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4K Movies purchased downgraded to just HD
- Thread starter AMTYVLE
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The film The Great Wall was a ATV4K launch title. Was 4K/DD for a month then was downgraded to HD. Seems the studio decided that a month was long enough. Apple can't do much about it if that is what has been agreed I guess.
I often find that the TV app does not give an accurate update on the library. When I check, films not listed actually are.
The Great Wall was a disappointment when it was downgraded but I am buying a lot of films at reduced prices that are getting upgraded to 4k, when they (HD version) go for a short period, then I can't wait to have a quick look to see what the upgrade is like (some are not so good).
I have far more 4k titles through streaming than if I were buying the disk. Given I wait until the price drops around the hire value, then download the HD version for backup, I see it as a win win. £20 vs £3-7. ish.
The Great Wall was a disappointment when it was downgraded but I am buying a lot of films at reduced prices that are getting upgraded to 4k, when they (HD version) go for a short period, then I can't wait to have a quick look to see what the upgrade is like (some are not so good).
I have far more 4k titles through streaming than if I were buying the disk. Given I wait until the price drops around the hire value, then download the HD version for backup, I see it as a win win. £20 vs £3-7. ish.
I stopped buying DVD’s years ago. I’d used to download ripped movies, totally skipped BR as a format and jumped straight onto streaming/legal downloads We’ll probably see all films in 4K in the next couple of years once the studios stop seeing it as another revenue stream. Although it’s about time they started proper downloads for 4K content as I’m sure ISP’s would be too. Until then we’ll have this stupid game of 4K content ping pong.
May have been before I got that one but The Great Wall is currently 4K with Dolby Vision and Atmos so it did come back eventually.
That’s the one that probably has been gone the longest that I am aware of. Enjoyed that movie but the 4K transfer was not all that. Some of it was too dark, especially. So hopefully improvements are being made.
All in all though HD downgrades usually aren’t something to worry about.
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I think there are some regional differences, still in HD here. I think trades descriptions could acted on if you've purchase a film which is in 4K and then it downgraded to HD. It's a couple of the studios who are digging their heels in over free upgrades, it will happen eventually though. Probably when they are pursuing 6K or 8K as the latest upgrade revenue stream.
The way I look at it at the moment, the studios are the stumbling block in line with the ISP. Both can pull their fingers out and get on with it. There will be a point where streaming can better a disk but companies needs to stop dragging their heels.
I still get the 4k disc for the absolute must enjoy.
Wonder what the stumbling block for download is. DRM? Should he available.
Many years ago it was touted that you would be able to download games, I think at the time I had a game across 20 or so floppies (Amiga). What a strange idea....
Thing with download is local storage. I expect that to still be around until the firms get their act together. Nice idea to have a digital wallet for life with all your stuff in it, change ISP and content provider but all you purchases remain with you in the ether. Few years off yet but streaming wise, wonder where the choke points are today.
Edit. Sorry, I am going off topic.
Wonder what the stumbling block for download is. DRM? Should he available.
Many years ago it was touted that you would be able to download games, I think at the time I had a game across 20 or so floppies (Amiga). What a strange idea....
Thing with download is local storage. I expect that to still be around until the firms get their act together. Nice idea to have a digital wallet for life with all your stuff in it, change ISP and content provider but all you purchases remain with you in the ether. Few years off yet but streaming wise, wonder where the choke points are today.
Edit. Sorry, I am going off topic.
I think the storage thing will be the main sticking point for casual users. But, it worked fine prestreaming on the ATV. Apple need to introduce high capacity external drive which can store downloaded content, you know, a bit like that one the recently stopped selling lol.
I've got the same issue , now I'm on ethernet and the things going like a rocket all the films are HD not 4k !!
TYPICAL
TYPICAL
Yeah, I get that. But when there is a bit of muck as far as he codec/decode is concerned it can exacerbate the issue and with other issues of a lesser bandwidth. Tis why I got Bladerunner on Bluray. There is grain, but by eck is it sublime. No way am I getting 2001 on stream when it is released 4k. And why I am steering clear of Dam Busters on Apple.
Honestly, Apple does a MUCH better job at handling grain than other streaming services and in some cases better than the physical discs. Not saying it’s better overall than physical but grain is one thing they do very well. Jurassic Park is a prime example of that. Christine, Forrest Gump and Robin Hood are others.
There is something with the way Apple can minimize the grain without distorting the image that I haven’t seen done as well elsewhere.
Fully intend to get 2001 on iTunes (actually already have it and am waiting for that free 4K upgrade).
I have not seen a 4k+intermediate master or scanned in film on 4k disk bettered yet by streaming. It is not just grain.
I can see many issues in the streaming from Apple in 4k. However that is a compromise I am willing to accept given the technical reality. Any compressed streaming service will exhibit the same until the pipes are opened up more (codecs used, settings etc.).
Saying that, Apple is pretty good. My ISP live sport is good, pq better I think but then it should be. On balance I think it (apple) is a very good service. I am in it for keeps at the moment.
I have not seen a 4k+intermediate master or scanned in film on 4k disk bettered yet by streaming. It is not just grain.
I can see many issues in the streaming from Apple in 4k. However that is a compromise I am willing to accept given the technical reality. Any compressed streaming service will exhibit the same until the pipes are opened up more (codecs used, settings etc.).
Saying that, Apple is pretty good. My ISP live sport is good, pq better I think but then it should be. On balance I think it (apple) is a very good service. I am in it for keeps at the moment.
While I agree discs look better, we’ll have to agree to disagree on grain. Films with a lot of grain have almost always looked better in terms of grain on iTunes. I’ve done a lot of comparison and know others in a 4K community I belong to that agree (on grain). There’s something Apple does on that front that simply is better.
There's two parts to this really. I'm pretty sure the studio will hand off the finished streaming version of any film's file to the distributor, in these case Netflix, Amazon, ATV or whatever. I'm pretty sure they'll be locked into to that file, as in they'll not to further process it to add any de-noise etc. So, the only way the ATV can handle the difference in grain is by being slightly less sharp with local onboard settings which won't be metadata. De-noise, can't be done on the fly but a reduced sharpening can have a similar affect at the expense of the whole picture. Professional de-noising can be done in various targeted ways.
I have done some testing a few months ago comparing the same content on Netflix on my TV app (LG55B7) and the same content on Netflix on the ATV app. I have found that the picture does appear to have slightly less noise, but it is only a little bit. Perfect example was last years Netflix Star Trekiscovery. It was released in HDR, but was only in 1080 which to be honest look bloody dreadful. However I found I could just about watch it without the noise getting on my nerves by watching it on the ATV app and not the LG app, go figure.
btw I'm a professional editor/colourist/cameraman, so unfortunately I look at the picture, light, cuts, camera work, rather than just watch the film....
I have done some testing a few months ago comparing the same content on Netflix on my TV app (LG55B7) and the same content on Netflix on the ATV app. I have found that the picture does appear to have slightly less noise, but it is only a little bit. Perfect example was last years Netflix Star Trek
iscovery. It was released in HDR, but was only in 1080 which to be honest look bloody dreadful. However I found I could just about watch it without the noise getting on my nerves by watching it on the ATV app and not the LG app, go figure.btw I'm a professional editor/colourist/cameraman, so unfortunately I look at the picture, light, cuts, camera work, rather than just watch the film....
Not wanting to TL;DR but....
How do you wind a camera person up? Tell them they are only there to point it and racks do the magic..... (I appreciate there are many camera applications and OB is just a part and it is in jest).
Wonder what the film state is on the server.
OB was my forte. Dealing with pre and post processing for various formats (cut my teeth on PAL then through the years, SD, HD UHD inc moving from analogue audio, mono, stereo all the way to Dolby audio).
Using various transmission systems that compress by necessity, hand off and take in guarantee. Not responsible for the content and how it was put together but how it was delivered and have seen many artefacts get worsened through the chain or poor application of the technology be it cables or kit (worsened is a word, I just invented it).
(And this is where I got my really really bad pet hate for all things expensive HDMI cable snake oil rip off. Especially with 4k stuff. And a certain fruity computer store needs to get its backside kicked on this and anyone that pushes that muck when it is not required.)
Sorry.
Anyhoo, this is my tick when I see stuff.
(I appreciate there are many camera applications and OB is just a part and it is in jest).Wonder what the film state is on the server.
OB was my forte. Dealing with pre and post processing for various formats (cut my teeth on PAL then through the years, SD, HD UHD inc moving from analogue audio, mono, stereo all the way to Dolby audio).
Using various transmission systems that compress by necessity, hand off and take in guarantee. Not responsible for the content and how it was put together but how it was delivered and have seen many artefacts get worsened through the chain or poor application of the technology be it cables or kit (worsened is a word, I just invented it).
(And this is where I got my really really bad pet hate
for all things expensive HDMI cable snake oil rip off. Especially with 4k stuff. And a certain fruity computer store needs to get its backside kicked on this and anyone that pushes that muck when it is not required.)Sorry.
Anyhoo, this is my tick when I see stuff.