Vudu -> iTunes: Video Upgrade Question

[TrenttonY]

Hello,

I know that unfortunately Apple won’t upgrade your Vudu Disc to Digital 1080p copy to 4K, but my question is... When new 4K upgrades come out like The Shining 4K coming in October, which will no doubt be more than just a resolution bump (ex. color grading changes, noise reduction), will I get the new version but just in 1080p resolution?

 

[Audit13]

Apple will stream whatever they have available for a particular version AFAIK.

Even though there is a new 4k release of a catalog HD movie, studios rarely go back and remaster the Blu-Ray version. An example would be Mission Impossible 1 to 3.

I have redeemed several digital HD codes that were included with 1080p movies and they were automatically upgraded to 4k when they became available in 4k in the iTunes store. For example, all movies in The Hunger Games franchise were upgraded from 1080 to 4k even though I redeemed a digital code from 1080 Blu-Rays.

 

[TrenttonY]

Apple will stream whatever they have available for a particular version AFAIK.

Even though there is a new 4k release of a catalog HD movie, studios rarely go back and remaster the Blu-Ray version. An example would be Mission Impossible 1 to 3.

I have redeemed several digital HD codes that were included with 1080p movies and they were automatically upgraded to 4k when they became available in 4k in the iTunes store. For example, all movies in The Hunger Games franchise were upgraded from 1080 to 4k even though I redeemed a digital code from 1080 Blu-Rays.

Wow I never got notification for your reply.

My understanding is the 1080p disc that comes with the 4K disc is the same as the 4K but just not in the 4K resolution. So any other changes: color grading, noise reduction, etc should be present on the new 1080p disc.

Yes, that's for the digital code copy that redeemable in iTunes. I'm refereeing to if I use Vudu's Disc to Digital program. Unfortunately, I've read iTunes won't auto upgrade to a 4K copy if you use that service.
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Anyone else know the answer to the OP?

 

[Audit13]

I have the 4k version of Mission Impossible 1 to 3 and original 1080p releases for these same movies and I can definitely say that the 1080p disc included in the 4k package are the same discs that were released years ago with a lossy soundtrack. Nothing has been done to these 1080p discs to improve their audio or video quality. The 4k disc is the only remastered version available for this particular series.

Here's a review for MI3 where the reviewer's 4k package also includes the original 2007 1080p discs rather than a remastered 1080p version: https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Mission-Impossible-III-4K-Blu-ray/203025/#Review

Mission: Impossible III's UHD disc contains no supplements beyond regurgitating the audio commentary track, but the pair of bundled Blu-ray discs, identical to those released back in 2007 (disc artwork is different), bring over all of the previously released content.

 

[TrenttonY]

I have the 4k version of Mission Impossible 1 to 3 and original 1080p releases for these same movies and I can definitely say that the 1080p disc included in the 4k package are the same discs that were released years ago with a lossy soundtrack. Nothing has been done to these 1080p discs to improve their audio or video quality. The 4k disc is the only remastered version available for this particular series.

Here's a review for MI3 where the reviewer's 4k package also includes the original 2007 1080p discs rather than a remastered 1080p version: https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Mission-Impossible-III-4K-Blu-ray/203025/#Review

Mission: Impossible III's UHD disc contains no supplements beyond regurgitating the audio commentary track, but the pair of bundled Blu-ray discs, identical to those released back in 2007 (disc artwork is different), bring over all of the previously released content.

I don't understand why they wouldn't just downgrade the newly remastered copy to a 1080p resolution for the included Blu-Ray?

 

[Audit13]

I don't understand why they wouldn't just downgrade the newly remastered copy to a 1080p resolution for the included Blu-Ray?

It's not that easy to do because the studio would have to remove all the DV/HDR colour grading and downscale the movie. The result may be significantly better than the original 1080p release.

Although I can't speak for other 4k disc buyers, I can say that I have never played a 1080p disc that was included with my 4k purchases and it's unlikely I ever will.

 

[TrenttonY]

It's not that easy to do because the studio would have to remove all the DV/HDR colour grading and downscale the movie. The result may be significantly better than the original 1080p release.

Although I can't speak for other 4k disc buyers, I can say that I have never played a 1080p disc that was included with my 4k purchases and it's unlikely I ever will.

I was just wondering because as I said, I'm locked in the 1080p version of the iTunes copy, so I thought when old movies were remastered I would at least get some of the upgraded imagery but again not the whole 4K experience.

 

[Rigby]

To answer the original question, usually when a distributor submits a 4K version based on a new master, all lower-resolution media assets are updated as well and benefit from the new master where applicable. One very obvious example is Predator, which was updated to 4K last year; the (previously very crappy) 1080p version was also greatly improved since it was created from the new master. But AFAIK iTunes no longer streams 1080p files with HDR to the Apple TV (but you do get HDR when streaming <4K resolution on an HDR-capable iOS device such as the iPad Pro).

 

[TrenttonY]

Hello again.

I'm still trying to to debate if I should do Vudu's Disc to Digital program for $2 a movie.
I want to build my digital library once and will last my whole life (hopefully).

Pros:

• Its cheap. $2 a movie.

Cons:

• Its not future proof, currently Apple does not auto upgrade Vudu Disc to Digital movies to 4K.

Or get 'cheap' movies by waiting until they go on sale on iTunes (cheapest is about $4.99), plus its future proof because it will auto upgrade to 4K HDR.

Or do Vudu DtoD for $2 and hope and pray Apple will just auto upgrade everyones HD copy (through Vudu, Movies Anywhere) and even SD puraches to 4K, in the coming years.

I know this seems silly for a $3 differences but when you talking about 300 movies, there can be a big price difference.

 

[Audit13]

I have been using iTunes movies for years and I've never had Apple upgrade a movie that I didn't buy from them or get by redeeming an iTunes code.

 

[Rigby]

I think it's unlikely that they will ever upgrade movies not purchased from them (because it's likely part of the licensing agreements they have with the rights holders). I'd just decide on a case-by-case basis. Not every movie will become available in 4K or greatly benefit from it, and personally I wouldn't care if e.g. some rom-com is 4K or not.

 

[TrenttonY]

I have been using iTunes movies for years and I've never had Apple upgrade a movie that I didn't buy from them or get by redeeming an iTunes code.

I have been hearing mixed messages if Apple also upgrades the 1080p version when they come out with a 4K verison of a movie. When the studios release a 4K copy they're scanning a new copy of the master. I don't understand why they wouldnt also give the 1080p version the new master as well, just without HDR and 4K resolution.

The only way I can test if they do or not is buy Halloween (78) via Disc to Digital. From the screen caps i've seen, they changed the font color on one of the opening title name sequences to red instead of orange on the new 4K copy.
If they are uprading the 1080p version to at least the new scan, that change should be there??

 

[Audit13]

I have been hearing mixed messages if Apple also upgrades the 1080p version when they come out with a 4K verison of a movie. When the studios release a 4K copy they're scanning a new copy of the master. I don't understand why they wouldnt also give the 1080p version the new master as well, just without HDR and 4K resolution.

The only way I can test if they do or not is buy Halloween (78) via Disc to Digital. From the screen caps i've seen, they changed the font color on one of the opening title name sequences to red instead of orange on the new 4K copy.
If they are uprading the 1080p version to at least the new scan, that change should be there??

I can't comment on upgraded 1080p masters.

I often read reviews for 4k movies that are re-released in 4k and many of the 4k disc releases include the same 1080 disc from when the movie was released on Blu-ray. This makes sense to me because I buy a 4k disc to watch it in 4k rather than re-mastered 1080.

The country selected for an iTunes account would also make a difference since not all movies are available in 4k in all countries. For example: Anna is 4k in the USA and HD in Canada.