Skip to main content

Sony to release 'Mastered in 4K' Blu-rays, but it's not quite what you think

Sony to release 'Mastered in 4K' Blu-rays, but it's not quite what you think

Share this story

Sony 4K Blu-ray player prototype
Sony 4K Blu-ray player prototype

Along with its new 4K TVs and 4K distribution plan, Sony has also announced that it will be releasing a new range of 'Mastered in 4K' Blu-rays despite the fact that the video will still be encoded at 1080p. The company has five movies planned so far The Amazing Spider-Man, Total Recall (2012), The Karate Kid (2010), Battle: Los Angeles, and The Other Guys all of which will be sourced from 4K masters. Anyone hoping for actual 4K versions of the films will be sure to be disappointed: it looks like Sony will be simply applying a 'Mastered in 4K' label to the new discs in order to capitalize on the buzz surrounding the ultra high resolution. The company even goes as far to suggest that viewers should upscale the 1080p video to 4K TVs hardly a great viewing experience.

Still, the company isn't resting on its laurels. The Verge spotted a prototype 4K player pictured above during Sony's press event today at CES, and the company has pledged to create a 4K distribution service for people splashing out on the new flagship TV sets. However Sony plans to get 4K into the hands of consumers, it most likely won't be via Blu-ray.