Apple refusing to upgrade my Batman 4 movie collection

[Coconutcreampie]

I do the same. I rip to MKV then use Plex (for now) to share inside my LAN. I have disabled all WAN access and do not share either. My system works.

I haven’t tried Plex in a long time but I did a few times in the past and it was a headache, and I’m not tech illiterate. Perhaps I will try it again and see if I have better luck this time. Do I have to subscribe to anything? Is there a cost?

 

[Coconutcreampie]

I got back on the phone and spoke with a different representative (Katherine) before reading your comment.
She told me at the movies are considered ‘new’ because Warners are listing them as new but could not tell me why they were considered ‘new’ even though they are 4K scans and not directors cuts or anything like that. None of the films have new scenes or improved effects etc...

I did ask for a refund so that i could put that money toward the ‘new’ set. I even explained that I haven’t even viewed those movies yet. I bought them in April with the intention of watching them in June once they had been upgraded.
I have to wait until she calls me back on Sunday with answer.
Is there a time limit or 12 weeks or something with Apple then when I can expect a refund?
[doublepost=1562343972][/doublepost]
It’s the inconsistency that really grates.

Why did they update Batman, but not the other 3 movies. It was Batman that was supposed to have had the new sound mix, the others haven’t received a new mix yet they are the ones that haven’t been upgraded.
And Batman hasn’t even received the new sound mix anyway! Why not? Again, the apple lady couldn’t provide an answer.
Apple cannot provide an answer. And when i talk to them it’s like they are robots incapable from deviating from the script.
[doublepost=1562344066][/doublepost]

Good idea. Especially in light of what bodybuilder paul had to say.

In regards to the new scan being treated as new, that actually falls in line with what they do with their discs. A studio will often issue free discs for say something like a defective batch of discs but if they simply remastered the disc for better quality, like a new 4K scan, then that gets issued as a new disc. So disc buyers are forced to double dip and purchase the new disc if they want the better quality.

Yeah it sucks and it would be nice to at least get some credit for the current disc you have, but the studios don’t care. They're generally run by a$$h@les. They want you to double dip.

I’ve double dipped before but only if it was cost effective and offered significantly better quality. In my case it’s a rather easy decision since I only own my most favorite movies so my collection is modest at under 200 Blu-Rays, and it is pretty much complete because I don’t buy any new movies. I hate modern day movies and TV shows.

Some examples of when I have double dipped for better quality:

The Game with Michael Douglas, from HD-DVD to current Blu-Ray. A drastic increase in image quality. Far better detail. Gorgeous transfer.

Basic Instinct, from the American Blu-Ray release to the UK release. Exact same transfer but the later eliminates noise reduction and subsequent loss of detail. Noticeable.

Capricorn One, from the Australian Release to the German release, for the exact same reason as Basic Instinct above. Noticeable.

An American Werewolf in London, from the first Blu-Ray to the current for far better detail. Unfortunately shadow detail was less.

I have also sold off some claimed improved remastered Blu-Rays that actually made the overall image quality worse, like Misery, Goodfellas and Midnight Run. Misery looked very flat, and sickly warm in color balance, and the latter two lost considerable shadow detail. Went back to the original Blu-Rays, and in the case of a Midnight Run, to the original HD-DVD.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

I haven’t tried Plex in a long time but I did a few times in the past and it was a headache, and I’m not tech illiterate. Perhaps I will try it again and see if I have better luck this time. Do I have to subscribe to anything? Is there a cost?

It is still pretty complicated, unfortunately. It could be worse, but it could be better as well.

 

[WebHead]

Not sure that I agree with you regarding point of purchase. I buy my iTunes from my Mac and when you see the price to buy or rent, it's clearly stated available in higher quality or available in standard definition. The 'higher quality' is a very clever term.

It definitely shows 4K on iOS devices. What you're describing sounds like something out of iTunes preferences perhaps?

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

I got back on the phone and spoke with a different representative (Katherine) before reading your comment.
She told me at the movies are considered ‘new’ because Warners are listing them as new but could not tell me why they were considered ‘new’ even though they are 4K scans and not directors cuts or anything like that. None of the films have new scenes or improved effects etc...

I did ask for a refund so that i could put that money toward the ‘new’ set. I even explained that I haven’t even viewed those movies yet. I bought them in April with the intention of watching them in June once they had been upgraded.
I have to wait until she calls me back on Sunday with answer.
Is there a time limit or 12 weeks or something with Apple then when I can expect a refund?
[doublepost=1562343972][/doublepost]
It’s the inconsistency that really grates.

Why did they update Batman, but not the other 3 movies. It was Batman that was supposed to have had the new sound mix, the others haven’t received a new mix yet they are the ones that haven’t been upgraded.
And Batman hasn’t even received the new sound mix anyway! Why not? Again, the apple lady couldn’t provide an answer.
Apple cannot provide an answer. And when i talk to them it’s like they are robots incapable from deviating from the script.
[doublepost=1562344066][/doublepost]

Good idea. Especially in light of what bodybuilder paul had to say.

Being honest buddy, when i've asked for a refund, I always Email them.
I've had such bad experience with Apple over the phone that I do it Email and I tell them what I want from my request - a refund. You honestly should not have to wait until Sunday.

 

[WebHead]

Not only that, you should go straight to the top and email your namesake: tcook@apple.com or tim@apple.com. Sometimes works. Often frontline staff have no concept of discretion.

I'd still like to think this is an isolated incident and not how it's going to be. I've had at least one existing purchase auto-upgraded to 4K (most others I bought after their 4K release).

 

[-Gonzo-]

Apple has upgraded the first movie in the series, BATMAN, but not the other 3 movies for me.
When I queried this i was told that because Batman Returns, Batman Forever, and Batman & Robin had been ‘modified’ and were no longer the same versions as the ones i bought i was not eligible for the upgrade.

I know this is not true, however. BATMAN has received a new sound mix by Warner Brothers (not available on iTunes for some reason but this is a separate issue) but the other movies have only received a new 4K scan and should be eligible for upgrade.

Actually I think you’ll find it is true as in the case of Batman Returns and Batman Forever they were originally the cut versions and have been replaced with the uncut versions which is why they’ve had a new listing rather than an upgrade, not entirely sure about Batman & Robin.
Batman was already uncut which is why that got the upgrade.
Anyhow that being said if you haven’t seen already your copy of Batman Forever has now been upgraded to 4KDV with Atmos, the only thing you’re not getting is the new iTunes Extras.
The other two if they haven’t done so already are due to have the 4K versions added in due course so you’ll just have to keep an eye out for those.

 

[Marshall73]

I also bought all 4 batman films and they have since been upgraded to the 4K versions, not sure why you didn’t get them. It did take a week for the first film to be upgraded to 4K after the other 3 tho.

 

[Citizen Cook]

Can you detail these extra scenes, I can’t find any info online that confirms what you are saying.

 

[Citizen Cook]

Being honest buddy, when i've asked for a refund, I always Email them.
I've had such bad experience with Apple over the phone that I do it Email and I tell them what I want from my request - a refund. You honestly should not have to wait until Sunday.

I didn’t get my phone call on Sunday.
However apple Katherine did call me back today. They have agreed to issue me a refund within 30 days and i will use that money (£17.99) and make up the difference so that I can repurchase the movies in 4K.

 

[-Gonzo-]

Can you detail these extra scenes, I can’t find any info online that confirms what you are saying.

Check out the BBFC website as it lists all the cuts from previous releases.
Here an example of Batman Returns

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

I didn’t get my phone call on Sunday.
However apple Katherine did call me back today. They have agreed to issue me a refund within 30 days and i will use that money (£17.99) and make up the difference so that I can repurchase the movies in 4K.

That's great news and decent all around. But it's the least a huge company like Apple can do. Got to keep customers happy - ESPECIALLY in the days of social media!
Enjoy your new films - I hope that they look and sound thrilling!!! Enjoy buddy.

 

[WebHead]

On the subject of profanity in Batman Returns, it took me 27 years to notice Christopher Walken has the line, "Unlimited p***tang"!

 

[Tech198]

All to do with studios copyright. That's why you can't download the 4K file - it wold end up as couples Torrent files Also, a 4K DV iTunes file would probably be a nightmare to stream via HomeSharing. It would stop and start endlessly for many - 1080p iTunes HomeSharing is a total hit & miss for me over the last 8 years. I hate it!
Also Apple sees the future in streaming big files and offering a very very decent 1080p to download & keep for travelling on your iPad Pro or iPhone

Not sure that I agree with you regarding point of purchase. I buy my iTunes from my Mac and when you see the price to buy or rent, it's clearly stated available in higher quality or available in standard definition. The 'higher quality' is a very clever term. In the ever changing field of digital and streaming, it's just better to live in the moment and enjoy the film!

I suppose that's worse than leaked copied that go on straight away...

 

[Jar Jar Abrams]

Back in april I purchased the 4 move Batman collection, these included the movies Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, and Batman & Robin.
Last month they were taken down from iTunes and replaced with the new 4K scans.

Apple has upgraded the first movie in the series, BATMAN, but not the other 3 movies for me.
When I queried this i was told that because Batman Returns, Batman Forever, and Batman & Robin had been ‘modified’ and were no longer the same versions as the ones i bought i was not eligible for the upgrade.

I know this is not true, however. BATMAN has received a new sound mix by Warner Brothers (not available on iTunes for some reason but this is a separate issue) but the other movies have only received a new 4K scan and should be eligible for upgrade.

Here is a copy of the email apple sent me:

Hello Citizen,

As we discussed, Movie Bundle "Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology” with four movies including : Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin is no no longer available for sale in UK Movie Store, though it is for re download if a customer has already purchased it. It is not available in 4K. The Batman movie is the only one available for upgrade in 4K.

Not all content, especially if no longer for sale on the store, has been offered in 4K. Customers will always automatically get the highest quality that is offered and that their equipment can support. There is no need to upgrade, technically. It is delivered whenever possible.

Here is the exact verbatim that was provided by our Support Engineers.

Kind regards,

Erika
Apple

“Citizen” sounds very patronizing! Is that really what they wrote or did you omit your name for this post.

 

[-Gonzo-]

“Citizen” sounds very patronizing! Is that really what they wrote or did you omit your name for this post.

Have you not noticed what his forum name is?

 

[oneMadRssn]

This is why people pirate...

 

[gavroche]

IF we've originally bought a film in HD, it's a bit wrong or greedy to bitch that it doesn't get upgraded for free. It's making humans rather obese in my opinion when people are now expecting things for free and personally, I don't like it.

Yes it's lovely if our HD purchase suddenly becomes a 4K Dolby Vision version but we really should not expect this to happen.

I agree with part of what you say. The part about not expecting a free upgrade. Where I differ from you is that people have pointed out that movies they had purchased suddenly became very hard to locate. That is a problem. What you purchased should still come up in searches and be viewable easily. Makes me worry... because there are movies that I swear I remember buying before, but show purchase price not download icon. Maybe I did buy, but only see the "new" version...

 

[throAU]

Back in april I purchased the 4 move Batman collection

So, you got what you purchased....

 

[mrex]

I also have all my discs ripped to same quality MKV for backup and easy and fast access.

what BD-drive have you to rip BDs? ihave done it almost to all of my dvds , but i dont own bd-drive and i know that all bd-drives wont work (well if not all) to rip bd-content.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

I agree with part of what you say. The part about not expecting a free upgrade. Where I differ from you is that people have pointed out that movies they had purchased suddenly became very hard to locate. That is a problem. What you purchased should still come up in searches and be viewable easily. Makes me worry... because there are movies that I swear I remember buying before, but show purchase price not download icon. Maybe I did buy, but only see the "new" version...

Yes I've noticed this A LOT recently. I've bought the film but now in the store, the price appears. It seems to appear a lot on 20th C Fox since the disney purchase. The bought file is still there but there's a new one for new purchase.
Along with VIMEO, I still find iTunes the best platform for film purchase.
Anyone buying a film from Amazon most be truly bonkers...
1. You CANNOT download & keep the film to your MacBook/Mac
2. You can only download a SD copy to your iPhone
How truly useless in 2019 is that!

The whole distribution method of film seems very last century & deeply complicated. A example is 'Moonlight' A24 - 4K HDR from day one in the US iTunes store but here in the UK, a different distributor of the film to iTunes Store with no intention of a 4K HDR release. Same with the brand new Capernaum film - its a SPC Sony Classics film with iTunes Extras but here in the UK, it's an independent company supplying it to iTunes with at present no sign of iTunes Extras which is standard on the US version.

 

[steve62388]

Just noticed that my HD copy of Batman Returns has been upgraded to 4K. It wasn’t initially, it was the old cut.

Pretty much exactly the same scenario I posted about Spider-Man earlier in the thread. Glad I waited it out.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

Just noticed that my HD copy of Batman Returns has been upgraded to 4K. It wasn’t initially, it was the old cut.

Pretty much exactly the same scenario I posted about Spider-Man earlier in the thread. Glad I waited it out.

Awesome - enjoy buddy!
Here in the UK, I've been waiting for the 1983 break dance film 'Wild Style' to make it to iTunes and it finally has!!!!!
Cruel Intentions film got removed from the iTunes store the other week and i'm gutted as it was on my wishlist. A favourite from my university days