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AshNazg
Gondor
Aug 31 2021, 9:51am
Post #1 of 9
(2453 views)
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4K vs Blu-ray differences & reviews
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There are a number of these comparison videos online showing the differences between the 4K and Blu-ray versions of the films. Do be aware that without a 4K HDR display the colours in these videos may not be accurate...
The Hobbit
AUJ - https://youtu.be/isU7TTgmwa4 DoS - https://youtu.be/TVtOr5n6IDg BotFA - https://youtu.be/yqjfE5sLpYg
The Lord of the Rings
FotR - https://youtu.be/kJ-sTKBmPwE TTT - https://youtu.be/7II4mqnfnlg RotK - https://youtu.be/Acu5DDE7WQs
Overall, the colours seem much more natural and less filtered, especially when compared to the awful green-tinted FotR EE. DoS seems to get the biggest adjustment, particularly the Smaug scenes, and there's a very strange choice to turn one sequence black-and-white in TTT, which is clearly a creative decision and will be personal preference.
But there's also some fairly bad news here. First, they have applied noise-reduction to remove the natural film-grain on LotR. This could be to create a consistency with The Hobbit's digital look, but I have a theory that it was actually done in order to better blend the green-screened and CGI elements to their environments.
Some might prefer the cleaner, grain-free look. But the removal process can soften the image and make things look less detailed and less textured or tactile, or less nostalgic.
TL;DR
What I really want to talk about
Here's the problem I really want to bring to people's attention -
https://youtu.be/...8uiwcME&t=13m45s
It seems that due to the DNR, or some other process, the 4K versions have some strange artefacts and issues, such as Gandalf's staff disappearing for a few frames and Shadowfax's ear floating from his head.
This is concerning as it implies that the process was done somewhat automatically, rather than by eye (as a human wouldn't make these mistakes), and we don't know what other tiny problems like this might exist. They are strange occurrences that I've not seen before and would usually associate with motion-interpolation (creating fake frames to smooth out the 24fps) I don't see why they would do that here, though?
I wonder if the person responsible for there screen-grabs was using some sort of motion-interpolation and these issues don't actually exist on the discs? If anyone's able to confirm them that would be great.
Despite the issues, these are by far the best-looking versions available to date. No format is perfect, and the problems mentioned here are relatively minor. For those on the fence - the HDR alone is more than worth the upgrade and the many benefits of 4K do outweigh these little nit-picks by a significant amount.
(This post was edited by AshNazg on Aug 31 2021, 9:54am)
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skyofcoffeebeans
Lorien
Aug 31 2021, 2:01pm
Post #2 of 9
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I've been able to confirm those artifact issues exist on disc. I prefer the Blu-ray releases for LOTR and couldn't care less about their continuity with the Hobbit.
There are bigger fish to fry in the world and nobody will care about this, but the new waxy, artificially saturated, and grain-free LOTR is something I'm not particularly interested in revisiting.
The FotR EE color issues is definitely something to weigh when deciding which versions to watch. But at the end of the day, I'll prefer the grain and sharper image and take the slight green tint over DNR, noise reduction, and artificial saturation.
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AshNazg
Gondor
Aug 31 2021, 11:57pm
Post #3 of 9
(2375 views)
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What about the Theatrical cuts?
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Are there any visual differences between the Theatrical and Extended cuts? Do these artefacts exist on both versions?
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AshNazg
Gondor
Sep 2 2021, 12:02am
Post #4 of 9
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So it turns out the Extended Editions are NOT native 4K!
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Around 30% of the Theatrical Edition of FotR has been re-scanned at 4K, with the rest being digitally sharpened from the 2K DI.
100% of TTT and RotK have been Digitally sharpened as have all three of the Extended Editions.
I'm uncertain about The Hobbit. But from my own analysis it looks as if they are mostly or entirely digitally sharpened too. I'll try to get confirmation on those.
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AshNazg
Gondor
Sep 2 2021, 8:36am
Post #6 of 9
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Hi *******
We unfortunately don’t have any press materials that we can share, but understand why you asked. What I can confirm is that you were right in that non-filmed out 2K VFX were upscaled to 4K to create a new 4K Digital Intermediate. Most of the source data come from 2K data while some of the FOTR theatrical was a 4K scan.
Have a wonderful remainder of your day, thanks again for your kind words!
All the best,
*******
https://forum.blu-ray.com/...=322272&page=475
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GreenHillFox
The Shire
Sep 2 2021, 9:10am
Post #7 of 9
(2297 views)
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Just to be sure I understand this...
[In reply to]
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About these new 4K versions, are these on the extended edition or on the theatrical version?
Thanks.
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AshNazg
Gondor
Sep 2 2021, 9:32am
Post #8 of 9
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I'm not wholly sure about the state of the 4k Theatrical Editions. All footage, images and info seems to come from the Extended Editions exclusively. It would be interesting to compare.
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skyofcoffeebeans
Lorien
Sep 2 2021, 11:05am
Post #9 of 9
(2280 views)
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that visuals are completely consistent between the two versions.
Thanks for the email.
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