs included.. only ones where a 3D version exists)

[MisterXDTV]

It's confirmed that Fox will give Dolby Atmos exclusively to UHD BD....

So the Martian will have it for sure...

[imsounoriginal]

Rookie question, but will 4K players also play 3D BDs? My folks have a 4K curved TV that plays 3D, but I guess it never occurred to me that the actual disc players may not support 3D Blu-rays, even if they play 2D Blu-rays.

[SPIDERone]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Rookie question, but will 4K players also play 3D BDs? My folks have a 4K curved TV that plays 3D, but I guess it never occurred to me that the actual disc players may not support 3D Blu-rays, even if they play 2D Blu-rays.

I assume most will.

The Samsung one, at least, will support it:

" In addition to handling standard and 3D Blu-ray media, the UBD-K8500 supports the playback of Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. Furthermore, integrated Video and UHD Upscaling technology allows you to enjoy optimized image quality from DVD and Blu-ray video sources. "

[Geoff D]

SPIDER, while there are guys like you who'll happily shell out for a true 'Ultimate Edition' there really aren't many other people in the grand scheme of things who will: there's the 3D hardcore who consider it an outrage that UHD has no stereo viewing option (some of them still boycott 3D conversions, for ****'s sake), then there's the people who don't care a jot about 3D and would object to paying extra to have a disc that's all but useless to them.

I think the point is that the UHD retail releases aren't intended to be some all-in-one repository for every 5" disc format, they're about pushing UHD first and foremost and the included 'legacy' disc is just that: something that people can slide into other BD players in their house without having to think about whether it'll play or not. Adding a 3D disc won't affect that aspect, sure, but given how 3D releases from the majors still command premium prices they wouldn't let a three-disc UHD combo go for cheap and UHD media simply can't afford to be priced out of the market right now.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Rookie question, but will 4K players also play 3D BDs? My folks have a 4K curved TV that plays 3D, but I guess it never occurred to me that the actual disc players may not support 3D Blu-rays, even if they play 2D Blu-rays.

3D support is also on the Panasonic model that's been announced. It's optional but I can't see any manufacturers leaving it off any more than they'd leave it off their regular higher end BD players.

[Ruined]

Is there going to be a banner or label that specifies which UHD Blu-ray Discs require online activation? I know it is now confirmed online activation will be in all UHD Blu-ray players, but I am wondering if there will be some universal labeling to specify which UHD BD discs require online activation?

[radewagon]

Originally Posted by SPIDERone

Both formats are a pretty niche market at this point.. Theres probably a good overlap of those adopting UltraHD having also been early to adopt 3D and Blu-Ray. Having those people decide between 2 niche formats hurts both of them and bundling them together would add extra value to both sides. How much more would it actually cost them?

This guy gets it. To me, the real question is how much more would it actually cost them. Seriously, how much? NOT how much would they like to charge us for the effort, but how much it would actually cost them to add one silly little disc? My guess is that it is fairly insignificant.

And so, for the price of this little disc, they are willing to have people decide between two formats. Which is dumb. People that spend the extra dough to enjoy 3D are the exact people you want becoming early adopters. Forcing that market to choose between 3D and 4K is unwise.