I find that a really good upscaling Blu-Ray player and/or 4K television gives 4K discs a run for their money. We aren't comparing DVDs to Blu-rays here. That was a big improvement. 4K? Less so... YMMV
I have quite a few 4k discs and an LG OLed Tv. As with audio, a lot depends on the actual mastering and how the film was shot. The biggest improvement I've noticed is with films that have a lot of deep blacks. I recently watched the 4K release of David Lynch's Lost Highway. I though it finally came close to how it looked on 35mm when I saw it.
If there’s a 4K version available, I buy it. Very little difference to me versus Blu-ray on my 4K tv though.
Yes, to me. My attention is so distracted by the fine visual details that I can't concentrate on the storyline. This is why I actually like B&W movies and TV shows.
If the Blu-ray has the same mastering it's not going to be a big difference if your player is set to upconvert to 4K.
Any current updates on 4k? Are sales declining? I know Best Buy isn't selling them anymore. OTOH studios keeping putting them out. Criterion is coming out with a 4k of "I Soy Cuba"
Thanks BTW I started this thread and I'll tell everyone I ended up getting the OPPO 4k player and the most recent Sony 4k (OLED) Those David Attenborough films that are filmed in 4k are by far the best media I've seen on the 4k. Blu Rays are great but 4k is magic to me.
I should get those Attenborough productions but I've held off as they don't appeal to me for repeat viewing. I bet they're incredible eye candy in 4K. It's amazing what an improvement 4K and OLED screens can provide. I didn't think any upgrade would be worthwhile after going from NTSC to 1080p. It took me a couple years after 4K was introduced before diving. It's as big an upgrade as the original advance to HD--not just because of the resolution but the dynamic range. And Atmos is an important upgrade too.
4K Discs? are worth it if your player is up to the task, my Sony UBP-X800M2 has a very annoying habit of the image freezing on 4K discs (it plays everything else flawlessly). Software is up to date, did a factory restore this morning, will see if this resolves the issue.
I ordered Carrie this morning. Criterion announced a Bela Tarr film I haven’t seen coming out in April. For all the concern I see about streaming platforms dropping titles it’s far more likely that movies disappear than music, and streamed content even in 4K is a bit of a crap shoot with video. I recommend getting well reviewed titles that you love while they’re available. I paid top dollar for Wicker Man steelbook on ebay a couple weeks ago, and it was well worth it.
My Oppo 205 has this problem if I let the dust build up around it, and I need to get it serviced every year or two. The data on 4K discs is so dense that if there's even a minor problem with the player's optical unit or smear on the disc it will cause the 4K playback to freeze and skip. The problem doesn't manifest with regular blu-ray or audio discs.
My player is new and the 4K discs are mint so that's not the issue, Blu Ray.com has a huge thread about 4K players and their "sensitivity" to just about everything.
I have two: X800 and X800M2. X800 used to freeze once in a while. Had to unplug it to fix. Awhile ago it stopped doing it for some reason. I did mod for region free playing, but not sure if it affected it.
Sound is very good to excellent, but there are better options for those not needing to integrate their HT and stereo system.
Make sure your 4k player is sitting on a solid surface that won't allow wobble on both the piece of furniture you have it on and by putting your hand on the player as it is spinning the disc. Just make sure you feel that the spin isn't creating a noticeable jittery vibration. It should be so smooth you can't even feel that it's on or spinning.
