Sony "Mastered in 4K" Blu-ray Titles May 14 and July 16

[Sky_Captain]

Received Ghostbusters and Spider-Man today.

Spider-Man has always looked a bit crap on home formats and when I popped this disc in, I have to be honest, it didn't blow my skirt up.

"Is that it?" I thought.

HOWEVER...

Comparing it with the most recent UK issuing, the one with the extras and the same transfer as the original barebones disc, the differences become very apparent.

Just in terms of sheer clarity, resolution and color, the 4K disc is definitely an improvement. That mushy grain, mixed with video noise from the older releases, is gone. A nice layer of proper fine grain. It also appears to be a shade brighter, but with still solid black levels. I always found that they tried to hide some of the more questionable CGI in this movie by darkening it, (as per the original DVD). There's some extremely minor haloing going on here and there, but nothing to shit the bed over.

So unlike me, don't be fooled by initial impressions, this is the best this film has looked on home video.

[rickah88]

So you wear a skirt?
I'm looking forward to Glory/Angels & Demons next week.

[Sky_Captain]

Oh yeah, I like to get some air about me, lol

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

Oh yeah, I like to get some air about me, lol

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

Received Ghostbusters and Spider-Man today.

Spider-Man has always looked a bit crap on home formats and when I popped this disc in, I have to be honest, it didn't blow my skirt up.

"Is that it?" I thought.

HOWEVER...

Comparing it with the most recent UK issuing, the one with the extras and the same transfer as the original barebones disc, the differences become very apparent.

Just in terms of sheer clarity, resolution and color, the 4K disc is definitely an improvement. That mushy grain, mixed with video noise from the older releases, is gone. A nice layer of proper fine grain. It also appears to be a shade brighter, but with still solid black levels. I always found that they tried to hide some of the more questionable CGI in this movie by darkening it, (as per the original DVD). There's some extremely minor haloing going on here and there, but nothing to shit the bed over.

So unlike me, don't be fooled by initial impressions, this is the best this film has looked on home video.

Are the crap muted colours the same?

[Sky_Captain]

No, definitely not. Colours are much more vibrant. One of the first things I noticed. Especially MJ's hair.

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

No, definitely not. Colours are much more vibrant. One of the first things I noticed. Especially MJ's hair.

Sold, the colour reproduction on the first disc was ass, can you do caps?

[Sky_Captain]

No, I'm still a tramp in that regard, I'm afraid, lol

[Noodles5666]

Just put in for the 3 free "Mastered in 4K" registration of my XBRX900A

[tylergfoster]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

***Patiently waiting for "Mastered in 4K" Bram Stroker's Dracula***

Don't forget, you'll have to hope that Coppola doesn't get to mess with it, since the changes came from him.

[GenPion]

Anyone know if these are going to be carried in local stores Tuesday? I want to know if anyone will be carrying these for less than the $15 prices on Amazon.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by rickah88

So you wear a skirt?
I'm looking forward to Glory/Angels & Demons next week.

and apparently he shits the bed ...

not but seriously, Sky_Captain's comments are helpful (and funny) and I'll bite for the Spider-Man disc.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

and apparently he shits the bed ...

not but seriously, Sky_Captain's comments are helpful (and funny) and I'll bite for the Spider-Man disc.

TMI!! TMI!!!
All the early info is definitely appreciated.

[JavaJulien]

Good to hear that there looks to be actual improvements. Going to finally get the Sam Raimi Spider-Man Trilogy (when the other two come out), Taxi Driver, and Ghostbusters. I may be rebuying Glory as well.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by JavaJulien

Good to hear that there looks to be actual improvements. Going to finally get the Sam Raimi Spider-Man Trilogy (when the other two come out), Taxi Driver, and Ghostbusters. I may be rebuying Glory as well.

the original 2011 Taxi Driver blu was from a 4K scan, looks great to my eyes

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

Received Ghostbusters and Spider-Man today.

Spider-Man has always looked a bit crap on home formats and when I popped this disc in, I have to be honest, it didn't blow my skirt up.

"Is that it?" I thought.

HOWEVER...

Comparing it with the most recent UK issuing, the one with the extras and the same transfer as the original barebones disc, the differences become very apparent.

Just in terms of sheer clarity, resolution and color, the 4K disc is definitely an improvement. That mushy grain, mixed with video noise from the older releases, is gone. A nice layer of proper fine grain. It also appears to be a shade brighter, but with still solid black levels. I always found that they tried to hide some of the more questionable CGI in this movie by darkening it, (as per the original DVD). There's some extremely minor haloing going on here and there, but nothing to shit the bed over.

So unlike me, don't be fooled by initial impressions, this is the best this film has looked on home video.

That, sir, is spot on. I'm comparing the same discs you are and reached the same conclusions. The grain is tighter, and detail with it, allowing the film to break free from the smudgy appearance on the current Blu-ray. What also allows the detail to shine is that the *very* light application of sharpening on the old transfer is gone.

Halos are indeed still visible here and there, like Peter on the roof as he tries out his web slinging for the first time, but I think those are actually baked in to the film. The movie didn't get a complete DI but some scenes were graded that way, and I reckon the rooftop is one of those scenes.

Overall though, it's really, really nice. Did it need all this 4K marketing hoopla to bring out the extra goodness? Probably not, it's simply the fact that it's a new transfer with zero filtering and a cavernous encode. I ain't complaining though, as we've got a lovely new presentation of the film. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do Spider-Man 2 next Mr. Sony!!!!

[marine92104]

Dang I was going to buy Spider-man 4k but saw Amazon raised the price to $18.96

Looks like I'll have to make a trip to Best Buy.

[Mr. Cinema]

Spider-man 4K has an 8 digit sku, so it probably won't be in stores at Best Buy. The website has it in stock now as they listed the release date as 5/7.

[JavaJulien]

So was Ghostbusters a noticeable improvement?

[nolfoc]

these can be played on standard BD players, correct?