NEWS: Strato V Player Announced

[MikeKobb]

Do you have an ETA on a fix for this since it was already a known issue internally? It’s the thing holding me back from buying a V right now.

I don't have an ETA that I can share yet. The issue was identified very close to release date so although it's being worked on, there just hasn't been a lot of time since discovery.

 

[MikeKobb]

@J.Green and @MikeKobb , are the DV adds happening randomly as they finish or on a daily/weekly basis?

For existing movies that are getting a Dolby Vision version added, those are made available whenever they're ready. New releases obviously happen on a schedule, and the licensors tend to favor a Tuesday release, although that's not 100%.

 

[ZeroDarkFuga]

For existing movies that are getting a Dolby Vision version added, those are made available whenever they're ready. New releases obviously happen on a schedule, and the licensors tend to favor a Tuesday release, although that's not 100%.

Thanks @MikeKobb , understand regarding new releases.

We’ve heard a bit of detail re: HD re-encoding but do you have similar detail for the DV additions to existing titles that you may be willing (or even able) to share from the team?

I’m interested in the process and also typical time it takes per title, what makes some easier than others etc.

I know you already said priority given to most popular titles but just curious re: the process since some like LOTR trilogy have theatrical and extended versions both vs. hobbit trilogy which doesn’t have extended vs. Bourne that has 2 out of 5 etc….

 

[markrubin]

I heard of a surge in V orders; did K anticipate this?
Can you give us any numbers?

 

[StanfieldNC]

FYI looks to have been a rather large update of the HD re-encoding process for the "Need to download a SD version copy" of HD films (including Gravity!).

I only have 3 films in my collection without an HD compatible version now (Django Unchained, Old School and Bad Santa) when I run the Strato V readiness report.

Great job and end of afternoon surprise @MikeKobb !

Where are you seeing Gravity is now available in HD for the V? My readiness report shows I still have 14 titles only available in SD (including Gravity) and another 10 not compatible at all.

 

[MikeKobb]

We’ve heard a bit of detail re: HD re-encoding but do you have similar detail for the DV additions to existing titles that you may be willing (or even able) to share from the team?

I’m interested in the process and also typical time it takes per title, what makes some easier than others etc.

I know you already said priority given to most popular titles but just curious re: the process since some like LOTR trilogy have theatrical and extended versions both vs. hobbit trilogy which doesn’t have extended vs. Bourne that has 2 out of 5 etc….

Sure. For the Dolby Vision titles, we have to get new mezzanine files from the licensors, since Dolby Vision mastering is done at the studio level. Those mezzanine files then go through our typical process for 4K titles, although updated with new tools that know how to handle the new format. You may have seen the video we posted that talks a bit about that process. That video was posted before the Dolby Vision announcement, but what's described is essentially the same.

In some cases (The Bourne Identity being an example), we have also gotten SDR assets to fill availability gaps where before we had 4K HDR10 but not 4K SDR.

The pace of the process is determined by a number of factors, but the two main ones are the processing time on the transcode hosts, and then the human review process. Release of updated Dolby Vision versions is being done in parallel with processing of new-release movies, so that's another factor affecting schedule.

Finally, regarding priority, I believe it is pretty much as I described -- we have to look at the set of movies available with Dolby Vision assets, and then we choose based largely on popularity. In the case of Lord of the Rings for example, I know that one version of the trilogy was done quite a few weeks before the other version (I forget which was which, though).

 

[LoveCinema]

In some cases (The Bourne Identity being an example), we have also gotten SDR assets to fill availability gaps where before we had 4K HDR10 but not 4K SDR.

Is it possible that adding Dolby Vision would also facilitate the adding of HDR?

For example, classic much requested updates like Lawrence of Arabia or Taxi Driver that are still 4K SDR on the K Store. If those got Dolby Vision would that also mean that they'd get HDR? Or, would these potentially only receive DV but if you owned a Strato V you could play them in HDR? (Thereby fulfilling the HDR need, but only for V owners.)

I'm curious if a case like this has come up yet.

 

[ZeroDarkFuga]

Sure. For the Dolby Vision titles, we have to get new mezzanine files from the licensors, since Dolby Vision mastering is done at the studio level. Those mezzanine files then go through our typical process for 4K titles, although updated with new tools that know how to handle the new format. You may have seen the video we posted that talks a bit about that process. That video was posted before the Dolby Vision announcement, but what's described is essentially the same.

In some cases (The Bourne Identity being an example), we have also gotten SDR assets to fill availability gaps where before we had 4K HDR10 but not 4K SDR.

The pace of the process is determined by a number of factors, but the two main ones are the processing time on the transcode hosts, and then the human review process. Release of updated Dolby Vision versions is being done in parallel with processing of new-release movies, so that's another factor affecting schedule.

Finally, regarding priority, I believe it is pretty much as I described -- we have to look at the set of movies available with Dolby Vision assets, and then we choose based largely on popularity. In the case of Lord of the Rings for example, I know that one version of the trilogy was done quite a few weeks before the other version (I forget which was which, though).

This is great detail, thank you!!

I’m going to limit myself to a Tuesday placeholder or at most once a day checking.

That being said, please let me re-emphasize that I am thoroughly impressed with the Dolby Vision edition of the films thus far…

Even my kids (8 and 3) have commented on the substantial differences and improvements in films from Disney (frozen 2 and inside out) and Harry Potter that we have watched together literally 100s of times.

Your example of Bourne Identity is also relevant to @LoveCinema question, in that I suspect the addition of Dolby Vision titles will fill the gaps in a lot of long-standing users request for films, like Lawrence of Arabia, or the Bourne movies that had known awful 4K transfers on physical media as well…..

 

[josh]

So many great discussions here on this exciting new product.

Would like to suggest that participants here consider posting more in-depth technical discussions that are NOT really general posts about the launch of the Strato V to their own new thread. This will make it easier for members to find and participate in that topic, and keep it relevant for longer than just the "announcement" thread is likely to be.

This thread was meant to be mostly about the launch event and general new information about the new product.

I've tried to move some of the longer and more involved recent discussions here to new threads.

thanks!

The Strato V has caused record participation, posts, and new member signups here on the forum... clearly a ton of interest in the product.

Thanks again to @MikeKobb and @J.Green for their amazing contributions here.

 

[HCS]

Some news for fellow brits - The Strato V is now shipping!

 

[HCS]

Thanks. Yes I I have looked into that and was seriously considering to incorporate vroom 8k with the epson, in my primary setup. I look forward to your test results with the V.

Confirmed working flawlessly with the Vertex 2 and the Epson LS12000 using LLDV.
Bit late to the party but now revisiting my library in DV.

 

[Broncowrangler]

Confirmed working flawlessly with the Vertex 2 and the Epson LS12000 using LLDV.
Bit late to the party but now revisiting my library in DV.

That’s awesome. I will order out the HDfury unit. I plan on moving the V to my main HT, to pair it with the LS12000 for the long haul. My current arrangement (with the Oled) is temporary, just waiting for some issues to get resolved.