4k UHD Blu-ray recommendations

The White Wolf · 13-12-2020 8:59pm

Ravage1616 wrote: »

Just curious where people are picking up 4k blu ray?

With brexit brining extra charges when buying from Amzon UK, be better off buying local.

I've been ordering from Zavvi until now. Based in what I've seen locally, the likes of Golden Discs are a rip off.

Hande hoche! · 13-12-2020 9:29pm

Ravage1616 wrote: »

Just curious where people are picking up 4k blu ray?

With brexit bringing extra charges when buying from Amzon UK, be better off buying local.

Have picked up some from Golden discs and Tower records locally. From the UK, have used Zoom and Zavvi in the past. Also some sellers on EBay for more niche titles.

From what I remember some of the UK ones are based in the Channel islands, imagine they will get creative with their solutions.

Full_Circle_81 · 13-12-2020 10:00pm

Ravage1616 wrote: »

Just curious where people are picking up 4k blu ray?

With brexit bringing extra charges when buying from Amzon UK, be better off buying local.

I was worried about this too, as I buy lots of blu-rays off Amazon, but from what I understand now there won't be any extra customs charges on imports unless the value is over €150, so regular purchases will be unaffected.

Full_Circle_81 · 13-12-2020 10:46pm

Snake Plisken wrote: »

Yeah I know wanted the uncut version and also I wanted the digital code to load into MoviesAnywhere and iTunes

How do you get MoviesAnywhere? Some VPN magic at play?

Buttros · 13-12-2020 11:37pm

Ravage1616 wrote: »

Just curious where people are picking up 4k blu ray?

With brexit bringing extra charges when buying from Amzon UK, be better off buying local.

Amazon Italy have had good deals in the past. I've probably bought more there than anywhere.

Avforums have a thread for deals although havent looked there in months.

Snake Plisken · 14-12-2020 12:04am

Full_Circle_81 wrote: »

How do you get MoviesAnywhere? Some VPN magic at play?

Very hard to get it to work with vpn had tried lots in the end I got someone I knew was in the states and got them to set up an account for me, once it was set up I changed the password and it's worked fine. I can set my vpn to US and sign onto my account and redeem the code.
So the key is to find someone you know in the states to set up the initial account

Snake Plisken · 14-12-2020 12:11am

Yeah I was going mad looking on the warner uk shop site they are advertising 2 4K discs for £25 but couldnt get the deal to work, turns out it expired on the 2nd of December but they didn't update their website.
Yes I was tempted to buy Tenet from Amazon Spain for £25 wasn't sure it had all the extras or not .
On tracking deals keep an eye on AVforums
https://www.avforums.com/threads/uhd-4k-disc-price-drop-post-alerts-only-ask-any-questions-in-chit-chat-thread.2032081/page-279
Not sure if HMV will deliver here or you need to use parcelmotel.

Ravage1616 · 14-12-2020 8:43am

Full_Circle_81 wrote: »

I was worried about this too, as I buy lots of blu-rays off Amazon, but from what I understand now there won't be any extra customs charges on imports unless the value is over €150, so regular purchases will be unaffected.

They way it works is, if it is over €22 you have to pay VAT and if over €150 euro you then also have to pay customs duty. Also most carriers will charge a handling fee of around 10euro to collect VAT and or duties.

El Gato De Negocios · 14-12-2020 9:22am

Ravage1616 wrote: »

Just curious where people are picking up 4k blu ray?

With brexit bringing extra charges when buying from Amzon UK, be better off buying local.

There is a Facebook group call "Dawn of the Discs" which I find absolutely brillant for getting release dates for movies. He doesnt cater for everything but more boutique labels like Arrow, Indicator, Severin etc aswell as big 4k releases like the recent Back to the Future set.

Full_Circle_81 · 14-12-2020 12:30pm

Ravage1616 wrote: »

They way it works is, if it is over €22 you have to pay VAT and if over €150 euro you then also have to pay customs duty. Also most carriers will charge a handling fee of around 10euro to collect VAT and or duties.

Yes but Amazon have always applied the Irish VAT anyway, so I assume they will continue to do so at the checkout stage and avoid any potential An Post admin fees (for items under 150)

Snake Plisken · 14-12-2020 1:34pm

Full_Circle_81 wrote: »

Yes but Amazon have always applied the Irish VAT anyway, so I assume they will continue to do so at the checkout stage and avoid any potential An Post admin fees (for items under 150)

I got this via email a few days ago so they'll estimate any import duties if applicable at checkout bit like they do when buying from US

VAT (or the regional equivalent, if applicable, https://www.amazon.co.uk/vatrates) being due in the country of delivery, or your package may be subject to customs duties, taxes and fees (“Import Fees”)
- the collection of VAT, or an estimation of Import Fees (“Import Fee Deposit” https://www.amazon.co.uk/ifd), which may result in a price change at checkout.

sticker · 17-12-2020 5:09pm

OK - So I have the Lord of the Rings Trilogy on Bluray already and planning to watch them again with my son this Christmas.

Is it honeslty worth the purchase for the 4K version of the box set? Its €85 on Amazon Uk.

sticker · 17-12-2020 5:12pm

The White Wolf wrote: »

I've been ordering from Zavvi until now. Based in what I've seen locally, the likes of Golden Discs are a rip off.

Are Zavvi quick to deliver - Amazon UK quick?

Are they based in UK?

jh79 · 17-12-2020 5:26pm

sticker wrote: »

OK - So I have the Lord of the Rings Trilogy on Bluray already and planning to watch them again with my son this Christmas.

Is it honeslty worth the purchase for the 4K version of the box set? Its €85 on Amazon Uk.

In my opinion i would say it depends on the size of your TV. Blu Ray up to 55 inches, 4k after that.

sticker · 17-12-2020 5:28pm

jh79 wrote: »

In my opinion i would say it depends on the size of your TV. Blu Ray up to 55 inches, 4k after that.

I've a 60" using my PS5 4k player. Does the PS5 player rate well with 4k? I've a series S Sony 4k TV

jh79 · 17-12-2020 5:31pm

sticker wrote: »

I've a 60" using my PS5 4k player. Does the PS5 player rate well with 4k? I've a series S Sony 4k TV

Sorry no idea. Haven't got a 4k TV myself. Just know that the TV needs to be at least 55 inches to see the benefit of 4k over Blu.

Falthyron · 17-12-2020 5:33pm

sticker wrote: »

I've a 60" using my PS5 4k player. Does the PS5 player rate well with 4k? I've a series S Sony 4k TV

Wait for the Middle-Earth Edition coming next year. Many accounts saying the DNR is quite noticeable in these 4K remasters. Some going as far as to suggest that this 4K edition was rushed out for the Xmas period.

sticker · 17-12-2020 5:35pm

Falthyron wrote: »

Wait for the Middle-Earth Edition coming next year. Many accounts saying the DNR is quite noticeable in these 4K remasters. Some going as far as to suggest that this 4K edition was rushed out for the Xmas period.

Ok cheers.

jh79 · 17-12-2020 5:37pm

sticker wrote: »

Ok cheers.

Found this video on bluray.com forum. These reckon even at 65 inches the difference are subtle and you would need to sit really close.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RodCjVf-5AE

The White Wolf · 17-12-2020 6:48pm

sticker wrote: »

Are Zavvi quick to deliver - Amazon UK quick?

Are they based in UK?

Reasonably, might take a week but they're up front from the beginning. I believe they are based in the UK.

sticker · 17-12-2020 7:39pm

jh79 wrote: »

Sorry no idea. Haven't got a 4k TV myself. Just know that the TV needs to be at least 55 inches to see the benefit of 4k over Blu.

Just checked the blu ray of Fellowship and honestly speaking its a bit grainy and sub par for usual blu ray standards... But I think it'll do for my son and I'll pick up the Middle Earth edition as recommended here.

Thanks all.

Big Gerry · 17-12-2020 8:27pm

jh79 wrote: »

Found this video on bluray.com forum. These reckon even at 65 inches the difference are subtle and you would need to sit really close.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RodCjVf-5AE

That was my whole point.

I would rather see uncompressed 1080p before jumping to 4k.

Jofspring · 30-12-2020 9:27pm

Have ordered The Matrix boxset from Amazon. First order since Brexit. Will be interesting to see how long it takes to come through and whether VAT is again added when it arrives in. Amazon automatically charge the Irish vat rate when you switch delivery address to Ireland so hopefully it stays like that.

Nearly impossible to find decent boxsets at a reasonable price in Ireland.

Snake Plisken · 31-12-2020 12:13am

Jofspring wrote: »

Have ordered The Matrix boxset from Amazon. First order since Brexit. Will be interesting to see how long it takes to come through and whether VAT is again added when it arrives in. Amazon automatically charge the Irish vat rate when you switch delivery address to Ireland so hopefully it stays like that.

Nearly impossible to find decent boxsets at a reasonable price in Ireland.

Keep an eye on Amazon Spain and Italy, they have some good deals from time to time

The White Wolf · 01-01-2021 4:43pm

I don't know if it's Brexit related but Zavvi's selection seems to be missing a few releases that were available previously in 4k. Bram Stoker's Dracula for example.

Mr Freeze · 26-03-2021 10:07am

The White Wolf wrote: »

I don't know if it's Brexit related but Zavvi's selection seems to be missing a few releases that were available previously in 4k. Bram Stoker's Dracula for example.

Its on Zavvi right now in the 3 for 30 pound offer.

Is that supposed to be a good transfer? Worth getting in 4k?

I thinking of getting District 9, maybe Zombieland Double Tap just to see what the IMAX sound mix is like as very few discs have that.
Not sure what 3rd one to get.

The White Wolf · 26-03-2021 10:14am

Mr Freeze wrote: »

Its on Zavvi right now in the 3 for 30 pound offer.

Is that supposed to be a good transfer? Worth getting in 4k?

I thinking of getting District 9, maybe Zombieland Double Tap just to see what the IMAX sound mix is like as very few discs have that.
Not sure what 3rd one to get.

Dracula is meant to be pretty class because it's Sony themselves who were looking after that remaster.

The White Wolf · 15-05-2021 2:11pm

The White Wolf wrote: »

Dracula is meant to be pretty class because it's Sony themselves who were looking after that remaster.

Well I got it and it looks and sounds as good as I expected. Didn't have to touch the volume once and the colours add a new element to an already lush picture. It honestly brought a whole new viewing experience.

Highly recommended.

sticker · 15-05-2021 4:26pm

Falthyron wrote: »

Wait for the Middle-Earth Edition coming next year. Many accounts saying the DNR is quite noticeable in these 4K remasters. Some going as far as to suggest that this 4K edition was rushed out for the Xmas period.

Sorry for coming back to this - I cant seem to find this newer Middle-Earth Edition edition. Do you mean the steelbook?

https://www.zavvi.ie/blu-ray/the-lord-of-the-rings-trilogy-limited-edition-4k-ultra-hd-steelbook-collection/12706706.html

Big Gerry · 15-05-2021 7:53pm

I've noticed on a lot of 4k films that the colour scheme of the film is totally different to how it looked on the blu ray version.

Batman 89 is a good example of this.

I wonder do they change the colour scheme deliberately on 4k blu rays just to make them look different ? so they can justify people "upgrading" to 4k ?

One of the things I liked about blu ray was that you generally got the same transfer of the DVD version of a film only better quality.

But with 4k blu ray you generally get a version of a film that has a totally different look compared to the standard blu ray.

The White Wolf · 15-05-2021 7:57pm

Batman 89 is a good example of a cynical remastering funnily enough and the reviews back that up. The release got criticized in particular for poor choices in changing sound effects.

There's definitely an issue there in cynical 4k releases that's why I try to do my research. For example Evil Dead 2 wouldn't have struck me as an obvious 4k release until I heard good reviews here.

Big Gerry · 15-05-2021 8:06pm

The White Wolf wrote: »

Batman 89 is a good example of a cynical remastering funnily enough and the reviews back that up. The release got criticized in particular for poor choices in changing sound effects.

There's definitely an issue there in cynical 4k releases that's why I try to do my research. For example Evil Dead 2 wouldn't have struck me as an obvious 4k release until I heard good reviews here.

The Matrix 4k colour scheme also looks totally different to the standard blu ray.

I wonder which is closer to the original look of the film ? the 4k version or the standard blu ray.

With blu rays 24 frames and lossless audio it was suppose to be very close to seeing a move in the cinema. So I would have expected blu ray to have a colour scheme that was as close to the original film as possible.

The White Wolf · 15-05-2021 8:14pm

The thing that strikes me there, and maybe this is indeed the difference; the picture is better in Blu ray but the people feel better realized in UHD.

Like watching Dracula UHD the first thing I noticed was the characters sweating or their good/bad makeup.

It's a trade off really depending on what you put more precedence in.

Big Gerry · 15-05-2021 8:17pm

The White Wolf wrote: »

The thing that strikes me there, and maybe this is indeed the difference; the picture is better in Blu ray but the people feel better realized in UHD.

Like watching Dracula UHD the first thing I noticed was the characters sweating or their good/bad makeup.

It's a trade off really depending on what you put more precedence in.

But is the better picture quality down to the transfer or the increase in resolution ?

Snake Plisken · 16-05-2021 1:07am

Speaking of the Matrix watched this video about the one that we've watched on BluRay was from a incorrectly done master and the 4K release was the way it is supposed to look as they got the cinematographer in to supervise the new transfer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEdgmNZnLs4

Big Gerry · 16-05-2021 1:13am

Snake Plisken wrote: »

Speaking of the Matrix watched this video about the one that we've watched on BluRay was from a poorly done master and the 4K release was the way it is supposed to look

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEdgmNZnLs4

I remember when the Matrix trilogy came out on blu ray it got widespread praise and was considered demo worthy material in terms of showing how good blu rays could look.

Tipsy McSwagger · 16-05-2021 8:46am

sticker wrote: »

Sorry for coming back to this - I cant seem to find this newer Middle-Earth Edition edition. Do you mean the steelbook?

https://www.zavvi.ie/blu-ray/the-lord-of-the-rings-trilogy-limited-edition-4k-ultra-hd-steelbook-collection/12706706.html

That was released at the same time as the normal 4K edition, its steel book so was impossible to get. The newer version hasn’t been released yet.

Sad Professor · 16-05-2021 9:17am

Films, especially older ones, often don't have a definitive look and even when they do transferring them to different formats will inevitably result in them looking different. It's not as simple as the same just in better resolution or whatever, especially where hdr is concerned. New masters created from negatives have to be colour corrected from scratch and these days that would be done using technology like digital colour grading that didn't exist when the film was released. Not to mention that they being put onto a format that is technically superior to 35mm film projection in many respects. Ideally the dp (when they are still around) should supervise new transfers - directors are not always a good judge of these things.

Early Blu-rays suffered from lazy or revisionist masters too. I suspect hdr is being abused in many cases to create unnatural or excessive contrast similar to how dnr was abused with dvd and blu-ray. Once the novelty of hdr wears off I think we'll see better, more accurate 4k releases.

Big Gerry · 16-05-2021 3:34pm

Sad Professor wrote: »

Films, especially older ones, often don't have a definitive look and even when they do transferring them to different formats will inevitably result in them looking different. It's not as simple as the same just in better resolution or whatever, especially where hdr is concerned. New masters created from negatives have to be colour corrected from scratch and these days that would be done using technology like digital colour grading that didn't exist when the film was released. Not to mention that they being put onto a format that is technically superior to 35mm film projection in many respects. Ideally the dp (when they are still around) should supervise new transfers - directors are not always a good judge of these things.

Early Blu-rays suffered from lazy or revisionist masters too. I suspect hdr is being abused in many cases to create unnatural or excessive contrast similar to how dnr was abused with dvd and blu-ray. Once the novelty of hdr wears off I think we'll see better, more accurate 4k releases.

Another issue is that film degrades over time so a film that was made 20 or 30 years ago is not going to look the same today as it did when it first came out.

But if a film is shot digitally it should look the same in 50 years time as it does today.

Falthyron · 16-05-2021 11:29pm

sticker wrote: »

Sorry for coming back to this - I cant seem to find this newer Middle-Earth Edition edition. Do you mean the steelbook?

https://www.zavvi.ie/blu-ray/the-lord-of-the-rings-trilogy-limited-edition-4k-ultra-hd-steelbook-collection/12706706.html

It hasn't been released yet. Here is the article: https://www.slashfilm.com/new-blu-ray-releases-lord-of-the-rings-trilogy/

Key info here:

As a result a 4K UHD “Middle-earth” Ultimate Collectors’ Edition featuring the theatrical and extended versions of both the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy, along with new bonus content, previously released Blu-ray discs of The Hobbit trilogy and remastered Blu-ray discs of The Lord of the Rings trilogy will be released in the summer of 2021. There will also be a release featuring The Lord of the Rings trilogy with remastered Blu-ray discs of the theatrical and extended versions of the 3 films will also be released in the fourth quarter of 2021, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

I still can't believe it has been almost 20 years since I first saw The Fellowship of the Ring in a cinema...

p to the e · 17-05-2021 10:51am

Willy Wonka in 4K? Yes please.

https://collider.com/willy-wonka-and-the-chocolate-factory-4k-blu-ray-release-date-details/

dublinman1990 · 18-05-2021 1:32am

There is other stuff going out soon in 4K according to Zavvi's website & Blu-ray.com.

Basic Instinct, Howard the Duck, Indiana Jones, Space Jam, My Fair Lady, Mortal Engines, X-Men Apocalypse, Ghost in the Shell, Shrek.

And many more to get added into the list when they get announced.

Tony EH · 18-05-2021 7:53am

Sad Professor wrote: »

Films, especially older ones, often don't have a definitive look and even when they do transferring them to different formats will inevitably result in them looking different. It's not as simple as the same just in better resolution or whatever, especially where hdr is concerned. New masters created from negatives have to be colour corrected from scratch and these days that would be done using technology like digital colour grading that didn't exist when the film was released. Not to mention that they being put onto a format that is technically superior to 35mm film projection in many respects. Ideally the dp (when they are still around) should supervise new transfers - directors are not always a good judge of these things.

Early Blu-rays suffered from lazy or revisionist masters too. I suspect hdr is being abused in many cases to create unnatural or excessive contrast similar to how dnr was abused with dvd and blu-ray. Once the novelty of hdr wears off I think we'll see better, more accurate 4k releases.

This is my take on 4K HDR too. On the few that I've seen, I've noticed that while the colours are indeed vivid, they can also look artificial too and it can be very difficult to ignore that and just enjoy the film.

There also seems to be a thrust of "Well this is 4K and HDR, so therefore it's automatically better than the 1080p blu". But I've seen some new remasters and that certainly hasn't been the case at all.

I can also recall the early days of Blu Ray and people swearing that a picture that was scrubbed to hell and back with DNR and then edge enhanced looked better than the DVD counterpart and I thought I was going mad when I saw things different.

Big Gerry · 13-06-2021 1:31am

This guy reckons that most of the time there isn't much difference between 4k and standard blu rays.

jones · 14-06-2021 11:16am

The near death of physical media really makes me sad. I've always been into collecting dvds/blurays and to a lesser extent 4k Blurays but i notice the law of diminishing returns has kicked in even for me as a cinefile. I had close to 1000 DVDs back in the day and then about 400 blurays and about 30 4k disks now. The main reason for this is not wanted to rebuy films unless i really love them - i looking at you lord of the rings, braveheart, gladiator etc which i have literally bought on all formats. I've always liked having a physical collection.

Out of my circle of friends all late 30s early 40s only myself and one other chap would ever buy 4k disks and most wouldnt have bought regular blurays. Streaming is mostly to blame but the price of the 4k format does not help IMO. My broadband is rubbish so streaming 4k has never really been an option. Last weekend i was watching avengers infinity war with my daughter on disney plus (even though i have the bluray but was too lazy to get up and put it on) the quality difference is unreal to my eyes between streaming and phscial media but i do note that others have far better internet and so the difference would probably be less noticeable.

Back on topic i find zavvi very good with offers such as 2/30 or 3/30 but new titles are ridiculously expensive.

Tipsy McSwagger · 14-06-2021 3:38pm

4K blu rays are too expensive. Take out the blu ray included and make them cheaper.

Tony EH · 14-06-2021 3:52pm

jones wrote: »

Out of my circle of friends all late 30s early 40s only myself and one other chap would ever buy 4k disks and most wouldnt have bought regular blurays.

The fact of the matter is that Blu Ray is still a niche market, despite being over ten years old. DVD is still king. 4K is an even deeper niche and will probably never get to a point where it can be considered truly mainstream in any way.

The vast majority of people simply will stick a few bob on a DVD and be perfectly happy with it. They'll never even know or care about the qualitative differences that the higher scale of resolution brings, nor do they understand a single thing about bitrates or how a movie is mastered for home release.

Brackwom · 19-06-2021 6:00am

I recommend The Irishman on Netflix.

speedboatchase · 15-07-2021 3:23pm

Staggering upgrade for the In The Line of Fire 4K version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfR0lKeed24

dublinman1990 · 15-07-2021 5:58pm

The original Star Trek movies are getting a 4K boxset release. However; the boxset includes the first 4 films with films 5 and 6 omitted.

Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan comes with a director's cut. However all other movies within this boxset include the theatrical cut only.

Paramount have also announced plans to release a new 4K HDR restoration of the Director's Edition of Star Trek: The Motion Picture on Paramount+. The restoration will take 6-8 months.

https://intl.startrek.com/news/directors-edition-of-star-trek-the-motion-picture-set-to-be-fully-restored

There's also some recent good news for fans of The Shawshank Redemption & The Thing.

They're being released on 4K UHD Blu-ray from this September.

https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=28904#comments

https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=28868

4k UHD Blu-ray recommendations

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