Why will 4k/8k matter?


First, I was at the movies several times over the holidays recently and I must add that commercial movie theaters don't necessarily offer any appreciably better visual superiority over what a good 1080 home movie projector can offer, in my estimation. At the very least, the Black level quality is nothing to write home about at the commercial theaters, I've noticed. And, in fact, I've owned at least two different JVC pj's thus far, both of which out-do the black level of what I see when I go out to the movies! Thought I'd pass that on, cause that makes me feel pretty good when I use my gear at home, and am continually amazed at what quality image is available on a large screen at home from home gear!
All that, and I sit in different places in the movie theaters I go to, and get a feel for the perceived resolution at varying distances, and try to compare to see when I can see the pixels on the screen -how close I can get, etc. And I've come to think about how much of a difference these 4k images make, over what I already have at home - which is pretty impressive to me and my guests, both. And overall I just feel that the added rez at the theaters just don't seem all that much of an improvement over when I get the same movies at the house on the disc! Just sayin. I'm more than pleased with even Netflix HD at home on the big, with old technology still.
So anyway, I gotta figure that most the consumer market is already tickled pink with their Best Buy 720p 55" flat screens they got on special. So even for those who will ever dare to jump up to a bigger than 70-90" flat screen image at the home, I just can't help but wonder why 4k will really matter? That and even blown up 135+" size projected set-ups need a projector with the light output to fill the screen anyway! So, if they don't pump out higher lumens, you're limiting a solidly saturated bright image to smaller image sizes for practical purposes. That and rooms are only so big in most living rooms, and media rooms, anyway.
So I ask, why will anyone jump to upgrade, and embrace a new higher def format? I mean, sure, I'll likely take advantage in the future, as my unit starts to age. But I certainly don't see me moving on from what I have as an early adopter, just so I can sit a foot closer to my 120" I already sit plenty close to, with stellar results!
That and what I mentioned about the average consumer, who's still plenty happy with their 480/540 res DVD collection, and practical flat screens they already have and enjoy (not to mention the state of the economy), and I just wonder if another HD "SUPER blu-ray format" and unified equipment evolution will prosper?
Well, guess we'll see. My guess is they'll sell a few units, and it'll be about as popular is the draw is for 3d at present...which nobody cares so much about, across the board.
Any comments or thoughts?
avgoround
4K offers much improved color space and yes, for large fixed pixel displays it does make a difference. I will buy one once they are more reasonable if my new home still has the same lighting issues my old one did, but I WILL NOT buy one until a standard is reached.

I have been taken to the bank for every new format so many times I will sit by and wait for a true standard for UltraHD (since it isn't truly 4K, actually 3840p) at least that seems to be what the consumer is getting......
The bleeding edge of audio and video performance is pursued by folk with LOTS of money to spend on these things. That does NOT include me. I too am plenty happy with my 8-foot-wide (wide, not diagonal) Panavision-ratio screen, Epson 8700UB PJ, and Oppo '95.

I believe I've yet to see a 4K projection, and since I can see the pixels in 2K projections, they don't look as smooth and film-like as my home system.

Also, I believe that there won't be a disc format for 3840-rez movies; those FILES will be distibuted to servers. I'm told that the Red-camera company has already announced a system to do that.
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I'm going to CES this year, so I'm sure I'll see more than a few 4k - or higher? - displays and pj systems. Who knows. Maybe I'll get to see a side by side of old vs new state of the art, to compare. I'll fill back in after that.
I've also been held off on considering picking up an "E-shift" faux-4k upscaling later model JVC, to replace my HD350. It makes no sense, particularly since the pixels structure and tech in my present unit is already very very good for 1080p, and I'm happy with it - that and it puts out A LOT of light on even a very large 135" firehawk g3!
Also, I don't need 3D, nor care. So, why upgade to a slightly more dense looking image, when I'd just wait for true res upgrade, when it makes much more sense.
Heck, I got my HD350 for $999 with a full warranty over a year ago, and they're still making 1080p pj's that are inferior to mine!
I'm just sayin, I would have to be blown away at the show, and promised a whole lot of 4k+ content for me to likley budge in the next year or two. We shall see.
So, what, is the cheapest TRUE 4K
I saw my first 4K major movie release in a Florida theater last week -Skyfall. I gotta admit, it was a seriously impressive picture presentation all around. Even so, not sure how much resolution is actually required for home use.I would think you would need 100" screens or bigger to really notice a huge difference, but I would definitely jump onboard once the tech was standardized and brought down to "consumer" level pricing and availability such as bluray is now.
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4k projectors start at $24k, and that is at the extreme rock-bottom low end. Waaay too rich for my blood. I too can't wait until prices come down to consumer level. I have a 220 inch diagonal screen, a 4k projector would be a quantum leap in picture quality for me.
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It won't matter much for quite some time. Are there any movies being produced at 4k resolution? Secondly, unless you're sportinyg a 120+" video screen, you will not derive any benefit from 4k unless you sit 3 feet away from your screen.

Most folks are more than happy with their 1080P displays and I don't see that changing much in the next 3-4 years. Money is tight for most everyone nowadays and uber-expensive video displays are most certainly a luxury purchase...

-RW-