Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Restricted to 4K Only

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Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 10-25-2017, 12:58 PM:

I'm not going to name names at the moment, but I was informed today by a distributor of classic films that the rights owner of some films they distribute only allows them to be shown on 4k projectors.
I considered for a moment "How can they tell" and then realized in order to make a key, all of the information about our projectors is visible to the distributor and the rights holder. Or at least they can put a block on a non-4k projector.
Anyone else run into this sort of restriction?
If I choose to move forward with this, I can ask for an exemption. They also have a 35mm print, but I have no idea what condition it is in. But no matter how bad the condition, the rights owner will let that be shown.

Posted by Marcel Birgelen (Member # 6801) on 10-25-2017, 02:49 PM:

I've not yet heard about such a restriction before. It somehow feels a little silly to me. They must be confident their 35mm prints are in pristine condition then. [Wink]

Especially indie and repertoire titles will usually not be shown in venues equipped with 4K projection equipment...

Posted by Alexandre Pereira (Member # 9295) on 10-25-2017, 04:19 PM:

Considering most people cannot tell the difference between 2K and 4K I am not sure what is the point of a 4K exclusive? Just because it says 4K on the DCP was the scan even done at 4K?
Just get the bluray and make your own DCP - or if the 35mm is in good shape play that. Better 35mm than bs 4K any day.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 10-25-2017, 06:05 PM:

The KDM is targeted at the server, and while some of these serials clearly identify 4k capable systems, not all projection systems can be traced down to 4k that way. But as they insist, they could of course want other evidence of 4k capability...

It sounds silly, yes, but on the other hand, why condemn an approach to lift presentation quality? Yes, I admit there is more to good presentation than 4k vs. 2k. Some 4k installations are even worse than the average 2k installation.

- Carsten

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 10-26-2017, 07:03 AM:

If you don't have an IMB/IMS, then it can be presumed, you are not 4K but once one you are in the IMB/IMS world, they have zero way of "knowing". It is a DCI requirement that all projectors and servers handle 4K content so there not being 2K shouldn't be the issue at all.

While you do list your projector in the DRF, I've yet to see a KDM tied to the projector AND server (They could, they are part of the TDL) but it has never been done.

So what is left is purely contractual. That is, you lie to them, they catch you, there is some penalty.