4K stream vs Blu-Ray disc

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

The question, and my reply, is as relevant today as when it was posted.

See that you have an Apple TV 4K listed, do you ever watch any content with integer frame rates?

[slaizer2000]

Just from a visual perspective there was quite a leap with streaming 4k when hdr and dolby vision were added. Streaming HD or 4k always looked more flat and washed out to me. And of course that is just my opinion. I also now find myself upgrading from bluray disc to 4k digital because of it. Especially with the cost of the upgrades in the trading forums.

Audio still sounds way better on a disc than streaming (in my opinion).

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by slaizer2000

Just from a visual perspective there was quite a leap with streaming 4k when hdr and dolby vision were added. Streaming HD or 4k always looked more flat and washed out to me. And of course that is just my opinion. I also now find myself upgrading from bluray disc to 4k digital because of it. Especially with the cost of the upgrades in the trading forums.

Audio still sounds way better on a disc than streaming (in my opinion).

Just compare this famous scene from RED on your entertainment setup flipping from RED being streamed versa playing the BD, world of difference if you got a modest AVR and speaker setup.

Red (1/11) Movie CLIP - Moses and Mayhem (2010) HD - YouTube

Streaming is lossy DD+ audio, BD use DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit), UHD BD uses Dolby Atmos.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by slaizer2000

Audio still sounds way better on a disc than streaming (in my opinion).

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Streaming is lossy DD+ audio, BD use DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit), UHD BD uses Dolby Atmos.

What JohnAV said + Dolby Atmos and DTS:X can be accommodated on standard Blu-ray disc and there are several titles available. The content providers seem to reserve immersive audio for UHD Blu-ray disc.

[Krimreaper]

I read all the comments. Thank you for your reply.

Originally Posted by cgpublic

The question, and my reply, is as relevant today as when it was posted.

If and when the OP checks back, it will be waiting there, along for anyone else asking the question.

[lgans316]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

What JohnAV said + Dolby Atmos and DTS:X can be accommodated on standard Blu-ray disc and there are several titles available. The content providers seem to reserve immersive audio for UHD Blu-ray disc.

Its most likely due to ARC limitation of 1 Mbps. Once eARC becomes a norm, I expect bump in audio bit rates.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by lgans316

Its most likely due to ARC limitation of 1 Mbps. Once eARC becomes a norm, I expect bump in audio bit rates.

The marketplace doesn’t work like that. Broadcasters or VoD providers have little interest with providing lossless audio tied to 4K content to most consumers that barely have anything resembling a HT with surround sound speakers. They will just provide the minimum quality to be competitive with their established norms of operations.

[lgans316]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

The marketplace doesn’t work like that. Broadcasters or VoD providers have little interest with providing lossless audio tied to 4K content to most consumers that barely have anything resembling a HT with surround sound speakers. They will just provide the minimum quality to be competitive with their established norms of operations.

This is based on what I heard from insiders. Providers are unable to bump the audio bit rates as they stick to the lowest common denominator which is Optical and ARC.

At least we now get 640 / 768 Kbps for Atmos which is higher than the DVD days which we all drooled over in the late 90s and early 20s and somehow these now sound crap.

[From Beyond]

Originally Posted by slaizer2000

Just from a visual perspective there was quite a leap with streaming 4k when hdr and dolby vision were added.

Agreed, this has been my experience too

[avs commenter]

Originally Posted by From Beyond

Agreed, this has been my experience too

Yep. Before 4K, I could always see the difference in an HD stream vs HD disc. But now with 4K HDR stream, the difference with a disc is hardy noticeable for me. And oddly enough, the difference in bitrate is much higher.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by avs commenter

Yep. Before 4K, I could always see the difference in an HD stream vs HD disc. But now with 4K HDR stream, the difference with a disc is hardy noticeable for me. And oddly enough, the difference in bitrate is much higher.

You surprise me!

[mdo7]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

This might help also

Apple TV 4K iTunes Movies (Dolby Vision HDR) vs 4K Blu-ray - YouTube

And I'm going to add these video(s) from film at home who explain in great detail about how 4K UHD blu-ray is superior to 4K streaming:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcC1Gj1wtls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVJtTBo00Ts

Disclaimer: I don't own or have any UHD TV or 4K UHD blu-rays.

But when it comes to viewing experience, I know that blu-ray outdo streaming when it comes to image and video quality.

[Comp625]

New poster here (but long-time lurker). This has been a very helpful thread so I appreciate everyone's input (especially the part about how audio bitrate is limited to accommodate ARC and Optical).

Going forward, if I care about video quality but not enough to splurge on the disc, I'll probably only redeem on a platform that links to MoviesAnywhere (or to purchase directly from them, if available).

Question: can you guys summarize the risk of VUDU, FandangoNow, Microsoft, etc. backing out of their linking agreements with MoviesAnywhere? Most of my library sits with VUDU, so I'd hate to see them one day back out.

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by mdo7

But when it comes to viewing experience, I know that blu-ray outdo streaming when it comes to image and video quality.

I would hope so. You're paying $15 to $20 for a single movie versus $7 to $15 for a whole month's worth of streaming content.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

I would hope so. You're paying $15 to $20 for a single movie versus $7 to $15 for a whole month's worth of streaming content.

Why are you comparing pay TV to ownership?

[BluLobsta]

I will stream stuff like Upload (Prime series) in 4K which I don't want to own but has nice PQ/AQ to watch something at night without too much investment. Blade Runner 2049, on the other hand, immediately went into my library. I want to own it. I want to touch it and caress it. Wait. Wait. I was thinking about Joi for a second. Anyway, I want the lossless audio and 58 Mbps bitrate video codec on a virtually instantaneous connection. Streaming is convenience. Ownership is passion.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Since Game of Thrones was mentioned I did a price comparison, EST for 8 seasons in HD = $200, the UHD BD version at Amazon = $191 and includes the streaming version.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Comp625

Question: can you guys summarize the risk of VUDU, FandangoNow, Microsoft, etc. backing out of their linking agreements with MoviesAnywhere? Most of my library sits with VUDU, so I'd hate to see them one day back out.

I would suggest that you read the TOS/EULA of the content owners and providers then make your own decision. Just be aware that most all of them state: This TOS/EULA can be changed at anytime, without notice and can be changed in whole or in part. If you want access to said content you have to agree to these terms.

I have several disc-to-streaming titles, some outright purchases and dozens of redeemed codes from my disc purchases. If one day they ask for more money to continue streaming any given title then I will decide if I want to ante up or let it go. I would only do this for disc-to-streaming or outright purchased titles. I never watch a streaming title if I have the same title on disc.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Comp625

Question: can you guys summarize the risk of VUDU, FandangoNow, Microsoft, etc. backing out of their linking agreements with MoviesAnywhere? Most of my library sits with VUDU, so I'd hate to see them one day back out.

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

I would suggest that you read the TOS/EULA of the content owners and providers then make your own decision. Just be aware that most all of them state: This TOS/EULA can be changed at anytime, without notice and can be changed in whole or in part. If you want access to said content you have to agree to these terms.

Don't let these guys scare you, these TOS also go for Discs. I have been with Vudu for many years my Collection there is 700+, never lost anything. Your Collection is in Vudu, the Linking only Ports to other Providers. If you purchase or redeem codes in Vudu, the Link doesn't affect those items.

Since the purchase of Vudu by Fandango the service has only gotten better. They have all the latest releases at good prices, and some great sales. I have bought $5 4K UHD Movies like Breakdown, Inception, and Like a Boss. Bought and watched Ford vs Ferrari for $10 in 4K UHD. What a great Movie!

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Don't let these guys scare you, these TOS also go for Discs.

You have been warned about this before, there is no TOS attached to a physical disc. Copyright law and TOS/EULA are two separate conditions. The OP asked and I responded with a recommendation that research be done then make a decision. There was no scare tacit involved.