The Matrix 4K UHD (1999)

[roguejp]

I'm just keeping my Ultimate collection and will also buy the new ones.
So if I'm feeling green, I'll have the option of taking out the old one .

[legends of beyond]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

From what I understand the green tint was a strong stylistic choice for the sequels, which of course for the later DVD, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray they re-graded the first film to be more in line with Reloaded and Revolutions which had previously had a more neutral colour pallet in theaters, VHS, Laserdisc and on the older DVD.

This new BD and UHD looks like its gone back to the way The Matrix originally looked in its early life BEFORE the sequels were even announced.


Would be funny if the new BD and UHD of Reloaded and Revolutions go the other way around by revising the green heavy colour timing to a more neutral grading to better match with the look of The Matrix.

Paybacks a *****..

There's still a green tint present (for the most part), it's just less pronounced and eats up less skin tones, which is what at the very least I wanted. We know there was always a green tint present in the matrix, just that it's been VERY overdone by the Watchowski Sisters since 2004. The only question is if it eats highlight detail like the 2004 master.

[OutOfBoose]

Originally Posted by pawel86ck

With green tint applied remastered BD looks even darker to me, at least in this particular scene
https://s31.postimg.cc/zdgsdbdk9/a232.jpg
https://static.afbeeldinguploaden.nl...2/QuLAGV4x.jpg

The image can be darkened even without green tint. What's you point? As I said earlier, other shots from this scene show it's too bright on the new BD, even if it doesn't affect this particular shot.

Only some outdoor scenes looks indeed too bright, for example screenshots from "training" scene in particular, but I dont know if it was intented look or result of bad BD transfer.

Not only some outdoor scenes. There are my indoor shots with nuked highlights (or flattened) on the new BD. Oracle, Neo vs. Morpheus, Neo interrogation... A number of scenes with elevated shadows.

[Destinys Memory]

Originally Posted by FilmBufffff

Worse...$32. I really want this but that price is garbage. Shame on you WB, shame.

Fry's is a little more down to Earth at $29.99. Remembered I had a 20% off Google Express promo, so I got it down to $23.99 with free delivery on Wednesday.

[bookcase]

Originally Posted by PrestonXI

Seems to be pretty standard for WB UHD.

$29.99 is standard for WB new releases, which I refuse to pay. I'm certainly not paying it for a catalogue title despite me wanting it very badly. But WB tend to drop in price eventually, so I can wait.

[imsounoriginal]

$24.99 at Amazon + tax - whatever I get for the code - whatever I get for the remastered BD = this is very affordable.

[mhp68]

Originally Posted by Destinys Memory

Fry's is a little more down to Earth at $29.99. Remembered I had a 20% off Google Express promo, so I got it down to $23.99 with free delivery on Wednesday.

Thank you, just got the same deal-

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

$24.99 at Amazon + tax - whatever I get for the code - whatever I get for the remastered BD = this is very affordable.

When I visit Amazon, it still shows $31.99.

https://www.amazon.com/The-Matrix-4K...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

At that price, I will wait until it drops to something I consider more reasonable, namely $24.99. I have a few other things that I can watch until the price inevitably drops.

[pawel86ck]

Originally Posted by OutOfBoose

The image can be darkened even without green tint. What's you point? As I said earlier, other shots from this scene show it's too bright on the new BD, even if it doesn't affect this particular shot.
Not only some outdoor scenes. There are my indoor shots with nuked highlights (or flattened) on the new BD. Oracle, Neo vs. Morpheus, Neo interrogation... A number of scenes with elevated shadows.

Before you were refering to this particular lobby screenshot (you have even quoted it), so I wanted to show you black level and shadow details arnt as bad as you trying to tell (I have just added stronger green tint, no additional brightness and contrast tweaks), because the end result looks similar, and there's only a little increase in contrast and brightness levels between first BD and remastered.

Scene with Oracle
https://static.afbeeldinguploaden.nl...6/5iV6SH5f.jpg
https://s9.postimg.cc/ftjjwr08t/image.jpg
Again shadow details difference is there, but it's subtle.

Remastered BD is way too bright in some scenes, no doubts about it, but it looks to me like these are outdoor scenes mostly.
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/scree...28&position=16
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/scree...28&position=30
UHD reviews are good, and even camera photos clearly suggest UHD disc is much darker, so I think you should be happy anyway

[The Fallen Deity]

Hmm...

Not sure about the contrast on this transfer but my god, the detail and colour timing are miles better then the original BD!

[OutOfBoose]

Originally Posted by pawel86ck

Before you were refering to this particular lobby screenshot (you have even quoted it), so I wanted to show you black level and shadow details arnt as bad as you trying to tell (I have just added stronger green tint, no additional brightness and contrast tweaks), because the end result looks similar, and there's only a little increase in contrast and brightness levels between first BD and remastered.

Green tint or not - it's not important. Higher contrast (darker shadows) can be achieved without it.

Scene with Oracle
https://static.afbeeldinguploaden.nl...6/5iV6SH5f.jpg
https://s9.postimg.cc/ftjjwr08t/image.jpg
Again shadow details difference is there, but it's subtle.

I'm talking about nuked highlights, you're talking about shadows. Oracle scene has decent shadows, even though they're brighter on the new BD, but the main problem is highlights. Look at the window, lol.

Remastered BD is way too bright in some scenes, no doubts about it, but it looks to me like these are outdoor scenes mostly.
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/scree...28&position=16
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/scree...28&position=30
UHD reviews are good, and even camera photos clearly suggest UHD disc is much darker, so I think you should be happy anyway

Remastered blu-ray is brighter than the old BD. It affects all scenes in general, but some scenes have much more washed out black levels and nuked highlights. Both indoor and outdoor shots. I showed you exact examples. There's nothing to argue about.

[pawel86ck]

OutOfBoose - If UHD will resolve all missing highlights, and improve colors and blacks at the same time, then I have nothing to worry about because it will be a perfect transfer anyway . Many studios dont bother including remastered BD with UHD disc because maybe they dont want additional costs. Master for UHD (made with HDR in mind) will be bad for BD transfer anyway and they would have to spend additional resources just to make a proper BD master (and BD transfer) correctly.

[ChrisV784]

I want this, but I just can't justify spending $31.99 on it right now. I hate the pricing of these WB catalog titles.

[OutOfBoose]

Originally Posted by pawel86ck

OutOfBoose - If UHD will resolve all missing highlights, and improve colors and blacks at the same time, then I have nothing to worry about because it will be a perfect transfer anyway . Many studios dont bother including remastered BD with UHD disc because maybe they dont want additional costs. Master for UHD (made with HDR in mind) will be bad for BD transfer anyway and they would have to spend additional resources just to make a proper BD master (and BD transfer) correctly.

Obviously. As long as the UHD doesn't have these problems, I'm good.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Funny thing is though most studios are using Dolby Vision to master their HDR product, whether it ends up that way on physical UHD disc or not - I don't work in the biz so I'm only going on what I've heard/deduced, by all means shoot me down in flames if necessary - and yet the SDR trim passes of newly remastered catalogue stuff often comes out looking really harsh and overcooked on 1080p Blu. I can't believe how shitty the new BD of CE3K is, for example, with not only lots of blown out highlights but really crushed blacks too. And yet the SDR passes of new movies released simultaneously on UHD and BD tend to look a bit more capable to my eyes in terms of highlights, it still seems to be the case that the SDR version is the primary creative intent and the HDR is done afterwards whereas on these catalogue remasters they seem to start with the HDR pass and trim the SDR out of that which doesn't always seem to be ideal, DV or not.

Agreed. I found the color on Unforgiven BD remastered to be off, as well. I just get the feeling some sort application/program is being used to automatically convert HDR/P3 to SDR 709 which explains why some these remastered BDs have various oddities to them...because they certainly don't have to. But hey, at least they are prioritizing UHD over BD for these releases.

[chip75]

Remember that the Amazon.co.uk price is (roughly) $21.53 plus shipping. You guys don't have to pay VAT.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by chip75

Remember that the Amazon.co.uk price is (roughly) $21.53 plus shipping. You guys don't have to pay VAT.

I must remember to check Amazon.uk more often; they are frequently more affordable.

[BobbyMcGee]

Watched my copy last night, I was impressed. Hadn't seen the film in a few years so it was also fun to revisit an old favorite.

[Tru-way]

Originally Posted by ChrisV784

I want this, but I just can't justify spending $31.99 on it right now. I hate the pricing of these WB catalog titles.

I wouldn't pay that price for a current year release much less a 19 year old one.

Not feeding the greed, so I will wait for a reasonable 25$ price point.

[Pyoko]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

And yet the SDR passes of new movies released simultaneously on UHD and BD tend to look a bit more capable to my eyes in terms of highlights, it still seems to be the case that the SDR version is the primary creative intent and the HDR is done afterwards whereas on these catalogue remasters they seem to start with the HDR pass and trim the SDR out of that which doesn't always seem to be ideal, DV or not.

I believe so too and it makes perfect sense. With new movies the theatrical SDR release is the main intent (albeit in P3,) with catalog remasters the HDR UHD is the main selling point.

And why spend more money on a competent SDR grade in order to sell a $15 disc, when they're trying to sell people on a $25 disc? They probably assume most of the nutters crazy enough to buy the movies again and again (and on physical media no less, what is this, the '90s?) have already upgraded to 4K so no big loss there if it's not perfect.