Google Play reportedly planning to do free 4k upgrades

[IndyMLVC]

https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/1...-apk-teardown/

Several new lines of text explicitly state that movies belonging to you have been upgraded to 4K. It should come as no surprise that Play Movies would eventually fix the issue of upgrading movies to the highest possible quality.

However, things get really interesting when you look for anything resembling upgrade pricing, buttons titled "Upgrade," or any other text relating to a cost or taking actions to upgrade your movies. There are none. One line clearly states that a number of your movies have just been upgraded for free, and the others seem to corroborate this phrasing.

[flyry]

This is cool if true but their lack of devices for 4k playback make this kinda useless.

I'm not buying a chromecast ultra just for it.

I should be able to play them on my roku or native TV app.

Now if it somehow changes your entitlements to UHD and i can watch them on VUDU because of MA then this is huge

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by flyry

This is cool if true but their lack of devices for 4k playback make this kinda useless.

I'm not buying a chromecast ultra just for it.

I should be able to play them on my roku or native TV app.

Now if it somehow changes your entitlements to UHD and i can watch them on VUDU because of MA then this is huge

From what I've seen retroactive 4K upgrades never port to MA. MA always seems to record the resolution when first redeemed, so for instance I have a bunch of titles which were redeemed in ITunes and got 4K upgrades there, but stay HD on my MA history and in all other services.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by xbs2034

From what I've seen retroactive 4K upgrades never port to MA. MA always seems to record the resolution when first redeemed, so for instance I have a bunch of titles which were redeemed in ITunes and got 4K upgrades there, but stay HD on my MA history and in all other services.

That's because it doesn't count as a new purchase. The only way to get upgrade rights is if you purchase an upgrade from somewhere like Vudu.

[vanton619]

Looking at the lines of code, it looks like they are tracking the date of the upgrade. Perhaps they will treat the upgrade as a new transaction that can be recorded in MA for past purchases...? IDK it's all speculation for now, but I have a handful of GP purchases that are in HD hell that I'd like to upgrade to 4k in MA.

[kngtmat]

Cool. I wished that had happened with 3D films.

[Greyman]

It's happening.

https://9to5google.com/2018/10/23/go...sd-hd-upgrade/

https://www.droid-life.com/2018/10/2...k-pricing-too/

https://www.engadget.com/2018/10/23/...ee-4k-upgrade/

After code hinted at the move, Google is handing out free 4K movie upgrades to past purchases on Google Play Movies & TV. Not only that, they will also start selling 4K movies at lower prices. Yesssss!

The news dropped this morning on Google’s Keyword blog, where they announced that they’ll begin upgrading your past movie purchases to 4K, even if you bought in standard (SD) or high (HD) definition. They’ll do the upgrades automatically if your movies are available in 4K from participating Hollywood studios. Once upgraded, you’ll be notified within the app the next time you open it.

As for better pricing, Google says that starting today, 4K movies simply cost less on Play Movies & TV. You can see the “top” 4K movies here, and yep, they are all down to around $20 or under. 4K movies used to sit at around $30.

Along with the upgrade and price drop news, Google mentioned that they are continuing to upgrade the Play Movies app on Samsung, LG, and Vizio TVs, plus 4K viewing is available on Sony Bravia 4K TVs and most Samsung Smart TVs.

[Greyman]

https://www.blog.google/products/goo...lay-movies-tv/

Movie nights just got better! Now you can enjoy your favorite movies in the highest quality possible on Google Play Movies & TV—without ever leaving your couch.

Check out the full scoop on what’s new in the U.S. and Canada:
Movies you own will automatically be upgraded to 4K, on us: When 4K titles are available from participating Hollywood studios, we’ll upgrade your past movie purchases so you can stream in 4K, even if you originally bought the movie in SD or HD. It’s all on us, just open the Play Movies & TV app and we’ll let you know which titles have been upgraded.

Pay less for 4K movies: Starting today, most 4K movies on Google Play will cost you less, so you have more options to enjoy upgraded movies. Get started by browsing our top 4K titles.

Bring 4K to your TV: You shouldn’t need to buy an additional device to watch your 4K movies on the 4K TV you already own. In addition to 4K Sony Bravia TVs, you can now watch in 4K using the Play Movies & TV app on most 4K Samsung Smart TVs, and we’re working on adding support for LG as well.

Enjoy updated designs to our smart TV app: We’ve updated our app for Samsung, LG and Vizio TVs with a modern look and feel to provide a better experience.
We think watching in 4K should be a no brainer, so we’re continuously working to make that a reality. With Google Play, it’s now easier than ever for you to watch movies in the best quality possible, no matter which device you're using. And it doesn't stop here, we'll continue to make improvements so you can sit back, relax and enjoy your favorite movies, whenever and wherever.

[flyry]

Dope that they realize we don't wanna buy another device. Looks like my TV should be covered.

No upgrades yet looking at my app. Everything I have 4K i bought 4k atm.

[gushin]

There are a few caveats to be upgraded to 4K.

From Google's own site:
"Watch movies you’ve already bought in 4K
Some SD and HD movies that you’ve already bought or redeemed might be upgraded to 4K. To be updated to 4K, movies must be:

Bought or redeemed from Google Play or YouTube.
Only SD movies bought or redeemed before October 23, 2018 will be upgraded.
From Fox, Lionsgate, NBC Universal, Sony (US only), or Warner Bros.
Available in 4K, in your location."

https://support.google.com/googlepla.../7184994?hl=en

[FubarFrenzy]

This is good news on several fronts. For me most important is upgrading the App on LG TV's. Few months ago I bought a couple movies in 4K only to later realize at the time you had to use a chromecast ultra to play it. The LG app could not. From the articles it looks like that could change. The sooner the better.

I still don't see some movies I purchased in HD upgrade to 4K (UHD). I own Interstellar, but still haven't seen an upgrade on that. Maybe due to the studio, that isn't included.

I'd like to see VUDU follow suit here. That would be awesome.

[AZBrowncoat]

Originally Posted by FubarFrenzy

This is good news on several fronts. For me most important is upgrading the App on LG TV's. Few months ago I bought a couple movies in 4K only to later realize at the time you had to use a chromecast ultra to play it. The LG app could not. From the articles it looks like that could change. The sooner the better.

I still don't see some movies I purchased in HD upgrade to 4K (UHD). I own Interstellar, but still haven't seen an upgrade on that. Maybe due to the studio, that isn't included.

I'd like to see VUDU follow suit here. That would be awesome.

I can definitely see how this could pressure on Vudu to follow suit.

[gushin]

Originally Posted by FubarFrenzy

This is good news on several fronts. For me most important is upgrading the App on LG TV's. Few months ago I bought a couple movies in 4K only to later realize at the time you had to use a chromecast ultra to play it. The LG app could not. From the articles it looks like that could change. The sooner the better.

I still don't see some movies I purchased in HD upgrade to 4K (UHD). I own Interstellar, but still haven't seen an upgrade on that. Maybe due to the studio, that isn't included.

I'd like to see VUDU follow suit here. That would be awesome.

Did you redeem or buy it from Google? If not it won't be upgraded. Look at the page on Google's site I linked in my post. The 4k upgrades are for movies that were redeemed or bought from Google in the past.

[IronSoldier]

upgrade existing SD and HD movie purchases to 4K for free in the U.S. and Canada.

Ah. The pleasure of living in the UK......

[FubarFrenzy]

Originally Posted by gushin

Did you redeem or buy it from Google? If not it won't be upgraded. Look at the page on Google's site I linked in my post. The 4k upgrades are for movies that were redeemed or bought from Google in the past.

Oh yeah, definitely redeemed via Google. I'm part of the google survey and had some money saved up, so I've bought a few movies via google. I'm thinking maybe some of the studios aren't supporting this? Or it hasn't transferred over yet. I'm patient. I'll wait.

Plus in my situation i have to wait for the LG Google app to upgrade. Who knows exactly when that is.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by FubarFrenzy

I still don't see some movies I purchased in HD upgrade to 4K (UHD). I own Interstellar, but still haven't seen an upgrade on that. Maybe due to the studio, that isn't included.

Correct! That movie is from Paramount, and Paramount is not listed as one of the supporting studios (yet).

[FubarFrenzy]

I've been seraching the internet on when Google will implement the app on their LG OLEDs with no success.

Any idea? I know they said soon, guess we have to wait for official date.

[Mattgreenbean]

Late to the party here, but I was browsing my movies on youtube, I usually watch my movies on vudu or ma, and saw that movies were upgraded to 4k. That's cool, though I don't have a 4k tv. Point is though, I started a few movies like the TMNT movies I have in sd, they look pretty good on my tv, but it's showing the quality as 480.
So, my question is, are they upgrading only to 4k and not upgrading existing sd purchases to hd? And why not?

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by Mattgreenbean

Late to the party here, but I was browsing my movies on youtube, I usually watch my movies on vudu or ma, and saw that movies were upgraded to 4k. That's cool, though I don't have a 4k tv. Point is though, I started a few movies like the TMNT movies I have in sd, they look pretty good on my tv, but it's showing the quality as 480.
So, my question is, are they upgrading only to 4k and not upgrading existing sd purchases to hd? And why not?

As far I have figured out, YouTube only plays YouTube videos in 4K on 4K capable devices. Items in Purchases play in whatever resolution you own them in.

[netboy]

I’m another one late to the party, and just getting my head round the multiple digital libraries. But it was a nice surprise to see the 4K upgrade on the google play app on my 4K tv and in the youtube app on my Apple TV.