4K - A Word Of Caution!!

[surefire888]

For anyone serious about 4K, i would advise them to hold off buying anything (except speakers) for at least 12 months until 4K blurays are available.

The reason is, most existing AV amps and even some TVs that are claimed to be 4K-compatible do NOT actually have HDCP 2.2 compatibility which means u may not be able to play back 4K blurays when they come out. It is possible that even your brand-new 4K TV may need to be replaced (but prob unlikely with the newest generation)!

There are a lot of half-truths and misleading advertising out there. Yes, 4K TVs and 4K AV amps CAN play back 4K material BUT only if they are not protected (i.e. copyrighted) material for eg. 4K videos that you shoot on your handphone or camera.

Just imagine,even last year, AVamps were already advertising 4K capability (for eg Pioneer VSX823) when they were still only on HDMI 1.4a. What they neglected to mention was that, HDMI 1.4a only supports 4K at 24Hz instead of 60Hz!

You can google HDCP 2.2 to find out more. In the meantime, I wouldn't rush out to buy that new 4K TV or 4K AVamp just yet without doing some research!

 

[Goodshot]

Aint no money for that anyway

 

[thomasngo]

alamak...
don't scare me leh...
i just bought a 4k tv to replace my old spoilt plasma tv

 

[Apparatus]

Re

I believe this issue has been addressed when you have HDMI 2.0 implemented, no?

In fact, 4K TVs released this year already comes with HDMI 2.0 spec. For earlier 4K TVs the manufacturer either provides an firmware upgrade or an external hardware upgrade (like SAMSUNG's Evolution Kit)

Of course all these depend on whether the manufacturer's implementation of HDMI 2.0 is fully compliant or not.

 

[surefire888]

I believe this issue has been addressed when you have HDMI 2.0 implemented, no?

In fact, 4K TVs released this year already comes with HDMI 2.0 spec. For earlier 4K TVs the manufacturer either provides an firmware upgrade or an external hardware upgrade (like SAMSUNG's Evolution Kit)

Of course all these depend on whether the manufacturer's implementation of HDMI 2.0 is fully compliant or not.

No. 4K is 4K, HDCP is HDCP! You can have HDMI 2.0 but if HDCP 2.2 is not implemented, u wont be able to play back protected content.

U can google the stuff to learn more. Here's an eg:

HDCP 2.2: What you need to know - CNET

Atm, i noticed that only the high-end models of AVAmps have HDCP 2.2; not the lower models.

And as you mentioned, another thing to be aware of is that even if a device has HDMI 2.0, it is possible that the manufacturer has not implemented all the features of HDMI 2.0 (colour gamut, throughput etc) - that's why i am going to sit it out until i see actual 4K blurays in the shops

 

[Apparatus]

No. 4K is 4K, HDCP is HDCP! You can have HDMI 2.0 but if HDCP 2.2 is not implemented, u wont be able to play back protected content.

U can google the stuff to learn more. Here's an eg:

HDCP 2.2: What you need to know - CNET

Atm, i noticed that only the high-end models of AVAmps have HDCP 2.2; not the lower models.

And as you mentioned, another thing to be aware of is that even if a device has HDMI 2.0, it is possible that the manufacturer has not implemented all the features of HDMI 2.0 (colour gamut, throughput etc) - that's why i am going to sit it out until i see actual 4K blurays in the shops

Sure HDCP (like MHL 3.0) is a separate issue from HDMI 2.0. But are you intending to pirate copyrighted materials? Otherwise why bother? All you have to do is to buy original 4K discs (limited to documentaries and some movies for now) and play them or shoot from your 4K smartphone/camera/camcorder and play them on your 4K tv will do

If you really want to watch true 4K movies then you'll need a true 4K tv which is not available to the public for now.

 

[surefire888]

Sure HDCP (like MHL 3.0) is a separate issue from HDMI 2.0. But are you intending to pirate copyrighted materials? Otherwise why bother? All you have to do is to buy original 4K discs (limited to documentaries and some movies for now) and play them or shoot from your 4K smartphone/camera/camcorder and play them on your 4K tv will do

If you really want to watch true 4K movies then you'll need a true 4K tv which is not available to the public for now.

You got it all wrong!

You WON'T be able to play copyrighted material without HDCP 2.2

You MAY be able to play pirated material (like those bought from across the causeway) bec it's likely that the copyright protection has already been cracked.

 

[Carnage]

Yes, I heard HDCP 2.2 is a must for 4k.

Which is why I'm still on an old amp and not interested in any 4k tv for the time being.

 

[surefire888]

Yes, I heard HDCP 2.2 is a must for 4k.

Which is why I'm still on an old amp and not interested in any 4k tv for the time being.

Yes, it will take at least 2-3 years before prices (for players, source material, etc) drop to reasonable levels. That's why when my old av amp conked recently, i bgt a low-end av amp to replace it for now

 

[Norman Chan]

Amazon.com: 4k blu ray - Blu-ray: Movies & TV

How about these 4K blu ray selling in Amazon ?

 

[Apparatus]

Amazon.com: 4k blu ray - Blu-ray: Movies & TV

How about these 4K blu ray selling in Amazon ?

I do own some of those mastered in 4K movies but not documentaries. No problem playing on my 55" 4K SAMSUNG TV with upgraded evolution kit

 

[surefire888]

Amazon.com: 4k blu ray - Blu-ray: Movies & TV

How about these 4K blu ray selling in Amazon ?

Don't be conned! Another eg of misleading advertising! Those Sony "Mastered In 4K" movies are NOT true 4K - check the bottom of any movie cover (click to open the pic) - it says "Plays On ALL bluray players"! I would call them "upscaled movies" instead.

Those documentaries are prob real 4K material (i am guessing here) - says "Filmed in 4K". For documentaries, they prob have less interest in including copyright protection so i am guessing they will play in existing "4k" bluray players.

 

[surefire888]

Google is your friend!

What is Mastered in 4K and does it make a difference? - Opinion - Trusted Reviews

 

[alamakazim]

Don't be conned! Another eg of misleading advertising! Those Sony "Mastered In 4K" movies are NOT true 4K - check the bottom of any movie cover (click to open the pic) - it says "Plays On ALL bluray players"! I would call them "upscaled movies" instead.

Those documentaries are prob real 4K material - says "Filmed in 4K". For documentaries, they prob have less interest in including copyright protection so i am guessing they will play in existing "4k" bluray players.

to support...

extracted from amazon : spiderman....

The Blu-ray “Mastered in 4K” collection will set a new standard for Blu-ray HD picture and sound, creating the ultimate 1080p home entertainment experience. Created from the highest quality 4K source materials with new expanded color*, consumers can enjoy a brilliant picture with exquisite detail using their existing Blu-ray player or PlayStation®3. The Blu-ray “Mastered in 4K” collection is optimized so that 4K Ultra HD TV owners can take full advantage of the new 4K upscaling technology, delivering an outstanding near-4K experience. “Mastered in 4K” Blu-rays also work with all 1080p HDTVs for spectacular high definition picture and sound.

*Expanded color requires xvYCC-compatible TV and Blu-ray player

 

[surefire888]

to support...

extracted from amazon : spiderman....

The Blu-ray “Mastered in 4K” collection will set a new standard for Blu-ray HD picture and sound, creating the ultimate 1080p home entertainment experience. Created from the highest quality 4K source materials with new expanded color*, consumers can enjoy a brilliant picture with exquisite detail using their existing Blu-ray player or PlayStation®3. The Blu-ray “Mastered in 4K” collection is optimized so that 4K Ultra HD TV owners can take full advantage of the new 4K upscaling technology, delivering an outstanding near-4K experience. “Mastered in 4K” Blu-rays also work with all 1080p HDTVs for spectacular high definition picture and sound.

*Expanded color requires xvYCC-compatible TV and Blu-ray player

Yup, those "Mastered In 4K" blurays are ultimately still 1080p (FHD) only!

 

[surefire888]

Not all HDMI 2.0 comes with HDCP 2.2.

See below:
Onkyo | Product comparison

Both 535 and 636 models have HDMI 2.0 and support 4K at 60Hz but only the higher 636 model has HDCP 2.2

 

[Jeremy1]

I am also curious about all this 4K content and did asked a Sony SA.

As what he claimed, all those Bluray 4K so called Discs in the market are not the true 4K but the remaster 4K and they won't be any True 4K because the storage space for a True 4K Movies is pretty high.

And also there is no such things called a 4K Bluray player as most of the player in the currently market now are all upscaling to 4K resolution and there will never be a True 4K Bluray player in the market.

And for the HDCP 2.2 thing, I doubt there is worries if you get a Samsung 4K recent models as they can be upgrade in future by just buying a upgraded evolution kit.

 

[surefire888]

I am also curious about all this 4K content and did asked a Sony SA.

As what he claimed, all those Bluray 4K so called Discs in the market are not the true 4K but the remaster 4K and they won't be any True 4K because the storage space for a True 4K Movies is pretty high.

And also there is no such things called a 4K Bluray player as most of the player in the currently market now are all upscaling to 4K resolution and there will never be a True 4K Bluray player in the market.

And for the HDCP 2.2 thing, I doubt there is worries if you get a Samsung 4K recent models as they can be upgrade in future by just buying a upgraded evolution kit.

Not sure what is meant by "..there won't be any true 4K.." and "...there will NEVER be a true 4K bluray player..".

Of course there WILL be. The standards have just been finalised - True 4K blurays (AND True 4K bluray players) will be available for purchase by Xmas 2015

As for upgrading a TV, I would rather buy one WITH HDCP 2.2 than pay another $300 to $400 just to upgrade for HDCP later

 

[yx2000]

So... which TV has HDCP 2.2 now?

 

[86technie]

I am also curious about all this 4K content and did asked a Sony SA.

As what he claimed, all those Bluray 4K so called Discs in the market are not the true 4K but the remaster 4K and they won't be any True 4K because the storage space for a True 4K Movies is pretty high.

And also there is no such things called a 4K Bluray player as most of the player in the currently market now are all upscaling to 4K resolution and there will never be a True 4K Bluray player in the market.

And for the HDCP 2.2 thing, I doubt there is worries if you get a Samsung 4K recent models as they can be upgrade in future by just buying a upgraded evolution kit.

True, the first thing that must move to 4k are film makers.
Yet no film are captured in 4k yet so maybe it will take
at least another decade or so before 4k is relevant.