Small doubt about Re-encoding Sony "Mastered in 4K" Releases

[SquallMX]

The Blu-ray equivalent of "Superbit DVDs", Sony claims that the movies are encoded using extended color XvYCC, so my question is: Do you need to use a special setting to keep the extended color, and is the color really improved or just typical marketing BS?

:thanks:

[RobertM]

I have nothing to backup my opinion, just a healthy cynicism build up over decades, but I'd go with "just typical marketing BS".

[Sparktank]

I was a bit curious about these myself.
Quite a few reviews online if you google.

It seems:
1) you need a specialised, calibrated TV to take advantage of the new color gamut
2) you need to enable said functions on said compatible devices to read from new color gamut (so I think on incompatible devices you simply get a regular Blu-Ray movie in YV12)
3) it really depends how well you perceive the visual enhancements. some were able to see the new colors and like them while quite a lot didn't like them.
4) all else fails: you still have really awesome video bitrates.

On the AVS forum, someone quotes the progress of someone else who did extensive testing using various settings and modes.
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1470744/avs-cant-wait-special-mastered-in-4k-blu-ray-releases/420
There's quite a bit of disappointing reviews out there that most people are impressed with the new color gamut at all.
They much prefer watching the 4K Master series with the new color gamut turned off. There's some praise on the new color gamut but it's very shaky.

Though it's really hard to say, since a lot of commercially available consumer devices themselves aren't always calibrated or designed as needed.
Remember when Michael Bay released Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon on 3D Blu-ray? The internet was overwhelmed with poor reviews and people claiming it was darker in brightness. On the official MB forums, he personally made a statement that he released the 3DBD's with the right color timings and specifics to give the optimal 3D effect during playback. But not every 3D TV out there was calibrated well enough to meet his technical standards.
I would blame a lot of the companies not producing adequate televisions as well as the blu-ray companies.

It seems the only real gain to be had from these are simply the higher bitrates overall, if the colors don't suit you.
The higher bitrates seem to impress a lot people where fast action scenes are concerned.

I imagine the best movies to get from the 4K Master series are ones that are supervised by artistic directors who know their stuff: David Lynch, Michael Mann, Michael Bay, James Cameron, etc.

An article from Highdef with something to say about it.
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Mastered_in_4K/Industry_Trends/High-Def_Retailing/4K/UHDTV/Ultra_HD/Mastered_in_4K_and_the_Road_to_Ultra_HD/11781

A small review on some site. He seems to find the new colors pleasing.
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/blog/2013/05/29/blu-ray-review-spider-man-mastered-4k-version

I'm personally very skeptical about this new trend. I'll certainly take interest in those that have had the directors return to the studios to aid the processing, like with some DVD/BD releases (most of the Alien quadrilogy; Godfather restoration, etc).

I'd keep that AVS forum thread bookmarked as more come out to catch the consumer's reviews and opinions.

[jdobbs]

There's a name for video that is mastered in 4K and then is downsized to 1080p for BD distribution. It's called "1080p". You'll find that movies that were mastered in actual film has a resolution that is even higher than 4k. In fact, I was under the impression that most films were already digitized first at 4K resolution before they were converted to 1080p -- but I don't remember where I heard/read that.

[colinhunt]

I remember reading that the Blu-ray specification does not even allow xvYCC. So, like, huh?

[Seajunk]

Here's some more info
Sony 'mastered in 4K' Blu-rays a mixed blessing (http://www.cnet.com.au/sony-mastered-in-4k-blu-rays-a-mixed-blessing-339344100.htm)

[Sparktank]

I found on the AVS forums that someone posted a link to Sony site with quite a bit of technical details on the xvYCC colorspace.

Sony's technology highlights
xvYCC
Extended-gamut Color Space for Video Applications
http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/technology/technology/theme/xvycc_01.html

Mostly just talks about the background info on the colorspace and gives brief info on the products that use the xvYCC colorspace.